Alright, so the audio market, especially for active folks, is a space I’m constantly keeping an eye on. There’s always something new promising to be the next big thing for your workouts. Bone conduction headphones, for instance, have carved out a really specific, yet compelling, niche – that ability to hear your tunes while staying completely aware of your surroundings is a game-changer for many. Recently, the Sanag B21S has been making some waves, and it’s a device that packs a few clever punches that caught my attention.
We’re not just talking about a standard pair of open-ear headphones here. The B21S comes to the table with a full IPX5 waterproof rating, Bluetooth 5.4, and long battery life. Now, when you see a feature set like that, you might expect a hefty price tag, but these are currently floating around AliExpress for a rather surprising $23.90. Use code K1AN88 at checkout for an instant $5 off!
Design, Build Quality, and Ergonomics
Taking the Sanag B21S out of the box, you immediately notice their sporty, wraparound neckband style. They’re designed to sit securely, hooking over your ears and resting the main units just in front. The whole thing is super lightweight; you can tell plastic is the main material here. Some might find it feels a bit budget-friendly because of that.
The band itself, the part that connects the two earpieces, is pretty cool. It’s got this titanium alloy or memory material inside, so it’s really flexible. You can stretch it, bend it, and it just springs right back to its original shape. This makes them feel quite durable and adaptable to different head sizes.
On one of the side pieces, you’ll find the controls – proper physical buttons, not touch-sensitive ones. There’s usually a power button that doubles up for other functions, and separate volume up and down buttons. People who use headphones for sports often prefer these clicky buttons because they’re easier to use without looking and you don’t accidentally trigger them when you’re wiping sweat.
The charging port is a USB-C, tucked away under a little rubber flap. This flap is important for keeping the waterproofing intact, so you’ll want to make sure it’s sealed properly after charging. It feels secure enough for its job.
The parts that actually make contact with your head, near your cheekbones, are these smooth, sealed units. There are no speaker grilles or openings you’d typically see on earbuds, which makes sense given they’re waterproof and work through bone conduction. They’re designed to sit flat against your skin to transmit those sound vibrations. The overall construction feels pretty solid for a pair of headphones designed to take a bit of a beating during exercise.
Connectivity and Companion App
On the connectivity front, these headphones are rocking Bluetooth 5.4. That’s the latest and greatest as of this writing, and it generally means you’re getting a more stable, power-efficient connection. In my experience, pairing them up with my phone was quick and painless – the usual turn-them-on, find-them-in-Bluetooth-settings, and you’re good to go. The connection held up really well.
I could leave my phone in one room and wander a couple of rooms away, even with a wall or two in between, and the music kept playing without any annoying dropouts or stutters. It’s worth noting that I didn’t come across multipoint support, so you’ll likely be connecting to one device at a time, which is pretty standard for headphones in this price bracket.
Then there’s the Sanag app, which you grab by scanning a QR code typically found in the manual or on the packaging. Once installed, it unlocks a bit more control over the B21S. The main draw here for many will be the EQ settings.
You’ve got a few presets like “Rock,” “Pop,” and “Classical,” and I think one labeled “SS qvp stereo” which seems to be their take on a 360-degree or immersive sound. The “Rock” EQ, as mentioned, really emphasizes those bass vibrations. You can also usually find a “popular” or “normal” setting if you prefer things flatter. It’s nice to have these options to tailor the sound a bit, especially with bone conduction where the audio profile can be quite different.
You’ll also find a battery level indicator, which is always useful to see how much juice you have left. Some versions of the app also offer a “find headphones” feature. This can either make the headphones emit a loud sound so you can locate them if they’re nearby, or in some cases, show their last known location on a map, though the map functionality can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on permissions and how well it’s implemented.
I also saw a mention that firmware updates can be pushed through the app, which is good for potential future improvements or bug fixes.
