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For these tests, we first wore the helmets in several environments and in different situations (sport, work, transport, outdoor, etc.). We were able to judge their resistance, their stability of connection, their maintenance, their comfort, their responsiveness, their autonomy, as well as the practicality of the controls. We also tested the app for each headset. On the audio side, we analyzed the quality of the sound as well as that of the calls while alternating quiet places and noisier places. We evaluated possible sound leaks and vibrations. Finally, we watched video content to best examine latency.

The selection of the 5 best bone conduction helmets to choose in 2023

  • Shokz OpenRun: the most powerful
  • SoundPEATS RunFree Lite: the most autonomous
  • Shokz OpenRun Pro: the most comfortable
  • Shokz OpenMove: the lightest

Shokz OpenRun: the most powerful

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Offering a battery life of 8 hours, with fast charging support, this headset has it all! Thanks to its thin and ultra-light design, it can be worn for several hours without problems. It is water and dust resistant and has a humidity detector with alert system. The device offers us a very clear and powerful sound, with good bass. During our call tests, we were satisfied with the 2 noise-cancelling microphones, which offered us a good quality of communication. Only small problem: the proprietary charging cable is difficult to replace.

The most:

  • Very clear and powerful sound
  • Fast charging support
  • Thin and light design
  • Water and dust resistant
  • Noise-cancelling microphone

The least:

  • Charging cable difficult to replace

SoundPEATS RunFree Lite: the most autonomous

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With a charging speed of 1h30 and one of the best autonomy on the market (17 hours), this headset is one of the best. It offers a lightweight design and no discomfort was felt when using it. It is resistant to light rain and perspiration and can therefore easily be used for sports. Its SoundPeats application provides access to manual equalizers and 8 defined sound profiles. Another advantage: its multi-point connection is very convenient and we were able to easily pair it with the smartphone and laptop. On the other hand, the quality of calls leaves something to be desired. The voice is not clear enough, or even inaudible in some situations.

The most:

  • Speed of charging
  • 17 hours of battery life
  • Lightweight design
  • Resistant to rain and dust
  • Quality application

The least:

  • Call quality not top

Shokz OpenRun Pro: the most comfortable

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The Shokz OpenRun Pro offers a good battery life of 10 hours and charges quickly. We found it comfortable to wear, even after several hours of listening. It can be used for sports but also outdoors. The sound is excellent and detailed and the call quality is satisfactory, especially thanks to its 2 noise-canceling microphones. The device also includes a multi-point connection which is, in our opinion, very stable. Nevertheless, on the technical side, the proprietary magnetic cable is not easy to replace.

The most:

  • 10 hours of battery life
  • Fast charging
  • Comfortable
  • Excellent sound
  • Noise-cancelling microphones

The least:

  • Proprietary magnetic cable not easy to replace

Shokz OpenMove: the lightest

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With its lightweight structure, the Shokz OpenMove does not generate any discomfort after several hours of listening. This helmet is suitable for outdoor sports because it ensures good support when moving. On the sound side, we find a good quality despite bass a little further back. The headset has a dual microphone with noise reduction, which is not to be neglected for calls of better quality. The multipoint connection is present and is very simple to use, despite turbulence in case of obstacles (walls, doors, etc.). Its autonomy, meanwhile, is very minimal (6 hours).

The most:

  • Lightweight structure
  • Ideal for outdoor sports
  • Dual Noise Cancelling Mic

Cons:

  • 6-hour battery life
  • Turbulence when using the multipoint connection
  • Basses a little behind

Other models tested

  • Tayogo S2: We found it very little autonomous.
  • Creative Outlier Free Pro: We noticed a lot of latencies while watching videos.
  • Philips TAA6606: We didn't find it comfortable to wear.
  • Creative Outlier Free: We find it too expensive for what it offers.

4 key criteria for choosing your bone conduction helmet

According to our product experts, here are the key criteria to consider when choosing your bone conduction helmet

Ergonomics

  • The shape of the helmet and the arrangement of certain buttons on it may be likely to interfere when using it so be careful!
  • The advantage of bone conduction helmets is that they are all very lightweight.

Sound

  • Be aware that bone conduction headphones offer much lower sound quality than conventional headphones
  • Some sound leaks are to be expected with this type of headphones

The battery

  • Pay attention to battery life before buying
  • Check that your headset cable is easily replaceable

Resistance

  • If you mainly buy a helmet for sports, check that it is well resistant to water and perspiration
  • IP certification of the headset can help you know what type of headset you're buying

Content proposed by our experts good deals, partners of 20 Minutes. The editorial staff was not involved in its realization. The prices mentioned in this article are indicative and are subject to change.
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