The Shokz OpenFit True Wireless are the first pair of truly wireless buds from this manufacturer but are similarly sports-oriented to other products in their lineup. Unlike their previous models, these buds aren't bone-conducting and, instead, use speakers that sit outside of your ear canal to produce audio. This design lets you stay aware of your surroundings while exercising outdoors, as they won't block out any background noise. They also have dynamic range control, automatically adjusting their EQ based on your volume to deliver a consistent audio experience.
Our Verdict
The Shokz OpenFit are mediocre for neutral sound. Their open-ear design means that they struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass. However, the rest of their response is quite well-balanced and flat, so vocals and instruments sound clear and natural in mixes. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to suit your tastes. Unfortunately, they can't create a very immersive soundstage.
- Graphic EQ and presets available.
- Bad passive soundstage.
The Shokz OpenFit are sub-par for commuting and travel. They're not the best choice for this purpose since they won't block out any ambient sound like the rumble of cars or passenger chatter. If you don't mind staying more aware of your environment, they have a comfortable fit and last just over seven hours continuously. They also come with a hard carrying case to help protect them when you're on the go, and the case holds three additional charges if you need it.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Don't block out background noise by design.
- Audio bleed at high volumes.
The Shokz OpenFit are great for sports and fitness. These buds have a comfortable ear hook design and are certified IP54 for resistance against water splashes. While their stability depends on how well they fit your ears, they won't fall off your ears during tough workouts once you get a good fit. They also have an open-ear fit, so you can stay aware of your surroundings while running or exercising outside. They have pretty simplistic controls and lack volume commands by default, but you can change that in the app.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Certified IP54.
- Audio bleed at high volumes.
The Shokz OpenFit are middling for office use. They aren't designed to block out background noise, which means you'll hear all conversations around you. You may prefer this if you work in a very collaborative work environment. Their fit is comfortable enough for long listening sessions, they last over seven hours continuously, and their carrying case supplies an additional three charges if needed. They don't support multi-device pairing, though, so you can't connect them with your smartphone and laptop simultaneously.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Don't block out background noise by design.
- Audio bleed at high volumes.
- No multi-device pairing.
The Shokz OpenFit are Bluetooth headphones, and their latency on PC and Android is quite high, causing your audio and visuals to fall out of sync.
The Shokz OpenFit are Bluetooth-only headphones; you can't use them wired.
The Shokz OpenFit are acceptable for phone calls. Their integrated mic makes your voice sound slightly uneven and hollow but still understandable. That said, it separates your voice from background noise quite well, so if you're taking a call from a busy street, sounds won't drown out your call. These earbuds have an open-ear fit and aren't designed to block out background noise, so it can be hard to hear your own call if you're talking in a noisy environment like a busy office.
- Decent overall mic performance.
- Don't block out background noise by design.
Changelog
-
Updated Oct 17, 2024:
We added a reference to the Shokz OpenFit Air True Wireless in the Bluetooth box.
- Updated Apr 25, 2024: The Control section for this review has been updated with more information about remapping commands in the companion app.
- Updated Mar 28, 2024: The Stability section mentions the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless as a comparison.
- Updated Aug 15, 2023: Review published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Shokz OpenFit come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'Beige'. We tested the 'Black' variant; you can see our model's label here. We expect both color variants to perform similarly. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Shokz OpenFit are open-fit earbuds with a similar ear hook design to the Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless. They're not designed to block out background sound but allow you to stay aware of your surroundings when running outdoors. They can also deliver more bass than the Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction since their speaker is placed just outside the ear canal rather than sending sound waves along your bones. That said, their IP rating for water resistance isn't the same as other Shokz headphones, so you can't immerse them in water. They can still withstand splashes of water without taking on damage, though.
Check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds for running and working out, the best headphones for running, and the best earbuds for small ears.
The Shokz OpenFit Air and the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless share a similar open-fit, ear-hook design that helps you stay aware of your environment while running outdoors. The OpenFit True are the better choice for most people as they're more comfortable, have a better mic, and have a more balanced sound profile. That said, the OpenFit Air can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.
