⚡ Last tested: April 2026 | Independent review — not sponsored
If you’ve been searching for the best bone conduction headphones for running, the Shokz OpenMove keeps coming up — and for good reason. We tested Shokz OpenMove across road runs, trail sessions, and gym workouts over several weeks to give you the full, unfiltered picture. What we found surprised us in a few ways — both good and bad. This Shokz OpenMove review cuts through the marketing to tell you exactly what it’s like to train with these headphones every single day. We’ll cover the features that genuinely impressed us, the limitations the brand doesn’t shout about, and whether they’re worth your money compared to the competition. Whether you’re a dedicated runner, a cyclist, or someone who simply hates having ears blocked at the gym, read this before you buy.
Quick Verdict
| Overall Score | 7.8 / 10 |
| Best For | Runners, cyclists, and outdoor fitness enthusiasts who need situational awareness |
| Avoid If | You prioritise audio quality above all else or train in very loud environments |
| Price | Around £79–£89 (RRP) |
| Free Trial | No free trial — 30-day return policy via Shokz |
| Our Rating | 7.8 / 10 — Solid entry-level bone conduction choice |
Table of Contents
- What Is Shokz OpenMove?
- Key Features
- How Shokz OpenMove Compares
- Pros and Cons
- Pricing
- Who Is Shokz OpenMove Best For?
- Our Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Shokz OpenMove?
The Shokz OpenMove is an entry-level pair of bone conduction wireless headphones from Shokz (formerly AfterShokz), the brand widely credited with popularising this style of audio in the fitness world. Rather than sitting inside or over your ears, the OpenMove rests against your cheekbones and uses vibrations to transmit sound through your skull directly to your inner ear — leaving your ear canals completely open.
This design is the core selling point: you can hear traffic, fellow runners, gym staff, and your surroundings at all times, making these headphones a genuine safety upgrade for outdoor training. The OpenMove sits below the premium OpenRun and OpenRun Pro in the Shokz lineup, offering a more affordable entry point without completely sacrificing the core experience. They connect via Bluetooth 5.1, weigh just 29 grams, and are rated IP55 for water and sweat resistance — more than adequate for UK weather and hard training sessions. For anyone new to bone conduction technology, the OpenMove is the logical first step.
Key Features
Bone Conduction Technology With Open-Ear Design
The flagship feature of the OpenMove is its bone conduction transducers, which bypass the ear canal entirely. This means no ear fatigue on long runs, no muffled situational awareness, and no pressure on your eardrums. For runners logging serious mileage in urban environments, this is a meaningful safety benefit that standard earbuds simply cannot replicate. The vibration does become slightly noticeable at higher volumes, but it’s rarely distracting during exercise.
Bluetooth 5.1 With Multipoint Connection
The OpenMove uses Bluetooth 5.1 for a reliable, low-latency connection. In testing, pairing was quick and the connection remained stable across typical gym and outdoor distances. Multipoint connectivity — the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously — is absent at this price tier, which can be mildly frustrating if you switch between a phone and a laptop. It’s a feature reserved for the higher-end models in the Shokz range.
Six-Hour Battery Life and Magnetic Charging
Shokz quotes six hours of playback on a single charge, which held up accurately in testing during moderate-volume use. A ten-minute quick charge via the proprietary magnetic cable delivers around 1.5 hours of playback — genuinely useful if you forget to charge the night before. The magnetic charging connector is reliable, though losing that cable would be irritating since it’s non-standard. A carrying case is not included at this price point, which means the cable often ends up loose in a kit bag.
IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance
Rated IP55, the OpenMove can handle heavy perspiration, light rain, and splashes without issue. In practice, we trained through several damp autumn mornings and multiple sweaty gym sessions without any degradation in performance. It is worth noting that IP55 does not make these headphones fully waterproof — they should not be submerged or used for swimming. For the vast majority of UK fitness use cases, the rating is more than sufficient.
How Shokz OpenMove Compares
| Feature | Shokz OpenMove | Shokz OpenRun | Vidonn F1 Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-Ear Design | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Battery Life | 6 hours | 8 hours | 6 hours |
| Quick Charge | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IP67 | IP55 |
| Weight | 29g | 26g | 30g |
| Multipoint Connection | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Approximate UK Price | ~£79–£89 | ~£109–£129 | ~£35–£45 |
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Completely open ear canal — genuine situational awareness for outdoor training
- Lightweight at just 29g — barely noticeable during long runs
- Quick charge feature is genuinely useful for busy training schedules
- IP55 rating handles sweaty workouts and UK drizzle without complaint
- Very comfortable titanium wraparound frame — no ear pressure or fatigue
- Strong brand reputation with established UK warranty support
❌ Cons
- Audio quality noticeably inferior to standard in-ear headphones at this price
- Proprietary magnetic charging cable — losing it means a specific replacement purchase
- Sound leakage at higher volumes can disturb others in quiet gym environments
- No carrying case or pouch included in the box
- Bass is thin and lacks depth — not suitable for music-first listeners
Pricing
The Shokz OpenMove sits at the entry level of the Shokz bone conduction range, making it the most accessible option for those new to the technology. Here’s how pricing breaks down:
| Option | Price (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OpenMove (Standard) | £79–£89 | Available in Eclipse Black, Granite Grey, Glacial White, Dune Yellow |
| OpenRun (Step Up) | £109–£129 | Longer battery, lighter, upgraded transducers |
| OpenRun Pro (Premium) | £149–£159 | Best audio quality, dual bone conduction transducers |
The OpenMove is regularly discounted at authorised UK retailers, and Shokz occasionally runs direct promotions on their website. Always check the official Shokz site for current pricing and bundle deals before purchasing elsewhere.
