The audio sunglasses market is steadily growing. What started as a novel idea combing Bluetooth, speakers, and microphones into a single frame has evolved.Major audio brands like Bose are pushing the market forward, with exciting developments from other manufacturers.If you’re wondering where to start, check out the best audio sunglasses on the market right now.
Q: What Are Audio Sunglasses?
The Bose Frames Tenor audio sunglasses are easily one of the most stylish options on the market right now. The Tenor comes with rectangular polarized 55mm lenses with a strong TR-90 nylon IPX2 water-resistant frame. The total frame width is 144mm, with a total depth of 144mm, from front to the arm’s tip.
Inside the audio component are two miniaturized speakers, hidden toward the temple area. There are also two beam-forming microphones, allowing you to use the Bose Frames Tenor as a Bluetooth communication device as well as a music player. The Tenor includes touch controls, too, with swipe gestures for audio controls, call volume, and easy access to Siri or Google Assistant.
The Bose Frames Tenor are good for 5.5-hours continuous use and reach a full charge in one hour. If you don’t like the plain black polarized lenses, you can always swap them out for Bose Mirrored Blue instead.
The Bose Frames Tempo might well be the Editor’s Choice of audio sunglasses, but they’re also the best option for sport. Like the Bose Frames Tenor, the Tempo model uses the same strong TR-90 nylon construction material. However, they’re rated IPX4 for water resistance, which makes them more durable versus the elements—again, great for sports use. Oh, and the battery life ramps up to 8 hours use on a single charge.
Another difference from other Bose models is the swappable and adjustable silicone nose pads. It’s only a small feature but makes a difference when you’re out running or being active.
Size-wise, you’re looking at 65mm shatter and scratch-resistant polarized lenses, with a total frame width of 157mm and a total depth of 172.5mm. The Bose Frames Tempo lenses are swappable for Road Orange or Trail Blue, popping out without extra tools.
In the same vein as other Bose audio sunglasses, the Tempo features two miniaturized speakers, hidden toward the temple area. There are also the same beam-forming microphones, plus support for smartphone assistants and easy to use gestures.
One notable plus for the Bose Frames Tempo is that you are not blocking out every bit of noise during an outdoor training session. Isolating yourself from external audio is excellent while training, but it can create dangerous situations if you’re not aware of traffic, pedestrians, and so on.
The OhO Bluetooth Sunglasses provide an excellent option for those working on a budget, delivering decent looks with reasonable audio quality. The OhO’s are 141mm wide, which is a similar width to the Bose Frames Tenor.
They come with UV400 polarized blue lenses, although they are available in Black and Red, too. Inside each frame are a small speaker and microphones for voice calling and smart assistant control. The OhO’s last up to 3 hours with continuous use.
You’ll find the Bluetooth control button on the outside of the frames, which you also use to control the sunglasses. For example, a single touch answers an incoming call, whereas a double-tap declines the call.
You can also use the button to control audio and smart assistant options.
Overall, the OhO Bluetooth Sunglasses lack in build quality, especially compared to the Bose models, as you might expect. Still, they’re a reasonable option in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Now, if you want some audio sunglasses that look a little different from the rest, let the Elikliv Wireless Audio Glasses catch your eye.These Bluetooth-enabled audio sunglasses come with support for smart assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant, along with dual-stereo speakers for calls and music. There are also integrated microphones for hands-free voice calling (and to pick up smart assistant commands), which also come with noise-canceling tech to keep your voice clear during transmission.The frames are made from durable nylon, securing the 58mm polarized lenses in place. You’ll also find adjustable nose pads for extra comfort. The Elikliv Wireless Audio Glasses offer around six hours of continuous battery use but take two hours to reach a full charge, which is not ideal in a rush!
The Bose Frames Rondo is the trendiest pair of audio sunglasses you can buy right now. The Rondo model takes one of the most popular sunglasses styles of recent years and gives them Bluetooth connectivity, integrated speakers, and microphones, delivering an excellent overall package.
For all of their style, however, the Rondo lenses are not polarized. The 51mm lenses are nicely tinted and will block 99 percent of UVA/UVB rays, but if you want polarized lenses, you’ll have to part with a little more cash. On the flip side, the Bose Frames Rondo price makes that extra outlay a little easier to take, especially as you can opt for different colors.
The Rondo features a single microphone (more expensive models have two beamforming mics) and smaller integrated speakers, though the sound quality is still good.
Given these were the first audio sunglasses model from Bose, they did a great job. If you want to switch out your lenses for colored, polarized alternatives, check out the Mirrored Rose Gold lenses or the Blue Gradient lenses.
The TechKen Sunglasses are another entry-level option into audio sunglasses, but with a difference. Where the other options on the list use an open ear design, the TechKen model includes earbuds. The earbuds will suit those who prefer an in-ear audio experience and want the usefulness of audio sunglasses.The TechKen Sunglasses has another trick, too. The 58mm polarized lenses fold up, great for when you enter a shop and don’t want to stop listening to your music or podcast. The headset itself is adjustable, too.But, while the TechKen Sunglasses advertising media shows people using the audio sunglasses on a jet ski or other high moisture environments, it is essential to note that they do not have any IPX rating. That means they have no built-in water resistance, so you shouldn’t expose them to water.
They’re as they sound: stylish sunglasses that integrate audio technology. Depending on the model, the audio sunglasses might include beamforming microphones, dual speaker sets, water resistance, and more.
Q: How Do Audio Sunglasses Work?
There are two main types of audio sunglasses: open ear and bone-conducting. All of the options in this guide are open-ear models. The audio quality between open-ear audio sunglasses and bone-conducting audio sunglasses differs, although each type’s styles are almost exactly the same.An open ear model contains two or more small speakers situated in the sunglasses’ arm, and the audio projects towards the ear. Sufficiently advanced models can block some external noise interference, although there is no perfect option.Whereas bone-conducting audio sunglasses rely on sound transmission through the user’s bones around the head and jawline, bypassing the eardrum entirely.
Q: Can Other People Hear My Audio Sunglasses?
If you crank the volume up while using open ear audio sunglasses, people nearby you will hear. The speakers in the audio sunglasses are miniaturized, so the sound doesn’t boom. You won’t be blaring Taylor Swift to the bus on full volume, that’s for sure. The level of volume and overall quality depends on the audio sunglasses. For example, the Bose Frames audio sunglasses come highly rated for their audio quality (leaving a little to be desired in some areas, mind), but you won’t crank them up to 100 because the output still distorts, as it would with almost any other speaker type.
