Tested by 
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are some of the best running headphones you can buy. Not your bog-standard earphones, they use bone conduction technology – which transmits sound through vibrations on your cheekbones – so you can stay aware of traffic and other sounds while you listen to motivating music on the move.
Though more and more tech brands are launching their own bone conduction designs, Shokz still dominates the market. It's the official headphone partner of the London Marathon and ambassadors include marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge and four-time Olympian Eilish McColgan.
Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts put the OpenRun Pro 2 through their paces in the lab and on the roads and they didn’t disappoint, scoring an impressive 83/100. I also ditched my Airpods to trial them over 100 kilometres and can confirm, they’re the best running headphones I’ve ever tried. Combining comfort, safety and excellent audio quality, they’ve completely transformed my sessions.
Thinking about swapping your old wireless buds for some shiny new Shokz to improve your running game? Here’s everything you need to know...
Read more: Check out our ultimate guide to the best headphones with our top picks for all needs and budgets, including the best noise-cancelling headphones and the best open earbuds.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 at a glance
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Secure
- Good audio quality with customisable sound
- Quick-charging capabilities
- Great from a safety perspective
Cons
- Sound leakage when you’re not running
- Controls can be fiddly
- Waterproof rating not as strong as other Shokz models
Key specifications
| Weight | 30.3g |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Charge time | 1 hour |
| Waterproof rating | IP55 (sweatproof) |
The OpenRun Pro 2 look like standard bone conduction headphones. They have an over-the-ear design, with left and right pods connected by a band that runs behind your head, leaving your ear canals free to hear any potential hazards around you.
What sets them apart from competitors is the addition of open-air speakers, which work in tandem with the bone conduction speakers to deliver superior audio quality, without compromising safety.
They offer up to 12 hours of battery life, a quick charge feature (enjoy up 2.5 hours of playback in just five minutes) and multipoint pairing, so you can connect them to your phone and running watch at the same time. They also come with a lightweight carry case to keep them safe on the go.
How we tested the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Our Good Housekeeping Institute fitness pro tested the headphones during a range of workouts. including speedy interval sessions, slow-paced long runs and even gym sessions.
We also drafted in a professional sound technician to analyse sound leakage, dynamic range, risk of sound fatigue, overall audio quality and any other claims.
Once the testing process was complete, we combined the feedback from our experts to award the OpenRun Pro 2 an overall score.
Our Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review
Design and fit
The Openfit Pro2 come in two sizes: standard or mini. Shokz has a handy guide to help you measure your head and ensure you choose correctly. I tested the regular model and had no issues with the fit.
The flexible wraparound band felt extremely comfortable against my head on my 5k and 10k runs. It didn’t squeeze or put pressure on my skull, yet the headphones stayed securely in place, even when I ramped up the pace – unlike my usual in-ear buds, which tend to fall out at the first sign of sweat. They’re noticeably lighter than other bone conduction headphones I’ve tried, too.
I also liked that I didn’t have to cram them deep into my lugholes and the fact that they don’t get all clogged up with ear wax. They’re not small enough to slip into your pocket and you can’t fold them down, but the hardshell case should fit inside your gym bag neatly.
Set-up and ease of use
To start using your Shokz, you need to connect them to your phone. They come with step-by-step instructions to help you get started and the whole process took a matter of minutes. There are also tips on how to use and get the most out of the headphones.
In terms of controls, there are two volume buttons behind the right earphone and a multifunction button on the left to play, pause and skip tracks. You can also use it to take calls or make voice notes while you pound the pavement.
The buttons were responsive and easy to reach, but remembering how many times to press to make the desired adjustment took a little time. To begin with, I found it easier to just whip my phone out mid-run instead.
Audio quality
Bone conduction headphones come with sacrifices to sound quality, but Shokz is attempting to combat this with its DualPitch system, combining bone and air conduction technology. The former controls the mids and highs while the latter handles the low tones.
Sure enough, the audio quality is noticeably better than the original Shokz OpenRun headphones, with a fuller sound and punchier bass. It’s never going to match a quality pair of wireless earphones, but there’s a major improvement.
Our audio expert thought the sound was “smooth and detailed enough” and said the vocals were “nice and focused.” They did note significant sound leakage, but that’s always the case with open-ear varieties – sound can escape easily, so those around you can hear what you’re listening to. This isn’t a problem when you’re exercising outdoors, but it’s not ideal if you want to wear them to the office or in the gym (if you're a fan of power ballads, you may not want the world to know...)
On the plus side, you can tailor the sound to your personal preference in the accompanying Shokz app. There are four distinct EQ settings including a vocal mode, which is designed for listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and bass boost for punchy tunes.
The vibrations across your cheekbones can feel a bit strange with bone conduction headphones, but I found they were significantly less intense than the classic OpenRun cans.
Call quality
There are strategically placed mics and an AI noise reduction algorithm, which the brand claims filters out 96.5% of noise when you’re taking a phone call. During testing, however, I found calls weren’t particularly clear, especially in noisy surroundings. Personally, I’m not a fan of chatting while I’m running, so this isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
Waterproofing
With an IP55 waterproof rating, these headphones can handle sweat and light rain. However, they aren’t designed to be submerged in water and shouldn’t be worn during torrential downpours.
As a fair-weather runner, this isn’t an issue, but if waterproofing is a priority, it’s worth considering the cheaper OpenRun headphones. These have a higher IP67 rating, which means they can be submerged in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. We also tested these in our lab, and they scored 83/100 overall. You can read the full review in our best exercise headphones round-up.
The lower waterproof rating on the OpenRun Pro 2 is down to the additional vents needed for the air conduction tech.
Final verdict: Are the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 worth it?
In a word, yes. Shokz’s most advanced bone conduction headphones offer the best of both words: good sound quality and safety while running on the roads. They’re extremely comfy to wear and stay put when things get sweaty. I certainly don’t see myself going back to my old earbuds for running any time soon.
Aside from my solo runs, I’ve found them great for run clubs and races, as I can listen to some background music and still engage in some conversation and hear important announcements.
This style of headphones isn’t for everyone, but if you are looking to invest, the OpenRun Pro 2 are tough to top. If they’re good enough for pro runners, after all...
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are available to buy from Amazon, Shokz and Argos.
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Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