Who Is Shokz OpenMove Best For?
Perfect For:
- Road runners and trail runners who need to hear traffic, cyclists, and their environment while still enjoying music or podcasts during training.
- Cyclists and commuters who require full situational awareness as a safety priority rather than audio immersion.
- Gym-goers with hearing aids or those who find in-ear headphones physically uncomfortable during extended wear.
- First-time bone conduction buyers looking to test the technology before committing to a premium model like the OpenRun Pro.
- Dog walkers and parkrunners who want casual, comfortable audio without the fuss of earbuds falling out mid-stride.
Not Ideal For:
- Audiophiles or music-first listeners — the audio quality, while functional, cannot match even mid-range in-ear headphones at a similar price.
- Gym users in noisy environments — the open-ear design means background noise competes directly with your audio, and cranking the volume leads to sound leakage that bothers those around you.
- Swimmers and water sport athletes — IP55 is not waterproof, and bone conduction headphones designed for swimming (like Shokz’s own OpenSwim) serve that purpose far better.
- Heavy podcast or audiobook listeners who want immersive audio — if you want to be absorbed in long-form content, closed-ear designs offer a more focused experience.
Our Verdict
After several weeks of real-world testing, the Shokz OpenMove earns its place as the go-to entry-level recommendation for safety-conscious outdoor athletes. It does exactly what it promises: keeps your ears open, sits securely during vigorous exercise, charges quickly, and lasts long enough for most training sessions. Where it falls short — primarily audio fidelity and the lack of multipoint connection — reflects its price point rather than any fundamental flaw.
For runners who’ve been reluctant to wear headphones outdoors due to safety concerns, the OpenMove removes that barrier without a premium price tag. If audio quality is your primary concern, spend more on the OpenRun Pro. But for straightforward, reliable, safe outdoor training audio, the OpenMove delivers strong value for money.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Value for Money | 8.0 / 10 |
| Features | 7.5 / 10 |
| Ease of Use | 8.5 / 10 |
| UK Availability | 8.0 / 10 |
| Overall | 7.8 / 10 |
Get Started with Shokz OpenMove Today →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shokz OpenMove good for running?
Yes — the Shokz OpenMove is specifically designed with runners in mind. The open-ear bone conduction design allows you to hear traffic, other pedestrians, and your surroundings while listening to music or podcasts. The lightweight 29g frame and secure wraparound fit mean they stay put even during fast-paced or technical running, making them one of the safest audio options for outdoor training.
How does bone conduction work in the Shokz OpenMove?
Bone conduction bypasses the ear canal entirely. The OpenMove’s transducers sit against your cheekbones and send vibrations through the bone directly to the cochlea in your inner ear, where sound is perceived. Your ear canals remain completely unobstructed. This is the same principle used in hearing aids and military communication devices, adapted here for everyday fitness use.
What is the difference between Shokz OpenMove and OpenRun?
The OpenRun is a step up from the OpenMove in several meaningful ways: it offers eight hours of battery life versus six, is slightly lighter at 26g, carries a higher IP67 waterproof rating compared to IP55, and features upgraded audio transducers for better sound quality. The OpenRun Pro adds dual transducers for significantly improved audio. The OpenMove is the more affordable entry point into the Shokz range.
Are Shokz OpenMove headphones waterproof?
The Shokz OpenMove is rated IP55, which means they are resistant to sweat, splashes, and light rain — more than adequate for most UK fitness use cases. However, IP55 does not mean fully waterproof. They should not be submerged or used for swimming. If you need waterproof bone conduction headphones for water sports, Shokz produces the OpenSwim, which is purpose-built for underwater use.
Do Shokz OpenMove headphones leak sound?
Yes, at higher volumes there is noticeable sound leakage with the OpenMove. Because the ear canal is open, audio is not contained — people nearby in quiet environments such as libraries or small studios may hear what you’re listening to. During outdoor exercise this is rarely an issue, but gym users who prefer to keep their music private should be mindful of keeping volume at moderate levels.
Still Not Sure? Compare Your Options:
- Why Amazfit GTR 4 Beats Fitbit for Budget Runners — if you’re also considering upgrading your running watch alongside your headphones
- Wattbike Atom Review: 7 Things Nobody Tells You — for indoor training kit that pairs well with open-ear audio
- Why Nutracheck Beats MyFitnessPal for UK Food Trackers — complement your training audio with the best UK nutrition tracking app