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AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction  Headphones Review

Review updated Mar 18, 2021 at 04:58pm
Tested using methodology v1.5 
AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction
4.3
Neutral Sound 
5.5
Commute/Travel 
7.5
Sports/Fitness 
5.7
Office 
4.8
Wireless Gaming 
4.6
Wired Gaming 
6.0
Phone Calls 
 2
Notice: These headphones were replaced by Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction

The AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction are Bluetooth headphones. Due to their unique design, which uses vibrations instead of speakers to produce sound, they don't go on or inside the ear in any way, and they simply rest on your temples. Due to this, they don't block any ambient noise, making them a good choice if you like to always have background music playing while still being able to carry on conversations, or if you run outdoors and want to stay aware of your surroundings. Overall, they're a unique pair of headphones that won't be for everyone, but for specific uses, they may be exactly what you're looking for.

Our Verdict

4.3
Neutral Sound 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are bad for neutral sound. Since they have no speakers and produce sound via vibrations, our testing rig was unable to properly chart their frequency performance. Therefore real-world usage should likely produce better results than our scores show. That being said, they produce sound uniquely and aren't ideal for people looking for a more neutral sound.

Pros
  • Comfortable and stable.
Cons
  • Sound varies depending on fit and positioning.
  • No app support or EQ.
5.5
Commute/Travel 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are sub-par for commuting and travel. They're portable and breathable, but by design, they don't block any ambient noise. While some people may like that they allow you to stay aware of your surroundings, they leak quite a bit of sound at high volumes, which isn't ideal if you need to crank them up to hear your music over the rumble of a bus or plane engine. On the upside, they have a comfortable fit that feels like wearing a pair of glasses, which is nice during a long trip.

Pros
  • 13-hour battery life.
Cons
  • Leak a lot of audio at higher volumes.
  • Bone conduction design doesn't block any noise.
7.5
Sports/Fitness 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are decent for sports and fitness. They have a comfortable and lightweight design that feels just like wearing a pair of glasses and don't put any pressure on your ear. They're stable and extremely breathable since they don't go in or cover the ear, so you won't sweat more than usual. They're particularly well-suited for outdoor workouts since their design means they don't block out any ambient sound, which helps you stay aware of your surroundings. They even have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, although we don't test it currently.

Pros
  • Open design is good for exercising outdoors.
Cons
  • Sound varies depending on fit and positioning.
5.7
Office 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are poor for office use. They don't block out any background noise and leak quite a bit of audio when you listen at a high volume, which could bother your co-workers. However, they're comfortable, and they allow you to listen to music while still paying attention to your surroundings or carrying on a conversation, which could be ideal for some jobs.

Pros
  • 13-hour battery life.
Cons
  • Leak a lot of audio at higher volumes.
  • Bone conduction design doesn't block any noise.
4.8
Wireless Gaming 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are Bluetooth-only headphones. They're compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, but their latency is too high to be recommended for gaming.

4.6
Wired Gaming 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are Bluetooth-only headphones that can't be used wired.

6.0
Phone Calls 

The AfterShokz Aeropex are sub-par for phone calls. Their microphone performance is mediocre, as it makes your voice sound muffled and doesn't do a very good job of separating it from background noise, which makes it harder for the person on the other end to hear you. Also, since they sit outside of your ears, they don't isolate you from background noise, so it may be hard for you to hear the person you're speaking with as well.

Pros
  • 13-hour battery life.
Cons
  • Mediocre microphone performance.
  • 4.3
    Neutral Sound
  • 5.5
    Commute/Travel
  • 7.5
    Sports/Fitness
  • 5.7
    Office
  • 4.8
    Wireless Gaming
  • 4.6
    Wired Gaming
  • 6.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 03, 2023: We've included a comparison to the Sony Float Run Wireless in the Stylebox.
    2.  Updated Feb 15, 2022: We've retested 'Additional Controls' for EQ presets.
    3.  Updated Oct 08, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
    4.  Updated Mar 18, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction headphones are available in four different color variants: 'Cosmic Black', 'Solar Red', 'Lunar Grey', and 'Blue Eclipse'. We tested the 'Cosmic Black' variant and expect the other colors to perform similarly to our unit. These headphones are also available in another size, 'Mini', with a shorter headband. However, we haven't tested that variant, and our results are only valid for the 'Standard' size.