The app interface itself is generally pretty basic, but it gets the job done. It’s not overly cluttered, and the main functions are easy enough to find. It’s not the most polished app experience I’ve ever seen, but for a pair of budget-friendly sports headphones, it provides a decent level of customization and control that adds value.
Performance
Okay, from my time with the Sanag B21S, the performance is really a tale of understanding what bone conduction is all about. You’re not getting that in-your-ear, sealed-off audio experience, and that’s by design. The sound is delivered via vibrations on your cheekbones, and yeah, you definitely feel it, especially with bass-heavy tracks or if you crank up the volume. It’s a unique sensation that some might find a bit odd at first, almost like a tiny massage, but you do get used to it.
Sound-wise, these aren’t going to satisfy an audiophile looking for pristine, nuanced audio. The bass is present, you can feel the punch, but it’s not that deep, resonant thump you get from good in-ear buds. It’s more of a percussive vibration. The app’s EQ settings, particularly the “Rock” mode, do amp up those vibrations, making the bass feel more prominent.
Mids and highs, though, come through surprisingly clearly. Vocals in songs and podcasts are easy to understand, and instruments in those ranges are distinct enough for casual listening. There was even a mention of a “360° stereo” effect for movies, which is an interesting claim for this type of headphone, suggesting some attempt at a wider soundstage, though I’d say it’s more about clear directional cues than true surround.
One thing with open-ear designs is sound leakage. At lower to moderate volumes, it’s not a huge issue, but if you really pump them up, people nearby might catch a faint whisper of your music. So, maybe not ideal for a super quiet library. Maximum volume itself felt adequate for most outdoor situations, letting me hear my music over traffic, but one reviewer did note it might be a bit low for some, especially in really noisy environments.
For calls, the CVC noise reduction on the mics does a decent job. People I called said they could hear me pretty clearly, even with a bit of background noise. It’s not going to compete with a dedicated boom mic, but for taking calls on the go during a run or bike ride, it’s perfectly serviceable, which is a big plus as many sports headphones fall down here.
Battery Life and Charging
Keeping these Sanag B21S headphones juiced up and ready to go seems pretty straightforward. You get around 10 hours of playtime on a single charge. That’s a solid amount, enough for several workouts, a long bike ride, or even a full marathon with some time to spare. I’m even getting a bit more than 10 hours when listening at about 60% volume, so how loud you crank your tunes will probably play a part.
The battery inside is a 155mAh unit, which is a pretty common size for these types of devices. When you’re not using them, they seem to hold their charge really well too; there was a mention of up to 30 days on standby, which is great for those times you forget to top them up.
Charging them up is done via a standard USB-C port, which is nice because it’s the same cable many phones and other gadgets use now. The port itself is hidden under a little rubber flap to keep the water out, so you just pop that open and plug in. To get them from empty back to full, you’re looking at about an hour and twenty minutes to an hour and a half, which isn’t too bad at all.
Final Verdict
So, what’s the bottom line on the Sanag B21S? These headphones really shine for a specific crowd. The Open Ear Design, combined with the IPX5 waterproofing and Bluetooth 5.4 Connection, is a killer combo. You just don’t find that pairing often, especially not when you look at the price tag – currently sitting at a pretty jaw-dropping $23.90 on AliExpress. Use code K1AN88 at checkout for an instant $5 off!
They’re also super comfortable for long stretches because nothing actually goes in your ear, and they stay put surprisingly well during runs and more active stuff. The physical buttons are a practical touch, and the battery life will get most people through a good few sessions.
Now, the sound. It’s bone conduction, so you have to manage expectations. It’s not going to blow away audiophiles with deep, thumping bass or super crisp highs like your fancy in-ear monitors. The sound is decent, it’s clear enough for podcasts and most music genres, and the vibrations can give you a sense of bass, but it’s more about functional audio while keeping your ears open to the world around you. Some folks might find that vibration a bit odd, maybe even a little gimmicky at first. And yeah, the plastic build, while light and flexible, does feel like it matches the budget price.
