ZDNET's key takeaways The new Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the follow-up to the widely popular bone conduction headphones used by dedicated athletes, like marathoners and triathletes
They're now available for $180.
The OpenRun Pro 2 are as comfortable as ever, with a longer battery life than their predecessor.
The volume of the headphones could be louder, and the microphone produces a warbled sound View now at Amazon
Amazon currently has the latest Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 on sale for $55 off during Prime Day, discounting the headphones to just $125, one of the best prices we've seen.
I'm not running a marathon this fall, but if I were, I'd want the latest Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 around my head. Shokz just released the OpenRun Pro 2, its latest update to the OpenRun Pro lineup, and they purportedly offer significant upgrades from the first-gen OpenRun Pro, like reduced vibrations, longer battery life, and AI-powered noise-canceling and wind-resistance microphones.
Also: The best Prime Day headphone deals
I tried the OpenRun Pro 2 on runs and in the office, and I'm happy to recommend these to any athlete who loves exercising outdoors with good sound and full environmental awareness. Keep reading to find out why.
If you haven't tried bone conduction headphones, they're a little different from your run-of-the-mill over-ear headphones or in-ear earbuds. Runners and cyclists use them to stay aware of their surroundings as they exercise outdoors because they balance the sounds of your music or podcasts with the external sounds of your environment, whether that's beeping cars on a busy street or chirping birds on an empty trail.
Bone conduction headphones' form factor means that sound, a crucial factor in a pair of headphones, is a lower priority. Bone conduction headphones are meant to fit well, be durable, supply good enough sound that you can hear and enjoy while also staying on your head, and boast a long enough battery to last a whole marathon or triathlon. So, unlike my other reviews, where sound comes first, this review will be more about the other aforementioned factors.
... continue reading