I Review Running Headphones And The Ones I Keep Going Back To Are Reduced For Prime Day
You can get the Shokz OpenRun Mini for $90 down from $130 in the Amazon sale
I review a lot of running headphones for Coach, and as someone who runs 50-70 miles a week in training I have a lot of running time to test them. When I’m not trying out new gear for reviews, there is one set I go back to time and time again—the Shokz OpenRun Mini.
The Shokz OpenRun are the best bone conduction headphones available, because they’re cheaper than the OpenRun Pro yet offer pretty much all the same features and they actually have a higher waterproof rating. I prefer the fit of the OpenRun Mini to the standard OpenRun, since the band sits closer to the back of my head, and you don’t lose any features by opting for the Mini.
As part of the Shokz Amazon Prime Day sale, the OpenRun and OpenRun Mini headphones are reduced from $129.95 to $89.95, which is the cheapest I’ve seen them on Amazon.
Shokz OpenRun Mini: was $129.95 now $89.95 on Amazon
Save $40 Shokz has reduced its range of bone conduction headphones by up to 30% in the Prime Day sale and the OpenRun Mini are the pick of the bunch—they’re cheaper than the OpenRun Pro but offer all the same key features. They’re great for keeping you aware of your surroundings on the run, and have a very comfortable and secure fit.
The Shokz OpenRun Mini are also reduced in the Amazon Prime Day sale in the UK, dropping by 30% from £129.95 to £90.95.
As with all open headphones the awareness you get while using the Shokz OpenRun Mini is their key feature compared to in-ear buds, but they stand out from most other bone conduction headphones because they sound a little better, and have a much more comfortable fit.
The ear hook on the buds is light and unobtrusive, and creates a very secure fit for exercise. I use the OpenRun Mini with a hat and glasses on most of my runs and the thin band doesn’t get in the way. They’re easy to forget about entirely once you put them on, which is exactly the comfort I want from headphones on the run.
Naturally the sound quality doesn’t match in-ear buds, but for listening to podcasts and music on the run it’s good enough, and getting the OpenRun Mini in a deal means that you have a bit of cash spare to also get some top-notch in-ear headphones for when you’re traveling or in the office.
Several other sets of Shokz headphones are included in the Prime Day sale and the OpenRun Pro has been reduced from $179.95 to $124.95. You might be tempted to spend the extra $35 for the Pro in the sale, since it has Pro in the name, but I urge you not to. I didn’t notice any better sound quality with the Pro, and though it lasts two more hours on a charge, the OpenRun still lasts eight hours, and has a higher water resistance rating of IP67, against the Pro’s rating of IP55.
More Prime Day Deals On Running Headphones
You may, of course, be in the market for a pair of wireless earbuds and the good news is there are plenty more excellent options with price reductions. Here they are, along with links to my reviews.
Jabra Elite 4 Active: was $119.99 now $69.99 at Amazon
Save $50 The Jabra Elite 4 Active are among the best in-ear sports headphones you can get, and this is an absolute bargain for buds of their quality. They offer good sound quality and battery life, plus active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. The wingless fit won’t be secure enough for everyone, but they stay put for me during runs and workouts, and I find them comfortable for general use.
Sennheiser Sport True Wireless: was $149.95 now $79.99 at Amazon
Save $69.96 These Sennheiser buds sound better than most sports headphones you’ll come across, and while they are quite bulky, they stay in place reliably during runs and other workouts thanks to the wings. They don’t have ANC or an awareness mode and the smaller Jabra Elite 4 Active buds are more comfortable, but for those focused on sound quality these are a steal in the Prime Day sale.
Beats Powerbeats Pro: was $249.95 now $149.99 at Amazon
Save $99.96 There’s no need to sugarcoat this, the Powerbeats Pro are old headphones, having originally launched in 2019. However, they are still among the best sports buds you can get, with great battery life and a rock-solid fit. They are better for sports than any of the headphones Beats has released since, even if they lack ANC. They’re always reduced to $150 in sales, and that’s the case again this Prime Day.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: was $299 now $249 at Amazon
Save $50 The Bose QuietComfort II headphones offer the best ANC we’ve come across, plus exceptional sound quality as you would expect. The buds come with wings that create a secure enough fit for sports, and you can buy extra large or small wings separately if required. They are expensive even in the Amazon Prime Day sale, but any discount is worth highlighting for headphones of this quality that you can use for general life as well as sports.
Apple AirPods 3rd Gen: was $169 now $139 at Amazon
Save $30 The fit of the AirPods won’t work for everyone, but I find they stay in my ears better during workouts than the in-ear design of the AirPods Pro, and the open fit allows for extra awareness, which is handy during outdoor activities. The AirPods 3rd Gen offer the best sound quality you’ll find from open-fit buds, and are more comfortable to wear for long periods than in-ear headphones, so if you find the latter don’t work for you, this Prime Day deal is worth looking at.
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Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.