Choosing between the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction and the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless comes down to what you're using them for because they have different strengths. The OpenRun Pro 2 boasts a longer continuous battery life, Bluetooth multi-pair, and the fit is a little more stable. On the other hand, if you find that the wraparound design isn't for you, the OpenFit's flexible over-ear hook design and more portable size may suit you better. Plus, the extra recharges stored in the case are appealing. Still, if you don't want to run with a charging case in your pocket, the OpenRun Pro 2 might be a better pick.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction and the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless are both sports headphones but with different designs. The OpenRun Pro are bone conduction headphones that send vibrations on your bones to reproduce sound and keep your ears open. They have a headband that circles behind your head, so they're bulkier than the OpenFit. They're certified IP55, so they can handle water immersion, they have a longer-lasting battery life, and they support multi-device pairing. Conversely, the OpenFit are buds that sit outside your ear canal and use their speakers to play audio without obstructing your hearing. They're more portable and stable, can deliver more bass, and have a graphic EQ that lets you fine-tune their sound.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenFit True Wireless fit very differently, but both provide unsealed fits for hearing your surroundings, resulting in negligible bass reproduction. The Bose clip on the bottom of your ears and their fit is a more stable solution. Their battery life is longer if you don't enable the included virtual surround sound. The Shokz fit with silicone-covered hooks over your ears, which is stable but not as stable as the Bose. They also have a greater IP rating, as they're certified for dust resistance. That said, given that these two sets of buds are similarly spec'd, your choice will likely depend on your fit preferences.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless and the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless are sports headphones with different strengths, so depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. While both buds are similarly well-built, comfortable, and stable, the Beats have an in-ear fit, so they can block out a bit more sound. They have a more neutral overall sound, a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and an H1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. Conversely, the Shokz have an open-ear fit, so they don't block out any background noise and allow you to monitor your surroundings when exercising outside. They also have a more customizable sound, thanks to their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.
Depending on your needs, you may prefer either the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless or the Anker Soundcore C30i. Both are open-fitting, but the Shokz use an over-ear hook, while the Anker utilize a design that clips onto the bottom of your ear. Both support similar amounts of situational awareness and lack of isolation. The Anker offer more control via the app and feel lighter with a better battery life. However, their mic is worse, and the sound quality is more distorted. On the other hand, the Shokz have a bit more bass, though both are still pretty bright-sounding overall. The Shokz also have dust resistance and a better mic. However, their controls are more sparse.
Although they are similar, the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless are slightly better than the Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless. Both have similar bass roll-offs and use open-fitting buds for greater environmental awareness. The Shokz are lighter, and unlike the Bose, they don't require a separate charging cradle; instead, they use a conventional charging case. Their IP54 rating protects against water and dust, instead of the Bose's lesser IPX4 rating. The Shokz have an EQ, which the Bose do not. While the Shokz's mic handles noise better, the Bose's mic sounds more natural. To a single charge, the Bose earbuds' battery lasts longer. They have a touch panel and a multi-function button that spreads out controls. Their latency is lower, but their distance range is shorter.
The Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction and the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless are sporty headphones with differing forms of sound reproduction. The OpenRun use vibrations on your bones to produce sound and have a headband, making them a bit bulkier than their truly wireless counterpart. Their IP rating is different, too, and they can survive water immersion, which can be handy if you want to run in the rain. They also have a longer continuous playback time, and you can pair them with up to two devices simultaneously. On the flip side, the OpenFit sit just outside your ear canal and use speakers to play your audio. They have a more stable fit, deliver more bass, and are customizable, thanks to their companion app support.
