Nothing Ear (1) vs Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The Verdict
Nothing Ear (1) and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 serve distinctly different use cases. Nothing Ear (1) delivers traditional in-ear sound with active noise cancellation, boasting 11.6mm dynamic drivers and dual ANC modes for immersive listening at $99, though battery life is modest at 4 hours with ANC enabled. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 employs bone conduction technology with air conduction bass, prioritizing safety and awareness for workouts and outdoor activities with impressive 12-hour battery life and IP55 durability, commanding a $179.95 premium. Sound quality favors Nothing's closed design for bass and detail, while Shokz excels in situational awareness and comfort during extended exercise. For commuting and casual listening, Nothing Ear (1) is the superior choice. For sports, running, or environments requiring environmental awareness, Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 wins decisively.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Ear (1) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- →ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- →Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
Buy the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 if…
- →Open-ear design ideal for runners and cyclists
- →Big bass improvement over original OpenRun Pro
- →Very lightweight and secure fit
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nothing Ear (1)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
- Squeeze gesture controls are intuitive and precise
- Qi wireless charging case adds convenience
Cons
- 4-hour ANC battery life is quite short
- No multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
- ANC is mild — doesn't match premium competitors
- Limited codec support — AAC and SBC only
- Transparent case shows dust and scratches easily
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Pros
- Open-ear design ideal for runners and cyclists
- Big bass improvement over original OpenRun Pro
- Very lightweight and secure fit
- Switched to USB-C charging
Cons
- Sound quality cannot match traditional headphones
- No active noise cancellation by design
- Only SBC codec supported
- Not ideal for noisy environments
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Ear (1) | Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | on-ear |
| Weight | 4.7 g (each) | 30 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4 hrs (ANC on), 5.7 hrs (ANC off), 24 hrs total with case (ANC off) | 12 hours |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless | USB-C, 5 min = 2.5 hours quick charge |
| Drivers | 11.6mm dynamic driver | DualPitch (bone conduction + air conduction bass) |
| Features | Active Noise Cancellation with two modes (Light and Maximum), Transparency Mode, In-ear detection for auto play/pause, Nothing app with EQ customization, Squeeze gesture controls on stems | Bone conduction with air conduction bass driver, Open-ear design for situational awareness, Multipoint pairing, USB-C charging, IP55 sweat and dust resistance |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP55 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Nothing products or all Shokz products. View full details for the Nothing Ear (1) or the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2.