Table of content
Introduction:
The Audio Needs of Cyclists
Cycling is a unique and invigorating activity, offering the thrill of the ride and the chance to explore the outdoors. However, it comes with challenges, especially when it comes to balancing music enjoyment with environmental awareness. Whether you’re navigating through traffic, cruising on quiet trails, or simply enjoying the open road, cyclists need sport headphone ones that allow them to stay connected to their surroundings without sacrificing the music they love.
Traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones can block out essential external sounds, making it hard to hear approaching vehicles or pedestrians. That's where open ear headphones come into play. By using bone conduction technology or other innovative designs, these headphones let you enjoy high-quality sound while keeping your ears open to the environment—making them the ideal choice for cycling enthusiasts.

Cycling Headphones: Selection Criteria
When choosing the best headphones for cycling, several key features should be prioritized to ensure both safety and enjoyment.
1. Sweat and Water Resistance
Cyclists are often exposed to the elements, whether it’s rain or sweat from an intense ride. The best cycling headphones should be sweatproof and waterproof to withstand the toughest conditions. You want your headphones to keep performing, no matter the weather.
2. Stability
Stability is crucial for ensuring that your headphones stay in place during intense movement. A secure fit prevents distractions and ensures comfort, especially when you’re riding at higher speeds or navigating bumpy terrains.
3. Sound Quality
While staying aware of your surroundings is important, you still want excellent sound quality. The best cycling headphones deliver clear audio with a balanced range of lows, mids, and highs. You should be able to enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or even take calls with superior sound quality, without compromising safety.
4. Comfort for Long Wear
Cycling often involves long hours in the saddle. The headphones you choose should be comfortable enough for extended wear. Lightweight designs, breathable materials, and an ergonomic fit will help you avoid discomfort during longer rides.
Testing Criteria for the Best Cycling Headphones
Of course, in addition to the above key reference factors, there are other factors to consider, such as price budget, earphone appearance and design. Generally speaking, the best sports earphones need to be waterproof, durable and strong enough to ensure that they will not fall off when you ride and provide reliable assistance for your exercise.
We also reviewed some of the more popular cycling earphones on the market (we recommend that you first buy and select cycling earphones on websites such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart and Google's natural search browser). The evaluation process is as follows:
1. Test the waterproofness of the earphones during use, feel their fit, noise cancelling , sound quality, and durability.
2. Test the music downloading ability of the earphones and the stability of the Bluetooth connection
3. We not only pay attention to our own feelings, but also collect feedback from users on various platforms for comprehensive consideration. In the end, we selected 5 high-quality cycling earphones that basically meet the above selection criteria and have their own characteristics for your reference. Let's embark on this journey together.
Five Perfect Cycling Headphones for Your Ride
Here are five of the best sport headphones designed for cycling:
1. NANK Runner Diver2 Pro Bone Conduction Headphone
As a pair of headphones designed for sports, the NANK Runner Diver2 Pro bone conduction headphones really opened my eyes. From sound quality to comfort, every detail feels carefully polished.
Features:
Ergonomic Design: Comfortable and secure fit for long rides with lightweight and adjustable structure.
Bone Conduction Technology: Enjoy music without blocking your ears, keeping you aware of the surroundings for enhanced safety.
IPX8 Waterproof Rating: Superior water resistance, ideal for extreme weather conditions or sweaty workouts.
Bluetooth 5.4: Ultra-fast and stable connection, providing seamless pairing and uninterrupted audio experience.
32GB MP3 Player: Sufficient storage capacity to hold thousands of songs or podcasts for all-day listening.
10-Hour Battery Life: Long-lasting battery support, perfect for extended use during your rides or workouts.
Multi-Device Pairing: Connect to two devices simultaneously (e.g., phone and laptop), allowing easy switching between calls and media without the need to reconnect.
Patented Technology: Featuring exclusive innovations for enhanced performance, sound quality, and comfort.
Price:$152.99
2. Shokz OpenRun Pro
These bone conduction headphones are a top recommendation for cyclists due to their open-ear design, allowing riders to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying music or podcasts.
Feature:
Secure and Comfortable Fit: With a titanium alloy frame and an open-ear design, the OpenRun Pro 2 ensures a comfortable, secure fit while keeping your ears free for environmental awareness.
Cutting-Edge Sound Technology: Equipped with bone conduction technology and DirectPitch™ directional sound field, these headphones provide high-quality audio while allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings—ideal for outdoor activities.