    There's an upgraded variant of these headphones called the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction too. They offer a similar performance to the AfterShokz Aeropex but also support Bluetooth 5.1 and have a quick-charge feature. If you come across another variant or your headphones are different, please let us know in the discussions below so we can update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The AfterShokz Aeropex are headphones intended for sports that use bone conduction instead of speakers to produce sound. They have a comfortable and stable fit and don't block out any background noise, which is ideal for people who want to listen to music while running or cycling outside while still staying aware of their surroundings. They have a longer battery life than the similarly-designed AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction, and unlike that model, they're rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, although we don't currently test for that.

    See our recommendations for the best headphones for working out, the best wireless earbuds for running, and the best Bluetooth earbuds.

    Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction

    The Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction are the next generation of the AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction. While both are otherwise the same in terms of build quality, comfort, and sound quality, the OpenRun have a quick charge feature, and they support Bluetooth 5.1. The Aeropex come with two charging cables instead of one, and their soft case is better than the OpenRun's drawstring pouch.

    Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction

    The Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction are the upgraded, next generation of the AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction. While both headphones are comfortable, the OpenRun Pro have a significantly better carrying case and better overall battery performance. They also have a companion app that offers two EQ presets. However, the Aeropex have a higher IP rating. 

    AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction

    The AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction are an upgrade over the AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction. They're both bone conduction headphones, but the Aeropex have a much better control scheme, a longer battery life, and are rated IP67 for dust and water resistance. On the other hand, the Trekz Air use a standard micro-USB charging cable as opposed to the Aeropex's proprietary cable.

    Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

    The Apple AirPods (2nd generation) and the AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction are very differently designed headphones, which you might prefer depending on your needs. The Apple are more conventional in-ears and leak much less audio. Their truly wireless design and compact charging case make them much more portable as well. On the other hand, the AfterShokz deliver sound via bone induction and sit outside your ears. Because of their design, they don't block any ambient noise, which is great for people who exercise outdoors. They also have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

    Show more 

    Video

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeBone Conduction
    EnclosureOpen-Back
    WirelessYes
    TransducerBone Conduction

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have a unique style that looks similar to other models by the manufacturer but are unlike most other headphones on the market. Unlike traditional earbuds, these headphones don't go into your ear but instead sit on top of your temples. They have a headband that goes around the back of your head and ear-hooks to help keep the headphones on your ears. You can purchase them in a few different colors, including 'Cosmic Black', 'Solar Red', 'Lunar Grey' and 'Blue Eclipse'. If you're looking for similar headphones but want a more traditional driver system, consider the Sony Float Run Wireless.

    7.5
    Comfort
    Weight0.06 lbs
    Clamping Force
    0.2 lbs

    The AfterShokz Aeropex are comfortable headphones. They don't weigh very much, and you don't feel them as much as over-ear or on-ear headphones. They apply a bit of pressure where they sit above your ears, which feels similar to wearing a pair of glasses. The headband doesn't stick out as much at the back as the AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction but can still get caught on clothing like hooks and sweaters. Also, since the audio is delivered via vibrations, bass-heavy music like EDM or hip-hip may become annoying if you're listening for a long time. This shouldn't be an issue with other genres or content like audiobooks, though.

    6.8
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    Not OS specific
    Ease Of UseGood
    FeedbackGood
    Call/Music ControlYes
    Volume ControlYes
    Microphone ControlNo
    Channel Mixing
    No
    Noise Cancelling ControlNo
    Talk-Through
    No
    Additional ControlsPresets + Voice Assistant

    Update 02/15/2022: It was originally reported that these headphones only had voice assistant for additional controls. However, you can also cycle between two EQ presets when you hold both volume buttons for three seconds while your music is playing. As a result, the review has been updated.

