The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Are the Best Bone Conduction Headphones I've Tried

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When I first learned about bone conduction headphones (BCH) I was mostly just curious—what would wearing them feel like? To me, sending vibrations through the head to transmit audio sounded like a technology out of a sci-fi book. It was anticlimactic, to say the least, when I got my hands on my first pair. None of my sci-fi fantasies came true—the audio experience is lacking compared to traditional in-air or on-ear headphones—but the experience is still pretty novel.

Yes, the technology is still relatively new when it comes to headphones, and device-makers are still experimenting with how to make the best use of it. The primary advantage of BCH is clear, however: They don't cover your ears, so you retain complete spatial awareness when wearing them. I've since tested a number of styles and brands of these headphones, but none from Shokz, one of the biggest names in the space. So when the new Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 came out in December, I decided to see how they stack up.

After using them for many runs, workouts, bike rides, calls, and podcasts, I can easily recommend these headphones to anyone who needs headphones that allow them to hear their surroundings when out and about without sacrificing too much on audio quality. I don't recommend them if you're looking for true audio fidelity (traditional headphones will always sound better), need to use them in loud environments (like a very noisy gym), or are looking for headphones to use underwater (I recommend the OpenSwim Pro instead).

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 pros, cons, and specs

Specs

• Type: Bone conduction headphones

• Battery Life: Up to 12 hours; 5-minute charge gives 2.5 hours of juice

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, only supports SBC Bluetooth codec

• App: Shokz app with full EQ

• Drivers: Extra 18-by-11-millimeter low-frequency speakers for better bass with a rated frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz.

• Water Resistance: IP55 water resistance rating

• Weight: 1.02 ounces

Pros

• Best audio I've experienced with BCH

• Best bass I've heard with BCH

• No rattling vibration that tickles the ears

• A wind-resistant microphone for call clarity

• Long battery life

• MultiPoint allows you to connect to two devices

Cons

• Expensive

• Bass is still weak compared to regular headphones

• Not waterproof

• Sound leakage

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 first impressions

Comfort

The OpenRun Pro 2 feel like premium headphones. They are light but durable. The silicone coating feels comfortable against the skin and they are extremely light, their 1.02 ounces evenly distributed so you barely know they're there.

Shokz offers two sizes, a "Standard" and a "Mini" option along with a sizing guide that I found very helpful to see which is the right fit for me. I often find BCH headphones feel too big for me: The back end sags, lifting the front end and making the experience of wearing them frustrating. However, the standard size Open Run 2 felt custom-made for me, with a snug fit that made them impossible to shake off. They are easy to put on and forget about, which is the best thing I can say about any pair of headphones.

Battery life

Shokz claims you get 12 hours of listening, which seemed accurate based on my testing. These headphones use a USB-C charger, which is a big change from the previous model, which had a pretty unique charging cable. With USB-C charging,Shokz joins the rest of the tech world with a more universal, fast-charging option.

The physical buttons to control the media are a plus, given these are headphones are tailored for working out and being outdoors (touch controls tend go haywire the second moisture enters the picture). Power and volume controls sit behind the right ear and are easy to find and press even while running. On the left side you'll find the "play/pause" button. Unlike other BCH headsets I've tried, it is intelligently placed in a spot where you can put pressure, so you can press it with one finger instead of having to pinch it with two.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are a bone conduction/earbud hybrid

Remember how I said companies are still experimenting with BCH technology? Shokz is trying out an interesting new mix of features with the OpenRun Pro 2. They call it DualPitch technology, and it mixes bone conduction technology with old-school earbud tech that pumps sound through the air. The OpenRun Pro 2 adds an extra 18-by-11-millimeter speaker designed for low-frequency sounds, which addresses one of the biggest complaints about BCH headsets: weak bass.

Bigger, smoother bass

Better bass does a lot to improve overall audio quality, even if it the end result still can't match traditional headphones. Anyone who has given up on BCH because of their lack of bass should at least give the OpenRun Pro 2 a chance—though keep in mind that the bass is good for BCH headphones, but still on the weaker end when compared to regular headphones (the bass on BCH headsets will never reach the levels of, say, the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2).

Perhaps an unintended consequence of the DualPitch technology is the elimination of another con of BCH— that annoying rattling vibration that tickles my ears when playing music at a higher volume, or when certain pitches are hit. While using the OpenRun Pro 2, I never felt that irritating sensation, even when I cracked them way up (with a single exception that I'll address later). Typically bass is the main culprit causing that unpleasant ticklish sensation, but since this set pumps that additional bass through the air via the extra drivers instead of through your skull, that sensation is gone.

A little leaky, a little too quiet

BCH headphones tend to leak a bit, as do open-ear headphones. Given these headphones use both of those technologies, that's definitely an occasional issue here. Sitting next to my fiancee while we work from home while listening at 45% volume, she's able to tell exactly what song I am playing (though to be fair, 45% volume is on the higher end in a quiet environment).

Conversely, I felt the volume wasn't loud enough in noisy environments. When taking these for a workout in my local gym, the gym's speakers easily overpowered my headphones, creating a chaotic mush of sounds. (They worked better in this environment for listening to podcasts or audiobooks, however.) While using them on a run, I could hear the music, but I wasn't feeling it like I would with regular earbuds because of the noise around me and the limited volume. But I suppose that's the whole point of BCH headphones.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well these headphones picked up my voice over while outdoors. The mic uses an AI to isolate your voice and eliminate background noise, which is helpful while running or biking. I was able to have a regular conversation, despite a lot of wind and background noise. I did have some occasional trouble hearing the other person, which goes hand-in-hand with the volume limitations that I mentioned earlier. Even when testing them in a the quiet environment of my office, sound is a bit muffed, but still clear enough.

A versatile connection option

I love that Shokz includes MultiPoint, allowing me to switch between two devices seamlessly, like my phone and computer. This makes the headphones more versatile, and a great option for working from home, considering I am able to hear my phone, dog, the door, other people, or anything that happens around me while using them, and switching back and forth between my phone and laptop. Unfortunately, since they're only rated IP55 for water resistance, I can't take them with me in the shower, or I would probably never take these headphones off.

The Shokz app

The Shokz app is simple but easy to use. It has a fully customizable EQ that lets you save your favorite settings. There are also six presets that are useful for different occasions—"Vocals" for audiobooks or podcasts, "Volume Boost" for the outdoors, etc.

One of the presets is "Classic," which turns the headphones into a fully performing BCH (meaning no DualPitch technology). At this EQ preset, you do feel that vibration at high volumes. I really love that this option was given in the EQ though, since it gives people the freedom to choose it if they don't dig the hybrid sound technology.

Bottom line

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are among the best BCH you can get right now, with impressive audio and call quality, making them an excellent choice for those looking to hear their surroundings while out and about. They also make surprisingly good headphones for working from home thanks to the MultiPoint connectivity, naturally open ear design, and good audio quality relatively speaking. These headphones won't be a good match for those looking for headphones to work in loud environments or those hoping to swim or shower with them.

The bass is the best I've heard in bone conduction headphones, with no rattling that tickles your ears. They serve their purpose well, but are also pricey at $179.99.