Shokz was formerly known as AfterShokz and forms a great introduction to the market for the Shokz range of bone conduction headphones.Their Openrun pro is the best bone conduction headphone on the market.
Shokz OpenRun Pro
Bone conduction headphones go through your bones into your inner ear instead of your eardrum, and because the headphones sit in front of or above your ear, you’re still able to hear your surroundings. Unlike Shokz’s other bone conduction headsets, the OpenRun Pro supports
apps to better manage the device. You can take these headphones almost anywhere without worrying about damage. Fit, comfort, staying power as we move around on our run. This is especially good for runners, who may need to hear traffic or other sounds to keep themselves safe.
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Pros Cons
+ Light and comfortable – More expensive than OpenRun
+ Highly advanced sound
+Great battery life Cons
In recent years I’ve used almost all of their bone conduction headphones, mostly while running, walking and biking, but also for hands-free calling. I use them mostly for listening to music as well as audiobooks and podcasts. Recently I used OpenRun, OpenRun and OpenRun Pro have several differences. Both products are manufactured by Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) company. The OpenRun Pro now has a battery life of over 10 hours and includes a bass booster built into the transducer. The buttons are also a bit bigger they had to move the charging port a bit to add it and it also has a fast charging function, which is slightly faster than the OpenRun. If you charge it for 5 minutes, it will give you about 1.5 hours of listening time. And in general, it charges quickly too, with the OpenRun taking about 1.5-2 hours to fully charge, while the OpenRun Pro takes an hour.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Design
- Bigger button than OpenRun
- The location of the magnetic charging port has been changed
- IP55 water resistance rating
The design of the Shokz OpenRun Pro is similar to the standard OpenRun. If the OpenRun headset wasn’t blue, I’d have a hard time telling the two apart at a glance. Although OpenRun Pro offers the new “Shokz” logo, minus the “After”.
Showcase has hit on a design that works, and the OpenRun Pro doesn’t deviate from that formula. Following the same openfit schematic as the company’s other headphones, they feature a pair of pads that sit on your cheekbones and transmit sound through vibrations, keeping your ear canals open. The headphone is designed to snake around the back of your head, almost reaching your neck.
These pads are held together by a flexible but springy titanium band, which keeps them firmly in place while you run without ever pinching them. A large button on the left pad lets you take calls using the headset’s built-in microphone, and the right pad has controls for power, volume, track and battery status. OpenRun Pro is currently available in beige, black, blue, and pink.
At first glance, OpenRun Pro looks almost identical to its predecessor, OpenRun, but there are a few notable differences. First, the control buttons are slightly larger, which makes it easier to adjust volume, skip tracks, and turn the headphones on and off without looking at what you’re doing. Holding the volume down button during playback will tell you whether the power level is high, medium or low. Also supports OpenRun Pro apps.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Sound Quality
The Shokz OpenRun Pro marks a significant advance in bone conduction headphone technology, delivering sound quality that is significantly better than its predecessors. The headphones are known for their unique bone conduction technology. Wireless bone-conduction headphones don’t sound as powerful as most wireless headphones. The Showcase OpenRun Pro comes the closest to delivering immersive sound of any bone conduction headphone I’ve tested.
The most noticeable improvement is the boosted bass response. While still not on par with traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones, the OpenRun Pro delivers a more robust low-end that adds depth to music. All bone conduction headphones produce this effect to some degree at high volumes, but it’s especially noticeable with the OpenRun Pro. The sensation isn’t uncomfortable, and it’s little more than a tickle until you turn up the volume, but if you’re wearing headphones while concentrating on work, you may find it a little distracting.
When AfterShokz announced that it was rebranding as ‘Shokz’ in December 2021, it also introduced a new version of its Aeropex bone conduction headphones with fast charging. This is a feature that is carried over to the OpenRun Pro, and a five-minute charge will provide 1.5 hours of playback. Yet I’m hesitant to compare bone conduction headphones to over-ear or in-ear headphones. The use-areas are different, especially for bone conduction eaters who want to be able to hear what’s going on around them. While the best noise-canceling earbuds block out sound, bone conduction lets everything in. I don’t want it at the gym, but when I’m out running, being able to hear people and traffic is important for safety.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Call Quality
The OpenRun Pro headphones struggle with call quality, creating a noticeable echo and picking up a lot of ambient noise. Shokz answered by adding a dual noise-canceling microphone to the OpenRun Pro. I ran several test calls forgetting I had OpenRun Pro turned on and each time the receiver could tell I wasn’t talking through my smartphone’s microphone.
