Shokz OpenMove
Shokz
Most wireless headphones ask you to make a trade: either you get isolated in your own audio bubble, or you compromise on sound quality to stay "aware." The Shokz OpenMove sidesteps that choice entirely by not going anywhere near your ear canal at all. Instead of speakers that plug your ears, tiny transducers rest against your cheekbones and send sound through bone to your inner ear, leaving your ears completely open to the world around you. For runners dodging traffic, commuters listening for platform announcements, or parents who need to hear a child call out from the next room, that's not a gimmick — it's the entire point of the product. After spending real time with a pair, here's what buyers actually need to know before committing.
Design and Build: What It's Like to Wear
The OpenMove is built around a single wraparound band that loops behind your head and ears, with two small transducer pads that sit just in front of your ear canal, against the cheekbone. There's no in-ear tip, no ear cup, and nothing pressing on the outer ear itself. The frame uses a titanium core, which is the reason these headphones can flex and twist without snapping — you can genuinely bend the band and it springs back into shape, which matters a lot for something that's going to get stuffed into a gym bag or gripped tightly while stretching before a run.
At roughly 29 grams, the OpenMove disappears on your head in a way that over-ear or even many in-ear designs don't. That's lighter than a typical pair of AA batteries, and it shows: after an hour of wear there's no clamping ache at the temples, no sore spot behind the ears, and no sense that you're carrying hardware around. The design also folds flat for storage, which paired with the included carry case makes it genuinely pocketable or bag-friendly — a small but meaningful convenience if you're tossing these into a gym bag alongside shoes, water bottles, and everything else.
The fit isn't universally loved, and it's worth being upfront about that. Because the band is a fixed, one-size design with no adjustable sizing points, people with smaller heads or narrower jaws sometimes find the earpieces don't sit snugly enough and can shift or loosen during more explosive movement — burpees, aggressive intervals, or anything involving a lot of head motion. If you wear glasses, it's also worth knowing the band loops directly over the ear in the same space your glasses arms occupy, so you're stacking two things in a fairly narrow zone; most people manage it fine, but it's not seamless the way it would be with true in-ear buds. If you have a smaller frame or already find headbands and ear-hook styles finicky, this is the one area of the OpenMove worth testing in person before you commit, since the single universal fit is the trade-off for the simple, screwless design.
Core Performance: How Bone Conduction Actually Sounds
The technology inside the OpenMove is Shokz's seventh-generation bone conduction system, and this is where the "cheap gimmick" assumption falls apart. Bone conduction has historically had a reputation for being thin, tinny, and short on bass — sound with no body to it. This generation is a clear step up from that stereotype. The stereo imaging is genuinely convincing for a technology that doesn't touch your eardrums at all, and the mid-range clarity — where most vocals, dialogue, and instrumentation live — comes through with more definition than you'd expect walking in skeptical.
Where bone conduction still shows its limits is at the low end. Bass, especially sub-bass rumble, has to travel through bone and skin rather than pressurizing a sealed ear canal, so it will never hit like a well-sealed in-ear monitor or a closed-back headphone. Audiobooks, podcasts, spoken word, and most pop and acoustic music translate very well. Bass-heavy electronic music or hip-hop will sound noticeably thinner than on conventional headphones — that's physics, not a flaw specific to this model, and it's true of every bone conduction product on the market.
The OpenMove includes three listening modes that meaningfully change how the headphones sound depending on what you're doing:
- Standard Mode — a balanced tuning for general music and everyday listening
- Vocal Booster Mode — pushes the mid-range forward, making this the mode to reach for during podcasts, audiobooks, and phone calls where clarity of speech matters more than musicality
- Ear-Plug Mode — pairs the audio output with the supplied foam earplugs to block outside noise, effectively letting you turn an "always aware" headset into a more isolated one when you actually want quiet, such as on a flight or train
That last mode is a clever piece of engineering. It acknowledges that the open-ear concept isn't always what you want and gives you a way to opt out of ambient noise without buying a second pair of headphones.
One important practical caveat from real-world use: turning the volume up doesn't just make things louder, it also increases the physical vibration you feel against your cheekbones. At moderate volumes this is unnoticeable, but push toward maximum and some wearers find the buzzing sensation distracting rather than immersive. This is inherent to how bone conduction works, and it's worth knowing before you assume you can just crank the volume to compensate for background noise.
