If you want better Charging
Choose Shokz OpenRun. It scores 4.9 vs 2.6 for Charging, with a 4.1 overall score.
Shokz OpenMove Review
Bottom Line
Choose OpenMove for affordable, awareness-first listening on runs, rides, and walks. Skip it if you need rich bass, effective noise blocking, or reliably comfortable all-day wear.
Runners, cyclists, and walkers who want podcasts or background music without losing awareness of their surroundings, especially on a modest budget.
Bass-focused listeners, people needing sound isolation on flights or trains, and anyone seeking unrestricted lying-down use or dependable all-day comfort.
Verdict
Shokz OpenMove is most appealing as an affordable way to listen without covering your ears. Runners, cyclists, and walkers repeatedly value hearing approaching traffic, people, and outdoor activity, and the secure band, sweat protection, convenient USB-C charging, and speech-friendly EQ add genuine practicality. The music experience is a compromise: bass is weak, busy roads and wind can drown out playback, and nearby people may hear sound at higher volumes. Comfort is more divided than the open-ear concept suggests. Some wear the lightweight headset for hours, while others feel pressure within an hour or find that the drivers shift with glasses or vigorous movement. Six-hour battery life is adequate for many outings but falls behind premium alternatives, and lack of app controls makes the loud button beeps particularly frustrating. It works best as an awareness-first companion, not a replacement for immersive everyday headphones.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
48 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.09 (19%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.419 (40%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.47 (15%)
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Negative 1.5-2.411 (23%)
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Very negative below 1.52 (4%)
Pros highlights
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Keeping ears entirely unobstructed is the major attraction: traffic, approaching cyclists, conversations, and outdoor cues stay audible alongside music. The tradeoff is that outside noise can overpower playback.
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The entry-level price makes bone conduction accessible without paying for the top-end series. The value is strongest for awareness and exercise; buyers seeking rich audio or premium fit may prefer to spend more.
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The overall response is positive for inexpensive, awareness-first listening, especially for activity. Satisfaction falls when premium audio, effortless fit, or all-day comfort is expected.
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Comfort divides opinion sharply: some wear the lightweight band for hours, while others develop pressure or soreness around one ear in about an hour. The firmer plastic hooks are less forgiving than premium models for many head shapes.
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Battery life typically lands around the advertised six hours, sometimes stretching further in lighter use. It can cover most workouts or rides but feels short against ordinary wireless earbuds or higher-end Shokz models.
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The separated physical buttons make pausing, skipping, and adjusting volume straightforward, even during activity. Small controls, unintended commands, and especially loud confirmation beeps frustrate some users.
Cons highlights
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Audio is serviceable for background music and speech, with some listeners finding surprisingly clear detail. Others hear thin, radio-like sound that falls well behind conventional earbuds and pricier Shokz models.
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Bass is the clearest audio compromise: low notes lack depth and punch, even when the volume rises. Bass-heavy music rarely sounds satisfying.
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Output is adequate on calmer streets but quickly gets drowned out by traffic, wind, and trains. Turning it up can make calls jarringly loud or increase sound leakage.
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Tiny changes in driver placement can noticeably change loudness, clarity, and comfort. Once the ideal position is found it can be stable, but jaw movement or vigorous activity may upset it.
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USB-C charging is convenient, but a full charge takes around two hours and there is no fast top-up feature. A charging failure is also reported, with warranty coverage potentially available.
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Leakage is usually modest at quiet volumes, but some listeners nearby can detect music, especially when playback is turned up. Experiences vary from almost silent to intrusive in close quarters.
Use Cases
Best for
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An entirely open ear canal is a welcome alternative for people bothered by intrusive earbuds, trapped sweat, or ear fatigue. Pressure against the cheekbones remains a possible tradeoff.
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Riders enjoy music and turn-by-turn directions without shutting out nearby vehicles or conversations. The rear band can complicate helmet fit, and wind on fast descents can drown out playback.
