Shokz Open-Run Pro Bone Conduction Headphones Retail for $125
These Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones use bone conduction technology to keep your ears open and aware of your surroundings. Right now, they’re 31% off, down to $124.99 — their lowest price ever, according to price trackers .
If you’ve never used bone conduction headphones, they offer the comfort of open-back headphones, but they don’t sit inside your ear like earbuds. Instead, they transmit sound through the bones in your skull, leaving your ear canal open. Some people believe that they’re safer and better for your hearing than regular headphones, since there’s no direct pressure on your eardrum. However, they also won’t provide the deep, rich bass of a pair of full-size headphones, but that may be a worthwhile tradeoff.
Lifehacker writer Daniel Oropeza tested the updated OpenRun Pro 2 , and the original model offers a similar fit and weight (just over an ounce), making both models lightweight but durable. If you want less vibration on your skin, longer battery life, and better noise cancellation during calls, you might want to consider the updated model, although it does cost more.
These headphones last up to 10 hours on a single charge and have a quick-charge feature that provides 1.5 hours of playback with just five minutes of charging. You can also easily switch between two devices, like your phone and laptop, thanks to MultiPoint Bluetooth pairing. However, with this open design, the sound isn’t as immersive, and it won’t block out ambient noise as well as in-ear or open-back headphones. (If you want to stay aware of what’s going on around you while you’re working out, that’s a good thing.)
If you’re looking for total audio immersion and noise isolation in loud environments, noise-canceling headphones may be your best bet. And while the IP55 rating protects against sweat and light rain, they’re not designed to be submerged in water or in heavy downpours. Overall, if you’ve struggled with the comfort (or fit) of in-ear and over-ear headphones and want a breathable, secure option that’s ideal for active use, the OpenRun Pro headphones are a solid option.