Compare Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 vs Shokz OpenSwim Pro

Its hybrid bone- and air-conduction drivers offer much fuller, clearer music than older bone-conduction models. They still lack the depth and fidelity of strong in-ear headphones, and a few listeners find the presentation thin or flat.

Underwater playback earns especially strong praise for its fullness and clarity. On land the audio is good for bone conduction but noticeably less rich than conventional earbuds, especially at loud volumes.

DualPitch adds welcome bass body and punch without the usual cheekbone buzz. Deep sub-bass still falls short of sealed earbuds, and the fit can change how much low end reaches your ears.

Bass is limited compared with sealed earbuds, especially on dry land, but can sound noticeably fuller underwater or with earplugs. Some swimmers find its punch surprisingly strong for bone conduction.

There is no active noise cancellation to reduce loud background noise, which limits their suitability as everyday all-purpose headphones.

This open-ear headset cannot mask loud gym music or other intrusive sounds. It suits awareness-focused activity rather than noise-cancelling listening.

The presentation can feel pleasantly open, but it does not create the expansive, immersive stage of high-fidelity sealed headphones.

The open-ear, bone-conduction approach lacks the enveloping soundstage of more traditional headphones, particularly when external noise intrudes.

The open design intentionally leaves surrounding sounds unblocked. This is useful for safety but makes listening difficult near traffic, fans, and other loud surroundings.

Open ears keep environmental sounds accessible, which is valuable outdoors but makes trains, busy roads and loud gyms difficult places to follow audio.

At cycling speeds and on exposed running routes, wind can overpower music and especially spoken podcasts despite otherwise good audio.

Wind can overwhelm the music on faster bike rides and exposed runs, although the streamlined design helps reduce physical wind buffeting for some.

The dual-mic processing can substantially reduce street or wind noise, but strong gusts still produce whooshing and can muffle speech.

Noise-reducing microphones keep land-based calls intelligible in ordinary settings, although very loud surroundings remain a challenge.

Leakage is usually restrained at sensible workout volumes but becomes noticeable in quiet offices, trains, or when the volume is raised.

At restrained listening levels the headset may be unobtrusive, but loud music can be audible to nearby people, especially at a crowded pool wall.

Music can remain articulate at raised volume, although its open drivers still have limited headroom against outdoor noise.

Bass-heavy music can distort when volume is pushed toward the top, particularly outdoors when listeners are trying to overcome surrounding noise.

The standard USB-C connector is a particularly welcome upgrade because it removes the need to carry a special Shokz charging cable.

The proprietary headset connection draws repeated complaints from people wanting an everyday USB-C charging cable. Some appreciate its water-sealing rationale, and charging-end connectors can vary.

There is no onboard music library for leaving your phone behind, unlike some swim-oriented alternatives.

The large onboard music library is a signature strength, making underwater and phone-free listening possible. Finding, ordering, and transferring songs can be less smooth than the sheer storage capacity suggests.

Audio and comfort are most reliable when the cheekbone drivers sit in the right position. A fixed band and differing head shapes can make alignment less consistent for some people.

The ear hooks stay put through running, strength drills and many swimming strokes, including flip turns. Fit is less predictable under a tight cap, with some bounce or pressure reported.

The included case protects the headphones with firm construction and padding, yet it is bulky; one zipper also feels less polished.

The supplied soft or silicone case is handy for storing the headset and its special cable, while drainage or ventilation helps wet gear dry. Its practical design suits pool bags.

Highs are generally clearer and more detailed than on older Shokz sets. Some tracks still sound softened or less crisp than on conventional headphones.

Higher-frequency detail and vocals remain clear enough for enjoyable music, including underwater, even if the overall presentation is not audiophile-grade.

The supplied case and charging cable cover the basics and make transport and charging straightforward.

Swim earplugs are useful for stronger perceived sound and lower pool noise, and the supplied case helps store the wet headset. These extras make the swimming package more complete.

The ear hooks and rear band hold securely through running, sprints, and many workouts. Some gym positions and cycling helmets can shift the band.

Bluetooth is described as dependable, and switching between connected devices works without much disruption in normal use.

IP55 coverage works well for sweat, splashes, and typical rain. It is less protective than certain older Shokz models and should not be mistaken for a swimming rating.

