These unconventional headphones feature a variety of innovative and interesting variations of the earbud. Headphones can be used for recreational use -- from going to the gym to walking your dog -- and also for stylish purposes. Rarely do people buy headphones purely for sound quality -- there are a multitude of other factors that go into their purchasing decisions.
Many of these unconventional headphones are style innovations, like ones that pay homage to the global pop-culture phenomenon Hello Kitty. Some headphones are functional upgrades -- ranging from sweat-proof headphones to the waterproof headphones. There are also some that are just plain odd and serve a very specific market's interests like Marek Cina's 'Listening to the Sea' headphones.
30 Unconventional Headphones
From Bone-Transmitting Headphones to Serene Seashell Headphones:
Gurveer Brah — Sep 14, 2015 — Art & Design
30
Feline Speaker Headphones
The Axent Wear Headphones Share Sound in Two Ways
29
Revolutionary Wireless Ergonomic Earphones
The Dash Wireless Earphones are Compact And Liberating
28
Nerf-Inspired Foam Headphones
Headfoams are a Kid-Friendly Audio Option
27
Ear-Gripping Audio Accessories
Dynamite Earbuds Cling to Your Listeners for Good Stable Sound
26
Elegant Wooden Headphones
These Classic Headphones Provide a Sleek Listening Experience
25
Curvaceous Cordless Headphones
LG and Harmon Kardon Unveiled the Tone Infinim Headphones
24
No-Tangle Headphone Wires
These Headphone Wires Use a Spring-Loaded System to Prevent Tangles
23
Bone-Transmitting Headphones
‘Headbones’ Amplify Sounds By Sending Vibrations Through the Skull
22
Fitness-Monitoring Headphones
The FreeWavz Earphones Are Perfect for Conscientious Gym-Goers
21
Super Thin Headphones
Maxieme Loiseau Uses Printed Electronics to Create a Wireless Design
20
Sweat-Proof Headphones
The Monster + Adidas Headphones Keep Users Dry While Exercising
19
Chic Customizable Earbuds
These Handcrafted Headphones Can Be Molded to Fit the Wearer's Ears
18
Ear Canal-Shaped Headphones
Sony Just Ear Headphones Will Provide an Exceptional Experience
17
Seamless Wireless Headphones
This Music Accessory Headset by Samsung Boasts Perfect Sound Quality
16
Customizable Headphone Caps
These Rebecca Minkoff x Frends Headphone Styles Can be Swapped Out
15
Retro Gaming Ear Buds
These Game Boy Headphones are Inspired by the Old School Gaming Devices
14
Waterproof Outdoor Headphones
The CHIPS All-In-One Headphones are Perfect For Outdoor Sports
13
Cordless Fitness Earphones
The Freewavz Wireless Headphones Track Your Fitness While You Workout
12
Sociable Bluetooth Headphones
These Music-Sharing Headphones Make Listening a Social Experience
11
Gesture-Controlled Headsets
Motion-Sensing Headphones Understand Hand Movements as Commands
10
Famous Feline Headphones
The Hello Kitty Beats By Dre Collaboration Create a New Market in Tech
9
Fitness-Monitoring Headphones
The BioSport Headphones are Perfect for Training and Working Out
8
Wearable Necklace Headphones
The Samsung Gear Circle Earbuds Sit On Your Neck Like a Necklace
7
Powerful Waterproof Headphones
The Waterfi Short Cord Headphones Can Be Submerged Up to Ten Feet
6
Bluetooth Boombox Earbuds
The Sacool Stereo Headset Brings Powerful Sound to You Personally
5
Serene Seashell Headphones
Marek Cina's 'Listening to the Sea' Headphones Drown Out Noise
4
Pressurized Athletic Headphones
The Parrot Zik Sport Rare is Made for High-Intensity Workouts
3
Video Recording Headphones
The Soundsight Headphones Let You Record and Stream HD Video
2
Kitschy Bear Headphones
These Adorable Earbud Designs are Shaped Like Little Teddy Toys
1
Diamond-Embellished Earphone Covers
The DEOS Diamond Earphones Covers Make for Lavish Listening
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Cyberpunk-Inspired Earbuds
This Sony Earbuds Concept by Marc Senar is Futuristic
High-End Vintage-Inspired Headphones
The Master & Dynamic MH40 V2 Headphones Come in Five Colors
Noninvasive Clip-Style Earbuds
The Soundcore C30i Headphones are Great for Wearers with Glasses
Bass-Boosting Headphone Models
The Sony ULT WEAR Headphones Come in Three Color Options
Sci-Fi Mecha Design Headphones
These Conceptual Gundam Headphones by Kostas Dakanalis are Flexible
Hybrid ANC Headphone Models
