Discovering the suitable pair of working headphones is usually a problem, proper? With so many choices on the market, it’s robust to know the place to begin. On this assessment, I’ll share my takeaways on the Shokz OpenRun Professional 2 headphones and provide you with an summary of the remainder of the Shokz lineup that will help you make an knowledgeable choice.
I’m an enormous fan of bone-conduction headphones. My first pair was the OpenRun Professional, and I haven’t seemed again since. So when the OpenRun Professional 2 confirmed up on my doorstep, I used to be stoked.
What are bone conducting headphones?
For anybody new to bone-conduction know-how, right here’s the fast rundown: these headphones transmit sound by means of vibrations to the bones in your cranium, bypassing the eardrums. The vibrations then attain your inside ear, so you may get pleasure from music whereas retaining your ears open to the world round you—security first, proper?
If you happen to’re new to this tech, there’s a brief adjustment interval, however when you’re used to it, it’s clean crusing together with your favourite jams.
OpenRun Professional 2 Evaluate
Arms down, these are my favourite headphones and my present go-to for working!
The OpenRun Professional 2 is a complete game-changer for runners. They provide a snug, safe match that stays in place, regardless of how intense your exercises get. They’re tremendous light-weight, and I had no points with them bouncing or shifting round throughout my runs.
Plus, they match comfortably beneath hats (whether or not it’s a efficiency cap or a winter beanie) and slide simply beneath sun shades (although in the event you’re specific about the place your shades sit, you would possibly want to regulate them barely). Coach Amanda says she nonetheless can’t fairly work out the hat, sun shades and OpenRun combo comfortably.
Sound high quality is the place the OpenRun Professional 2 actually shines. The improve from the unique OpenRun Professional is noticeable, with a lot clearer audio and richer bass.
The battery life is strong too, providing as much as 12 hours of playtime, and in the event you’re in a rush, the fast cost characteristic is a lifesaver—simply 5 minutes of charging offers you 1.5 hours of use.
That stated, there are a number of downsides to bear in mind.
If you happen to’re working in a fitness center or different noisy surroundings, you would possibly discover it a bit tougher to listen to your audio clearly.
Whereas the sound is great for music, it’s not as crisp for audiobooks or podcasts, so these headphones aren’t your best option for spoken phrase content material. Once more this could possibly be why Amanda hasn’t historically been as large of a fan as a few of us. Even on the treadmill, she discovered with audiobooks it simply by no means felt tremendous clear.
Additionally, the buttons will be tough to make use of throughout runs or when you could have chilly arms, making it a bit tougher to regulate quantity or skip tracks on the go.
All in all, these headphones are excellent for runners who need consolation, nice battery life, and strong sound high quality. Simply take into account that in the event you’re working in noisy environments or choose audiobooks, they won’t be the best choice.
OpenRun Professional vs. OpenRun Professional 2
The OpenRun Professional 2 takes the whole lot nice in regards to the unique model and improves it, particularly in sound high quality and match. Right here’s a fast comparability that will help you resolve which one is best for you.
Sound High quality:
The OpenRun Professional 2 presents considerably higher sound, with richer bass and clearer audio. It additionally contains a new speaker design that factors instantly at your ear, lowering sound leakage—so you may get pleasure from your music with out bothering these round you.
Customizable Match:
These headphones supply two headband sizes—Customary (5.3 to 7.5 inches) and Mini (4.7 to six.9 inches)—each adjustable for a extra personalised, snug match. Whether or not you put on hats, sun shades, or each, you may tweak the match to fit your gear of the day.
Battery Life:
The OpenRun Professional 2 extends battery life to 12 hours, up from 10 hours within the unique, so that you get extra working time between prices.
Charging Port:
The brand new headphones change to a USB-C port from the earlier magnetic connection. Whereas USB-C is extra common, some would possibly miss the comfort of the magnetic charger. (I’m positively within the “miss it” camp.)
Backside Line:
The OpenRun Professional 2 is the clear winner in the event you prioritize sound high quality, battery life, and a customizable match. That stated, the OpenRun Professional remains to be a unbelievable possibility at a barely lower cost, however the Professional 2’s upgrades make it the higher alternative for many runners.
Evaluating Shokz Headphones
All proper, now the query is which mannequin of Shokz are best for you. If you happen to’ve determined you’re keen on bone conducting as a result of it helps you are feeling secure they usually’re comfortable then there are a number of completely different types!
OpenRun
The OpenRun headphones are excellent for runners who need nice sound and are a bit of cheaper than the two!
They share the identical open-ear design because the Professional 2, and you may select between Customary or Mini headband sizes for a extra personalised match.
With 8 hours of battery life and a fast 10-minute cost that offers you 1.5 hours of playtime, they’re able to go every time you’re. Light-weight, sweatproof, and tremendous safe, they keep in place by means of your hardest exercises—although hold them out of the pool, as they’re not designed for swimming.
Verify them out right here for $159 >>
OpenSwim Professional
Actually, we predict that is in all probability their coolest possibility. It’s a sport changer for lengthy swims!
The OpenSwim Professional headphones are essential in the event you spend time within the pool. They characteristic an open-ear design just like the OpenRun Professional 2, however now with Bluetooth connectivity.
You may hearken to music underwater for as much as 2 hours, even at depths of 6.5 toes!
Not close to your telephone? No drawback—simply change to MP3 mode and luxuriate in your tunes with 32GB of storage—no connection wanted.
It simply transitions from water to land, so you may put on them throughout your swim and hold them on for a run afterward. With 9 hours of Bluetooth battery life or 6 hours in MP3 mode, plus a fast 10-minute cost that offers you 3 hours of playtime, these headphones will hold you shifting out and in of the pool.
OpenFit
The OpenFit and OpenFit 2 headphones are tremendous versatile, excellent for the whole lot from morning runs to work calls.
The air-earhook design retains them safe, whereas the dual-layered silicone earbud supplies a comfortable, adaptable match. At simply 8.3 grams, they’re extremely light-weight, and with AI Noise Cancellation, your calls keep crystal clear. Get pleasure from 7 hours of battery on a single cost, and as much as 28 hours with the charging case.
Our gear tester Gillian LOVED these and has used them on a ton of runs. As soon as once more, Coach Amanda is the weirdo who discovered they only by no means stayed put and felt just like the controls actually wanted some work.
For a similar value level because the OpenRun Professional 2 we predict it’s a significantly better possibility. Additionally simply having the ability to drop them round your neck, vs worrying about dropping an earbud is nice.
OpenFit Air that you may additionally see, isn’t actually designed for exercises and therefore less expensive.
All the main points of the OpenFit right here for $179 >>
And that’s your earful of information on the Shokz lineup! We hope this helps you discover your subsequent pair of headphones.
As all the time, we’d love to listen to from you. Drop a remark beneath to share which pair you’re contemplating or in the event you’ve tried any of them. All of it helps fellow runners discover what’s greatest for them.
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