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Shokz, which used to be called AfterShokz, has been at the top of our list of the best headphones for running for a long time, and the OpenRun Pro are its best headphones yet. The main difference between these new headphones and the Shokz OpenRun, which used to be called the Aeropex, is that the pads on these new headphones have new bass transducers that send vibrations to your aural nerve.
The upgrade is clear as soon as you hit play, and if you choose bone conduction headphones instead of in-ear headphones, you won’t have to give up a lot of sound quality. It’s especially great if you like heavy music because the sound is much fuller than with other bone conduction headphones. The bad thing about the new transducers is that they make more of a noise when they vibrate against your skin.
Shokz OpenRun Pro specifications
| Price | $179 |
| Weight | 1.0 ounces |
| Durability | IP55 Sweat-Resistant |
| Processor | Qualcomm QCC3024 |
Shokz OpenRun Pro review: Design
The OpenRun Pro looks the same as Shokz’s other bone conduction headphones, and it has the same open-ear design that Shokz fans love. The OpenRun Pro is the most high-end pair of bone conduction headphones you can get.
It uses the latest ninth-generation bone conduction technology. The OpenRun Pro, like other Shokz headsets, has a strong titanium headband that can bend in any direction. Unlike other Shokz headsets, the OpenRun Pro comes with a high-quality hardshell case with a zipper. You can get this headphone from its official website.
Shokz OpenRun Pro review: Sound quality
Most wireless headphones sound better than bone-conduction headphones. When music isn’t played directly into your ears, it doesn’t sound as clear as it does with even the best cheap earbuds. But of all the bone conduction headphones I’ve tried, including the Bose Frames, the Shokz OpenRun Pro come the closest to delivering all-around sound.
Shokz OpenRun Pro did a great job with the electronic synth riffs in Van Halen’s “Jump,” keeping its precision and sophistication the whole time. “We Found Love” by Rihanna was sexy and still had a lot of punch. The vocals aren’t as clear as I’d like, but the clever verses of “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis held their own against the soaring piano line.
Shokz OpenRun Pro review: Performance
The Shokz OpenRun Pro can be looked at in two important and different ways. We ride bikes, and this review is all about how to use headphones while riding a bike. In that sense, these are a huge hit. The last version was already great, but it had a few problems that this version fixes.
The OpenRun Pro is 20% smaller than the old Aeropex, which is a big difference on a bike. They are fighting for the same space as the back of your sunglasses and the retention on your helmet. There isn’t much room there, so making the headphones a little smaller makes a big difference in how comfortable they are all day.
Shokz OpenRun Pro review: Battery Life
The OpenRun Pro should have a battery life of 10 hours, which I’ve been able to match during my testing. That’s about a week’s worth of running for me, so charging the headset has been easy during my Monday rest day.
You’ll need to keep the special charging cable handy, but a five-minute burst is enough to play music for an hour and a half. There is also an IP55 rating, which is good enough to keep most dust and sweat out, but not quite good enough to take a shower or go swimming in.
Shokz OpenRun Pro review: Price and availability
The price of the Shokz OpenRun Pro, $179, is $50 more than the price of the Shokz OpenRun, but it is still comparable to the best headphones. The price of the OpenRun Pro was the same as that of the Apple AirPods 3.
Shokz OpenRun Pro come in black, blue, pink, and beige as standard colours. Shokz also makes a “mini” version that has a 0.83-inch shorter headband. There are Black and Beige versions of the OpenRun Pro Mini headset.
Final words
Different kinds of headphones are good for different things, and the Shokz OpenRun Pro is good enough for me to keep it in my collection of audio gear. We like the regular OpenRun model for running outside, but the OpenRun Pro is a better champion for bone conduction technology because it has better call quality and lasts longer on a charge.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Ratings
Pros
- Greatly improved sound
- Light and comfortable to wear
- Quick-charge feature
Cons
- Can’t adjust fit
- More noticeable vibrations
FAQs
Which is better shokz or AfterShokz?
The AfterShokz Aeropex Bone Conduction has been updated to become the Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction. Both pairs of headphones are comfortable, but the OpenRun Pro has a much better carrying case and a better battery overall. They also come with a companion app that has two pre-sets for the EQ.
Does Shokz OpenRun Pro have a microphone?
SHOKZ OpenRun Pro – Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones – Sweat Resistant Wireless Earphones for Workouts and Running with Premium Deep Bass, Built-in Mic, and Hair Band.
Is shokz a Chinese company?
Or hear the noise they make when they brush their teeth or eat something crunchy? All of this is possible because of bone conduction. Since 2004, the high-tech Chinese consumer electronics company Shenzhen Shokz Co., Ltd. has been working in this field.