General FAQs
How does bone conduction technology work?
Bone conduction is a natural part of the hearing process—sound travels through our eardrums and bones simultaneously. Our patented bone conduction technology produces sound via mini vibrations that travel through your cheekbones to your inner ears, bypassing your eardrums completely.
AfterShokz look like they fit differently in comparison to traditional headphones and earbuds. What's special about the design and what are the benefits?
Instead of speakers that cover or nest inside your ears, AfterShokz transmits audio via a pair of transducers that rest on your cheekbones, leaving your ears uncovered and canals unblocked. Many people experience discomfort from headphones and earbuds — OpenFit™ eliminates common irritations through an unrivaled open ear design that offers supreme comfort, even during long-term use. Safety is another key benefit of our design — with nothing blocking or plugging your ears, maximum situational awareness is achieved.
Are AfterShokz sweat and moisture resistant?
Yes. Our headphones are durably designed for your active lifestyle and will reliably power through workouts and weather. They're nanotechnology coated to repel sweat and moisture; however, they're not waterproof and should not be submerged in water or left out in wet environments.
Is it possible to wear AfterShokz with glasses and sunglasses?
Yes. For the best fit, we recommend putting your AfterShokz on first, and slipping your glasses or sunglasses into place.
Can AfterShokz be worn with a protective helmet?
Absolutely. The headband wraps around the back, low enough to clear most protective helmets commonly used during activities such as cycling, skating and skiing.
Is it legal to drive while wearing AfterShokz?
In the U.S., laws vary by state with regard to the use of headphones while behind the wheel. Some require at least one ear to remain open in order to safely hear surrounding traffic sounds and other warning noises; others ban the use of headphones completely because of their traditional limitations that block or cover the ears. AfterShokz headphones transmit sound without plugging or blocking the ears at all, so in theory they're safe and legal to use while driving. Because open ear headphones aren't recognized by current laws, we can't guarantee you won't be cited if pulled over — but we can confidently say that our headphones don't inhibit situational awareness in any way.
Will AfterShokz headphones work as a headset for communication when connected to a computer?
Yes. All our wireless models can act as a wireless stereo headset, for both audio and voice communication, when connected to a Bluetooth-enabled PC or Mac. Sportz M3 can act as a stereo headset for both audio and voice communication through a wired connection to a PC or Mac with a 3.5mm port. Because Sportz 3 is not equipped with a microphone, it would only be able to transmit audio from the computer for which it's connected via the 3.5mm port.
Can AfterShokz be used to make/take calls?
Yes. All our wireless models are equipped with dual noise canceling microphones for making and taking phone calls when paired with a smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device. Additionally, our Sportz M3 has a single noise canceling microphone for making and taking phone calls when plugged in to a smartphone via the 3.5mm cable.