It is an odd feeling at first and definitely takes some getting used to as most of us have only used in ear headphones our entire lives. We’re not knocking the Air too hard as this kind of sound profile is emblematic of bone conduction headphones at large. These earbuds rest atop your ears and have little speakers that channel sound down your ear canals without blocking them. The Shokz OpenMove is a great-sounding Bluetooth bone-conduction headset that allows you to work out with music while remaining aware of your environment.

Long-pressing the power/volume-up button for two seconds turns both models on or off; long-pressing it for five seconds enables Bluetooth-pairing mode.Features like patented bone conduction technology and an updated design style make Air the perfect choice for athletes or everyday people looking to stay aware of their surroundings without compromising on performance.

Unlike traditional earbuds, which sit in your ear canal and block out external sounds, open-ear headphones use Bone Conduction Technology or DirectPitchTM Technology to transmit sound to your ears without obstructing them. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a set of bone conduction headphones for longer runs and rides, we'd seriously recommend considering the older Trekz Air over the OpenMove. The headphones sit on your head thanks to the titanium headband which applies a little bit of clamping force to ensure that they stay in place.

If you need to block out the outside world, both models of AfterShokz ship with foam earplugs—but that diminishes or completely cancels the value-add of the headphones' open-ear design. These are quite standard foam plugs, supplied in a neat little carry case to keep them clean, but you could use others if you have a custom or preferred set.

Upon its debut, the AfterShokz Air was a coveted bone conduction headset with a uniquely sturdy build. The LED indicator is solid red when charging, solid blue when charging is done, and it will flash red every two minutes when the battery is low. A lack of ultimate clarity in busy environments was always going to let down the Trekz Air; after all, its bone conduction speakers are really designed to do the opposite of most headphones that claim noise isolation or cancellation. AfterShokz OpenComm headphones use bone conduction to offer decent audio without covering your ears, making them better for situations that require the hearing of local sounds.

The headset cycles through three EQ presets, but the prompt only communicates the phrase “Equalization changed. The Air and Titanium share the same controls—a large "multifunction button" on the side of the left earpiece and power/volume-up and volume-down buttons beneath the right earpiece. Aeropex headphones also feature a redesigned transducer for minimized vibrations and a more snug fit. If you intend to use this while on a walk down a busy street, your conversation partner will surely hear the sound of car engines and other pedestrians. They cut away bulk and utilized titanium where they could to fit more securely and increase sound quality.