Shokz OpenFit 2 Headphones Review
Comfortable, functional, and safe bone-conducting earbuds for outdoor activities
November 4th, 2025
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Our verdict
The OpenFit 2 is as close to an earbud unicorn I have found so far. Between the all-day comfort of wearing them, the massive battery life allowing me to use them all day without a mid-day charge, enhanced sound quality, spatial awareness, and best of all, they stay in place no matter what I am doing.
I also have the Apple Air Pods 2. If there was ever a reason to make an upgrade in the tech space for earbuds, then the OpenFit 2 is making a strong case to do so.
Besides all the other features I mentioned, the Shokz app is a major plus too:, it not only makes pairing devices simple, it also allows you to adjust the sound quality based on your taste, something most audiophiles will relish when using these. I also enjoy how easy it was to do a firmware update through the app, it was seamless and easy even for the tech-challenged.
Over the past few months, I have used these earbuds for hiking, cycling, gardening, video calls for work, and daily phone calls. Time and again, I am amazed at the sound quality while maintaining spatial awareness, and the battery life blows me away. I charge the case one or two times a week, even with daily use. One of the most significant benefits has been how well they stay in place, no matter what I am doing, a major improvement over other earbuds I have used.
If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of earbuds that can last all day without needing to be charged, easily switch from activities to a conference call, and be paired with multiple devices, the Shokz 2 is a good choice.
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Shokz OpenFit 2 Specifications
Price: $180
Weight: 9.4g (0.33 oz) per earbud
Battery Life: 11 hours single charge / 48 hours with case
Water Resistance: IP55 (earbuds only)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with MultiPoint pairing
Drivers: DualBoost Technology (17.3mm bass + separate mid/high drivers)
Colors: Black, Beige
Controls: Physical buttons and touch controls
App Support: Shokz App (iOS andAndroid)
Charging: Quick 10-minute charge = 2 hours playtime
Comparison table
| WIRELESS HEADPHONES | MSRP* | TYPE | PLAY TIME | PLAYTIME W/ CASE | EARBUD IPXX RATING | CHARGING CASE IPXX RATING | CHARGE SYSTEM | CHARGE TIME | FAST CHARGE | WARRANTY | SINGLE EARBUD USE? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenFit 2 | $180 | Open ear/ wireless | 11 hrs | 48 hrs | IP55 | Unrated | USB-C, Wireless | 1 hr | 10 min = 2 hrs | 2 years | Yes |
| Shokz OpenFit | $160 | Open ear/ wireless | 7 hrs | 28 hrs | IP54 | Unrated | USB-C only | 1 hr | 5 min = 1 hr | 2 years | Yes |
| Shok OpenRun Pro | $160 | Open ear/ behind neck | 10 hrs | N/A | IP55 | N/A | Magnetic induction or USB-C | 1 hr | 5 min = 1.5 hr | 2 years | N/A |
| Shokz OpenRun | $130 | Open ear/ behind neck | 8 hrs | N/A | IP67 | N/A | Magnetic induction or USB-C | 1.5 hrs | 10 min = 1.5 hr | 2 years | N/A |
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | $249 | In ear/ wireless | 6 hrs | 30 hrs | IP54 | IP54 | MagSafe, Apple Watch, Qi/USB-C | 1 hr | 5 min = 1 hr | 1 year | Yes |
Who is it for?
Active folks who enjoy biking, running, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and fishing, as well as working professionals who spend their days jumping between phone calls and video conferences, will get a ton of use out of these earbuds.
Overall, they offer:
Situational awareness, while maintaining audio quality
Secure, sweat-resistant protection
All-day comfort without ear canal pressure or fatigue
Long battery life
Premium open-ear audio with physical button reliability
Reliable connection to your environment, with nature's sounds passing through
Stable connection to your device, whether it's a phone or computer
What we liked
Long battery life for both the earbuds and the case
Light compact case size with easy-to-use pairing button
Excellent sound quality for music and phone calls
Multi-pairing on multiple devices
Staying power, no matter what activity we use it for
All-day comfort on/in the ears
Shokz app for adjusting app and firmware updates when needed
Waterproof rating and not having to worry about using them in inclement weather
Physical buttons on top of the headphones for volume and other functions
What could be better
During phone calls on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, the device would switch from headset to phone mode without warning or my input; I believe this is an Apple issue.
For Apple’s Siri integration, one must push a button on the phone or earbud to activate Siri instead of using voice control.
Displaying the battery life of earbuds and the case on the main phone screen for a quick glance; currently, checking battery life requires opening the Shokz app.
How we tested
In town
I bought my Shokz OpenFit 2 earbuds during PCT Days and have been testing them daily ever since. My wife and I both work from home, and between the two of us, we seem to have a never-ending slew of video calls and phone calls, so having a good set of earbuds to minimize distractions from each other is paramount. These work great for video calls. I was easily able to connect them with my iPhone and MacBook Air, and they seamlessly transfer between the two devices during the day.
