Have you ever felt bored or lonely during certain sports sessions? Whether it's during a slow.. very slow, endurance run in preparation for a marathon, a swimming session, or even lifting weights at the gym, we often find ourselves wanting to think about something else to stave off boredom... or simply forget the pain.
Solution number 1: it's a Friday night in June, and you're thinking about the pizza and beer that awaits you with your mates. Solution number 2, much less fun: a Monday night in January, with soup on the menu. And since, let's be honest, we find ourselves in solution 2 more often than in solution 1, there's one option that makes training more bearable: listening to music or a podcast.
To help you decide, here is our comparison of the best wireless earphones for sports , meaning ones that stay secured, even when you sweat, jump... or even swim.
Summary of our comparison of the best wireless earphones for sports in 2026
- Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, the best hybrid bone conduction headphones for sport
- Suunto Wing 2, the best wireless bone conduction earphones
- Shokz OpenSwim, the best water sports earphones
- Shokz OpenSwim Pro, the best versatile sports earphones
- Suunto Sonic, Excellent sports earphones for getting started with bone conduction
- Shokz OpenRun, Shokz's model for entering the bone conduction market
- Shokz OpenFit, The best wireless sports earphones for audiophiles
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, the best hybrid bone conduction headphones for sport
| Caracteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology | DualPitch™ (Bone conduction + ear conduction) |
| frequency | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| sensitivity | 96 dB ±2,5 dB (ear conduction) / 101,3 dB ±3 dB (bone conduction) |
| battery life | 12 Hours |
| Normal charging time | 1 hour |
| fast charging time | 5 minutes for 2.5 hours of playback |
| hands-free function | yes (integrated microphone, -38 dB ±1 dB) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| charging port | USB-C Direct charging on the headphones |
| water resistance | IP55 (sweat-resistant) |
| Weight | 30.3g |
Without further ado, let’s kick off this article with what is arguably the best headphones for athletes or at least the best for most of us. And for good reason: We’re starting with a pair from Shokz, the reference brand in bone conduction technology.
Bone conduction? Yes, for those unfamiliar with this technology: Instead of using a traditional speaker that vibrates the air to make your eardrum vibrate, this system transmits sound by vibrating your bones all the way to your inner ear. Admittedly, that sounds a bit intimidating when described like that. But don’t panic—this system has many advantages: It keeps your ear canal open, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you. Plus, it’s completely waterproof and can even be used underwater, as we’ll see with another model…
The only minor downside for audiophiles: The sound quality isn’t as good as that of traditional headphones. And that’s precisely where the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 shines, as it functions as a hybrid device. Thanks to the brand’s DualPitch™ technology, it transmits most sounds via bone conduction and very low or very high frequencies via air vibrations, like traditional headphones. This way, you get the benefits of bone conduction (open ear, environmental awareness) without the drawbacks (limited sound quality for music).
What you should know before buying the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2:
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 offers the best of both worlds (bone conduction and traditional headphones). If you only listen to podcasts, you won’t have any issues with the sound quality of bone conduction headphones. Therefore, this model might not be the best value for money for you. In that case, opt for a model like the Suunto Classic or Shokz OpenRun, which are more affordable as they rely solely on bone conduction.
Do you have a small head? Opt for the mini version:
If you're convinced by the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 but have a small head, the brand has thought of you too. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Mini model offers the same features as the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 but has a smaller ring that better fits your head shape.
Suunto Wing 2, the best wireless bone conduction headphones
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| Caracteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology | bone conduction |
| frequency | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| sensitivity | 117 dB @ 1 kHz – 10 dB FS |
| battery life | 12 hours of playback (24 hours with charging station) |
| Normal charging time | 1 hour (earphones) / 1.5 hours (external battery) |
| fast charging time | 5 minutes for 1.5 hours of playback |
| hands-free function | Yes (microphone -38 dB, frequency range 100 Hz – 10 kHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, Bluetooth 5.3 with a range of >10 m, codecs A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, dual pairing |
| charging port | USB-C and charging station with battery |
| water resistance | IP66 (sweat, water and dust resistant) |
| Weight | 35 Grams |
Bone conduction headphones have always been Shokz’s specialty, but Suunto has also discovered this niche market … and apparently has no intention of letting it go. Following the initial success of the Suunto Wing, the brand is back with the Wing 2, offering meaningful technical improvements while keeping the design unchanged. While Shokz hesitates and experiments with 100% bone conduction, Suunto doesn’t hold back: With Suunto, it’s bone conduction all the way—no hybrid system. Everything is transmitted via bone conduction. The first obvious advantage: a 100% waterproof product.