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Outdoor workouts suit the combination of open ears, reliable grip, and sweat resistance. Loud surroundings and rough movement can compromise music clarity.
Not ideal for
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SwimmingThis is not a swimming headset: IP55 protection handles sweat and splashes, not submersion. Pool users need a swim-rated alternative.
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Lying-down listeningThe rigid rear loop often collides with a pillow, exercise mat, or floor and can shove the earpieces forward. A few people make it work with adjustments, but it is poorly suited to lying flat.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Open-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in USB-C, Voice assistant integration, Bluetooth, near average in Weight comfort, Button control usability, below average in App, Bass performance, Charging.
Comparison summary
41 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher7 (17%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts16 (39%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower18 (44%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| App | 1.2 | 4.0 | -2.8 |
| Bass performance | 1.7 | 3.6 | -1.9 |
| Charging | 2.6 | 4.2 | -1.7 |
| fit consistency | 2.3 | 4.0 | -1.7 |
| Size options | 2.0 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
| Volume output | 2.2 | 3.7 | -1.4 |
| Comfort during long use | 3.5 | 4.6 | -1.1 |
| Sound quality | 3.1 | 4.1 | -1.0 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Bass performance
Choose Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. It scores 4.6 vs 1.7 for Bass performance, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better fit consistency
Choose Shokz OpenSwim Pro. It scores 4.8 vs 2.3 for fit consistency, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better App
Choose Cleer ARC 5. It scores 4.4 vs 1.2 for App, with a 4.5 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- More expensive: price and durability OpenMove costs less and uses USB-C, while OpenRun offers greater water protection and endurance.
- Similar: sound quality OpenMove is described as matching the more premium OpenRun for audio.
aeropex
- Better: audio output The older Aeropex is considered noticeably louder and better sounding.
- More expensive: price and comfort OpenMove costs far less but feels less flexible and comfortable than Aeropex.
OpenRun
- Worse: fit and price The reviewer preferred the cheaper OpenMove to OpenRun for comfort.
FAQ
Can you hear traffic while wearing OpenMove?
Yes. The ear canals remain uncovered, so approaching traffic, bicycles, voices, and other environmental sounds stay audible.
Are they good for running and cycling?
Generally yes, thanks to the open fit and steady band. Fast sprints, awkward helmet straps, high winds, and loud traffic can reduce comfort or audibility.
How does music sound?
Speech and casual music are workable, but bass is notably thin and sound quality falls short of ordinary in-ear headphones.
Can I use them for podcasts and calls?
Yes. A voice-oriented sound mode helps spoken audio, and the microphone works acceptably for calls, although noisy conditions can interfere.
How long does the battery last?
Expect about six hours in regular use, with some longer experiences reported. Charging is via USB-C and takes roughly two hours without fast charging.
Are they waterproof enough to swim with?
No. IP55 protection is suitable for sweat and light rain, not swimming or immersion.
Will they be comfortable with glasses or while lying down?
Glasses work for many people but may compete with the hooks. The fixed neckband frequently gets pushed out of place against a pillow or workout mat.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Smart Home Sounds
- Review score
- 3.3
Article Reviews
techgearlab.com
The Shokz OpenMove is a budget-friendly introduction to bone conduction technology and all the awareness wonders it provides. Some might say...
- Review score
- 2.4
gunvaluesboard.com
First Impressions of Shokz OpenMove Bone Conduction Open-Ear Headphones The Shokz OpenMove Bone Conduction Open-Ear Headphones represent a...
- Review score
- 4.4
theloamwolf.com
The Aftershokz Openmove headphones represent a great offering for active people to listen to music without endangering themselves or limiting...
- Review score
- 3.8
soundguys.com
The Shokz OpenMove are excellent for when you need to hear your beats while keeping your ears open to the environment.
- Review score
- 3.3
alexreviewstech.com
The Shokz OpenMove Headphones provide always-aware audio at a lower price point than their Pro counterparts.
- Review score
- 2.9
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