The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Headphones Offers 50-Hours of Use
Open-Style Ear-Safe Headphones
The HYPHEN Aria Air Conduction Earbuds Have a Comfortable Design
Sleek Nostalgia-Influenced Headphones
Stüssy and Beats Unite to Debut the 'Studio Pro Headphones'
Precision Studio Headphone Models
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Headphones Have an Open-Back Design
Ultra-Durable Headphone Concepts
This AirPods Ultra Concept by Taiseer Zarruk is Extra-Rugged
Sea-Inspired Wireless Earbuds
The Conceptual Bose Wireless TWS Earbuds Have a Stemless Design
Calfskin-Sheathed Luxury Headphones
These Headphones Offer Premium Sound & Aesthetic Appeal
Hybrid Open-Ear Headphones
The Oleap Pilot Headphones Let Users Maintain Awareness
Detachable Amplifier Headphone Concepts
The Nothing Headset (1) by Yungwon Kang is Immersive
Branded eSports Earbuds
These Sony PlayStation Earbuds Have SIE-Developed Wireless Technology
Luxury Car-Inspired Headphones
Bugatti and Master & Dynamic Reveal Latest Headphones Collection
Collaboration Design Headphone Models
The Beats Fit Pro x Fragment Earbuds Come in Two Colors
Retrofuturism Streaming Headphones
The Conceptual 'FUTUREAHEAD' Headset by Olga Orel is
Swimming-Friendly Headphone Models
The Creative Outlier Free Pro Headphones Have 8GB of Storage
Playful Designer-Enhanced Earbuds
The Beats x Melody Ehsani Powerbeats Pro are Charming
Social-Centric Wireless Earbud Concepts
Kusi Boateng-Arthur Introduces the Social Earbud Concept
Ultra-Compact Earbud Models
The JBuds Mini Earbuds are Small, Lightweight and Inexpensive
Ergonomic Water Droplet Earbuds
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5 Deliver Precision Sound and More
Adaptive Audio Performance Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Have CustomTune Technology
Chic Affordable Wireless Headphones
The Haylou S35 ANC Boast 60 Hours of Battery Life
Sleep-Ready Band Headphones
AcousticSheep Launches the Second Generation 'SleepPhones'
Low-Power Consumption Headphones
The EarFun Air Pro 3 Earbuds Offer LE Audio, ANC and More
Illuminated eSports Earbuds
The Conceptual Cyberpunk Earbuds by Tim Chen are Gaming-Ready
Returning DJ-Ready Headphones
Urbanears Brought Back its 'Zinken' Headphones with New Colors
Fourth-Generation Studio Headphones
The Beats Solo 4 Headphones Offer 50 Hours of Battery Life
Lime-Colored Special Edition Earbuds
These Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX Atelier Editions are Chic
Outdoor Bone-Conduction Headphones
The 'H2O Audio TRI Multi-Sport' Headphones are Weatherproof
Ultra-Lightweight Luxe Headphones
Yamaha Designs the New YH-5000SE Made from Magnesium
Off-Ear Runner Headphones
The Sony Float Run Headphones Work Seamlessly for Outdoor Athletes
Fine-Tuned Aluminum Earbuds
The Latest Technics Earbuds Offer a Customized Fit
Durability-Focused Athlete Earbuds
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Earbuds are Resistant to Anything
Visible Component Headphones
The Conceptual Nothing Head (1) Headphones are Futuristic
60s-Inspired Headphone Models
Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Applied Art Forms Headphones are Chic
Sustainable Wireless Earbuds
Skullcandy Debuted 'Ecobuds' as Eco-Conscious True Wireless Earbuds
Streetwear-Branded Headphones
The Master & Dynamic X BAPE Collection is Ideal for Audiophiles
Low-Cost Pro-Grade Headphones
The Raycon Everyday Pro Series Includes Headphones and Earbuds
Adaptive Hi-Res Audio Earbuds
The EarFun Free Pro 3 Earbuds Have Snapdragon Sound Certification
Comfortable Open-Ear Headphones
The Huawei FreeClip Headphones Attach Securely to the Ear
Fashionable Clip-On Earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Securely Hug the Ear
Sustainable Headphone Models
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are Easily Repaired and Upgraded
Neurodegenerative Disease-Detecting Earbuds
These High-Tech Earbuds Can Spot Signs Of Alzheimer's
Elegant Multi-Day Battery Headphones
The Sennheiser Accentum Headphones are German-Engineered
Game Console Wireless Earbuds
Sony Presents the New Immersive PS5 Earbuds for In-Game Using
Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
These High-End Headphones Can Curb Ambient Noise By 25 Decibels
