Our #1 Pick
Best Headphones for Biking
AfterShokz Trekz Air Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Finding the Best Biking Headphones of 2018 was by far the hardest of our “Best of ” lists. For one it is hard to include every type of biker, cyclist, trail rider, etc. in one single list. Secondly many cyclists may give you the death stare if you even bring up using headphones while riding (mainly due to safety), while others will swear by listening to music.
With that said take a look at our criteria below for Best Biking Headphones, and we also highly recommend you check out our Best Overall Workout Headphones for additional options that we think you might love.
Biking Specific Criteria
- Secure Fit. Listening to Lance Armstrong when it comes to biking or cycling is probably a good idea. So with that said we’ve left all earbuds off this list. You’ll only see neckband, clip on, or ear hook headphones. Why? Because the last thing you should be doing is trying to put your earbud back in as you cruise down the highway. We don’t agree that all earbuds will fall out, but why take the chance?
- Sweat Resistance. Look at the IPX rating. You want at least an IPX4, which will indicate sweatproof (not waterproof).
- Safety First. If you’re biking or cycling make sure you consider the consequences of purchasing noise isolating sports headphones. While runners may also have this same issue, it is even more likely that cyclists will be in and around traffic. In addition, in-ear canal headphones that aren’t noise isolating may also not be ideal. We’ll be staying with earbuds, with the condition that they have some form of neckband, vertical band, or clip. If you’re a trail rider and not very concerned with this, we recommend you check out
- Helmets and Other Gear. Each rider is different. And each rider wears different gear. Regardless of which headphones you go with, make sure you evaluate whether they will work well with the gear you’re wearing. For instance, will your helmet conflict with the location of your neckband?
Best Biking Headphones of 2018
| Rank | Picture | Name | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AfterShokz Trekz Air | See it on Amazon |
| 2 |  | SENSO Bluetooth Headphones | See it on Amazon |
| 3 |  | Plantronics BackBeat Fit | See it on Amazon |
| 4 |  | Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats 2 | See it on Amazon |
| 5 |  | Bose SoundSport Free | See it on Amazon |
| 6 |  | Jabra Elite Sport | See it on Amazon |
| 7 |  | Jaybird Freedom F5 | See it on Amazon |
| 8 |  | Jaybird RUN | See it on Amazon |
| 9 |  | Bragi The Dash Pro | See it on Amazon |
| 10 |  | Nuheara IQbuds | See it on Amazon |
Best Biking Headphone Reviews
We wanted to give you a closer look at our Top 4 picks. Take a look at the pros and cons below. If there’s something we didn’t cover that you want answered, feel free to drop us a comment at the end of the article.
#1 AfterShokz Trek Air Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Pros
The AfterShokz Trek Air wireless bone conduction headphones deliver music through the cheekbones, which allows them to hear ambient sound such as approaching traffic, sirens, car horns, etc.
The AfterShokz wireless headphones are compatible with IOS and Android devices.
Cons
AfterShokz created these wireless headphones with a limited volume capability.
Headphones are great for listening to music, but the microphone has left some listeners disappointed.
#2 SENSO Bluetooth Headphones
Pros
The SENSO Bluetooth headphones deliver true, clear bass sounds.
The headphones have an 8-hour battery life with 240 hours of standby power.
Cons
Some SENSO listeners have stated there is a bit of static when answering phone calls.
Headphones only have a line of sight connectivity, which means connections can be lost.
#3 Plantronics Backbeat Fit Headphones
Pros
The Plantronics Backbeat Fit headphones are waterproof and sweatproof, which means you can wear them in many different situations.
Plantronics created these headphones with reflective surfaces, which helps keep riders safer on the road.
Cons
Listeners with long or medium hair may experience some connectivity issues due to interference with her hair.
The battery may only last about 2.5 hours with continuous use.
#4 Powerbeats 2 by Beats by Dre
Pros
Beats designed the ergonomic headphones by Dre for athletes.
Powerbeats 2 is extremely compact.
Cons
Cyclists who want complete noise canceling may be disappointed with the Powerbeats 2.
When listeners turn their heads, the music may cutout.
What to expect in 2019?
Tracking, tracking, and more tracking.
What are we talking about?
Heart rate, distance, speed, and anything else you can quantify. Sports headphones are becoming more and more equipped with some awesome technology.
In fact, pay close attention to the world of hearing aids. I know that might sound funny, but imagine a pair of headphones that connect to everything AND increase your hearing.
Starkey just released a pair of artificial intelligence hearing aids, and while they’re still a ways off from being sports headphones, it could be closer than we think.
Leave a Reply