Emma Mattress UK: Prices, Reviews and Best Buy
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The best running headphones depend on what matters most to you: hearing traffic and other runners, keeping the earbuds secure, getting strong sound or having active noise cancellation. Two particularly well-supported options are the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.
Runner’s World named the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 its best overall running headphone in its 2026 guide, while RTINGS named the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 its best tested running headphones. The Shokz uses an open-ear design, whereas the Beats uses ear hooks and in-ear buds.
Below are six notable options, followed by guidance on fit, safety, battery life and UK prices.
| Model | Best suited to | What the evidence says |
|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | Hearing your surroundings | Runner’s World’s best overall choice; open-ear design, IP55, Bluetooth 5.3 and up to 12 hours’ battery life |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Secure in-ear listening | RTINGS’ best tested running headphones; ear hooks, ANC, transparency mode and pulse tracking |
| JLab Go Sport+ | Budget buying | Runner’s World and iRunFar both identify it as a budget choice |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Apple users seeking an all-round option | iRunFar identifies it as its best overall running headphone |
| Shokz OpenFit Air | Open-ear listening | iRunFar identifies it as its best open-ear model |
| H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro | Water resistance | iRunFar identifies it as its best water-resistant option |
These categories come from several buying guides rather than a single universal ranking. Runner’s World provides its own awards, while SoundGuys’ running-headphone guide covers in-ear, over-ear, open-ear, clip-on and wired designs. Comfort, stability and awareness of your surroundings vary between runners.
Choose Shokz if hearing your surroundings matters most; choose Beats if an ear-hook fit matters more. Both are wireless Bluetooth options, but their designs solve different problems.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 specifications at John Lewis include an open-ear design, IP55 protection, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C charging and up to 12 hours of battery life. John Lewis lists its weight as 30.3g and its price as £169.00. Open-ear headphones leave the ear canal unobstructed, which makes them a practical choice when you want to remain aware of nearby sounds.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 product information at John Lewis lists ear hooks, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, pulse tracking and IPX4 protection. The earbuds provide up to 10 hours of battery life, or up to 8 hours with ANC switched on, and the charging case extends total battery life to up to 45 hours. John Lewis lists the price as £199.00.
RTINGS describes ear hooks as a stabilising feature and says open headphones or bone-conduction designs can make it easier to hear your surroundings.
Look first for ear hooks or a stable open-ear structure. Ear hooks physically support the earbuds around the outer ear, while open-ear and bone-conduction designs avoid relying on a conventional sealed ear tip.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is the clearest documented choice for runners who want ear hooks. The design is paired with ANC, transparency mode and pulse tracking, so it offers more control over how much outside sound reaches you. Its IPX4 rating is not waterproofing.
For runners who dislike anything inserted into the ear, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 uses an open-ear format. Its IP55 rating, Bluetooth 5.3 connection and up to 12-hour battery life also make it a practical option for regular outdoor sessions.
Fit still matters in practice: the frame or hooks should sit securely without pressure. A model can have excellent specifications and still feel wrong if it rubs, moves or becomes uncomfortable during your stride. SoundGuys identifies stable fit, clear bass and resistance to water as important running-headphone criteria.
| Brand and model | Key design | UK price listed in the evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 | Open-ear; IP55; Bluetooth 5.3; up to 12 hours | £169.00 at John Lewis and £169.00 at Argos |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Ear hooks; ANC; transparency mode; pulse tracking; IPX4 | £199.00 at John Lewis |
The prices shown are the listed UK prices for these retailers. You can also find the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 at Argos.
Open-ear or bone-conduction headphones are particularly suitable for outdoor running when hearing your surroundings matters. In-ear headphones with ear hooks are better for runners who prioritise a secure fit, more isolated sound or noise cancellation.
Open-ear headphones sit outside the ear canal. Bone-conduction headphones transmit sound through vibrations near the cheekbones rather than sealing the ear canal. Conventional in-ear models sit inside the ear, while over-ear headphones surround the ear with larger cushions. Wired headphones use a physical cable instead of Bluetooth.
Choose by route and preference:
Check three specifications before buying: connection type, battery duration and protection rating. Bluetooth removes the cable, while battery life determines whether the headphones cover your longest run without charging.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and offers up to 12 hours of battery life. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offers up to 10 hours in the earbuds, up to 8 hours with ANC and up to 45 hours in total with the charging case. TechRadar also reports that some running headphones offer up to 10 hours per charge, around 8 hours with ANC and up to 45 hours with a case.
IP ratings describe resistance to dust or water under specified conditions. The Shokz has an IP55 rating and the Beats an IPX4 rating. SoundGuys recommends water resistance for running, while John Lewis describes suitable running headphones as light, comfortable, sweat-resistant and stable.
Over-ear and wired designs are available categories, but the strongest documented recommendations here focus on wireless in-ear, open-ear and bone-conduction models. Over-ear headphones may provide a different fit and listening experience, while wired headphones avoid battery charging. Their suitability depends on how securely they stay in place and whether the cable or larger ear cups interfere with your movement.
SoundGuys includes over-ear and wired models among the running-headphone formats it covers. A running headphone should still meet the same practical tests: stable fit, resistance to sweat or water and an appropriate level of awareness of your surroundings.
Runner’s World named Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 its best overall running headphone, while RTINGS named Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 its best tested running headphone. Shokz suits runners who want open-ear awareness; Beats suits those who want ear hooks, ANC and pulse tracking.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 has ear hooks designed to help stabilise the earbuds. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is another option for runners who prefer an open-ear structure rather than an inserted earbud.
