Alright, let’s dive into my experience comparing the Shokz OpenRun Pro and OpenSwim Pro. I’ve been rocking bone conduction headphones for a while now, mostly for running and listening to podcasts while I’m out and about. So, when I got the chance to try out both the OpenRun Pro and the OpenSwim Pro, I jumped at it. Here’s the lowdown.
First off, the OpenRun Pro. These are my go-to for everyday workouts. I unboxed them, paired them with my phone in like, two seconds (super easy), and headed out for a run. The sound quality is decent – not gonna blow your mind, but clear enough for podcasts and keeps me aware of my surroundings. Plus, they’re comfy! I’ve worn them for hours without any issues.
Now, the OpenSwim Pro. The big selling point here is the MP3 mode. I had to actually load some music onto it, which felt a bit old-school, haha. Dragged and dropped some tunes from my computer, and then I hit the pool. And yeah, being able to swim without my phone and still listen to music is pretty awesome. I just dove right in!
Here’s what I noticed while fiddling around with these two:
- Sound Quality: Honestly, both are pretty similar. Maybe the OpenRun Pro is slightly better for music with more bass, but it’s not a huge difference. In the pool, the OpenSwim Pro sounds great, especially considering it’s underwater.
- Comfort: Both are lightweight and sit comfortably on my head. No complaints there. They both felt good.
- Battery Life: I’ve gotta say, both seem to last a good while. I haven’t timed it exactly, but I get several runs or swims out of each charge. I think I charged the OpenRun Pro more often though…
- Noise Cancellation: The OpenSwim Pro is supposed to have ENC+DNS call noise cancellation, while the OpenRun Pro has Dual Noise-cancelling Mic + CVC algorithm noise cancellation. Honestly, I didn’t notice a massive difference while making calls. People could hear me okay with both.
- Controls: The buttons on both are easy to use, even with sweaty hands. I just wish all the buttons were on the same side! Having them split is a bit annoying.
The biggest difference? It’s gotta be the MP3 mode on the OpenSwim Pro. It’s a game-changer for swimming. I just couldn’t swim with the OpenRun Pro as they don’t have a MP3 mode.
So, which one should you get? If you swim a lot, the OpenSwim Pro is a no-brainer. The MP3 mode is worth the extra cash. If you’re just looking for something for running and general use, the OpenRun Pro is a solid choice. I mean, I like using it to listen to podcasts while doing the dishes!
One last thing – they are a bit pricey. But if you’re serious about your music and workouts, I reckon they’re worth the investment. I use these almost daily and they have been pretty solid so far.