If you’re not familiar with bone conduction headphones, here’s how they work: instead of going into your ears like earbuds or covering them like traditional headphones, they rest just outside your ears near your temples and send vibrations through your skull to your inner ear. The result is surprisingly clear audio without blocking your ear canals, meaning you can stay fully aware of your surroundings while listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. It’s a technology that can take a little time to get used to, but once you adjust, it offers a genuinely transformative way to consume audio in public or while on the move. This makes them especially popular with runners, cyclists, and commuters—anyone who values situational awareness without giving up their tunes. Personally, I’ve found Shokz headphones to be indispensable when I’m out and about.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to dip your toes into bone conduction audio, the Shokz OpenMove is a fantastic starting point. This model is stripped down to the essentials without feeling cheap. It features physical buttons for intuitive control—power, playback, and volume—and it supports charging via a regular USB-C cable, which is more convenient than the proprietary magnetic chargers found on more expensive models. You get around 8 hours of battery life, and while it’s only rated for minimal water resistance, it’s good enough for light workouts or getting caught in a bit of rain. Normally priced at $80, the OpenMove is currently available for under $55 on Amazon, and you can also find it at that price from Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Walmart. It’s a solid investment if you want a different kind of headphone experience without spending a fortune.
