Table of Contents
In exchange for an experience that allows you to stay connected to your surroundings and keeps your ear canals clear, open-ear headphones offer an interesting compromise: accept less satisfying audio quality compared to most of the best headphones in exchange for an experience that lets you listen to music while remaining aware of your surrounds.
The Shokz OpenFit ($179.95) could be a solution for you if you worry about situational awareness or despise the feeling of blocking your ears with regular wireless buds. These earbuds have a hook design and employ an air conduction transducer rather than the bone conduction technology that the brand is most famous for. This leaves the wearer’s ears open for up to seven hours of nonstop listening. The performance is surprisingly punchy, despite the fact that the listening quality may not be nearly as pleasing as what you would receive for earbuds that cost the same amount of money.
Shokz OpenFit Specifications
Shokz is a brand name that has become completely synonymous with bone conduction headphones, which are the ideal partner for outdoor exercise if you are understandably concerned about your safety and alertness.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Battery life (rated) | 7 hours; 28 hours (charging case) |
Water resistance | IP54 |
Weight | 0.29 ounce (per bud); 2.0 ounces (charging case) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 |
Shokz OpenFit: Design

Shokz OpenFit are a pair of wireless earbuds rather than a single headset like the company’s current bone-conduction headphones. They have a dolphin ear hook that fits securely around the ear and is composed of memory wire coated in silicone. The hook on the Powerbeats Pro ensured a snug fit during my testing, but the constant pinching made them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. While wearing the OpenFit for long periods of time at my work, I did not experience the same problem.
Moreover, the open-ear design gave my ears a well-deserved rest from having my AirPods Pro 2 crammed into them on a daily basis. While the AirPods Pro don’t cause any discomfort, I have found that removing them occasionally relieves some of the weight on my ears. For the most part, the bud’s speaker section rested over my tragus, while its tail tucked snugly under my antihelix. For comparison’s sake, I’ll let you know that my ear canals are somewhat narrow.
Shokz OpenFit: Wearing And Comfort

The OpenFit does away with the traditional neck-hanging strap seen on Shokz headphones in favor of two detachable earphones that hook over the ears. The hooks are constructed of skin-friendly silicone and durable titanium wires, which can be twisted to the perfect fit for your ears. In spite of appearances, the earphones do not dangle. The ear hooks are secure enough for a sprint, so you can go the distance without worrying about losing your headphones.
Unlike bone conduction headphones, these won’t slip out of your ears accidentally. However, the wind might be annoying if you’re going too fast on your bike. The skin-friendly zero-degree silicone hooks on each earbud contribute to the headphones’ lightweight 8.3g design. These headphones are so soft and lightweight that I forget I’m even wearing them.
Shokz OpenFit: Controls
The touchpad-based controls are among the most responsive and well-integrated touch controls that I’ve encountered on a pair of earbuds. They have a user-friendly interface and may be modified using the Shokz companion app on a mobile device. They are not ideal for use when moving around, but they are useful in most other situations, and once you find the optimal setting, it is convenient to be able to change the volume or skip songs. They can surely have their irritating times as well, which is why it is generally still excellent to have physical controls on headphones.
Shokz OpenFit: Sound quality
Shokz calls the technology that sits in close proximity to your ears its DirectPitch. This technology aims to minimize the kind of sound leakage that you get from bone conduction headphones, but at the same time, it does not block up the ears as regular in-earphones do. This method has been around for a while, but Shokz is the first company to use it. They believe it will provide a more even sound and a greater bass performance.
This shift in strategy enables users of the Shokz companion app, which is compatible with both the iPhone and Android operating systems, to personalize the sound produced by the Shokz device. I selected the iPhone version, which keeps things uncomplicated and has a clean appearance, making it nice and easy to work with. At this point, you have the option of selecting one of the four distinct preset EQ modes or developing your very own.
Shokz OpenFit: Battery Life And Charging
Battery life is another area in which Shokz excels; these will last for seven hours on a full charge, more than enough to get you through an endurance race without having to worry about running out of juice.
In addition to the battery life, the charging case adds another 21 hours, so you can go on an extended weekend trip without worrying about running out of juice. The charging case only takes five minutes to fully charge the earbuds, giving you back an hour of listening time and giving you even more freedom.
Shokz OpenFit: Price and availability
The Shokz OpenFit may be purchased for the price of $179.95 per pair. You may get them in either beige or black. You are able to place an order for them on either Shokz.com or Amazon.com.
Final Words
If you’ve been looking for headphones that fit comfortably and securely enough to run in without the risk of acoustic isolation, the OpenFit could be a good option.
That could be a rather specialized interest, though, and these earphones might not be the best choice if you’re looking for something more universally applicable. They’re not cheap, too; I’m left wondering if, after a few more revisions, Shokz will release a truly remarkable incarnation of the OpenFit.
Shokz OpenFit review: The good and The bad
Shokz OpenFit are a fantastic first attempt at a novel form factor, and they demonstrate that more open earbuds are capable of performing successfully.
The Good
- Intuitive touch controls
- Solid battery life
The Bad
- Some sound leakage
Questions and Answers
SHOKZ OpenRun (AfterShokz Aeropex) are wireless Bluetooth headphones with a microphone and a headband that are designed for use during exercise.
Bone-conduction headphones do not completely obstruct your ears from sound, but they can still cause hearing loss if used incorrectly or at unsafe volumes.