IP68 protection is the core appeal, handling laps, flip turns, showers and wet workouts rather than merely splashes. The stated depth and duration limits still matter.

Ready-made vocal, bass, and treble profiles add convenience, but their results vary; the default Standard mode is sometimes more satisfying than the boosts.

Vocal presets can help speech, and swimming mode changes the underwater balance. Preferences differ sharply: some like the swim tuning, while others find it flat and prefer Standard.

This is a favorite for workouts that demand awareness, secure fit, and better-than-usual bone-conduction sound. The specialized design makes it a less convincing one-pair solution for all listening.

Swimmers and multisport users are particularly enthusiastic about the unusual combination of underwater playback, secure fit and land connectivity.

Many people wear them comfortably with glasses, caps, or bike helmets. Thicker frames and some helmets can compete for space or move the hooks.

Swim goggles and caps generally work with the slim frame, while glasses and sunglasses are more divisive. Some wear them together comfortably and others find combinations crowded.

Open ear canals make approaching cars, bicycles, conversations, and outdoor hazards easier to hear while music plays. That awareness is its defining advantage for road and trail exercise.

Keeping the ears unobstructed makes traffic, conversations and other surroundings easier to hear while moving. This remains one of the strongest reasons to choose the design.

Spoken voices and many instruments sound present and easy to follow, particularly at moderate volumes. Some listeners find the midrange fuller than the treble and bass surrounding it.

Vocals and midrange material come through clear and balanced, helping spoken-word listening and music retain definition despite restrained bass.

Volume is usable indoors and improved over older versions, but strong traffic, wind, and gym noise can overpower it. Turning it up further does not fix the lack of isolation.

Volume is adequate in calmer environments but often cannot overpower wind, crowds or traffic. Raising it to maximum can add distortion or unwanted vibration.

Instruments remain surprisingly distinct for an open-ear workout headset, helping busy tracks feel organized.

Despite its open-ear construction, the headset delivers pleasing separation of musical elements in both local playback and Bluetooth listening.

Standard and Mini lengths help accommodate different heads, but neither offers finer adjustment. Trying the size before buying is useful if you fall between fits.

The standard band does not suit everyone, and several accounts wish for a shorter Mini option. One account describes size choices differently, so fit expectations should be checked carefully.

The extra air-conduction driver sharply reduces the distracting cheekbone tickle of earlier designs. Pure bone-conduction Classic mode can bring some vibration back.

Turning up bass-heavy tracks can produce a noticeable cheekbone tickle or vibration, which some find distracting. Others report less vibration than on earlier Shokz models.

Gentler contact pressure keeps the pads from digging into cheeks over long sessions, while still maintaining a secure grip.

Gentle frame pressure supports a secure fit, but a tight swimming cap can push the hooks against the ears or temples during longer sessions.

The flexible titanium-based neckband and coated construction generally feel sturdy and ready for sports. The fixed shape may still demand care when packed.

The flexible, silicone-coated frame survives ordinary active use and feels durable, though some find it less rigid than the previous OpenSwim.

At roughly thirty grams, the wraparound design feels almost weightless during running and all-day wear.

The compact, low-weight frame is barely noticeable to most users across long sessions, although head shape can make it feel less airy for a few.

The light wraparound silhouette looks sporty and unobtrusive to many, though cheek-mounted speakers can look unusual next to true wireless buds.

The streamlined wraparound shape looks discreet on the head, and the brighter color option appeals to those wanting a distinctive piece of swim gear.

The unobstructed ear canals, flexible hooks, and soft contact points make these unusually comfortable over multi-hour sessions. New wearers may need a little time to adapt to the cheekbone contact.

The light, soft frame often disappears during hours of running, swimming, or daily wear. A few users notice pressure from snug swim caps or the headband during certain positions.

A five-band custom EQ offers useful control over the balance of bass, vocals, and treble. It improves versatility without overcoming the fundamental limits of open-ear playback.

There are basic preset choices rather than a full customizable EQ. Some listeners find the limited options underwhelming for fine-tuning music.

Bluetooth connections generally pair quickly and stay stable through movement between nearby rooms and devices.

Adding Bluetooth makes this far more versatile than a swim-only player, with generally reliable connections for music and calls on land. Underwater playback still requires stored files.

