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Head-to-head · Best Wireless Running Headphones Under $200

Anker Soundcore Sport X20 vs Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Anker Soundcore Sport X20 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Best for budget runners wanting waterproof IP68 over-ear hooks under $100 — read the strengths below before deciding.

Anker Soundcore Sport X20
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Wireless Running Headphones Under $200
Anker Soundcore Sport X20
3 sources2 derived$79.99as of Aug 1

The Soundcore Sport X20 is a hooked, IP68-rated workout earbud at $79.99, and durability is what it sells. The hooks extend and rotate to lock the buds in during hard efforts, the buds can be rinsed under a tap afterwards, and battery life is 12 hours with noise cancelling switched off. Cancellation itself is competent rather than class-leading, and the case has no wireless charging. Runners and gym users who want buds that survive sweat and stay put will be happy; anyone shopping on sound quality alone should look further up the range.

Strengths
  • — IP68 water and dust resistance allows for washing under running water
  • — 12-hour battery life without ANC, dropping to 7 hours with ANC enabled
  • — Secure fit provided by soft, swiveling around-ear hooks for intense workouts
Watch-outs
  • — Charging case lacks wireless charging capability
  • — Noise cancellation performance is average compared to higher-priced competitors
$79.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Ranked #3 in Best Wireless Running Headphones Under $200
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
6 sources$179.95as of Aug 1

Bone conduction with sound worth listening to is the pitch, and CNET's 8.6 out of 10 says it mostly lands. The OpenRun Pro 2 adds an air-conduction driver to the usual cheekbone transducers, which is what finally gives the category some bass. It weighs 26 grams, runs 14 hours and leaves your ears open to traffic. What Hi-Fi was the dissenter at 3 out of 5, and the $179.95 price is the other sticking point.

Strengths
  • — Significantly improved audio quality with deeper bass and clearer mids compared to previous bone-conduction models
  • — Lightweight and secure fit that stays in place during intense running and movement
  • — Open-ear design allows users to hear ambient traffic and surroundings for safety
Watch-outs
  • — Bass and detail still fall short of sealed in-ear headphones, which is why What Hi-Fi scored it 3 out of 5
  • — At $179.95 it costs considerably more than Shokz's own single-driver OpenRun
  • — The open-ear design leaks audible sound at high volume and isolates nothing
$179.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAnker Soundcore Sport X20Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Driver Size11mm11mm
Water ResistanceIP68IP55
Battery Life12 hours (ANC off)14 hours
Bluetooth Version5.3Bluetooth
Weight50 g26g
Fit TypeIn-EarBone Conduction
Bluetooth—5.3 + multipoint
Codecs—SBC, AAC
Mic—Dual noise-canceling
Frequency Response—20 Hz - 20 kHz
Warranty—2-year
← See the full ranking of best wireless running headphones under $200