    The AfterShokz Aeropex's controls are okay and a big improvement over the AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction. There are two small buttons just behind your right ear for turning the headphones on and off, volume control, pairing, and checking the battery status when you're not listening to music. There's also a button on the left earbud for play/pause, track skipping, and accessing the voice assistant. When you hold both volume buttons for three seconds, you can switch between the following modes: 'Standard', which is designed for regular use, and 'Earplug', which is advertised to help improve sound quality when you're wearing earplugs. Overall, the buttons are easy to use. There are voice prompts for power on/off, battery level, and pairing, and the volume control gives audio cues.

    10
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.Difference0 °C

    The AfterShokz Aeropex are exceptionally breathable. Since they don't sit inside or on your ears, they don't trap any heat there. This makes them a good choice for sports, as they won't cause you to sweat more than usual.

    7.1
    Portability
    L5.0" (12.7 cm)
    W3.8" (9.7 cm)
    H1.7" (4.3 cm)
    Volume32.00 in³ (524.38 cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredNo

    The AfterShokz Aeropex are decently portable. They aren't that bulky, though their rigid headband means they can't be folded into a more compact format. They're portable enough to slide into a bag or larger pockets in pants or shorts but won't fit in most jean pockets. On the upside, they come with a small soft case to protect them and to help with traveling, but it does add a bit of bulk. If you're looking for more portable open-ear headphones, consider the Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless.

    6.0
    Case
    TypeSoft case
    L4.7" (11.9 cm)
    W4.0" (10.2 cm)
    H1.5" (3.8 cm)
    Volume28.00 in³ (458.84 cm³)

    These AfterShokz Aeropex come with a mediocre case. It's soft, so while it should protect against scratches, it likely won't prevent physical damage from dropping or banging the headphones. Also, unlike the Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction's hard case, this case doesn't zip shut, so it doesn't protect much against water and other liquids.

    7.5
    Build Quality

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have a good build quality. They feel fairly solid and shouldn't get too damaged from a few accidental drops or bumps. They're made of a silicone material and are rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. Unfortunately, the headband is thin and is likely the weakest point, though it's quite flexible.

    7.5
    Stability

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have good stability. Thanks to their ear-hook design, they should stay in place, even during vigorous workouts. Unfortunately, their headband sticks out a bit at the back and may get caught on hoods and other clothing.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    • AfterShokz Aeropex headphones
    • Soft carrying pouch
    • 2x Proprietary charging cables
    • Foam earplugs (not pictured)
    • Manuals

    Sound
    Sound Profile
    See details on graph tool
    Bass Amount
    -19.62 dB
    Treble Amount
    -1.39 dB

    Since the AfterShokz Aeropex have no speakers and use vibration to produce sound, our testing rig can't accurately record these results. Therefore, our frequency response graph doesn't portray the actual sound as it would be perceived by your ear. Overall, the sound produced by these headphones is better suited for most vocal-centric content, like podcasts or audiobooks. However, they're likely decent for most genres of music, and provide surprisingly decent bass response, though they won't give you the same kind of thumping bass as traditional headphones. Their companion app also gives you access to an EQ, so you can tweak their sound.

    5.3
    Frequency Response Consistency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    1.78 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have poor frequency response consistency. Due to their unique bone conductor transducer, they deliver audio very inconsistently as they're sensitive to fit and positioning. You may experience different sound profiles depending on how they're placed on your head.

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    1.0
    Bass Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    19.39 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    144.62 Hz
    Low-Bass
    -33.75 dB
    Mid-Bass
    -18.52 dB
    High-Bass
    0.9 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex's bass accuracy is bad, but it's because they're bone conduction headphones that produce sound through vibrations. Their mid and low-bass ranges are underemphasized, so mixes lack thump, rumble, and punch. However, the high-bass range is somewhat overemphasized, so instruments sound full and a bit boomy.