Affordable Recycled Plastic Earbuds
The Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds are Low-Cost and Sustainable
Headband Display Headphones
The Conceptual Boinc Headphones Show Off Track Info or Graphics
Open-Style Air Conduction Earbuds
The JBL Soundgear Sense Let Listeners Hear What's Around Them
Bone-Conduction Bluetooth Headsets
These Headphones Are Ideal For Both Business & Lifestyle Use
Japanese Air-Vibration Headphones
NWM Embraces the Future of Audio Technology
Sleep Optimization Earbuds
The Ozlo Sleepbuds Work for Sleep, Streaming and More
Athletic Open-Ear Headphones
The SUUNTO Wing Open-Ear Bone Conduction Headphones are Waterproof
Technical Timber-Accented Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-WB2022 Headphones are Over-Ear
High-Power Sport Headphones
The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC Earbuds Offer Over 70-Hours of Use
Advanced Immersive Gamer Earbuds
The Sony INZONE Buds Provide Personalized Spatial Sound
AI-Powered Sleep Headphones
The Philips x Kokoon Sleep Headphones Optimize Rest at Anytime
Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones
Shokz Debuted OpenSwim Pro at CES 2024
Outdoorsy Headphone Models
The Skullcandy Take a Hike Dime 2 True Wireless Earbuds are Powerful
Flexible Bone Conduction Headphones
The HAYLOU PurFree Headphones Have a Qualcomm 3044 Chip
Workout-Ready Open-Ear Headphones
The OneOdio OpenRock Pro are Lifestyle-Conscious
Open-Ear Audio Technology
The Open-Ear-Design TWS Earbuds Has a Natural Transparency
Professional Open-Ear Headsets
The EKSA S30 Offers Up to 70-Hours of Use Per Charge
Situational Awareness Athlete Earphones
SUUNTO Sonic Bone Conduction Headphones are IP55-Rated
Modular Eco-Friendly Earbuds
Fairphone 'Fairbuds' Can Be Dismantled for Battery Replacement
Enhanced Music Display Headsets
Olga Orel Designs the FUTUREAHEAD Headset with a Display
Headband-Style Sport Headphones
The HAKII MIX Open-Ear Headband Headphones are Sport-Ready
Collaborative Stealthy Wireless Earbuds
KITH Joins Bose on an Ultra Open Earbud Design
Neural Technology Earbuds
The Wisearphones Smart Earbuds Provide a Seamless User Experience
Luxury Open-Concept Earphones
The Yamaha YH-5000 Headphones Will Arrive in 2023
Underwater Bone Conduction Headphones
H2O Audio is Back with the 'Sonar Pro' Swimming Headphones
Sleek Wireless Gaming Earbuds
Sony Unveils a Look at the Pulse Explore Earbuds for Gameplay
Sensory Conduction Headphones
Sonic Lamb Headphones Allows Wearers to Feel the Music and Hear It
Pro-Grade Earbud Models
The PINE64 PineBuds Pro Wireless Earbuds Have a Two-Tone Finish
High-Tech Wireless Earbuds
Status Audio Debuts Its New Between 3ANC Model
Stylish Gym-Ready Earbuds
The Status Between 3ANC Wireless Earbuds Have ANC and More
Haute Hi-Res Audio Earbuds
The Nothing Ear (2) Black Earbuds Have 11.6mm Custom Drivers
Open Air-Conduction Headphones
The Shokz OpenFit Headphones are Designed for Comfort
Advanced Neckband-Style Earbuds
The beyerdynamic Blue BYRD ANC Earbuds are Sport-Ready
Proprietary Connection Swimming Headphones
Zygo Z2 Headphones Use a Water-Friendly Protocol
Ergonomic Mobile Professional Earbuds
EMEET Airflow Open-Ear Earbuds Provide All-Day Comfort
Heat Relief Earbuds
The DearBuds SE Earbuds Have Built-In Fans to Cool the Wearer
Self-Cleaning Headphone Models
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 Earbuds Clean Themselves Between Uses
Luxurious Jewelry-Like Headphones
The beyerdynamic XELENTO Earphones Have the TESLA.11 Driver
Ergonomic Dual-Function Earbuds
The Conceptual Bored Buds Work as Speaker Controls During Charging
Compact Lifestyle-Conscious Earbuds
The Altec HydraBud Wireless Earbuds Come in Three Models
Accessible Over-Ear ANC Earphones
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones Come in Four Colors
Minimal Wireless Audio Earbuds
ODDICY Presents a Look at the TWIG and TWIG PRO Earbuds
Sleek Modern Earbuds
Marshall Launches Two New Colorways of its Minor III Earbuds
Flexible Hybrid Working Headphones
The Jabra Evolve2 Headphones Come in Five Models
Secure Athlete Earbuds
The Cleer Audio Roam Sport Earbuds Have Freebit Wings
Artist-Designed Headphones
Beats By Dre Taps Melody Ehsani For New Powerbeats Pro Design
