TurboVS
Suunto Sonic specifications and in-depth review

Suunto Sonic

Manufacturer: Suunto

The Suunto Sonic are open-ear, bone conduction wireless earbuds designed as a neckband-style device with wingtips included for a secure fit during activity. Weighing just 31g, they carry an IP55 water resistance rating and feature bone conduction audio delivery, which leaves the ear canal open rather than sealing it. There is no display, no RGB lighting, and no UV light, keeping the design straightforward and focused on wearability.

Audio performance spans a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz with a sound pressure level of 117 dB/mW and an impedance of 6 Ohms. On the connectivity side, Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive is supported, with a maximum wireless range of 10 metres and multipoint connection to two devices simultaneously. The rechargeable battery delivers 10 hours of playback with a one-hour charge time, and fast charging is supported, though wireless charging is absent. Additional features include a noise-canceling microphone, mute function, voice prompts, a device-mounted control panel, and headset capability, while active noise cancellation, spatial audio, NFC pairing, and an in-line control panel are not available.

Pros
  • Open-ear bone conduction design keeps the ear canal unobstructed, allowing awareness of surrounding sounds during activity
  • Multipoint connectivity lets the earbuds stay paired to two devices at the same time
  • aptX Adaptive support enables higher-quality adaptive bitrate wireless audio transmission
  • The noise-canceling microphone helps reduce background interference during calls
  • Fast charging is supported, reducing downtime between uses
  • A 10-hour battery life with a one-hour full recharge makes day-to-day use straightforward
Cons
  • No active noise cancellation or passive noise isolation means audio is easily affected by environmental noise
  • The maximum Bluetooth range of 10 metres is limited for users who move away from their source device
  • No USB Type-C port, which reduces compatibility with modern charging setups
  • No fast pairing or NFC pairing support, making initial device connection less convenient
  • No ambient sound mode, in/on-ear detection, or find-device feature, limiting smart usability options
  • IP55 rating provides only splash and dust resistance, falling short of full waterproofing for swimming or heavy rain exposure
Who is this for?

The Suunto Sonic suits active users — runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts — who need to remain aware of their environment while listening to audio, thanks to the open-ear bone conduction design that keeps the ear canal fully unobstructed. The IP55 water resistance and lightweight 31g neckband build make it a practical choice for workouts and outdoor sessions where sweat exposure is a regular factor. Users who frequently switch between two paired devices will also benefit from multipoint connectivity, and those who take calls on the go will appreciate the noise-canceling microphone combined with the 10-hour battery and fast charging support.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who prioritize immersive listening or need to block out environmental noise will find this a poor fit, as there is no active noise cancellation or passive isolation of any kind. Swimmers and users who need full waterproofing should look elsewhere, since the IP55 rating does not cover submersion. Those invested in high-resolution or lossless wireless audio ecosystems will be restricted by the absence of LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC, and anyone who relies on smart features like in-ear detection, ambient sound mode, or a find-device function will find the feature set lacking for that kind of use.

Design:

Fit Open-ear, Bone conduction
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP55
water resistance Water resistant
weight 31 g
has no wires or cables ✕
are neckband earbuds ✓
wingtips included ✓
has RGB lighting ✕
has stereo speakers ✓
has UV light ✕
Has a display ✕

The Suunto Sonic use an open-ear, bone conduction fit and are configured as a neckband design with wingtips included for added stability during wear. They weigh 31g and carry an IP55 rating, making them water resistant, though they are not fully waterless — cables are present as this is not a true wireless design. Stereo speakers are built in, while there is no display, no RGB lighting, and no UV light.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC) ✕
has passive noise reduction ✕
lowest frequency 20 Hz
highest frequency 20000 Hz
supports spatial audio ✕
has Dolby Atmos ✕
has Dirac Virtuo ✕
impedance 6 Ohms
sound pressure level 117 dB/mW
has a neodymium magnet ✕

The Suunto Sonic covers a full audible frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz with a sound pressure level of 117 dB/mW and a low impedance of 6 Ohms. Active noise cancellation, passive noise isolation, spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, Dirac Virtuo, and a neodymium magnet are all absent from the specification.

Power:

Battery life 10 hours
charge time 1 hours
has wireless charging ✕
Has a solar power battery ✕
has a battery level indicator ✓
has a rechargeable battery ✓

The Suunto Sonic is equipped with a rechargeable battery offering 10 hours of playback on a single charge, with a full recharge taking approximately one hour. A battery level indicator is included, while wireless charging and solar power are not supported.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing ✕
Has USB Type-C ✕
Bluetooth version 5.2
has LDAC ✕
has LDHC ✕
has Bluetooth LE Audio ✕
has aptX Adaptive ✓
has aptX Low Latency ✕
has aptX HD ✕
has aptX ✕
has aptX Lossless ✕
has aptX Voice ✕
has Auracast ✕
maximum Bluetooth range 10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC ✕
Can be used wirelessly ✓
has AAC ✕

The Suunto Sonic connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.2 with a maximum range of 10 metres, and supports aptX Adaptive as its sole advanced audio codec — LDAC, LDHC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, aptX Voice, and Bluetooth LE Audio are all absent. Fast pairing, NFC pairing, Auracast, and USB Type-C are not available.

Features:

has ambient sound mode ✕
has in/on-ear detection ✕
has find device feature ✕
Supports fast charging ✓
multipoint count 2
can read notifications ✕
has a mute function ✓
can be used as a headset ✓
control panel placed on a device ✓
Has voice prompts ✓
travel bag is included ✕
Has an in-line control panel ✕
Has a temperature sensor ✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function ✕

The Suunto Sonic supports fast charging and can connect to two devices simultaneously via multipoint, with controls handled through a panel mounted on the device itself rather than an in-line panel. It can function as a headset and includes voice prompts and a mute function for call and audio management. Ambient sound mode, in/on-ear detection, notification readout, a find-device feature, a travel bag, a temperature sensor, and a camera remote are all absent.

Microphone:

has a noise-canceling microphone ✓

The Suunto Sonic is fitted with a noise-canceling microphone, helping to reduce background noise during calls and voice communication.

Final Verdict

The Suunto Sonic occupies a specific and well-defined niche within the wireless earbuds category, built around its open-ear bone conduction design that prioritises situational awareness over audio isolation — a deliberate trade-off that makes it a natural fit for outdoor and fitness use rather than general listening. The 10-hour battery, fast charging, noise-canceling microphone, and aptX Adaptive support round out a functional feature set for active users, even if the absence of advanced smart features and full waterproofing places boundaries on its versatility. For users whose primary need is safe, aware, and hands-free audio during physical activity, the Suunto Sonic delivers a coherent and purposeful package; those seeking immersive sound or broader environmental adaptability will need to weigh its intentional limitations carefully.

Popular Comparisons

Suunto Sonic
Suunto Sonic
VS
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Suunto Sonic
Suunto Sonic
VS
Raycon Everyday Earbuds (2024)
Raycon Everyday Earbuds (2024)
Suunto Sonic
Suunto Sonic
VS
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
Suunto Sonic
Suunto Sonic
VS
Suunto Wing
Suunto Wing