Suunto then adds its personal touch. The main advantage of the Wing 2 is an LED system that, like a helmet or headlamp, ensures you’re more visible in the dark.
The brand has also introduced innovations in terms of user experience. While Shokz requires you to “play” with small buttons to change tracks, Suunto offers a head-movement control system. Want to skip a song? A quick shake of your head from right to left will do. Receiving a call? Just nod your head. Note that the buttons are still there, so you can change tracks even with a stiff neck. That’s practical, isn’t it?
Finally, the Suunto Wing 2 features a somewhat unique charging system: a proprietary connector. The main advantage is that the Wing 2 comes with an external battery, allowing you to charge your headphones even without access to a power outlet. However, with the first generation of the Suunto Wing, we regretted that it wasn’t possible to charge the Wing without its special charger. The brand took this feedback into account for the new version and added a USB-C charging port directly on the headphones, alongside the proprietary connector. This makes for the best possible charging system. All these features combined make the Suunto Wing 2 the best bone conduction headphones of 2026.
Shokz OpenSwim, the best headphones for water sports
| Caracteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology | PremiumPitch 2.0+ (bone conduction) with sound reduction |
| frequency | N.A |
| sensitivity | N.A |
| battery life | 8 hours of playback |
| Normal charging time | 2 hours |
| fast charging time | N.A |
| hands-free function | No (integrated MP3 player only) |
| Bluetooth | No (works exclusively with MP3 files stored on the internal 4 GB memory) |
| charging port | Micro USB |
| water resistance | IP68 (suitable for prolonged immersion) |
| Weight | 30 grams |
We’re continuing this comparison with another bone conduction model. The Shokz OpenSwim headphones have definitely won us over, as they highlight one of the major advantages of this technology: they work underwater.
Let’s get this out of the way: If you never go to the pool except to lounge around for three weeks in the summer, this model isn’t for you. But if you’re an experienced swimmer, a triathlete, or just crazy enough to sign up for an Ironman, these headphones might be exactly what you need. You might be wondering: Why not just choose another classic bone conduction model, like the Suunto Wing or the Shokz OpenRun, which theoretically also work underwater?
Well, you’d be overlooking a small but crucial physical detail. All of these headphones connect via Bluetooth to your favorite smartwatch or smartphone to access your playlist. And here’s the catch: Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater.
This is where the Shokz OpenSwim stands out from the rest: it doesn’t use Bluetooth. Instead, you load your MP3 files directly onto the device, just like with a good old iPod from the 2000s … and that’s it. Archaic? Maybe. But also revolutionary, because it actually works in the water.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro, the best versatile sports headphones
| Caracteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology | PremiumPitch 2.0+ (bone conduction) |
| frequency | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| sensitivity | 105 ± 3 dB (loudspeaker) / -38 dB ± 1 dB (microphone) |
| battery life | 9 hours (Bluetooth) / 6 hours (MP3) |
| Normal charging time | 120 minutes |
| fast charging time | 10 minutes = 3 hours of operation |
| hands-free function | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes (Version V5.4) |
| charging port | USB-C |
| water resistance | IP68 |
| Weight | 27,5 Grams |
The OpenSwim Pro is an upgraded version of the OpenSwim, and for good reason. The biggest limitation of the OpenSwim is its reliance on pre-loaded music stored directly on the headphones similar to an old-school MP3 player. This is because Bluetooth simply doesn’t work underwater.
The Pro version retains this MP3 functionality but significantly boosts storage capacity: 32 GB instead of 4 GB. And here’s why we’ve chosen it as the best all-around sports headphone: it can now switch to Bluetooth mode—in fact, it defaults to Bluetooth mode when you turn it on.
Switching to Bluetooth mode unlocks all the benefits of wireless technology: You can take calls and stream directly from Spotify, Deezer, or other platforms using the built-in MP3 player. Forgot to upload your music? No problem. This makes the OpenSwim Pro the most versatile bone conduction headphone from the brand. It performs just as well underwater as the OpenSwim (with similar performance but more storage) and matches the OpenRun’s capabilities on land. If you’re fully committed to bone conduction, this is a model worth considering.
We recommend the OpenSwim Pro if:
- You enjoy both land and water sports (in this case, it’s the best option). Decide for yourself if the classic OpenSwim meets your needs, but remember you’ll be limited to 4 GB of music.
