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.
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 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.
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.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
