Compare H2O Audio Sonar 2 Pro vs Shokz OpenRun

Underwater sound is the headline strength: every reviewer found it clear or enjoyable in the pool, with several calling it excellent or top-tier. It is not audiophile-neutral, though, and one test placed it behind Shokz for balance and clarity.

Often clear and enjoyable by bone-conduction standards, especially in quiet surroundings. It loses richness and detail beside good conventional earbuds, particularly outdoors near loud traffic.

Bass has plenty of impact underwater, which some testers loved for energetic swimming. Others found the low end too dominant, with kick drums capable of overpowering the rest of the mix.

Bass is the recurring musical sacrifice: many find it thin or lacking depth, although some are content with the available punch during workouts.

Watch-based underwater streaming is usable but not perfectly stable. One reviewer experienced occasional dropouts during turns and found reliability better when the head stayed submerged.

Connections and playback normally remain stable, although occasional brief audio stutters can interrupt listening.

The tuning is not especially neutral. Multiple reviewers heard an elevated low end, and one said the overall balance trails the Shokz OpenSwim Pro.

The tonal balance noticeably underrepresents deep sub-bass, so it will not sound faithful to low-frequency-heavy recordings.

One reviewer found that the open bone-conduction design leaks audio noticeably, especially when listening louder.

Leakage is modest at restrained settings for some wearers but becomes noticeable in quiet shared spaces; music may be audible to people nearby.

One reviewer warned that buyers importing the headset may not have local warranty servicing, creating a support risk outside officially served markets.

A damaged pair was replaced with relatively little hassle, offering reassurance when something does go wrong.

For dedicated swimmers, the price is generally viewed as reasonable or justified by the secure fit and underwater performance. Import costs and optional accessories can weaken the value in some markets.

Good water protection, fit and fast charging make the price worthwhile for serious outdoor use, while cheaper and better-sounding options challenge its value for casual listening.

The smaller profile was praised as streamlined for swimming, making the headset less bulky than its predecessor.

The stiff, wraparound frame does not fold neatly into a pocket, making a bag or protective pouch more practical.

There is ample underwater volume, and two testers actually found the output strong enough to turn down. One comparison still judged its power below the Shokz OpenSwim Pro.

Volume is sufficient on quieter routes for some, but traffic, construction noise, and busy gyms can overwhelm it. Others appreciate that they are not tempted to drown out their surroundings.

The soft-shell case is compact, but it does not provide extra charging. One reviewer called out that missing function when comparing the headset’s battery package with wireless earbuds.

The included pouch or soft case is useful for everyday storage, but it offers less protection and polish than a rigid case.

The included waterproof earplugs are more than filler accessories; testers found they improve intelligibility and make the bone-conduction presentation sound richer underwater.

A pouch and exercise-oriented extras are helpful for taking the headset out, although the bundle varies and is not especially lavish.

Secure fit is one of the product’s clearest strengths. Multiple reviewers could not knock the headset loose through flips, fins, butterfly, or vigorous laps, although one tester raised concerns about cable and strap stability.

The wraparound band stays put through running and vigorous activity far better than loose earbuds; lying back can be an exception.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive when the headset is used for lap swimming: reviewers repeatedly call it excellent, easy to recommend, or outstanding in that niche. Enthusiasm drops sharply when judged as an all-purpose headset.

A favorite for exercise and outdoor awareness, though its purpose-built approach is less convincing as an all-day replacement for conventional headphones.

One tester wanted the flexible cable between the two sides to feel more stable, especially because the headset depends on goggles or another strap for support.

The magnetic connection is convenient and helps protect the hardware, but needing a proprietary cable is frustrating if it is lost or forgotten.

Treble drew mixed reactions: two reviewers said the highs stayed crisp or clear underwater, while another heard a grainy edge.

High notes can sound clear and present, though the praise is less emphatic than for spoken voices and overall outdoor practicality.

Water protection is a major strength. Reviewers repeatedly praised the IPX8 rating and treated the headset as fully suited to sustained swimming at its stated depth limit.

The IP67 protection inspires confidence through sweat, rain and accidental splashes, outclassing many workout earbuds. It is not an endorsement for swimming.

Mids are generally easy to follow underwater, with vocals and spoken-word content coming through clearly. One reviewer found the midrange less smooth than ideal.

Vocals and spoken material come through particularly well, even when bass-heavy instruments or other musical details struggle to keep pace.

The open-ear design preserves awareness in the pool, letting swimmers hear coaches or people around them while still listening to audio.

Open ear canals make traffic, conversations and household sounds easy to monitor without stopping music. This is the standout reason to choose the OpenRun.

Charging drew a specific complaint about the proprietary cable, which adds another dedicated lead to keep track of.

Fast charging is a major strength, regularly supplying enough playback for a workout after only a brief top-up. The magnetic connection is easy to use.

