If you find over-ear headphones or regular earphones uncomfortable during a workout, bone conduction headphones might be a better choice.
We reviewed a variety of products, ranging from those suitable for swimming to those perfect for heading straight from the office for an evening hike.
1. Shokz OpenRun Pro
The OpenRun Pro is Shokz’s current top-of-the-line bone conduction headphone.
Equipped with 9th-generation bone conduction technology, it offers slightly improved bass performance compared to the previous flagship model.
Therefore, while the OpenRun Pro is the best bone conduction headphone currently available, it still falls short of standard headphones in terms of sound quality.
The OpenRun Pro features a lightweight and sturdy titanium frame, offers up to 10 hours of music playback, and provides 90 minutes of use with just a 5-minute charge.
It is a shame that it uses a proprietary charging cable instead of USB-C. While the fit was comfortable, you may occasionally need to adjust the position of the headphones to reduce pressure.
Like other bone conduction headphones, this product offers a richer sound with enhanced bass, but it feels more like a gradual improvement than a major leap forward.
Therefore, it is very suitable for listening to podcasts, talk radio, news, and audiobooks. It comes with a sturdy carrying case and foam ear tips that fit snugly to enhance bass performance, though most users will likely not use the ear tips frequently.
2. H20 Audio Tri 2
The H20 Audio Tri 2 bone conduction headphones are ideal for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. With an IPX8 water resistance rating, they can be used without issues at depths up to 3.6 meters (12 feet).
Additionally, they offer up to 9 hours of continuous playback when connected to a Bluetooth device.
While the $199 price tag might be a bit steep, the built-in memory mode allows you to save music files to the headphones and listen to music without a smartphone.
Additionally, the H20 Audio Tri 2 features a silicone coating that provides a comfortable and stable fit. It boasts superior clarity and rich volume compared to competing products.
If you enjoy swimming, the H20 Audio Tri 2 could be the best choice. If you are looking for open-back headphones that are safe to wear when wet, this product will satisfy you.
In particular, Wallen highlighted the ability to use them without worry, even during thunderstorms or when swept away by waves, as a major advantage.
3. Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Shokz has been a leader in the bone conduction headphone market, but due to the poor sound quality of its early products, the brand even shunned this line for several years.
In particular, releasing the first-generation OpenSwim without Bluetooth streaming capabilities was a mistake.
However, these issues have been improved in the OpenSwim Pro, a feature that is highly useful not only for swimmers but also for general users.
Whether you use Bluetooth streaming or store music on the built-in 32GB music player, the OpenSwim Pro delivers satisfying open-ear sound.
Thanks to its rich bass, warm tone, and clear sound quality, it is also suitable for listening to audiobooks or making calls.
You can adjust the sound to suit land or underwater environments via standard and swimming EQ modes, and it is fully protected from sweat and water with an IP68 water resistance rating.
The neckband, a combination of silicone and titanium, provides a comfortable fit and eliminates concerns about bumping or damage inside a bag.
It features easy-to-operate physical control buttons and a battery that lasts up to 9 hours when using Bluetooth streaming.
When switched to the music player, usage time drops to 6 hours. While the OpenSwim Pro is not Shokz’s flagship headphone, it can be considered the product that best balances sound, design, and performance.
4. Shokz OpenRun
The Shokz OpenRun is built upon Shokz’s existing premium bone conduction headphone model, the Aeropex.
While the design is identical to the Aeropex, it has been upgraded with the addition of fast charging capabilities and Bluetooth 5.1.
This product uses 8th-generation bone conduction technology instead of the 9th-generation technology found in the higher-end OpenRun Pro (the OpenRun Pro offers slightly better sound quality).
Additionally, the OpenRun Pro has a battery life of up to 10 hours, which is slightly longer than this model’s 8 hours.
However, while the OpenRun features IP67 full water and dust resistance, the OpenRun Pro is IP55 rated, meaning it can withstand dust and continuous water spray.
Overall, the OpenRun Pro is slightly superior in terms of design and performance, but the difference is not significant (about 10–15%). Additionally, the OpenRun is $50 cheaper.
5. Bose Ultra Open
Bose’s open-type earphones are one of our favorites. They feature a simple design, compatibility with select Bose soundbars, an IPX4 water resistance rating, excellent sound quality, and a wide range of color options.
Bose has incorporated its proprietary Immersive Audio technology into the Ultra Open, allowing you to enjoy music with spatial sound.
Because the Bose Ultra Open uses air conduction rather than bone conduction, it can be a good alternative if you experience motion sickness, dizziness, or discomfort when using bone conduction earphones.
Although the Ultra Open is not waterproof, it can be used during intense workouts where you sweat a lot. Call quality is also excellent, making it a good choice for those looking for earphones for daily use while still being aware of their surroundings.
The Open Ultra is not suitable for intense workouts compared to other products that feature official dust resistance ratings and higher water resistance ratings.
However, for those who enjoy walking, hiking, or running, it is an excellent bone conduction earphone alternative, albeit at an additional cost of $249.
If you want clip-on air conduction earphones with stronger waterproofing at a lower price, consider the Shocks OpenDots One or Shocks OpenFit 2.
6. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The OpenRun Pro 2 is Shokz’s flagship bone conduction headphone, featuring two sizes, the widest range of color options, and the latest bone conduction technology.
This new technology utilizes both bone conduction drivers and air conduction speakers. This combination delivers precise mids and highs, while the air conduction speakers deliver rich bass.
As a result, it offers warmer and more powerful bass performance compared to the previous OpenRun Pro. Although clarity is slightly lower than the other two open-ear headphones, it performs exceptionally well for all uses, including running.
Shokz did not need to make significant changes to the neckband design. Its lightweight 1.1 ounces (approx. 31g) ensure stability without wobbling during movement.
Additionally, thanks to the various size options, it provides a comfortable fit even for those with smaller heads. Most importantly, it supports USB-C charging, offering faster charging speeds and eliminating the need to worry about a single cable.
7. Mojawa Run Plus
The Mojawa Run Plus was released by an audio brand that includes Apple engineers. Regardless of who designed it, the Run Plus’s design is truly excellent.
Weighing just 28g (1 ounce), it is comparable in weight to most major bone conduction headphones, and thanks to its sleek design, it can be used comfortably even while wearing sunglasses.
You can access four EQ modes via the Mojawa app and experience rich bass comparable to Shokz, along with excellent mid and high-frequency performance.
While the combination of touch and physical controls is nice, the capacitive buttons can be somewhat inconvenient to use underwater while wearing a swimming cap.
To get the most out of the 32GB music player, you must drag and drop files using the dedicated charging cable. It can store approximately 8,000 songs.
Battery life is not the best in its class, lasting up to 8 hours when listening at medium volume. This is a drawback most users can accept, especially considering the Run Plus delivers impressive performance in other key areas.
8. Shokz OpenFit 2
Shokz’s latest true wireless open earbuds deliver an exceptional open-ear experience with excellent sound quality, a stylish design, and long battery life.
It features new functions such as a multi-function button, 4 hours more playback time than the previous generation, improved water resistance, and enhanced audio technology.
The updated design moves away from the sporty feel of the previous generation to a more sophisticated look, making the $180 price point feel even more reasonable.
The OpenFit 2 is IP55 rated for water and dust resistance, allowing for worry-free use during sweaty workouts or in light rain.
Additionally, enhanced Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity ensures a stable connection and efficient power consumption.
While the OpenFit 2 is optimized for active environments like running or hiking, its sleek design makes it equally suitable as a casual open-type earphone. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy an active lifestyle, from the office to evening jogging.