Discovering the appropriate pair of working headphones generally is a problem, proper? With so many choices on the market, it’s powerful to know the place to start out. On this overview, I’ll share my takeaways on the Shokz OpenRun Professional 2 headphones and offer you an summary of the remainder of the Shokz lineup that can assist you make an knowledgeable determination.
I’m an enormous fan of bone-conduction headphones. My first pair was the OpenRun Professional, and I haven’t appeared 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 expertise, right here’s the fast rundown: these headphones transmit sound by way of vibrations to the bones in your cranium, bypassing the eardrums. The vibrations then attain your inside ear, so you possibly can take pleasure in music whereas protecting your ears open to the world round you—security first, proper?
Should you’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 Evaluation
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 cushty, 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 below hats (whether or not it’s a efficiency cap or a winter beanie) and slide simply below sun shades (although in the event you’re explicit about the place your shades sit, you may want to regulate them barely). Coach Amanda says she nonetheless can’t fairly determine 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 stable too, providing as much as 12 hours of playtime, and in the event you’re in a rush, the fast cost function is a lifesaver—simply 5 minutes of charging offers you 1.5 hours of use.
That stated, there are a couple of downsides to remember.
Should you’re working in a gymnasium or different noisy surroundings, you may discover it a bit more durable 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 may very well be why Amanda hasn’t historically been as massive 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 might be tough to make use of throughout runs or when you could have chilly palms, making it a bit more durable to regulate quantity or skip tracks on the go.
All in all, these headphones are good for runners who need consolation, nice battery life, and stable sound high quality. Simply remember the fact that in the event you’re working in noisy environments or choose audiobooks, they may not be the best choice.
OpenRun Professional vs. OpenRun Professional 2
The OpenRun Professional 2 takes every thing nice in regards to the unique model and improves it, particularly in sound high quality and match. Right here’s a fast comparability that can assist you resolve which one is best for you.
Sound High quality:
The OpenRun Professional 2 affords 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 possibly can take pleasure in your music with out bothering these round you.
Customizable Match:
These headphones provide two headband sizes—Normal (5.3 to 7.5 inches) and Mini (4.7 to six.9 inches)—each adjustable for a extra customized, comfy match. Whether or not you put on hats, sun shades, or each, you possibly can 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 expenses.
Charging Port:
The brand new headphones swap to a USB-C port from the earlier magnetic connection. Whereas USB-C is extra common, some may miss the comfort of the magnetic charger. (I’m undoubtedly 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 continues to be a incredible possibility at a barely cheaper price, however the Professional 2’s upgrades make it the higher selection for many runners.
Evaluating Shokz Headphones
All proper, now the query is which mannequin of Shokz are best for you. Should you’ve determined you’re keen on bone conducting as a result of it helps you’re feeling protected and so they’re comfortable then there are a couple of completely different kinds!
OpenRun
The OpenRun headphones are good for runners who need nice sound and are slightly cheaper than the two!
They share the identical open-ear design because the Professional 2, and you’ll select between Normal or Mini headband sizes for a extra customized 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 at any time when you might be. Light-weight, sweatproof, and tremendous safe, they keep in place by way of your hardest exercises—although hold them out of the pool, as they’re not designed for swimming.
Examine them out right here for $159 >>
OpenSwim Professional
Truthfully, we expect that is most likely their coolest possibility. It’s a sport changer for lengthy swims!
The OpenSwim Professional headphones are a must have in the event you spend time within the pool. They function an open-ear design just like the OpenRun Professional 2, however now with Bluetooth connectivity.
You possibly can 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 swap to MP3 mode and revel in your tunes with 32GB of storage—no connection wanted.
It simply transitions from water to land, so you possibly can 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, good for every thing 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. Take pleasure in 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 worth level because the OpenRun Professional 2 we expect it’s a significantly better possibility. Additionally simply with the ability to drop them round your neck, vs worrying about dropping an earbud is nice.
OpenFit Air that you may also see, isn’t actually designed for exercises and therefore less expensive.
All the small print 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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