Key Features Explained
Bluetooth wireless connection with a 10-metre range. In practice, this means you can leave your phone on a shelf across the room, in a locker, or clipped to a treadmill while you move freely nearby, and pairing to a smartphone is straightforward with no companion app required for basic use.
IP55 sweat and water resistance. This rating means the OpenMove is sealed against dust ingress and protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction — in plain terms, it shrugs off heavy sweat, light rain, and being caught in a drizzle mid-run. It is not a swimming rating; there's no submersion protection here, so pool laps or open-water swimming are off the table. If you're searching for something to wear in the pool, this isn't that product — but for the sweat and weather exposure of typical outdoor training, it's more than adequate.
Foldable, one-piece construction. Because there are no detachable ear tips or cushions to lose, and the band itself folds down, the OpenMove travels well. There's nothing fiddly to keep track of beyond the charging cable.
Dual EQ-driven controls, not a touch interface. Physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive panels mean you can control playback and calls reliably with sweaty fingers or gloves on, without the accidental-tap problems that plague touch controls on many true wireless earbuds.
Battery Life and Charging: What to Actually Expect
This is one of the more important reality checks for prospective buyers, because Shokz doesn't advertise the OpenMove's battery life on the Argos listing itself — but independent testing across multiple reviewers consistently lands on roughly six hours of continuous playback per charge, sometimes stretching a little further at moderate volumes. Practically, that covers a working week's worth of commutes, several long runs, or a full day of intermittent use with room to spare.
Recharging takes about two hours from empty via the included USB-C cable, which is a genuine convenience upgrade over older bone conduction models that relied on proprietary charging cradles — you can top these up with the same cable you likely already use for your phone or other accessories.
There's one important catch buried in the fine print: the OpenMove does not ship with a charging adaptor or plug, and it does not support fast charging (PD/harmonised fast charging standards). You'll need to supply your own USB-C power source rated between 0.5W and 0.6W — essentially any basic phone charger you likely already own — and you shouldn't expect a rapid top-up the way you might with fast-charging earbuds. Budget for a full two-hour charge cycle, and plan to charge it overnight or during a workday rather than relying on a quick five-minute boost before heading out the door.
Who This Is For — and Who Should Look Elsewhere
The OpenMove earns its keep in scenarios where situational awareness is a safety feature, not a nice-to-have:
Great Fit For
- Outdoor runners and cyclists navigating roads, shared paths, or trails with other traffic
- Commuters who want to hear announcements, traffic, or approaching people
- Gym-goers who want music without losing awareness of equipment, spotters, or classes around them
- Anyone with ear sensitivities — chronic ear infections, discomfort from in-ear pressure, or hearing aid users who find traditional earbuds physically uncomfortable or incompatible
- Budget-conscious buyers who want a genuine entry point into bone conduction rather than paying a premium for features like extended battery life or higher water resistance they don't necessarily need
Poor Fit For
- Bass enthusiasts and audiophiles who prioritize deep, powerful low-end over safety-driven design
- Swimmers needing submersion-rated audio
- Anyone wanting noise cancellation to block out a noisy office, flight, or open-plan workspace as a primary use case (Ear-Plug Mode helps, but it's a workaround, not true ANC)
- Frequent multitasking listeners who switch constantly between two paired devices, such as a laptop and a phone, without a manual re-pair
- Buyers with narrower head shapes who may find the fixed, non-adjustable band doesn't sit securely enough for high-intensity training
How It Stacks Up Against the Alternatives
The OpenMove doesn't exist in isolation — it sits at the entry point of Shokz's own bone conduction lineup, and understanding that positioning helps clarify whether it's the right tier for your needs or whether stepping up (or looking elsewhere entirely) makes more sense.
| Consideration | Shokz OpenMove | Shokz OpenRun / OpenRun Pro (typical positioning) | Traditional sealed earbuds (e.g. AirPods-style) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ear canal contact | None — open-ear, bone conduction | None — open-ear, bone conduction | Seals ear canal |
| Situational awareness | Excellent | Excellent | Requires a "transparency" mode workaround |
| Bass depth | Modest | Improved over OpenMove | Strongest of the three |
| Water resistance | IP55 (sweat, light rain) | Higher-rated on Pro models | Varies, often lower than IP55 |
| Charging | USB-C, standard speed | Often longer battery, sometimes proprietary charging | Fast charging common |
| Price position | Entry-level | Mid-to-premium | Wide range |
Within Shokz's own range, the OpenMove is deliberately the accessible option — it trades some bass depth, extended battery life, and higher water resistance for a genuinely lower price point, making it the sensible starting point if you've never tried bone conduction and want to find out whether the concept suits you before spending more.