Depending on your usage, you may prefer either the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless or the Shokz OpenFit True Wireless. The Jaybird are in-ear headphones with an ANC system. Even though it isn't very powerful, the ANC can still help block out some background noise. Their IP68 water resistance rating also means that you can submerge them in water without taking damage. They're able to deliver more bass too. In comparison, the Shokz have an open-ear fit so that you can stay aware of your surroundings while exercising outside. They won't block any background noise but have a longer-lasting continuous battery life.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The Shokz OpenFit are unique compared to other headphones from this manufacturer, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction. They have a truly wireless design, so each bud individually hooks onto your ear. Since they also aren't bone-conducting, their speaker sits outside your ear canal but allows you to keep your ears open to ambient sound, which can be helpful when exercising outdoors or working in a collaborative office. They come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'Beige'.
They have a comfortable fit. They're quite lightweight and have malleable ear hooks to allow the headphones to rest outside your ear canal without putting any pressure on them. That said, the hooks can irritate the area behind your ear and, as some user reviews indicate that their fit is subjective since they don't fit all ears equally. If you wear glasses, the arms can affect how well you get a good fit, especially if your glasses err on the thicker side.
These buds have touch-sensitive controls. The controls are easy to use but not very expansive out of the box. By default, you don't have volume or voice assistant controls, and you'll have to swap out commands to add them in the companion app. On the upside, audible feedback lets you know when you've registered a command. When using the volume controls, you'll hear feedback when incrementally adjusting the level as well as when you've reached min and max volume.
On the left bud:
- Press and hold: Skips to the previous track.
On the right bud:
- Press and hold: Skips to the next track.
On either bud:
- Double tap: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and ends a call.
- Press and hold: Rejects a call.
You can trade off double taps and press and hold commands in the app. Your alternative options for double taps on the left earbud controls pause and play only. On the right bud's touchpad, you can remap double tap to skip to the next track, skip to the previous track, or voice assistant. For press and hold, you can remap it on the left bud's touchpad to either decrease volume or voice assistant. Lastly, the right earbud's press and hold command can be remapped to increase volume or voice assistant.
These headphones are portable. Unlike sibling products like the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction, they don't have a headband, so you can easily store them in most bags or pockets without an issue. They even come with a small, lightweight case to protect them on the go.
The carrying case is great. It's sturdy since it's made out of plastic, and there are magnets to hold the buds in place. It's also much smaller than the one that comes with the Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction, making it portable. The hinge is a bit creaky and can shift left and right.
These headphones have good build quality. They're mostly made of plastic and silicone. They feel sturdy and will easily survive accidental drops and falls without taking too much damage. They're also certified IP54, making them resistant to dust and splashes of water. That said, their IP rating differs from headphones from this manufacturer. If you're looking for headphones that can survive water submersion, consider the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction instead, which are rated IP67.
Their fit highly depends on your ear shape and size and if you wear glasses. If you have one ear that's more prominent than the other, it can cause one bud to loosen up or stop touching your ear canal. However, even if they shift around a bit, they won't fall out of your ear, making them ideal for tough workouts. If you find their fit isn't enough to reassure you, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless use a considerably different cuff-like design that clips onto the bottom of your ear for an even more stable fit.
The Shokz OpenFit's sound profile is pretty balanced, given their design. Since they don't enter your ear canal, they can't reproduce nearly the same amount of thumpy bass you get from in-ears like the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless. They still have warmth to their sound, so they're not completely without bass, and vocals and instruments are natural and clear in mixes. Their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. However, these settings won't get you much more of an extended low-bass as the headphones already struggle to deliver bass due to their design. The lowest EQ band you can tweak is 64 Hz too. Adjusting this frequency band can add more punch to mixes, but it won't add more thump and rumble.
Generally, we perceive more bass and treble at high volumes than at low volumes, even though the frequency response itself doesn't change. To compensate for this difference, these headphones have dynamic range control, automatically adjusting their base and treble based on the volume. This ensures that your audio sounds the same, no matter the volume.
The frequency response consistency is excellent. These headphones are prone to minor bass and treble delivery deviations since they don't enter your ear. However, you'll achieve consistent audio delivery once you get a good fit.
Their bass accuracy is bad, but that's expected from headphones with an open-ear fit. They have a hard time reproducing low-bass, which is mostly felt in thumps and rumbles, so songs like Satisfaction by Benny Benassi with a heavy bassline sound slightly hollow and lacking in body. That said, their mid to high-bass is much better, and while they still lack some punchiness, they deliver a nice boom to satisfy genres like pop and rock. Overall, they produce much more bass than the Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction.