    5.6
    Mid Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    5.93 dB
    Low-Mid
    8.51 dB
    Mid-Mid
    1.1 dB
    High-Mid
    -0.21 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex's mid-range accuracy is sub-par. These headphones deliver sound via bone conduction, making them difficult to accurately measure with our current testing rig. Therefore, these results likely won't match what you'd hear in real-world usage. In quiet environments, you should get a decent performance from the mid-range and be able to hear lead instruments and vocals in good detail. Unfortunately, in louder situations like on a train or bus, the mid-range tends to get lost, and you may only get the thump and rumble of low bass that is felt rather than heard, as well as some harsher and sharper treble frequencies.

    7.4
    Treble Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    3.89 dB
    Low-Treble
    2.14 dB
    Mid-Treble
    2.71 dB
    High-Treble
    -5.07 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex's treble-range accuracy is decent. Because they deliver sound via bone conduction instead of speakers, they're difficult to accurately measure with our current testing rig. Therefore, these results may not match what you'd hear in real-world usage. Their treble range is decently well-balanced, though sibilants like S and T sounds may be sharp and piercing at high volumes.

    4.6
    Peaks/Dips
    See details on graph tool
    Peaks
    4.1 dB
    Dips
    2.88 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex produce sound via vibrations and don't have any speakers, so our testing rig can't properly measure their frequency response. That being said, in real-world usage, there's a peak in high-treble that causes cymbals and sibilants (S and T sounds) to sound sharp and piercing.

    3.4
    Imaging
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Group Delay
    2.14
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    143.85
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    1.44
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    5.08

    The AfterShokz Aeropex's imaging is poor. It's worth noting that since these headphones have no speakers and use vibration to produce sound, our testing rig can't accurately record these results. Therefore, our results here likely won't correlate to real-world situations.

    5.6
    Passive Soundstage
    See details on graph tool
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    2.2 dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    -0.7 dB
    PRTF Distance
    8.94 dB
    Openness
    9.8
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    4.7

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have a disappointing passive soundstage. Because they sit outside your ears, it sounds open and spacious, but since they don't interact with your outer ear, sound seems to be coming from inside your head instead of from all around you. It's worth noting, however, that since these headphones produce their sound via vibrations and not speakers, our testing rig can't accurately measure them.

    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    No
    Speaker Modeling
    No
    Room Ambience
    No
    Head Tracking
    No
    Virtual Surround
    No App
    2.7
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    See details on graph tool
    WHD @ 90
    1.135
    WHD @ 100
    7.283

    The AfterShokz Aeropex's measured weighted harmonic distortion is bad. It's worth noting, however, that since these headphones produce their sound via vibrations and don't have speakers, our testing rig can't accurately measure them.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    Unknown
    Power
    On
    Connection
    Bluetooth 4.2
    Codec
    SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
    EQ
    Default
    ANC
    No ANC
    Tip/Pad
    Default
    Microphone
    Integrated

    These are the settings we used to test the AfterShokz Aeropex. Our results are only valid when using these settings.

    Isolation
    0.5
    Noise Isolation
    See details on graph tool
    Isolation Audio
    Overall Attenuation
    -0.24 dB
    Noise CancellingNo
    Bass
    -0.12 dB
    Mid
    -0.09 dB
    Treble
    -0.5 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex are very bad at noise isolation, but it's by design. They don't go into your ears or cover them and deliver audio while still letting in ambient sound. This is great for outdoor runners, cyclists, and anyone else who wants to listen to music while staying aware of their surroundings.

    Note:They come with a pair of foam earplugs intended to be worn with the headphones when you're commuting and traveling and want to block out some background noise. While we haven't tested these headphones' noise isolation capabilities when also wearing the earplugs, they should improve the headphones' isolation performance and help create an experience closer to using in-ears, which passively block some noise because they sit inside your ears.

    5.9
    Leakage
    See details on graph tool
    Leakage Audio
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    45.56 dB

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have a disappointing leakage performance. They leak quite a bit of audio, although it depends on your usage. If you're listening at quiet enough volumes that you can still carry on a conversation with someone, they shouldn't be able to hear your music. However, if you crank up the volume, a lot of sound escapes, and it's likely to bother people around you.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    Yes
    In-Line
    No
    Boom
    No
    Detachable Boom
    No
    MicYes
    6.7
    Recording Quality
    See details on graph tool
    Recorded Speech
    LFE
    320 Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    2.15 dB
    HFE
    3,225.4 Hz
    Weighted THD
    0.332
    Gain
    -3.83 dB

    These headphones' microphone has an okay recording quality. If you're on the phone with someone, they should be able to understand you, but your voice sounds muffled and lacks detail and fullness.

