I put my Shokz away within seconds of testing these bone conduction headphones

Suunto Wing 2 bone conduction headphones

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Suunto Wing 2 is obtainable for $179 in black and coral orange.
• The implausible audio high quality, new voice prompts, and lengthy battery life mix to make this a compelling headset.
• The lights are mounted on the highest of the headset, so when you’ve got lengthy hair or put on a hat, they could possibly be obscured.

I want music after I work out. Particularly, traditional rock. It motivates me to maintain going, so having a headset paired with my watch or cellphone is a should. I’ve discovered bone conduction headphones to be probably the most snug format for me after I train, and the brand new Suunto Wing 2 is the most effective pair I’ve examined in years.

I examined their predecessor final yr, the Suunto Wing, and so they impressed me with LED security lights, lengthy battery life, and distinctive head motion controls. The brand new Suunto Wing 2 launches at $20 much less, provides two new security mild modes, and improves the sound high quality to be the last word in bone conduction expertise. 

Additionally: Best bone conduction headphones: We’ve tested the best models for your next swim, hike, or run

What’s extra, after they’re paired with a Suunto watch (like the brand new Race 2), you may get real-time voice suggestions that features tempo, distance, coronary heart price, and different metrics aimed to maintain you centered so you do not have to maintain your watch. 

Along with holding my ears open to remain conscious of my environment, the headset’s behind-the-neck design retains them securely connected, even when I am performing an train or exercise with excessive actions. 

The shape issue additionally lends itself to lengthy battery life, with the Suunto Wing 2 lasting as much as 12 hours, and the included battery energy financial institution offering one other 24 hours. 10 minutes of charging supplies as much as three hours of listening.

Talking of charging, Suunto contains the battery financial institution that was additionally part of the unique Suunto Wing design. Nonetheless, on the Wing 2, the buttons have been redesigned so there’s now one lengthy button, permitting area for the standard USB-C port. This now provides you the pliability to fast cost through USB-C or take alongside the ability financial institution for charging on the go.

A multi-function button positioned on the outer left a part of the headset that goes over your ear supplies you with management over the pinnacle motion controls, LED mild activation, voice assistant entry, track and name management, and extra. The pinnacle motion controls and neck assessments from the Wing are additionally current within the Wing 2.

I already cherished the security side of the LED lights on the highest outer edges of the headset, however with the Wing 2 Suunto added two new modes for enhanced security. When you put on the headset whereas biking, you’ll be able to allow flip and brake mode so the LED mild on the facet of your head the place you flip will mild up so it acts like a flip sign. When you decelerate or cease whereas on this mode then each lights will flash to alert folks and autos behind you.

Additionally: My favorite bone conduction headphones have 3 invaluable safety features

The opposite new security mode is cadence sync, working equally to the Garmin’s LED flashlight capabilities. The lights on either side of the Wing 2 will pulse in sync along with your operating cadence. I favor utilizing this mode whereas operating at the hours of darkness because it helps to light up me and since I solely run outdoors, I want further lighting to verify I am seen to anybody (pedestrians and vehicles alike) round me.

I do not make many calls whereas out operating, however generally whereas path operating or mountain climbing I must reply calls. The Suunto Wing 2 has twin microphones with AI-powered environmental noise cancellation and a steel mesh windscreen to assist with clear calls on either side of the dialog. Suunto states that the Wing 2 noise cancellation will even work at speeds as much as 30 kph.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I used to be already impressed with the efficiency and security options of the Wing, however now the Suunto Wing 2 takes issues to the following stage. The helpful LED mild controls, improved audio efficiency, and higher charging choices when the cradle will not be in my gear bag contribute to a well-optimized pair of bone conduction headphones. 

Mix the Suunto Wing 2 with a Suunto watch for the last word in coaching audio help, simply notice that the watches do not have native apps for subscription music companies like Spotify.