Bluetooth Headphones recommendations?

DeepBlue

What are people using for bluetooth headphones these days?

I had one of these Skullcandy Method Wireless
Not massively expensive but gave up after less than 4 months.

I'm thinking of giving the Aftershokz Trekz Titanium a go and try out the bone conducting method. The majority of my runs are on quiet rural roads and once or twice I did get surprised with a car creeping past that I did not hear due to headphones so these should help.

However other suggestions would be welcome.

fennor72

The Aftershokz are brilliant, I've been using them for a year now with no problems.

ThebitterLemon

fennor72 wrote: »

The Aftershokz are brilliant, I've been using them for a year now with no problems.

I’ve been plodding along with a pair of Beats but I’m really wary that I can’t hear cars, how well do these Aftershokz work?

Thanks

TbL

Thoie

I've got the Aftershockz Titanium and they're... alright. I'm not blown away by them, but they're grand.

Oddly enough, the headphones I keep going back to (bought a second pair after I physically broke the first pair) are fairly cheap and cheerful - Mpow.

Certainly for making/taking calls, everyone on the other end says the MPow quality is better than the Aftershockz. Audio quality-wise - I primarily listen to audiobooks while out and about. For music, others tell me the bass from the Aftershockz is better, but I'm rarely listening to things that bass-y (or that loud) that I notice much difference.

Both sets have done fine with sweat, rain showers and mist. I had some initial problems with the neck band of the Aftershockz bobbing on the back of my neck, but solved that by moving hair from a high ponytail to a low plait.

ThebitterLemon

Thoie wrote: »

I've got the Aftershockz Titanium and they're... alright. I'm not blown away by them, but they're grand.

Oddly enough, the headphones I keep going back to (bought a second pair after I physically broke the first pair) are fairly cheap and cheerful - Mpow.

Certainly for making/taking calls, everyone on the other end says the MPow quality is better than the Aftershockz. Audio quality-wise - I primarily listen to audiobooks while out and about. For music, others tell me the bass from the Aftershockz is better, but I'm rarely listening to things that bass-y (or that loud) that I notice much difference.

Both sets have done fine with sweat, rain showers and mist. I had some initial problems with the neck band of the Aftershockz bobbing on the back of my neck, but solved that by moving hair from a high ponytail to a low plait.

Thanks for the detailed response.

Think I’ll buy these for the safety aspect.

I might struggle on the ponytail front though:)

TbL

Thoie

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Thanks for the detailed response.

Think I’ll buy these for the safety aspect.

I might struggle on the ponytail front though:)

TbL

If you're ordering from Amazon, you can buy clip on/fake ponytails there too

fennor72

ThebitterLemon wrote:

I’ve been plodding along with a pair of Beats but I’m really wary that I can’t hear cars, how well do these Aftershokz work?

Once you get used to them they are great. I can hear everything around me, most importantly traffic but obviously you have to keep alert. I've had no problems with the Bluetooth connection it hasn't disconnected, the headphones are also standing up well to sweat, so I've no complaints

ThebitterLemon

Thoie wrote: »

If you're ordering from Amazon, you can buy clip on/fake ponytails there too

Touché made me laugh

Excellent riposte

TbL

ThebitterLemon

fennor72 wrote: »

Once you get used to them they are great. I can hear everything around me, most importantly traffic but obviously you have to keep alert. I've had no problems with the Bluetooth connection it hasn't disconnected, the headphones are also standing up well to sweat, so I've no complaints

Thanks. Are they comfortable? (Do you have a ponytail fake or otherwise ) It says 6 hours play time is that about right?

TbL

fennor72

Thoie wrote:

Oddly enough, the headphones I keep going back to (bought a second pair after I physically broke the first pair) are fairly cheap and cheerful -

I used the Mpow before the Aftershokz, they are OK, but even with the around the ear design, I found that they used to come loose and fall out if I sweated a lot

fennor72

ThebitterLemon wrote:

Thanks. Are they comfortable? (Do you have a ponytail fake or otherwise ) It says 6 hours play time is that about right?

I find them comfortable, I don't know about the 6 hrs playtime, I normally charge them about every 3 days

Singer

These all look pretty gross compared to Apple Airpods. I don't have any experience with bluetooth headphones other Airpods, but the freedom that in-ear headphones give is pretty significant.

healy1835

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/anker-soundcore-liberty-neo/A3906012

Been using these guys for a couple of weeks so whilst I can't speak to this particular model's longevity, I've always found Anker products to be of a high quality.

If, like me, you're dubious of your own ability to take care of/not lose a 160 quid pair of Galaxy buds or Apple airpods, then these might be a good alternative. I've two other models of Anker bluetooth headphones and they're both still going strong 2+ years later. I 'needed' these ones you see...

Damo 2k9

I use Apple Airpod's, not specifically bought for running but I find them the comfiest for my ears.

I have had two pairs of Powerbeats aswell, I find the quality of them brilliant, but for whatever reason my ear's dont seem to agree with them. I wear them every now and again especially if the Airpods are dead.

On what healy has said, I have been using Anker branded gear for years now and the quality is unreal, definitely worth a look and very reasonably priced.

Krusty_Clown

Have been running with Aftershokx for about a year now, since Beepbeep67 recommended them to me. I went through (broke) 3 pairs of Titaniums (replaced under warranty), I suspect, because of water (sweat) ingress when doing hard sessions on a treadmill. At least the warranty is pretty good (though there was a bit of gestapo questioning from the UK support person after the 3rd exchange!).