- You want to run or cycle without your smartphone, and your watch lacks an integrated MP3 player. The OpenSwim Pro lets you leave your phone behind.
- You’re a triathlete and want the best of both worlds (MP3/Bluetooth) during your races.
Shokz OpenRun, Shokz's model for entering the bone conduction market.
| Caracteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology | PremiumPitch 2.0+ (bone conduction technology) with transducers tilted at 30° |
| Frequency | N.A |
| Sensitivity | N.A |
| battery life | 8 hours of playback |
| Normal charging time | 1.5 hours |
| fast charging time | 10 minutes for 1 hour 30 minutes of playback |
| hands-free function | Yes (noise-cancelling microphone −38 dB ± 3 dB) |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (multi-pairing, range up to 10 m) |
| charging port | USB-C |
| water resistance | IP67 (waterproof to 1 metre for 30 minutes) |
| Weight | 26 Grams |
Want to try bone conduction but put off by the prices? Shokz has you covered with an entry-level model: the Shokz OpenRun. This is the brand’s "basic" sports headphone, yet it includes all the fundamental features that have made it a success. There’s no hybrid system like in the OpenRun Pro 2, nor built-in storage like in the OpenSwim, just classic, proven, and efficient bone conduction technology.
What you do get is the essential toolkit of top sports headphones: fast USB-C charging (10 minutes for 1.5 hours of playback—perfect if you forget to charge them before heading out), hands-free calling, and Bluetooth 5.1 for a stable connection. In short, it’s a simple, efficient, and convincing model—all at a reasonable price.
Suunto Spark: open-ear sports headphones that let you perform at your best without losing touch with your surroundings
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| Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Technology | Open-ear, hybrid multi-driver system |
| Audio | LHDC 5.0, SBC, AAC |
| Frequency | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (up to 96 kHz with LHDC) |
| Sensitivity | 137.5 dB ± 3 dB |
| Autonomy | 7 hours per charge / 36 hours with the case |
| Charging time | Headphones: up to 60 mins / Charging case: up to 100 mins |
| Fast charging | Not specified |
| Hands-free kit | Yes (dual noise-cancelling microphones) |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 (dual connection, range >10 m) |
| Cargo ports | USB-C |
| Watertightness | IP55 (sweat, dust, rain and snow) |
| Peso | 9 g per earpiece (18 g in total) |
| Control | Head gestures + Suunto app |
| Sports features | Stride rate, ground contact, vertical oscillation, real-time audio |
The Suunto Spark represents the brand’s new generation of open-ear sports headphones, designed for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings without compromising on powerful, high-fidelity sound. Compared to more basic models, they stand out for their high-resolution audio with LHDC 5.0, a multi-driver system and advanced training features integrated into the Suunto app
They are not intended to replace previous bone conduction models, but rather to offer a more immersive, lightweight and comprehensive experience for daily training, combining comfort, real-time fitness metrics and sufficient battery life for intensive use.
Shokz OpenFit, the best wireless sports headphones for audiophiles
| Caracteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology | Shokz DirectPitch™ (open-ear listening with inverse sound waves) |
| Frequency | N.A |
| Sensitivity | N.A |
| Battery life | 6 hours of playback (up to 28 hours with charging case) |
| Normal charging time | N.A |
| Fast charging time | 10 minutes for 2 hours of playback |
| Hands-free function | Yes (4 ENC microphones + Qualcomm cVc 8.0, 96.5% noise reduction) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (multipoint pairing, compatible with Android/iOS/Windows) |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| Water resistance | IP54 (sweat and splash proof) |
| Weight | N.A |
We’re wrapping up this comparison with a slightly different model. We’re sticking with Shokz, but this time, there’s no bone conduction involved. The brand recently launched its first pair of "classic" headphones, recognizing that bone conduction isn’t for everyone—some athletes are simply too focused on sound quality to embrace it. However, Shokz is confident that many athletes don’t want to be completely cut off from their surroundings during workouts. For them, a classic headphone with a "transparency mode" might be the perfect solution.
What truly sets the Shokz OpenFit apart is its ideal design for sports. The headphones feature a secure fit system tailored for dynamic activities like running and trail running. While other brands offer well-fitting headphones, Shokz takes it a step further: thanks to its open-ear design, the headphones don’t block your ear canal.
The result? An incredibly comfortable headphone that stays in place and keeps you connected to the world around you, without isolating you from your surroundings.