Ergonomic Open-Style Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 660S2 Headphones Offer Impressive Acoustics
Ambient Audio Performance Earbuds
Creative Sensemore Air Earbuds Offer Control Over Performance
Sporty Lifestyle Brand Earbuds
The Porsche Design PDT40 True Wireless Earphones are High-End
Indestructible Industrial Headphones
The German Maestro Headphones are Designed to be Sturdy
Low-Cost Spatial Audio Earbuds
The 1MORE Aero Headphones Offer Dynamic Head Tracking and More
Barely-There Earbud Designs
The Urbanista Copenhagen Wireless Headphones are Stylish
Versatile Lightweight DJ Headphones
AIAIAI Drops a New Iteration of the Iconic TMA-2 DJ Headphones
Refined Spatial Audio Headphones
The Beats Studio Pro Headphones Come in Four Color Options
Customized Spatial Audio Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Have Immersive Audio
Inexpensive Wired Earbuds
Sennheiser Announces the New Affordable Earphones In Its IE Range
Ethical Eco-Conscious Earbuds
The Fairphone True Wireless Earbuds are 100% eWaste-Neutral
Wireless Ergonomic Earbuds
Urbanears Presents the Boo and Boo Tip Tonal Headphones
Noise-Cancelling Fitness Earbuds
Apple’s Beats By Dre Released Beats Fit Pro in Three New Colors
Personalized High-Fidelity Audio Earbuds
The Denon PerL True Wireless Earbuds Come in Two Models
Customizable Performance Earbuds
The Jabra Elite 5 Earbuds Have Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation
Athlete-Focused Off-Ear Earphones
Sony Unveils the Flexible 'Float Run' Earphones For Athletes
Heart-Monitoring Earbuds
Sennheiser's New Innovation are Revolutionizing Audio Technology
Sustainable Children's Headphones
Kibu Officially Put its Collaborative Headphones on Sale
Wireless AI-Adaptive Earbuds
Sony Presents the New Noise Cancelling WF-1000XM5 Earbuds
Low-Impact Eco Headphones
House of Marley Launches the Eco-Friendly Audio Collection
Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones
Sony's WH-XB910N Headphones have Active Noise Cancellation
Attention-Grabbing Hearing Aids
The Overtone Hearing Aid Fashionably Reimagines the Device
Multifunctional Audio Earbud Earrings
Nova's H1 Audio Earrings are Equally Stylish and Functional
Headband-Style Wireless Earbuds
SWOTT Debuts the Advanced 'Neckon 102' Neckband Earphones
Luxe Lossless Audio Earbuds
The Questyle NHB12 Headphones Eeloer Exceptional Audio Performance
Midrange WIreless Headphones
Sony Presents the New Over-Ear WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones
High-End Lifestyle Earbuds
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 and Pi5 S2 Earbuds Elevate Audio Experiences
Stylish Jewelry-Inspired Earplugs
The JING Designer Earplugs Have Interchangeable Gemstones
Customizable Noise Cancellation Earbuds
The Sony WF-C700N Wireless Earbuds Feature DSEE Technology
Hearing Protection Headphones
The Nitecore NE20 Noise Compression Earbuds Work in Many Scenarios
Personalization-Focused Wireless Headphones
PSB Speakers Unveils M4U 9 and M4U TWM
Noise-Filtering Motorcycling Headphones
The 'Packtalk Edgephones' Allow For Streamlined Conversing
Next-Gen Solar-Powered Headphones
Urbanista Los Angeles Over-Ear Headphones Have Powerfoyle
Sculpted Solar-Powered Earbuds
The Urbanista Phoenix Earbuds Offer 40-Hours of Playback
Textural Vacuum Tube Headphones
The écoute Vacuum Tube Audio Headphones Enhance Music and More
Customized Noise Control Earbuds
The Creative Zen Air Earbuds Support Easy Personalization
Accessible Audiophile Lifestyle Earbuds
The JBL TUNE and VIBE Headphones Will Arrive in Spring
Sustainable Low-Impact Headphones
House of Marley Unveils a New Audio Collection with Two Devices
Ergonomic Athlete Earbuds
The 1MORE Fit Open Earbuds S50 Work Seamlessly for Athletics
Haute Head-Tracking Headphones
The Jabra Elite 10 Earbuds Have Dolby Head Tracking Technology
Accessible Recycled Plastic Earbuds
The Nokia Clarity Earbuds 2+ Come in Three Color Options
Noise-Isolating Kids Headphones
Puro Sound Labs Debuts the New Puroquiet Plus
Snowboard-Inspired Wireless Headphones
Skullcandy and Burton Launch Limited Headphones and Earbuds
Wired Studio Headphones
Sony Releases Its MDR-MV1 Studio Headphones Designed for Spatial Audio
Waterproof Audio Technology
H2o Audio Unveils Snowpro: the Ultimate Winter Sports Headphones