    7.2
    Noise Handling
    See details on graph tool
    SpNR
    11.75 dB
    Noise Gate
    No
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    7.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    7.5
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have a mediocre noise handling performance. If you're on the phone in a moderately noisy environment, it's hard for the person on the other end to hear you. In a loud place like a busy subway station, your voice may be drowned out entirely.

    Active Features
    7.1
    Battery
    Battery Type
    Rechargable
    Continuous Battery Life
    12.8 hrs
    Additional Charges
    0.0
    Total Battery Life
    12.8 hrs
    Charge Time
    2.3 hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    Standby mode
    Audio While Charging
    No
    Passive Playback
    No
    Charging PortProprietary

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have a decent battery performance. They last for nearly 13 hours of continuous use from a single charge. This is a lot longer than the advertised battery life of eight hours, and most people should be able to go a few days without recharging them. There's also a standby mode that you can use to prevent the battery from draining when you're not using them. It should be noted that battery life can vary with real-life usage, so your experience may be different.

    Unfortunately, unlike the AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction, they use a proprietary charging cable, which means you can't borrow a cable from a friend if the battery dies. Luckily, there are two cables included in the box.

    0.0
    App Support
    App NameNo App
    iOSNo
    AndroidNo
    macOSNo
    WindowsNo
    Equalizer
    No
    ANC Control
    No
    Mic ControlNo
    Room Effects
    No
    Playback Control
    No
    Button MappingNo
    Surround Support
    No
    Connectivity
    8.4
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    5.0
    Multi-Device Pairing
    2 Devices
    NFC Pairing
    No
    Line Of Sight Range
    258.00 ft (78.64 m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    228 ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    N/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    N/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    N/A
    iOS Latency
    87 ms
    Android Latency
    88 ms

    The AfterShokz Aeropex have great Bluetooth connectivity. They support multi-device pairing, meaning you can connect them to both your phone and laptop at the same time instead of switching back and forth between the two, which is nice. They have fairly low latency on Android and iOS but high latency on PCs, so they aren't recommended for playing games or watching videos on your computer. That said, some apps seem to compensate for audio lag, so you may have a different experience.

    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    N/A
    Non-BT Latency
    N/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    No
    USB Audio
    No
    DetachableNo
    LengthN/A
    Connection
    No Wired Option
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    N/A

    These headphones are Bluetooth-only and can't be used wired. They charge via a proprietary magnetic charging cable, and the headphones come with two cables included.

    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    No
    Wired USB
    No
    Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    No
    PS4 Wired USB
    No
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PS5 Analog
    No
    PS5 Wired USB
    No
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    No
    Xbox One Wired USB
    No
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    No
    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    No Base/Dock
    USB Input
    No
    Line In
    No
    Line Out
    No
    Optical Input
    No
    RCA Input
    No
    Dock Charging
    No
    Power Supply
    No Base/Dock

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    Comments

    1. Product

    AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction: Main Discussion

    Let us know why you want us to review the product here, or encourage others to vote for this product.

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      AfterShokz Aeropex is IPX5 - Not waterproof as stated by sellers not for swimming. To be waterproof needs to be IPX7

      Thanks for writing to us. According to Shokz, the AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction have an IP67 rating, as you can read here: https://ca.shokz.com/blogs/news/the-aftershokz-aeropex.

      Perhaps you’re thinking of the Shokz OpenRun Pro, which have an IP55 rating?

    2. 2
      1
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      1
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      AfterShokz Aeropex is IPX5 - Not waterproof as stated by sellers not for swimming. To be waterproof needs to be IPX7

    3. Update: We’ve included a comparison to the Sony Float Run Wireless in the Stylebox.