2024 Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones: PCMag Readers’ Choice

Introduction

As the holidays approach and you consider gifting a friend or loved one a new pair of headphones, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of brands and varieties on the market. From in-ear to open-ear, wired to wireless, and air conduction to bone conduction, the choices are dizzying and the differences meaningful yet hard to parse. In this article, we’ll discuss the key factors to think about when choosing your ideal headphones.

A great place to start is by looking at end-of-year accolades from the top media outlets, like PCMag. Last month, they released the top headphone brands of 2024, in which Shokz won the Readers’ Choice Award for best overall headphones. This was based on a survey given to a subset of PCMag subscribers, who were asked to rate products they use on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the best. The most emphasis was placed on overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend. Shokz’s victory is significant, given that PCMag is one of the most trusted and respected sources within the tech industry. Here’s a little more about it:

Why Shokz Won This Award？

Among all other big brands, Shokz scored the highest in comfort, ease of use, setup, and overall satisfaction, with scores ranging from 9.2 to a remarkable 9.5. This is a reflection of the design, functionality, and sophisticated technology of all Shokz products.

Using lightweight materials, like ultra-thin Ni-Ti memory alloy and silicone, and flexible, ergonomically shaped ear hooks, Shokz products are designed to be both comfortable and secure. They also offer scores of useful features with intuitive button controls, from multipoint pairing to EQ modes that optimize listening. And best of all, Shokz products are built with our signature open-ear design and industry-leading technology, allowing users to be open to the world and maintain situational awareness.

Key Considerations for Choosing Headphones

When choosing headphones, you want to consider a variety of factors. The most important are fit, sound quality, noise-canceling capability, stability, reliability, and after-sales service. Here’s a little more on each one: 

Comfort

If you’re going to be listening to audio for long periods of time, you want to make sure that your headphones won’t get in the way. Different elements can affect comfort level, from weight to materials to design structure. Ideally, you want your headphones to be light enough to ensure effortless listening, but also flexible enough to mold to your ears.

While most brands use an over-ear design, Shokz uses an ergonomic and flexible ear-hook design to ensure a soft, pliable fit. 

Sound Quality

Sound quality will always be near the top of the list, since it directly influences your listening experience. The best headphones are known for their accurate sound reproduction, delivering audio that’s rich, detailed, and balanced. When thinking about sound quality, you should consider factors like frequency response, sound leakage and distortion. Excessive vibrations can also lead to discomfort, especially when listening for prolonged periods of time. 

Although bone conduction headphones aren’t usually praised for their sound quality, Shokz has worked tirelessly to improve in this area. With groundbreaking developments like DirectPitchTM and DualPitchTM Technology, Shokz headphones can provide listeners with immersive soundscapes while minimizing direct damage to the eardrum.  

Surrounding Awareness

One of the more popular features these days is noise cancellation. If you like to casually listen to audio in crowded environments, this can be a useful way to block out distraction. However, if you primarily listen to audio while exercising, then reduced awareness of your surroundings can pose significant risks. In outdoor environments, for instance, you may not be able to hear approaching vehicles, construction equipment, or other potential hazards. 

Unlike most brands, Shokz features its signature open-ear design on all of its products, allowing you to enjoy your audio while staying aware of your surroundings.    

Stability

It’s important for your headphones to fit snugly against your ears and stay securely in place, especially if you have an active lifestyle. Constant shifting can disrupt the audio and also cause skin irritation. 

Shokz headphones prioritize slip-free listening. With their ergonomic ear-hook design, they gently wrap around different ear curves, ensuring comfort and stability. 

Reliability

Because buying new headphones is a long-term investment, it’s worth looking into established brands, which often offer premium quality and durability. Their commitment to R&D also ensures that their products will meet the highest standards. 

But the mark of true reliability is a long-lasting battery life. A great pair of headphones will not only provide hours of playback, but they’ll also have quick-charge capabilities that can give you a nice boost when you’re in a pinch.  

As an industry leader since its inception in 2011, Shokz has filed over 4,300 patents globally in the open-ear space, and its headphones offer anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of battery life, with hours of additional juice from Quick Charge capabilities. Meanwhile, its earbuds offer a staggering 28 hours of battery life with the charging box.

Tech Support & Service

If complications should ever arise, you want to be able to troubleshoot with trusted professionals. That’s where tech support and after-sales service come into play. Look for brands that have a robust customer support network of dedicated professionals who’re willing and able to provide assistance, repairs, and replacements when needed.

With Shokz, every new pair of headphones that’s bought from the official website  comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty. And if you ever have any questions or problems, you can always visit the Shokz Help Center for personalized support and troubleshooting. 

Shokz Headphones Recommendation

Shokz offers a variety of premium headphones for every kind of budget and lifestyle. Below are some of our most popular and technologically advanced products:

OpenRun Pro 2

Released just a few months ago, the OpenRun Pro 2 is the all-new flagship headphone from Shokz. Featuring DualPitchTM technology for top-tier sound, dual microphones for crystal clear calls, and an ultra-comfortable fit, these headphones are designed for fitness enthusiasts and audiophiles alike. 

OpenRun Pro

The OpenRun Pro features 9th generation Bone Conduction Technology along with our signature open-ear design for situational awareness and a comfortable fit. With 10 hours of battery life, plus Quick Charge capability, and dual noise-canceling microphones, these headphones are perfect for those who want to push their limits. 

OpenSwim Pro

With its IP68 waterproof rating, the OpenSwim Pro is built to withstand depths of up to 2 m (6.5 ft) for 2 hours. Its dual waterproof mics and Bluetooth/MP3 capabilities also help to ensure seamless transitions between water and land. If you’re an adventurer with an amphibious spirit, then the OpenSwim Pro is the headphone for you. 

Conclusion

When choosing your next pair of headphones, you should take into account a variety of factors, from the sound quality and comfort level to brand reputation and after-sales service. Researching online will help you narrow down your search, but the best way to find your next pair of headphones is to test different models in person.  

Shokz offers a range of multi-functional, high-quality products, whether you’re on the hunt for the latest technology – like the OpenRun Pro 2 – or an affordable pair of headphones to enhance your daily workouts – like the OpenRun. To learn more about how you can give the perfect gift this holiday season, visit Shokz.com.