Headphones are getting smarter — the latest open-ear buds from Suunto offer head movement controls and monitor your 'neck health'

The neck-st generation of performance tech

08 Apr 2026, 16:41 by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/matt-evans · TechRadar

News By Matt Evans published 8 April 2026

(Image credit: Suunto)

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Suunto has released a new set of open-ear headphones, the Suunto Spark
They seem similar to the Shokz OpenFit 2+ at first glance, weighing just 9g each
However, they also offer head movement controls and neck health monitoring

Do you ever wish you had more metrics to worry about on your run? Well, you're in luck: Suunto, maker of some of the best running watches and best running headphones, has released the Suunto Spark open-ear headphones.

The headphones weigh just 9g each, 1g less than the Shokz OpenFit 2+, offer 36 hours of listening with the case, have a titanium ear hook and boast hi-res LHDC 5.0 audio. They're IP55 water- and sweatproof, which means they'll withstand driving rain and sweat, but you shouldn't submerge them in water. They cost £129.99 / AU$309 (US pricing TBC, but the UK price conversion puts it at around $175).

Preset or customizable audio EQ modes are available in the app, but the advantage of open-ear headphones is that you can hear the world around you while you listen, helping you to stay aware of traffic, pedestrians or office conversations. They're ideal for runners, who might want to stay aware on roads while listening to long tunes. Usually, open-ear headphones are the only kind allowed in official races such as marathons.

Article continues below

So far, they're very much in line with the other entries in our best open-ear earbuds list in terms of specifications and price. For reference, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ come in at $199.95 / £179 (about AU$370), so it's nice to see the Suunto coming in a little cheaper.

(Image credit: Suunto)

However, there are also a bunch of extra features we need to talk about, specifically in relation to running.

For starters, the Suunto Spark headphones offers head movement control. Shake your head from side to side while out on a run, and you'll immediately skip the current song on your playlist. You can also use this feature to answer a call.

In a press release, Suunto said: 'Spark extends beyond audio to become a training companion. Real-time insights help runners monitor cadence, stride, and running mechanics, while voice guidance delivers pace, heart rate, distance, and lap updates directly when connected to a Suunto watch.'

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