Swim-Friendly Design: Specially designed for water use (with a swim cap), you can enjoy audio underwater, making them perfect for swimming and other water-based workouts.
Durable and Sweatproof: With an IP55 water resistance rating, the OpenRun Pro 2 is built to withstand sweat, rain, and intense workouts without compromising performance.
Price:$179
3. Apple AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro are a popular choice for cyclists who prefer a fully immersive audio experience. They feature active noise cancellation, which can be helpful for blocking out wind noise on faster rides, and their sound quality is highly regarded.
Feature:
Active noise cancellation for immersive sound
Transparency mode for hearing and connecting to the world around you
Three sizes of soft-conical silicone tips for a custom fit
Sweat and water resistant
Adaptive EQ automatically adjusts music to fit ear shape
Easily fits all Apple devices
Price:$199
4. Jabra Elite 8 Active
Tank-Like Build: Drop them, rinse them, ride on.
Secure Fit: Ear gels that stay put even on singletrack chaos.
Sound Profile: Customizable via app (boost those basslines)
Feature:
· US Military Grade Ultra Durability: Designed for elite athletes, these earbuds meet US military standards for rugged electronics - passing 9 durability tests - and are ultra-durable and dust, water and sweat resistant.
· DOLBY-powered spatial sound, instead of experiencing the sound directly inside your ear, you'll feel as if the sound is outside your head, making listening to earbuds more realistic. Play a video on your phone or put on your favorite workout playlist.
· Easily switch between iOS or Android smartphones and smartphones Download music to your smartwatch, connect the earbuds, and go out for a phone-free experience. With Bluetooth Multipoint, you can connect to 2 devices at the same time, or switch seamlessly between your phone or smartwatch without reconnecting.
· 56 hours of battery life. Earbuds + stylish charging case, fast charging function, so you never have to worry about low batteries again.
Price:$199.99
5. Oladance OWS Pro
These open-ear headphones are designed to provide rich audio and a stable fit, even on bumpy rides.
Feature:
Stable enough to stay put, comfortable enough to forget you're wearing them.
Our second-generation bass algorithm, a powerful surge of sound.
Our entirely open ear design keeps you aware of every sound of nature.
58 hours of full battery life.
Our wind noise reduction technology ensures clarity in every sentence during a call.
Price:$229.99
Conclusion
Through our professional testing, the above headphones are sorted in the table below for comparison.
If you're looking for the ideal running headphone or cycling headphone, the NANK Runner Diver2 Pro is a standout choice. Thanks to its innovative bone conduction technology, you can enjoy your music while still being aware of your surroundings, which is essential for safety during cycling. With its waterproof design, lightweight construction, and ergonomic fit, it provides the ultimate comfort and durability for cyclists who ride for hours.
NANK Brand Philosophy
NANK is committed to pushing the boundaries of audio technology to improve the sports experience. Specializing in open-ear designs, NANK offers headphones that deliver premium sound quality while ensuring safety and comfort for all types of athletes. Whether you’re cycling, running, or training, NANK products are built to enhance your performance.
Q1: What is bone conduction technology?
A1: Bone conduction technology transmits sound through the bones of your skull, bypassing the eardrums. This allows you to hear music while keeping your ears open to surrounding sounds, making it perfect for cyclists and runners who need to stay aware of their environment.
Q2: Are bone conduction headphones safe for cycling?
Q2: Are bone conduction headphones safe for cycling?
A2: Yes, bone conduction headphones are incredibly safe for cycling. Unlike traditional headphones, they don't block out external sounds, allowing you to stay alert to traffic, pedestrians, or any potential hazards around you.
Q3: How long does the NANK Runner Diver2 Pro lasts on a single charge?
A3: The NANK Runner Diver2 Pro offers up to 10 hours of continuous use, which is perfect for long rides or workouts.
Q4: Can I use these headphones for running as well as cycling?
A4: Absolutely! The NANK Runner Diver2 Pro is designed for both cycling and running, offering secure, comfortable wear and excellent sound quality for any activity.
Q5: Should you wear headphones when cycling?
A5: To get the benefits of listening to music while cycling without sacrificing safety, open-ear headphones or bone conduction headphones are a great option. These devices rest on your cheekbones, allowing you to hear music while still maintaining full awareness of your surroundings.