The companion app provides convenient access to sound settings, battery information, and multipoint controls. An early test encountered recognition trouble before a software update.

The companion app makes EQ and mode selection easier and can help configure controls or multipoint connections. Its handling of onboard songs draws criticism, although one account notes newer playback-order controls.

Calls are intelligible in quiet conditions, with some strong reports from streets and runs. Results become much less consistent in wind, and some voices sound muffled.

Voice calls come through well in offices and during walking or cycling in moderate noise. Busy roads and louder places can make speech harder to follow.

Dedicated physical buttons are especially useful when running or sweating. Their spacing and position take practice, and the small volume keys can be hard to distinguish with gloves.

Most find the tactile controls workable while running or swimming, including with wet hands or gloves. Smaller volume and mode buttons can be fiddly, with occasional accidental switching.

Pairing is usually fast and uncomplicated, though getting some extra settings requires the app.

Bluetooth pairing and basic operation are straightforward, even with a computer. File loading and less common configuration settings require more effort.

Its SBC-only codec support is limited compared with feature-rich earbuds, although the open-ear listening format places other priorities first.

The expanded assortment of playable audio file types is welcome for loading locally stored music. Bluetooth codec options are modest, although that does not bother everyone for this kind of listening.

Pairing two sources is handy for moving between a phone, watch, or computer, and switching is often reported as smooth.

Two-device pairing adds useful flexibility for switching between personal devices and taking a call. Setup is handled through the app and generally works as intended.

The premium buys improved bass, secure fit, and USB-C, but less expensive Shokz models meet many of the same sporting needs. Value depends on how much the sound upgrade matters.

The premium feels justified for swimmers who also run or cycle and need both playback modes. Land-only listeners or swimming-only buyers often have cheaper ways to cover their needs.

Battery endurance commonly stretches through long runs, rides, and multiple ordinary sessions. High-volume playback reduces the advertised twelve-hour figure, with some experiences falling substantially shorter.

Bluetooth endurance generally covers full workdays and most training sessions, but local-file playback is shorter and high volume reduces runtime. Long-distance athletes may need to plan around that gap.

The covered charging port adds protection against sweat and splashes, although one headset had a troublesome flap that would not stay closed.

A sealed magnetic connection avoids exposing an ordinary port to water, a deliberate compromise that helps preserve swim-ready waterproofing.

Fast charging is a convenience: a short top-up can restore enough playback for a workout. Routine charging is quicker and simpler than with older proprietary-port models.

Fast charging is a standout convenience, frequently praised for adding hours of playback in a short top-up. The unusual connector is less universally convenient than USB-C.

Video suitability is mixed: one test reports no lip-sync lag, while another warns against timing-sensitive video editing.

Switching between streamed music on land and stored files underwater makes one headset work across sports. Some dislike fiddly button combinations and returning to Bluetooth after each restart.

Copying locally owned files is straightforward once connected to a computer, but the cable, possible adapter, and manual preparation feel dated beside streaming services.

The physical shortcut makes voice assistance easy to call up, including requests made during exercise.

The headphones can sink if they come loose, creating a particular loss risk in lakes or deeper open water. Securing them under swim gear is sensible.

The magnetic connection can feel secure and simpler than the original charging cradle, but the proprietary cable is a recurring headache: losing it means finding the correct replacement.

The rear band occasionally catches long hair or gets nudged by hoodies and high collars, affecting an otherwise comfortable fit.

The rear band cannot be resized, making the right Standard or Mini choice important. It can shift when it is too loose or gets pushed by clothing.

The tidy box and carefully presented accessories make a favorable first impression.

Large storage does not guarantee easy listening: track order, folder access, shuffle repeats and sparse in-app navigation frustrate many. A few accounts report improved app or folder controls, so experiences differ.

The flexible band is light enough to slip into a bag, but it does not fold into a pocket-size bundle. The case adds bulk.

The battery is not easily replaced, limiting repair options over the long term.

There is no automatic wear detection or power-off convenience, so audio can continue when the headset is removed.

Ordinary streaming is convenient through Bluetooth on land, but saved subscription playlists generally cannot be transferred for underwater offline playback. Owned compatible files are needed.

The two-year coverage, including reassurance about water ingress, is a welcome benefit for equipment used in the pool.