The Best Open-ear Headphones
We reviewed eight open-ear headphones, comparing expert verdicts, owner ratings, and specs to find the best for workouts and everyday use.
Updated
The bottom line
The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 (B0D2HKCMBP) is our top pick for open-ear headphones, offering a balance of comfort, sound quality, and situational awareness. It scores high in owner ratings (8.6/10 from 8535 ratings) and expert reviews (9/10). The closest alternative is the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini (B0D2HJ8DJX), which has slightly higher owner ratings (8.8/10 from 4379 ratings) but lacks expert reviews. For a budget option, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 (B0DP8BLMNC) at $129.95 offers similar features with high owner ratings (8.8/10 from 4416 ratings).
SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 $179.95
Best balance of comfort and sound quality
The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 offers excellent sound quality, comfort, and situational awareness for $179.95. Owners rate it 8.6/10 from 8535 ratings, and experts give it 9/10. The tradeoff is variable fit and battery life for some users.
Check price on Amazon
SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini Bone Conduction Bluetooth Sport Headphones $179.95
High owner ratings and secure fit
The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini has high owner ratings (8.8/10 from 4379 ratings) and a secure fit. It lacks expert reviews but is a strong alternative at $179.95.
Check price on Amazon
SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 $129.95
Affordable with high owner ratings
The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 at $129.95 offers similar features with high owner ratings (8.8/10 from 4416 ratings). The tradeoff is slightly lower expert review scores (7.5/10).
Check price on AmazonThe field, ranked
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Best balance of comfort, sound, and awareness. 9.0/10 $179.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini Bone Conduction Bluetooth Sport Headphones High owner ratings and secure fit. 8.5/10 $179.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Affordable with high owner ratings. 8.0/10 $129.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Good sound quality but mixed expert reviews. 7.5/10 $179.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini Bone Conduction Sport Headphones Secure fit and customizable EQ modes. 7.0/10 $199.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Solid audio experience but higher price. 7.0/10 $199.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction Sport Headphones Good sound quality and water resistance. 7.0/10 $199.95 Amazon
- SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Comfortable fit and customizable audio. 7.0/10 $179.95 Amazon
Who should buy which
Active users who prioritize situational awareness should consider the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 (B0D2HKCMBP) for its balance of comfort and sound quality. Those looking for a more affordable option with similar features should opt for the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 (B0DP8BLMNC). Users who value a secure fit and high owner ratings might prefer the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini (B0D2HJ8DJX).
Owner complaints
Common complaints among owners include variable fit, battery life issues, and ear fatigue. Some users also mention the delicate construction requiring careful handling. These issues are recurrent across multiple models, indicating areas for improvement.
Also-rans
The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 (B0D7HD7N23) and SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Mini Bone Conduction Sport Headphones (B0H7RH84YR) did not make the top picks due to mixed expert reviews and slightly lower owner ratings. The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 (B0GGBQPG9C) and SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction Sport Headphones (B0H7RJD7QZ) also fell short due to higher prices and similar features to the top picks.