Against conventional sealed earbuds, the comparison isn't really about which sounds "better" in a vacuum — it's about what you're optimizing for. Sealed buds win decisively on bass and outright audio fidelity. The OpenMove wins decisively on safety and awareness for anyone training or commuting outdoors. These are different tools for different jobs, and buyers chasing audiophile sound quality should look at conventional headphones instead.
The Honest Verdict: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Who Should Buy
The Shokz OpenMove succeeds at exactly what it sets out to do. The bone conduction sound quality is a genuine step forward from the muddy, thin reputation the technology carried in its early years, the build is light enough to forget you're wearing it, and the IP55 rating means weather and sweat aren't a concern for typical outdoor training. The inclusion of three EQ modes, particularly Ear-Plug Mode, shows thoughtful design rather than a checkbox feature list, and USB-C charging removes a common headache from older bone conduction headsets.
The honest weaknesses are just as clear. The one-size band won't suit every head shape, and buyers with smaller or narrower heads should be aware fit issues are a recurring theme in owner feedback. Bass response, while improved, is still the compromise you accept in exchange for open-ear awareness — it's not going to satisfy anyone chasing thumping low-end. The lack of an included charging adaptor and the absence of fast charging are minor but real inconveniences worth planning around, and glasses wearers will want to try the fit before assuming it's seamless.
For its price point, the OpenMove is a well-judged entry into bone conduction audio rather than a compromised budget product. If your primary use case is outdoor training, commuting, or any scenario where hearing your surroundings matters as much as hearing your music, this is a sound purchase and a sensible starting point in the category. If you're chasing deep bass, true noise isolation, or you know from experience that ear-hook and headband designs don't sit well on your head shape, you're better served either stepping up to a higher Shokz tier with improved fit hardware or choosing a conventional sealed pair of headphones instead.
What People Say
144 commentsShokz OpenMove Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
I recently purchased the Shokz OpenMove Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, and overall, I found them to be a solid choice for anyone in need of versatile, multi-device connectivity and decent sound quality. However, there were a few drawbacks that may affect certain users' comfort and overall satisfaction.
Firstly, let's start with the positives. The sound quality of these headphones is impressive. Whether I was listening to music or taking calls, the audio was clear and crisp, delivering an enjoyable listening experience. One standout feature for me was the ability to pair the headphones with two devices simultaneously. This was a major selling point for me as I frequently juggle between my work phone and personal phone. Having the convenience of seamlessly switching between devices for music and calls was a game-changer.
However, when it comes to comfort, I encountered some issues. The band of the headphones felt a bit too large for my head, and despite not falling off during use, the tightness of the connection caused discomfort and even headaches after prolonged wear. While the headphones stayed securely in place during workouts and other physical activities, the discomfort dampened the overall experience.
In conclusion, the Shokz OpenMove Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are a solid choice for those who prioritize multi-device connectivity and sound quality. However, potential buyers should be aware of the comfort issue, particularly if they have smaller heads or are sensitive to tight-fitting headphones. If the fit is right for you, these headphones would be suitable for gym sessions and other physical activities where stability is crucial.
Overall, I would recommend these headphones with the caveat that users ensure a comfortable fit before committing to a purchase.
Pros:
Good sound quality
Dual device pairing capability
Cons:
Comfort may be an issue for some users
Band size may not fit smaller heads well
Not what I expected
Thought about buying the bone conduction headphones for sometime.
Not as good as I expected. When wearing a coat with a collar or hood, I find they get pushed forward and out of place.
Also if watching the TV , I have found the same issue with the back cushion of the sofa.
Must be a joggers item. If wearing a lower collar and not too much neck movement then these are ideal.
Also find if windy while outside you can't hear the music as well. Have to put volume right up, then can still find it difficult.
In a quiet environment while at a desk I find these easy to wear.
Music quality is great, also you don't suffer from sore ears as with the buds.
Bought them now, will use them where the occasion suits.
Still prefer the bud type earphones. Just need to alternate between if ears get sore from longer use. The shokz have a really good battery life which would be great if a had the right occasion the wear for a long time.
Not used to access in coming calls yet. Used once when calling out. Didn't have an issue with hearing or speaking to the other person.
