Introduction
The votes have been cast and the results are in: Shokz is the winner of the 2024 PCMag Readers’ Choice Award for best overall headphones! It marks a landmark in Shokz's history: for the first time, Shokz has become a favorite for those seeking the perfect blend of comfort, safety, and extraordinary experience. This award is based on the feedback of real users, and it comes from one of the most trusted and highly respected sources for technology reviews and news.
What makes this win even more impressive, and surprising, is that Shokz was a write-in vote. This means that loyal fans went out of their way to tout the quality of Shokz headphones. Here’s a little more about it:
Methodology
The data was collected from a survey given to a subset of PCMag subscribers. They were asked to rate products they use on a scale of 0-10, where 10 is the best. A blank in the table meant that there weren’t enough responses to produce a statistically valid score for that manufacturer and that question.
Because the purpose of the survey was to compare manufacturers with each other, the category averages aren’t the average of every respondent’s rating. They’re instead the average of each manufacturer’s rating. However, the overall satisfaction score is not the average of all the scores in the table. It’s based on reader responses to the following question: “Overall, how satisfied are you with your device/service?”
Ultimately, the Readers’ Choice Awards are chosen by the PCMag editors, based on all the ratings. But the most emphasis was placed on overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.
What made Shokz win this award?
Shokz scored the highest among all other big brands in overall satisfaction, comfort, ease of use, and setup. The scores ranged from 9.2 to an incredible 9.5 and can be attributed to the groundbreaking technology, ergonomic design, and accessibility of all the Shokz products.
Technology
Shokz uses bone conduction technology, in which sounds are transmitted directly to the inner ear via the temporal bone. This means the ear canal remains unobstructed, allowing users to maintain situational awareness.
In 2023, Shokz introduced DirectPitchTM Technology, revolutionizing sound transmission by creating an optimized sound field with varying pressure distribution. In 2024, Shokz pushed the envelope even further with DualPitchTM Technology, which assigns the higher frequencies to an ultra-thin bone conduction driver and the low-pitch sound waves to an air conduction driver, delivering clearer highs and a deeper bass.
Design
With flexible, ergonomically shaped ear hooks, Shokz products are designed to be comfortable and secure. They also use lightweight materials, like ultra-thin Ni-Ti memory alloy and silicone, to ensure effortless listening.
Functionality
The latest Shokz products, like the OpenRun Pro 2 and OpenSwim Pro, have just three buttons yet they allow users to play music, answer calls, pair with multiple devices, and switch between multiple EQ modes. It’s refreshing to have so many features and not needing to memorize complex instructions to enjoy them.
Disadvantages
Shokz is honest about the fact that bone conduction headphones are not usually praised for their sound quality. In fact, this was the category in which it scored the lowest, with a rating of 8.5. That said, Shokz has worked tirelessly to improve in this area.
Through developments like DualPitchTM Technology, the all-new OpenRun Pro 2 offers listeners a more robust and immersive soundscape, minimizing vibrations and reducing sound leakage. Many customers have lauded it for delivering crisp, powerful audio.
What this award means to Shokz？
This award recognizes Shokz’s commitment to delivering exceptional user experiences. Without the unwavering support and enthusiasm of such a loyal customer base, Shokz would not be able to keep innovating new products with so much zeal.
Though symbolizing Shokz ranked the highest among industry giants, this award is also a reminder that the journey is far from over. By continuing to prioritize product research and development, Shokz aims to constantly push the boundaries of innovation in order to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers.
Every athlete will tell you the same thing: winning a prestigious award is a significant milestone, and it’s cause for much celebration, but it’s not the finish line. Continued growth and improvement – that’s the true finish line. Shokz has now set the bar even higher. We’re excited about the unknown surprises that may lie in store.
Conclusion
Of all the headphone brands on the market, Shokz was selected as the 2024 winner of the PCMag Readers’ Choice Award for best overall headphones. It’s an honor and a privilege. Not only does this award exemplify Shokz’s reputation as a provider of high-quality products, but it also speaks to the satisfaction of our customers, who feel that Shokz headphones consistently deliver on their expectations.
Many thanks to PCMag’s editors and subscribers, and all the loyal fans out there, for your recognition and support. Shokz headphones offer exceptional sound quality, along with comfort, ease of use, and long battery life. To learn more about our different products, please visit Shokz.
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