Shokz has been the market leader in bone conduction headphones, though the first few headphones that the company manufactured were so unpleasant that we avoided the category entirely for a few years. It was also a misstep to launch the first-gen OpenSwim without Bluetooth streaming. That was rectified for the OpenSwim Pro, which is great, and not just for those seeking extra motivation in the water.
Whether you take the Bluetooth streaming route or try to find something to fill up the built-in 32-GB music player, the Pro is capable of producing enjoyable open-ear sound on both fronts. They offer a surprising amount of bass and overall warmth, with a level of clarity that makes them a good match for listening to audiobooks or handling calls. The standard and swimming EQ modes give you the option to tailor sound to land- or water-based listening, while an IP68 waterproof rating provides strong protection against water and sweat. The combination of silicone and titanium in the neckband design provides ample comfort and reassurance they can handle some knocking around in a bag.
There’s room for an easily reachable set of physical controls and a battery that can hit nine hours for Bluetooth streaming. Swap that in for the music player, and that’ll drop to six hours. The OpenSwim Pro isn’t Shokz’ flagship headphone, but in terms of striking the best balance between sound, design and performance, these are the best it has to offer.
Specs Headphone design Neckband Weight 27.3 g/0.96 oz Bluetooth version 5.4 Microphones 2 Battery life 6-9 hours Music player storage 32 GB File formats MP3, M4A, WAV, APE, FLAC Waterproof rating IP68 Charging type Proprietary cable