In most situations, noise-canceling earbuds are favored by many; however, for running, the preference often shifts to options that allow ambient noise, such as approaching cars or dogs, to be heard. For those sharing this preference, Suunto’s new Sonic headphones are currently available for purchase at Amazon and directly from Suunto for $129, which is $20 off the regular price. Additionally, the Suunto Wing headphones, which come equipped with a power bank and additional features, can be obtained from Amazon and Suunto for $169, reflecting a $30 discount.
Though these headphones are more expensive than other open-ear options, such as those from Shokz, the Suunto Sonic and Wing utilize bone conduction technology to transmit sound through the cheekbones instead of the ear canal. While not on par with dedicated in-ear models like the Beats Fit Pro in terms of bass or volume, they do offer a comfortable wraparound design, satisfactory sound quality, and an estimated battery life of 10 hours. The more premium Wing model includes features such as LED lighting, enhanced IP67 waterproofing, and a power bank that provides an additional 20 hours of charge. It also boasts head motion controls, a feature that Victoria Song of The Verge found to be somewhat finicky during her testing. Nevertheless, users are not required to control music playback or answer calls by shaking their heads.