I then invested in the Aeropex, which are waterproof - IP67 and they have been going strong since last August. I do find I'm only getting about three hours of battery life, but that's sufficient for my needs. If it gets worse, I'll be returning them under warranty.

Best thing about the bone conducting headphones is the safety aspect. I can listen to radio/spotify/podcasts and still hear any approaching traffic. I run in mostly rural/country lanes, so I cannot safely use in-ear headphones. in-ear/over-ear headphones are definitely going to provide better sound-quality, but it's a worthwhile sacrifice for me, so I don't get sacrificed.

ThebitterLemon

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Have been running with Aftershokx for about a year now, since Beepbeep67 recommended them to me. I went through (broke) 3 pairs of Titaniums (replaced under warranty), I suspect, because of water (sweat) ingress when doing hard sessions on a treadmill. At least the warranty is pretty good (though there was a bit of gestapo questioning from the UK support person after the 3rd exchange!).

I then invested in the Aeropex, which are waterproof - IP67 and they have been going strong since last August. I do find I'm only getting about three hours of battery life, but that's sufficient for my needs. If it gets worse, I'll be returning them under warranty.

Best thing about the bone conducting headphones is the safety aspect. I can listen to radio/spotify/podcasts and still hear any approaching traffic. I run in mostly rural/country lanes, so I cannot safely use in-ear headphones. in-ear/over-ear headphones are definitely going to provide better sound-quality, but it's a worthwhile sacrifice for me, so I don't get sacrificed.

Hey Krusty

Hope you’re well.

Thanks for that, safety aspect is paramount for me too. I’ve just ordered a pair of these

TbL

BeepBeep67

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Have been running with Aftershokx for about a year now, since Beepbeep67 recommended them to me. I went through (broke) 3 pairs of Titaniums (replaced under warranty), I suspect, because of water (sweat) ingress when doing hard sessions on a treadmill. At least the warranty is pretty good (though there was a bit of gestapo questioning from the UK support person after the 3rd exchange!).

I then invested in the Aeropex, which are waterproof - IP67 and they have been going strong since last August. I do find I'm only getting about three hours of battery life, but that's sufficient for my needs. If it gets worse, I'll be returning them under warranty.

Best thing about the bone conducting headphones is the safety aspect. I can listen to radio/spotify/podcasts and still hear any approaching traffic. I run in mostly rural/country lanes, so I cannot safely use in-ear headphones. in-ear/over-ear headphones are definitely going to provide better sound-quality, but it's a worthwhile sacrifice for me, so I don't get sacrificed.

My head isn't as sweaty as Krusty's.
Have been using the Trekz Air for about 3 years, 5+ hours useage per week I would guess.
Have had no issues, recently need to charge a little more frequently, but that's to be expected.

DeepBlue

I'd be totally paranoid about one of the completely wireless ones popping out of an ear while running and then trying to find it (probably in the dark or in bushes with my luck :pac:).
Plus I suspect the higher end (pricier) models are more for audiophiles?

I've ordered the Aftershokz Trekz Air. The Aeropex look nice and apparently have better sound and fully waterproof but just a little too pricey for me atm.

Thanks for the replies.

Huzzah!

Singer wrote: »

These all look pretty gross compared to Apple Airpods. I don't have any experience with bluetooth headphones other Airpods, but the freedom that in-ear headphones give is pretty significant.

The battery life on my AirPods is woeful. Disappointing as they're so comfy.

spc78

DeepBlue wrote: »

I'd be totally paranoid about one of the completely wireless ones popping out of an ear while running and then trying to find it (probably in the dark or in bushes with my luck :pac:)

I have jabra elite active 65t....love them....if they lose connection with the phone while paired, they log the last known GPS position so makes then easy to find if mislaid or fall out.

I've had them a year and they have stood up to any abuse.. ..dropping....washing machine....they don't fall out....expensive but have outlasted anything I bought before. I use them every single day and no degradation in battery in that time. New version 75t out now whoch are slightly smaller which I am seriously considering purchasing.

ThebitterLemon

Just received my Aftershokz headphones

Perfect for me, can hear the music but most importantly I can hear other noises around me simultaneously.

If your priority is audio quality these aren’t for you

They also seem comfortable I’ll take them for an easy test drive tonight.

TbL

BeepBeep67

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality, obviously not noise cancelling surprised, but they do wha it says on tin.

ThebitterLemon

Very very happy with the Aftershokz

Was out for a short easy run

- comfortable and no bobbing around (although big ears and a fat head might help )

- could hear cars coming from behind a far distance away

- volume and quality of sound was perfect to distract as I waddled along

Well worth it for me

TbL

DeepBlue

My AfterShokz Trekz Air arrived yesterday.

I took them for a walk yesterday and it was a little surreal to hear the music bopping away and also still hear things like birds singing.
I'm not an audiophile but tbh the audio quality was just that little bit poorer than I'd hoped it would be. Not a biggie for what I'm using them for but if I wasn't running I'd be using different earbuds for listening to music/podcasts.

I took them out on a run today and still managed to get surprised by a car creeping up past me - although it turned out to be a feckin' Nissan Leaf and I probably wouldn't have heard it with or without earphones. Just can't win. :pac::pac::D
Quite comfy, obviously no issues with buds falling out and didn't get the tingly/buzzy feeling I see mentioned in some reviews. The band might definitely be an issue if you have long hair or are using them while wearing something like a hoodie or jacket.
But overall I'm well happy with them.