We noticed a lot of distortion in the high-bass to low-mid ranges when listening to real-life content. Although our graphs don't show it as prominently, if you're listening to audio at high volumes, you'll encounter a lot of distortion in these ranges, which will impact audio purity.
The mid accuracy of these headphones is excellent. The range is pretty neutral, so vocals and instruments are present and natural-sounding. A peak in the high-mid sharpens their detail, though.
These headphones have great treble accuracy. The response isn't quite as flat here as the mid-range, but vocals and instruments still sound detailed without being harsh. Sibilants like cymbals are also bright but not piercing.
The Shokz OpenFit's peaks and dips performance is poor. There are a couple of significant peaks and dips, meaning the headphones struggle to accurately reproduce their sound profile. A large peak in the low to mid-bass adds intense thump and punch to audio. A peak between the mid to high-mid makes vocals and instruments sound boxy and harsh, while the peak between the low to mid-treble further makes these sounds harsh. An additional peak in the mid-treble turns sibilants like cymbals piercing.
Shokz has mostly made bone-conduction headphones in the past. However, this kind of driver design doesn't play nice with our test rig since they rely on bones to transmit sound. As a result, it's hard to compare the imaging performance of these buds to other products from this manufacturer. Imaging also varies between units. Our unit shows imaging issues in the bass range, which is expected from their open-ear fit. There's a large peak in the group delay's bass range, which causes loose bass. It doesn't significantly impact your listening experience, though, as the headphones struggle to reproduce low-bass.
The Shokz OpenFit's passive soundstage performance is poor. They sit outside your ear canal, so they can't properly interact with your outer ear to give you an immersive audio experience. However, the soundstage seems more open and spacious than in-ear headphones like the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless.
The Shokz OpenFit's weighted harmonic distortion performance is okay. Quite a bit of distortion is present between the high-bass to mid-mid at medium and high volumes. If you're listening to bass-heavy tracks at high volumes, you'll hear distortion, so your audio won't sound very clear or pure.
These are the settings used to test the Shokz OpenFit. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
The noise isolation performance of these buds is bad, but that's to be expected (and desired). They have an open-ear fit so that you can stay aware of your surroundings. As a result, you'll hear all of the low rumbles of car engines to ambient chatter and the hum of AC units, making it safer if you exercise outside.
The leakage performance of these buds is high, but that's normal for open-ear headphones. Audio bleed is concentrated in the mid to treble range and sounds somewhat thin. If you're listening to audio at high volumes, others around you can hear it.
The integrated mic does an okay job of recording your voice. Speech sounds a bit uneven and hollow. However, you're still fairly easy to understand.
The noise handling performance of this mic is very good. The mic can separate your voice from background noise well. While loud sounds like a train pulling up to the station can muffle speech, your voice is still intelligible.
The Shokz OpenFit's battery performance is fair. The manufacturer advertises up to seven hours of playback time, and we measured a similar amount. If you need to top them up, their carrying case also supplies three additional charges. Their standby mode extends their battery life up to 10 days, and a quick, five-minute charge can supply up to an hour of battery life.
The Shokz app is decent, and you can see a video of it in action here. You can customize the headphones' sound using the EQ presets or graphic EQ. You can also check out the battery life of the buds and the case, remap controls, adjust your playback settings, and access firmware updates and product support information.
These headphones have satisfactory Bluetooth connectivity. Unlike the Shokz OpenFit Air True Wireless, they don't support multi-device pairing, so you can only connect them with one device at a time. They also have high latency on PCs and Android, which causes your audio and visuals to fall out of sync. Their latency is lower on iOS, but some apps compensate for latency.
These headphones come with a USB-A to USB-C cable for recharging their carrying case. You can't use it for audio.
You can connect these headphones to Bluetooth-enabled PCs with full audio and mic compatibility. However, they can't connect to PCs in any other way.