These Shokz Bone Conduction Headphones Are My Tech ‘Upgrade of the Year’

Bone conduction headphones (BCH) have been around for a while, but I haven’t done it Really I only started using them this year, and honestly, they’ve changed everything for me. They’ve helped keep my mind occupied — usually with an audiobook — while I tackle mundane tasks while still allowing me to communicate with my wife without constantly removing my headphones. As a result, I’ve listened to more books than ever this year, but beyond that accomplishment, I love being able to stay aware of my surroundings while listening to my music, podcasts, shows, calls, or, yes, my audiobook. This is why BCH is my 2025 technology upgrade.

Why I like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Earlier this year I reviewed the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 and I’m glad I did. I had already tested other BCHs, but the OpenRun Pro 2 was on a whole new level. They use a hybrid of BCH technology and open-air sound that projects low frequencies to your ears. This means they sound almost like regular headphones, while still retaining the benefits of BCH. (they don’t cover your ears, so you’re more in tune with the world around you).

No more losing an earphone

I used to use regular headphones to take work calls or do household chores, and I often found myself using just one earbud so as not to be totally disconnected from my surroundings. Yes, most headphones now have a transparency mode, but I usually find it easier to remove one rather than remember how to turn it on or off. The downside here is that I usually leave the earbud I removed lying around the house somewhere, or lose it altogether. Plus, if I listened to something in stereo, I’d miss half the experience. That all changed when I started using the OpenRun Pro 2 as my headset of choice.

Comfortable and functional

Unlike headphones or over-ear headphones, which can be tiring after prolonged use, the OpenRun Pro 2s are so comfortable that I sometimes forget I’m wearing them. Their microphones are excellent, so I can use them to take calls or virtual meetings without issue. Thanks to their hybrid audio model, I don’t feel the vibration sensation that tickled my ears when I tried other BCH models. I love being able to have a full conversation with my wife while doing the dishes or cooking without having to worry about pausing my media or fumbling with my headphones. And the best part is, they’re waterproof, allowing me to go from a run to a shower without missing a beat—or, more often, a chapter of my current book (you’d be surprised how many extra listening minutes you can rack up over a year of showers, not to mention doing the dishes, walking the dog, and other daily tasks). With the help of these headphones, I look forward to breaking my audiobook record again in 2026.