As open-ear earbuds continue to gain traction, Shokz which are best known for its bone conduction headphones has doubled down on the open-ear category with the new Shokz OpenFit 2+. The OpenFit 2+ is the same as the regular OpenFit 2 just with feature additions of Dolby Audio and wireless charging. At S$299, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ is a premium priced pair of open-ear earbuds, targeted at runners and fitness enthusiasts, or perhaps anyone who seeks comfort and situational awareness without sacrificing on sound.
Build quality and features
Shokz OpenFit 2+ is available in black or grey. The unit I have is the grey variant which leans close to a whiteish grey. The OpenFit 2+ adopts a sleek around-the-ear hook design, which feels largely secure yet lightweight from the moment you put them on. The nickel-titanium ear hooks are flexible and lined with soft silicone. The silicone used on the OpenFit 2+ feels smooth and refined, and it certainly feels like a higher-end product compared to most workout earbuds that I’ve tested.
As for the charging case, it slim and pocket-friendly especially due to it’s squarish shape, making it easier to slot into running belts without taking up too much space. It also has a smooth matte finish that complements the earbuds’ design. It opens with a sturdy hinge, and the earbuds snap securely into place with strong magnets.
Shokz OpenFit 2+ are built to withstand workouts too given its IP55 water resistance rating. You should be able to take the OpenFit 2+ even on trail runs since it can handles sweat, light rain, and dust. I’ve used the OpenFit 2+ for a few outdoor runs and they are still working as though they are new. They also have multipoint pairing which makes them a great option for work due to the ability to seamlessly switch between two devices.
Controls and App
One of the biggest like of the Shokz OpenFit 2+ for me is its use of physical multifunction buttons. I much prefer physical buttons on workout-geared earbuds as sweaty/wet fingers make touch controls a hit-or-miss. Buttons are tactile, with media playback and volume control on the OpenFit 2+ being reliable in the middle of runs. The physical controls handle play/pause, skip/backwards, and volumes.
The OpenFit 2+ still includes a touch-sensitive surface, but it is mainly intended for triggering the connected smartphone’s voice assistant. By default, it’s disabled to prevent accidental touches, but you can enable it through the Shokz app.
The companion Shokz app is well-designed and easy to use. It lets you adjust EQ settings, remap button controls, and enable multipoint pairing to switch seamlessly between devices. Do note the customization of controls is somewhat limited as you can only adjust within preset themes. For example, a double-click will always control track navigation, and you can only choose between variations of options for skipping forward or backward.
Fit and comfort
Comfort is one of the biggest strengths of the Shokz OpenFit 2+. The ear hooks are soft and feel natural around the ear, distributing pressure evenly. The fit for me is not the most “locked in” compared to other open-ear earbuds where you can adjust the angle of the drivers. But there are no issues at all when using it for my workout as the OpenFit 2+ don’t move about much during my long runs. Perhaps due to the light 9.4g weight or the slimmer size of the drivers, the OpenFit 2+ is the most comfortable pair of open-ear earbuds I’ve tested to date.
Even if you don’t intend to use the OpenFit 2+ for running, the comfort makes it great for using it in office whilst staying aware of your environment. They also play well with glasses or sunglasses. I don’t typically run with sunglasses on but I did try putting on a pair of sunglasses and I don’t hear any noise being transmitted from the sunglasses to the earbuds.
Sound quality
I always make a small disclaimer about sound quality for open-ear buds, as they shouldn’t be compared directly with in-ear earbuds. That said, the OpenFit 2+ significantly narrows the gap and surprised me with how good a pair of open-ear earbuds can sound. It could be likely due to its OpenBass 2.0 algorithm that allows for better low frequency delivery such that the overall sound feels is richer, louder, and more balanced than other open-ear earbuds.
Bass is tight and energetic, though it doesn’t offer the deep, thumping kind you’d get from in-ear buds, it is punchy enough to keep workout playlists engaging. It gives EDM and hip-hop tracks enough weight to feel motivating without overwhelming the mids. Midrange is clean-sounding, and vocals and podcasts come through clearly with a natural tone that avoids the muffled quality some open-ear models suffer from. Highs are crisp with just enough brightness to lift tracks without coming across as harsh.
The addition of Dolby Audio on the OpenFit 2+ does offer a richer sound with more depth. Vocals sound more pronounced and the overall volume is louder with a fuller soundstage. It’s nice to have this mode switched on when watching video content. I find the default sound mode to already have a very well-balanced sound. But if still want to turn up the low end, you can also pick from four EQ presets such as Bass Boost or customize your own via the Shokz app.
Battery life
Battery life is excellent. You get up to 11 hours on a single charge and up to 48 hours with the case, one of the longest amongst earbuds that I’ve tested. You also get quick charging where a mere 10-minute charge gives you 2 hours of playback, handy if you forget to charge your earbuds before a run. Charging is done via USB-C, and the “+” version adds wireless charging for added convenience.
Microphone quality
The microphone of the OpenFit 2+ is surprisingly good especially considering its open-ear design. Shokz uses AI-powered noise reduction with dual mics on each bud, which helps filter out background noise during runs or commutes. And in practice, what Shokz claims does seem true as my voice came through clearly even in a noisy environment, and barely any of the external noise leaked through. My voice also retains a natural, well-balanced tone with good clarity. I’d classify the OpenFit 2+ earbuds as one that is more than reliable for everyday communication.
Conclusion
I can see why the Shokz OpenFit 2+ commands a premium price. The sound quality is among the best I’ve tested from a pair of open-ear earbuds, and comfort is great thanks to the soft silicone contact points against the skin. If you place high priority on sound and build quality, the OpenFit 2+ ranks high on both fronts. Shokz OpenFit 2+ just does everything well and I can’t really find any part where it falls short. The Shokz OpenFit 2+ is a feature-packed and well-designed choice for active users, combining comfort, reliable controls, long battery life, multipoint pairing, and the bonus of Dolby Audio – making it one of the best open-ear options you can buy today.