Head-to-head · Best Bone Conduction Headphones

Shokz OpenRun vs Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.8). Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is best for: Runners and cyclists who want the best-sounding open-ear headphones for staying aware of traffic and don't need to swim with them. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Bone Conduction Headphones

Shokz OpenRun

3.8

2 sources$129.95as of Oct 11

The plain OpenRun is the cheapest current Shokz and the one that trades features for toughness. SoundGuys rates it 7 out of 10 and RTINGS 7.3 out of 10, and with Believe in the Run all three land in the same place: a 26-gram titanium band that disappears on a run, full situational awareness, and thin bass. Against the OpenRun Pro 2 you give up the air-conduction driver and USB-C charging, and gain an IP67 rating the pricier model does not have.

Strengths

— IP67 rating means full sweat and dust resistance, more robust than the pricier OpenRun Pro 2's IP55
— 8-hour battery with a 10-minute quick charge giving 1.5 hours of playback
— Open-ear design keeps you fully aware of traffic and surroundings

Watch-outs

— Proprietary magnetic charging connector instead of USB-C
— No companion app or custom EQ
— Microphone quality is poor for calls in noisy environments

$129.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Bone Conduction Headphones

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

4.4

3 sources$179.95as of Oct 11

The OpenRun Pro 2 is the consensus pick for the best-sounding bone conduction headphones, pairing a bone-conduction driver with a small air-conduction speaker to push bass that the form factor usually can't manage. SoundGuys calls them the cream of the crop and TechGearLab ranked them #1 of 10 running headphones tested. The IP55 rating and high price are the main caveats.

Strengths

— DualPitch dual-driver design adds a dedicated air-conduction speaker for noticeably deeper bass than bone-conduction rivals
— 12-hour battery life, up from 10 hours on the original OpenRun Pro
— Switched to a universal USB-C charging port, ending the proprietary magnetic dock

Watch-outs

— IP55 rating is a step down from the IP67 of the standard OpenRun, so they cannot be submerged
— Volume buttons are hard to distinguish by touch, especially with gloves
— Microphone struggles in windy conditions

$179.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Shokz OpenRun

The value pick of the lineup: tougher IP67 sealing than the OpenRun Pro 2 but a single driver with weaker bass, and no onboard storage like the Shokz OpenSwim Pro, Mojawa Run Plus or Nank Runner Diver2 Pro carry for swimming.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

The best sound in this group thanks to its air-conduction driver, but unlike the Shokz OpenSwim Pro, Mojawa Run Plus and Nank Runner Diver2 Pro it has no onboard storage and its IP55 rating means it can't be submerged like the IP67 Shokz OpenRun.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Shokz OpenRun	Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Drivers	Single bone conduction	Bone conduction + air conduction (DualPitch)
Battery	8 hours	12 hours
Charge	Proprietary magnetic, 10 min = 1.5 hr	USB-C, 5 min = 2.5 hr quick charge
Water Resistance	IP67	IP55
Weight	26g	30.3g
Bluetooth	5.1 + multipoint	5.3 + multipoint
Frame	Titanium band	Titanium band
Onboard Storage	None	None
Warranty	2-year	2-year

← See the full ranking of best bone conduction headphones