Shokz OpenRun Pro Battery Life
A significant upgrade of the OpenRun Pro is the battery life compared to the OpenRun. OpenRun Pro is rated for 10 hours instead of 8 hours, offering more listening time between charges The battery can last up to 10 days when the headphones are turned off. The headphone reminds you of the battery level every time you turn it on.
I wish the headphones would automatically turn off when I wasn’t listening to music for long periods of time because, again, I forgot I was wearing the OpenRun Pro too often. Fortunately, a 5-minute quick charge gave me about 1.5 hours of listening time if I realized the OpenRun Pro had died while getting ready to workout.
What you need to know about the Shokz OpenRun Pro?
Shokz OpenRun Pro: $179.95 / $229.95 CA / $250 AU / €189.95 / £130
Seemingly indistinguishable from Shokz’s other bone conduction headphones, the OpenRun Pro retains the in-ear design that Shokz fans love.Like other Showcase headsets, the OpenRun Pro features a durable titanium headband that can be flexed in any direction.
Shokz OpenRun Pro is the company’s only bone conduction headphone to get mobile app support (iOS/Android). The app is simple, but opens the door to firmware updates to keep the headset competitive. You can switch between EQ modes (standard and vocal) and enable multipoint connection, but you can also do this directly from the controls. Bone conduction headphones like the OpenRun Pro are also good for people with certain hearing impairments. Instead of sending sound waves down your ear canal, headphones send vibrations through your skull, bypassing the outer and middle ears. This means you have a certain type of hearing aid.
What’s good about the Shokz OpenRun Pro?
Wireless workout earbuds block your ears, but the OpenRun Pro lets you hear everything. The OpenRun Pro is even loud enough that auditory masking is rarely an issue when running (the quieter volume output plagues older models like the Aftershock Air). This design keeps me stuck in traffic jams or unexpected sounds that could signal danger. Bone conduction headphones not only protect you from your surroundings, they also keep your ears healthy by reducing your risk of ear infections. With traditional earbuds, heat and moisture are trapped in your ears, which is conducive to bacterial growth, which is not a concern here. In addition to putting your health and safety first, Shokz does its best to make this sturdy headset comfortable. The headband provides just the right amount of tension to ensure stability without causing headaches. The rubberized coating helps the headset grip your cheekbones and makes the headset easier to grip for sweaty hands. Like other workout earbuds and headphones, the OpenRun Pro is durable and qualifies for an IP55 dust and water-resistant rating. As long as you don’t submerge this pair of workout headphones, they’ll be fine.
What’s not so good about the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphone?
These headphones are not friendly to cold weather clothing. Beanies, headbands and ear warmers all feel uncomfortable with the OpenRun Pro. All of these articles of clothing push the headband on my head in an uncomfortable way, which is not the case with earbuds or over-ear headphones. Anyone who lifts weights may also be unhappy with how the headset changes when lying down for a bench press, and cyclists may feel annoyed by the fit under the helmet. Rock climbers, however, will appreciate the open-type fit, rugged materials and dust resistance. Whether this is a good workout headset for you depends on what type of exercise you engage in the most. OpenRun Pro costs $179, and OpenRun costs $129, but the pricier “Pro” has a lower IP rating. With the OpenRun Pro, you get an IP55-rated headset, while the OpenRun is IP67-rated headphones. These ratings are the difference between being able to drop your headphones in water and it being fine, or you being out $179. It seems silly to reduce the durability of a seemingly more advanced product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the battery life of OpenRun Pro?
OpenRun Pro has a battery life of 10 hours.
Can you use Shokz for phone calls?
Yes, All Shokz wireless models are equipped with dual noise canceling microphones for making and taking phone calls when paired with a smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device.
Can a deaf person hear with bone conduction earphones?
Yes, deaf people, especially those with conductive hearing loss, can perceive music through bone conduction. While bone conduction earphones can be a game-changer for many people with hearing loss, they are not a universal solution.
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