Battery life is generally considered strong for swimming, with reviewers citing roughly 9–10 hours in some modes and calling that enough for serious sessions. One test saw shorter endurance from the onboard player.

Around eight hours of typical playback is convenient for regular runs and many workdays, though heavier use and high volume can cut into endurance.

Setup is the most persistent friction point. Playlist+ can require real-time recording, the optional watch clip can make fitting awkward, and one tester called music setup challenging, although direct file transfer was straightforward in another test.

Bluetooth pairing is mostly quick and painless, and the headphones are straightforward to operate without a complicated setup process.

Underwater Bluetooth streaming worked better than one reviewer expected when the watch was positioned close to the headset, but occasional dropouts remained during turns and certain strokes.

Pairing and everyday connections are usually reliable, with few interruptions during runs or regular listening.

The companion app covers battery status, stored tracks, updates, and Playlist+, but opinions are mixed. One reviewer called it simple, while several found the Playlist+ workflow old-fashioned, slow, or clunky.

There is no companion app for the standard OpenRun, leaving some control preferences and audio personalization inaccessible.

The physical buttons are tactile and generally workable in the water, with some testers finding them simple and intuitive. Others found the layout crowded, the command combinations clunky, or experienced accidental changes from strap contact.

Physical play and pause controls are convenient while exercising, but closely packed volume buttons and triple presses can be fiddly with gloves.

There is no useful onboard EQ for memory playback, a notable limitation because several reviewers found the default tuning bass-heavy. More app-based EQ control was specifically requested.

Custom sound adjustment is lacking, which makes it harder to compensate for a bass-light profile or vibration at higher volume.

The goggle-clip design is highly effective for its intended job and was even called game-changing for pool use. The tradeoff is severe specialization: several reviewers found the form factor awkward to put on and poor for running, cycling, or everyday listening.

The slim, soft-touch design looks sporty without feeling bulky; color and finish earn praise alongside the comfortable shape.

At louder levels, one reviewer noticed the familiar bone-conduction vibration tickle, making high-volume listening less comfortable.

Cheekbone vibration can be distracting or irritating, especially when raising the volume for bass, though some barely notice it once moving.

Once fitted under goggle straps or a swim cap, the headset can all but disappear during a workout. Two testers said it became effectively unnoticeable.

The lightweight frame is exceptionally easy to wear for hours and avoids in-ear fatigue. Some face-pressure or gear-interference complaints remain.

The flexible, soft-touch frame generally survives hard workouts, but pressure from helmet straps can break the band.

The band holds securely without the tight squeeze that can make some athletic headphones tiring to wear.

Standard and Mini versions give smaller heads a better chance of a comfortable, secure fit, although each version has a fixed band size.

The featherweight frame is frequently described as barely noticeable, making extended runs and long rides more comfortable.

Moisture detection and the sealed magnetic connector add welcome reassurance after wet or sweaty workouts.

Basic SBC-only wireless audio is a limitation on paper, but higher-quality codecs would do little to fix the open design's acoustic compromises.

Two-device multipoint keeps work and personal sources connected, making it a useful productivity convenience.

Two-year coverage adds peace of mind, with replacement service proving helpful after a band failure.

Fit is generally effortless and secure, though precise cheekbone placement can change audio quality and certain movements or accessories complicate it.

Glasses, hats and cycling helmets often work well, but some combinations crowd the ears or require rearranging straps and headwear.

Masks, thick scarves and gear around the back of the head can push against the neckband or make it uncomfortable.

There is no adjustable-length band, so a poor fit cannot be fine-tuned; picking standard or Mini sizing matters.

Layered vocals and intricate arrangements can remain surprisingly distinguishable despite the unconventional sound delivery.

Hands-free calling is a useful built-in convenience, although the microphone works far better in quiet conditions than in wind.

Works smoothly with several everyday phone and watch setups, including major mobile voice assistants.

Phone-free playback is a major advantage for swimming. Reviewers liked the onboard player and Playlist+ for keeping music and podcasts available underwater, but several complained that getting streaming content onto the headset takes too much time.

A snapped titanium band cannot be repaired by the wearer, making careful helmet-strap placement especially important.

The proprietary charging setup is a nuisance for anyone who wants to use the same USB-C cable for all their devices.

Background-noise suppression is inconsistent: voices can come through clearly when cycling, yet loud surroundings often reach callers.

They deliberately do very little to shield outside noise, which is a poor fit for planes and crowded transit but useful when hearing surroundings matters.

One reviewer found that the soundstage opens up nicely underwater, giving the presentation more space than expected from this swim-focused bone-conduction design.

Wind can ruin call intelligibility on the move and even interfere with listening, limiting its usefulness for conversations while riding.

Quiet indoor calls are workable, and a few find them clear, but other users sound fuzzy or difficult to understand outdoors.

Phone voice assistants activate smoothly, and the microphone can recognize spoken commands without trouble.