Shokz has silently released a new model of bone conduction headphones called the OpenRun USB-C. This new model, available in both standard and mini sized headbands, takes all the features that made the previous OpenRun great and upgraded them to include a standard USB-C charging port. In this review I will tell you why they are the best bone conduction headphones on the market, even besting the Shokz flagship OpenRun Pro 2 model.
First, let’s be clear about what product I’m reviewing here. Shokz did not make a formal release announcement for this new OpenRun USB-C headset. I first learned about it from a leaked product manual posted on a forum. Shortly afterwards in mid November the new OpenRun USB-C showed up on Amazon (both the mini and standard size band version). It has not appeared on the main part of the official Shokz website as of this writing. I suspect this is because Shokz is trying to clear out the old stock of the previous version during the holiday shopping season and has discounted their non-flagship models to do so. The packaging for the new OpenRun appears like the old OpenRun without a prominent USB-C naming. This makes for an unusually confusing product launch from Shokz.
Goodbye Proprietary Charging Cable
My original Trekz Air utilized a micro USB port for charging which was a great option at the time and more of less the standard before USB-C took over. Shokz replaced this with a proprietary magnetic cable and port in later models like the original OpenRun and OpenRun Pro. The magnetic attaching system was nice in that it was very convenient to connect. Without even looking, the cable magnetically aligns itself and pops perfectly in place to start the charging process and breaks free effortlessly when removing. There’s also no worry about mechanical failure over time which can happen with micro USB ports. However, the port was prone to a different kind of failure. Salt and water from sweat can collect on the port because the it was always exposed. If the port was not cleaned and dried before charging it would lead to corrosion and possible failure. I suspect this is why Shokz did away with the port on all of their latest bone conducting headphones starting with the OpenRun Pro 2 and now including the OpenRun USB-C. For me, being able to use a regular USB-C cable and not carry around a proprietary cable that only works with my headphones is a big plus.
OpenRun USB-C vs OpenRun Pro 2
Audio Quality
The OpenRun USB-C have the same quality bone conduction sound that Shokz is known for. Like all bone conduction headphones, they do suffer from poor bass and lower quality audio compared to traditional over the ear headphones and earbuds. Shokz tried to boost audio quality (especially bass) with the OpenRun Pro 2 by including separate traditional drivers in addition to the bone conduction drivers. When not moving or at walking pace, this provides better overall audio and bass response. Unfortunately, it does not provide noticeable improvements in audio at cycling speeds. Furthermore, the overall loudness of the OpenRun Pro 2 is significantly less than the OpenRun USB-C. This makes the Pro 2 sound inferior while riding. In addition, the decreased loudness of the Pro 2 model requires the headset to be used at a much higher volume setting than the OpenRun USB-C which removes any of the claimed extra battery time. The Pro 2 dual driver technology has additional compromises which lead to the next two issues discussed below.
Superior Water Resistance
One of the biggest disappointments with the release of the OpenRun Pro 2 was minimal water resistance rating (IP55) compared to previous models (IP67). The significantly decreased water resistance is a result of the DualPitch technology in the Pro 2 which incorporates a traditional drivers in addition to the bone conduction ones. One way to think of the Pro 2 is a mashup of the previous OpenRun Pro with Shokz’s OpenFit line of open ear earbuds. The unfortunate result is that they have the limitations that are inherent to both designs. The OpenRun USB-C’s IP67 rating allows the headset to handle heavy rain, direct water sprays, and the occasional dunk (rated 1 meter depth for 30 minutes) with no issues.
Less Weight
The OpenRun USB-C has a claimed weight of 26 grams versus the OpenRun Pro 2’s claimed weight of 30.3 grams. A difference of 4.3 grams may not sound like much, but it is a noticeable difference when wearing the headsets. Compared to the Pro 2 model, the new OpenRun USB-C feels light as a feather and is more comfortable for extended usage.
Significant Cost Savings
At the time of this writing, the OpenRun USB-C were only being sold on Amazon. The price currently is $99 versus $179 for the OpenRun Pro 2 headset. This is about half the price of the overly expensive Pro 2 model.
When the OpenRun Pro 2 Could Be a Better Option
It may seem that I’m dumping on the OpenRun Pro 2, but it is still a good product. I think of it as a different type of headset than the OpenRun USB-C for a different use case. The OpenRun Pro 2 which uses a dual air and bone conduction mechanism (Shokz DualPitch Technology) definitely offers superior audio quality when the user is not moving. However, at speeds typical of cycling, the system does not offer any improvements. In fact, the lower volume in the DualPitch mode is inferior and many users have reported disabling the DualPitch system in favor of the bone conduction only mode which does not offer any audio advantage.
The water and dust protection IP55 rating of the OpenRun Pro 2 versus the IP67 rating of the OpenRun USB-C is a significant difference for me. However, users who only plan to use the headset in dry conditions or light rain at most will not see benefits from the more protected OpenRun USB-C.
So, who would I recommend the OpenRun Pro 2 to? Users that will not be using their headset in wet conditions or around water, plan to use the headset significantly off the bike (walking, hiking, running, or not moving), and still want the bone conducting feature for faster paced activities should consider this option.
What About Bone Conduction from Other Brands?
Shokz is the undisputed leader in bone conduction headsets and the new OpenRun with USB-C checks all the feature boxes that I need in a headset at a good price point. In the past few years many companies have started offering bone conduction headsets at prices that undercut Shokz. I have tried a few, but all were inferior to Shokz’ offerings in durability, comfort and sound quality.
Conclusion: The Underdog Overtakes the Flagship
The OpenRun USB-C are my recommendation if you are looking for the best pair of bone conduction headphones for cycling and other high paced activities. The combination of quality, high volume bone conduction, ultralight weight, water resistance, and a standard USB-C charging port make them my number one choice. If you are still undecided about bone conduction headphones, see my recent article about their limitations.