AfterShokz OpenMove
Bought for daily walks as my earbuds always make my ears itch and work loose, and I am too old to walk the streets in ‘cans’ with any credibility.
These are a great concept. As a bonus I get to hear traffic approaching and can respond to conversations without the need to remove them.
They are a little awkward to position with my current glasses and a hat, but settle down after a while. They are not uncomfortable, but feel unusual at the moment. Audio quality is good, if lacking in bass, but they are for listening to music rather than the equipment, so I don’t find it an issue.
Bluetooth synchs well with my IOS devices and I have not encountered any problems pairing. Handy to have a pause and resume button as well as volume, and I’m pleased to note that they are not touch sensitive as are my old earbuds, which used to stop the music every time I touched them to reposition.
No regrets from my purchase and I feel safer as a result.
Openmove wireless headphones
Bought for my hubby for Xmas.( I would add we are both in our late 70’s) His hearing is not that good. I have bought him Bluetooth headphones in the past and they have been invaluable. We travel quite a lot and cannot tolerate the earbuds that fix inside of his ear. I was a bit nervous purchasing these, but got some advice from my son, who assured me that they should work well for him. Apart from being pleasantly surprised at his present, he has found them to be lightweight and the ability to hear the phone/doorbell ringing has been such a bonus. He hasn’t used on a flight as yet but will be in 2 weeks time. I found the introduction information was very helpful for me to make the decision to buy. Hopefully, he can now enjoy the tv/computer with ease.
Great for jogging
I would only recommend these for use in sport such as jogging as the sound quality won't compete with decent headphones but the sound is good enough for a run (unless by a busy/noisy road in which case you would probably only hear the traffic). Both me and my wife found no problems with the fit; they haven't fallen off yet! The battery life is better than expected, the headphone battery life easily out performs the mobile phone battery anyway. The headphone does have controls to skip songs, adjust volume etc but a bit of a faff if say you want to pause or check battery life (possible but I can never remember how to without a manual). I am impressed that you can still hear sounds (as they don't go in your ear) and your music at the same time.
Terrible fit
I was really confident buying these because of all the good reviews but they proved a very bad purchase! They are not adjustable, and one size does not fit everyone: I could fit four fingers in the gap between the back of my head and the headphones, which meant they shifted (and the sound quality changed) almost every time I moved. I couldn't wear them with a hat, a headband or anything with a collar/high neck. The weight of them also folded my ears in half, which looked absolutely ridiculous. Recommend buying them somewhere you can try them on in person; more expensive models come in different sizes. Argos would not accept a return because they weren’t faulty, so I had to resell at a loss
Work very well for the hard of hearing
I bought these for my brother, who has massive hearing loss and uses hearing aids. These headphones work with and without his hearing aids. He can now answer his phone and I don't have to shout and repeat myself. He is also getting great pleasure from his music again. The headset is lightweight and comfortable. Having his ears uncovered, means he can hear other conversations and they're not causing earache which normal headphones do because he had to have the volume very high. I've tried them and am going to purchase a set for myself.
The only connectivity problem we had was with a kindle fire, but it is 10+ years old but it's connected to his phone and TV very easily.
Just what I needed
Have been using these head sets for just over 2 months. Good quality and excellent sound. Main use is for walking. On country lanes I am able to tune the music to a level to also hear the natural sounds such as birds. Very important to hear the traffic in this situation as using enclosed headsets put you at risk. Around the house it is very handy to keep you in the room with others but at the same time listening to programs music etc on the tablet/phone without disturbing them. Great for hands free conversations. There is no lag when watching programs ie no lip sync lag. Great for home gym and watching programs etc on tab.
Totally recommend
I brought one because my excessive use of good in ear buds has caused a build up of ear wax. This is a similar problem to hearing aid users. Further I felt unsafe driving cut off from ambient sounds. My use of ear budsis listening to catch up radio. These head phones are ideal. Yes they don't adjust for size but do not slip off a normal sized head. No issues at all. The sound quality is fine, absolutely fine. Having read other reviews this concerned me, but it's not a problem. If you want superb sound in a darkened room maybe go for cans, yes, but as an example it's fine for difficult pieces like "Lark Asending'
Pretty decent
Took me a while to get use to them but now that I have they are pretty decent. Not the best sound quality but then they don't live in the ear like standard earplugs/headphones do. However though, the sound is decent enough.
They do the job that they were purchased for, to enable me to listen my favourite radio station or my music while out cycling and allowing me to still be able to hear whats happening around me.
