I have tried several open-ear and bone-conduction headphones over the years, often accepting tradeoffs in sound quality for safety and awareness. When I tested the OpenFit 2+, I wanted to see if Shokz could finally create a product that felt like an upgrade, not a compromise. I used them across runs, commutes, work calls, and casual listening for several days. Some aspects impressed me immediately, while others reminded me that open designs still have limits.
Design and Build
From the moment I put them on, the OpenFit 2+ felt light and natural. Each earbud weighs about 9.4 grams. The Ultra-Soft Silicone 2.0 material and flexible nickel-titanium ear hooks mold to your ear shape without pressure points. They stay secure even during quick head turns or light workouts.
Because the earbuds rest just outside the ear canal, your ears remain open to outside noise like traffic or conversation. That is the main appeal of this design. The charging case feels compact, smooth, and durable. Shokz also added wireless charging for the 2+, so I could place the case on a Qi pad instead of plugging in a cable.
One small drawback is how the ear hooks interact with glasses. When wearing sunglasses, I occasionally noticed a slight rub between the frame and the hook. It was not painful, but it was noticeable during more aggressive movement.
Performance and Features
Sound and Audio Quality
The OpenFit 2+ uses a dual-driver setup with a dedicated bass driver and a separate driver for mids and highs. The sound quality is impressive for an open-ear design. Bass has real depth, especially with the Bass Boost EQ setting turned on. Vocals sound clean, and instruments maintain detail even in busy tracks.
The addition of Dolby Audio mode enhances soundstage width and gives more depth. When I enabled Dolby during workouts or movie playback, the spatial effect felt immersive. The tradeoff is reduced battery life, so I used Dolby only when I wanted extra depth rather than for all-day listening.
There is some sound leakage at higher volumes. In quiet rooms, people nearby can hear faint audio if you push the volume too far. Outdoors or in a gym, this is not noticeable, but it is worth mentioning for office environments.
Controls and Interface
I prefer physical buttons to touch controls, and Shokz delivered. The OpenFit 2+ features tactile buttons that are responsive even when my hands were sweaty. You can customize button behavior and EQ presets in the Shokz app. It also includes features like Dolby Audio toggles and “Find My Earbuds.”
Calls and Microphone Performance
Four microphones with AI-powered noise reduction handle calls. Indoors, voice pickup sounds clean and balanced. Outside, the earbuds reduce wind and background chatter effectively, though heavy gusts can still interfere slightly. During calls, I rarely had to repeat myself, which is a noticeable improvement over earlier Shokz models.
Stability and Motion
During runs, bike rides, and workouts, the fit stayed solid. The earbuds never fell out, even during high-intensity training. In rare cases, I felt a small shift after jumping or quick lateral movement, but they never came loose. Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity stayed strong without any signal dropouts.
Battery, Connectivity, and Software
Battery life is rated at 11 hours per charge and 48 hours total with the case. In my tests, I reached those numbers unless I used Dolby mode heavily. Wireless charging made it easy to top off the battery overnight.
The earbuds support Bluetooth multipoint, allowing connection to two devices at once. I paired them to my phone and laptop, and switching between devices was smooth with no delay. The Shokz app is clean and easy to use. EQ adjustments, firmware updates, and device management are quick and intuitive.
Pros
- Clear, full sound for an open-ear design
- Dolby Audio mode provides wider soundstage
- Reliable physical button controls
- Wireless charging adds convenience
- Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Strong Bluetooth multipoint connectivity
- Good call quality and background noise handling
Cons
- Sound leakage at high volumes
- Dolby mode shortens battery life
- Slight contact with glasses frames during movement
- In very noisy environments, audio clarity can drop
- Minor shifting during intense motion
Verdict
The OpenFit 2+ shows how far open-ear audio has come. The sound is rich, the design is comfortable, and the wireless charging and Dolby support make it feel like a true upgrade. It keeps your ears aware of your surroundings while delivering music quality that is far better than expected. If you want comfort, awareness, and modern features in one lightweight package, the OpenFit 2+ is one of the best options available today.
Overall Score: 8.8 out of 10