The only real issue that I have is how they fit. They keep slipping and or getting court on my collar while I am cycling. Again, just need to get use to it
Very happy
Very pleased, battery has been lasting for over 9 hours play time.
Best hands free quality for calls I've experienced.
Ok with specs on.
Happy with volume, even with window open driving a lorry.
Obviously not as loud as in ear Buds but great if you want awareness of your surroundings.
A bit more pricey than a lot on offer but only time will tell if the quality has more longevity than the cheaper brands.
I was put off buying the higher model with built in mp3 player due to price and worried I was wasting my money, but now wish I had gone for them.
Nice piece of tech but not suitable for me
I bought this to replace a cheap pair of wired on-ear headphones I used for cycling. I liked the idea of no restriction of head movement (due to no wires) and still being able to hear traffic. The sound quality is good for what they are - not hi-fi standard but good enough for exercising.
Unfortunately, they don't allow me to lift my head while cycling - they get caught on the back of my head/neck if I try to raise my head which means I am planning to return them.
Good product, but just not for me (maybe I have and odd shaped head)
Great running headphones
I bought these to wear as I ran the Manchester marathon a couple of weeks ago and England Athletics won't allow you to wear head or earphones. The sound quality is good and I feel that they are worth the money. I must admit that I didn't think I would get on with them as I am so used to wearing AirPods but actually they're ok and I now have awareness around me as you can hear the traffic or hold a conversation. These also have the same functionality as AirPods in that you can skip tracks and answer phone calls whilst on the move.
Interesting Alternative
I purchased these as an option to wear whilst cycling to work. The quality is pretty good but don't expect the same experience as using a decent pair of traditional headphones. I find these work best with spoken word media like podcasts. When listening to music, if you you turn the sound up too loud I noticed the vibrations started to make my ear itch was a little odd but you do get used to it.
Overall it's definitely worth considering these as an option, especially if you want something to wear on your commute.
Brilliant for glasses and hearing aid users!
I have both glasses and hearing aids (non-Bluetooth) so if I want to ‘hear’ tv or listen to music, I wear either over-the-ear headphones or AirPod Pros which necessitates removing my hearing aids. With the OpenMoves, I can leave my ‘aids in place and listen to tv/music using the Bluetooth connection whilst also being aware of sounds around me - great if not alone as you can still hold a conversation! The OpenMoves do not interfere with glasses either, so I can watch tv and hear the sound as well - very useful!
Theyare just Great
I bought them this month, about 3 weeks ago. I used them with an Iphone and with a android tablet. The sound is really good, carefull cuase if you've got the volume on your device on high they can actually be too loud. Battery wise also very good, listening to music for about 8 hours and using the phone with an average of more then 5 phone calls a day it's lasting about 2 and a half to 3 days. So yes I'm very pleased. And you can still hear your soroundings with out problems, even have some small talk
Absolutely Amazing !!
I am a runner and I wanted something that enabled me to run with music a little more safely.
I'd heard amazing reviews about these on running sites so thought I would give them a go.
They quite literally are perfect. They offer great sound whilst enabling you to still hear your surroundings, hazards such as cars, people on bikes trying to get past you, dogs etc.
They really are worth every penny. I bought myself and my husband a pair and we both absolutely love them !!!
Highly reccomended !!!
Nice product but with a drawback
This is the first time I bought bone conduction headphones as my main use is for cycling and running. They surprised me with how well they conduct sound without something stuck in my ear. However, I don't think this model is very comfortable. These need to be clamped on your head and therefore push lightly on your head sides. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but I noticed on bumpy bike rides they would occasionally shift out of place, which significantly reduced their audibility.
Impulse buy
I bought these for my holidays after trying a friend's headphones. I think they are good. I do have a small head tho and they are a bit big for me. Also a thing to note, is if there is a lot off background noise, it is hard to hear the headphones. So i was using them on the plane over to Canada. I had forgotten how noisy plane engines were and had to put them on full volune to watch a movie. I dont like ear buds in my ears tho, so this was still a better option.
Great head phones
As someone who doesn’t like ear pods or anything that sits inside the ear . These are perfect for me personally as they sit comfortably over the ears I can listen to my music while I’m running and still can hear everything happening around me . I went for the cheaper option as the more expensive had extra functions that I wouldn’t need . These are great for outdoors stuff I wouldn’t say personally there great for indoors unless your walking around the house .