I have also tested these on my daily long walks in Portland around my neighborhood, where I walk along a busy street with big trucks and a lot of traffic, an active railroad track, and through parks. I have also used them while riding my bike on fire roads in Forest Park for hours at a time.
Open-ear design maintains situational awareness during outdoor activities.
The author admiring the fall Aspens along the Tahoe Rim Trail while listening to music on his Shokz OpenFit2. Photo by Chris Thienel
On the water
I spend a lot of time on the water fishing and crabbing, sometimes 40–60 miles offshore, and these have been a godsend to enjoy some music or a podcast to help pass the time. I even tested them while crabbing over two days when I had video calls I needed to make while on the water. They worked great, stayed in place, and helped reduce the background noise while I was on the call.
In the air
I took a trip to Colorado at the end of September to attend the ALDHA-West Gathering and sneak in a little hiking beforehand. I sat down on the plane and opened my Apple AirPod Pro case to use them for my flight. I love the noise-canceling feature for flying; unfortunately, they were not in the case, whoops. I put on my Shokz OpenFit 2, and to my surprise, they worked great for my nearly three-hour flight. The sound quality was excellent, and I experienced very little plane noise while using them.
On the trail
I have used these often while day hiking on about 15 hikes so far, and on a recent overnight trip. I have been using them on the Tahoe Rim Trail the past week as I train for an upcoming hike in Japan. They work great for hiking, allowing nature's sounds to come through, and on the Tahoe Rim Trail, they enable me to hear approaching bikes, keeping myself and the dogs safe.
How they work
Unlike most headphones or earbuds, the OpenFit2 places the speaker of the earbud right on your open ear canal without physically being inserted into the canal. The snug fit allows the earbud to stay in place and direct the sound directly into your ear canal while leaving it open to hear your surroundings.
Features
DualBoost Technology and sound quality
Dual-driver system with 17.3mm bass driver (16% larger than original)
Separate dynamic driver handles mids and highs for balanced sound
Improved volume efficiency: 50% volume equals 65% on original OpenFit
Four preset EQ modes plus custom 5-band EQ via Shokz app
DirectPitch 2.0 technology minimizes sound leakage for privacy
Enhanced comfort and fit
Flexible nickel-titanium ear hooks inspired by golden spiral design
Lightweight 9.4g per earbud reduces ear fatigue during extended wear
Optimized gravity distribution for a secure fit during movement
Compatible with sunglasses and hats for versatile outdoor use
Marathon-worthy battery performance
11 hours continuous playback on a single charge (57% improvement over the original)
48 hours total battery life with the charging case
Quick 10-minute charge provides two hours of additional playtime
Standby mode preserves battery when not connected (up to 270 days in case)
Battery optimization for various usage scenarios and volume levels
Physical controls and connectivity
Physical multifunction buttons prevent accidental activation from sweat
Customizable button functions via the Shokz app for personalized control
Touch controls for voice assistant activation with a long press
Bluetooth 5.4 with stable connectivity and improved range
Multi-point pairing allows seamless switching between two devices
Physical buttons prevent accidental activation from sweat during workouts.
Durability and weather resistance
IP55 water resistance rating protects against sweat and rain splashes
Designed for intense workouts and outdoor activities in various conditions
Durable construction handles drops and impacts during active use
Easy maintenance with simple cleaning procedures
The charging case is not waterproof, but it provides secure storage:
I purchased an aftermarket case for these to keep them clean and dry while out in the field. The case is bulky and adds 65g/2.28oz, but was worth the penalty to keep them safe while in the rainy PNW.
Smart features and app integration
"Find My Earbuds" feature with one-click ringing through the app
Four preset EQ modes: Standard, Vocal, Bass Boost, Treble Boost
Custom equalizer with 5-band adjustment for personalized sound
Firmware updates and battery monitoring through Shokz app
Individual earbud operation allows single-ear use when needed
Performance in the field
Sound quality
This is my first pair of the OpenFit line by Shokz, but I have been a long-time user of their bone-conducting headphones, like the OpenRun and OpenRun Pro models. I found the sound quality on these to be far superior to the bone-conducting models I have owned. Overall, all the music I listen to is crisp and clear, and when I have calls or listen to a podcast, the sound quality is as good as expected from a high-end pair of earbuds.
Comfort
After wearing the OpenFit 2 for the past three months, I am very happy with how comfortable it is to wear all day. Sometimes I forget I have them on, that is how comfortable they are. They do apply a slight amount of pressure to the ear canal, but compared to an in-ear device, like my Apple AirPod Pro 2, I find these far more comfortable.
Ultra-Soft Silicone 2.0 and golden spiral ear hooks provide all-day comfort
Stability
One of the biggest things I like about these versus my Apple AirPod Pro 2 is how well they stay in place, no matter what I am doing. I can bend over while gardening, and they stay in place and do not fall off. Go for a run, hike, or bike ride, the OpenFit 2 stays right where it belongs, delivering great sound all day long. The around-the-ear hook is very soft and pliable, which helps keep them in place.
Battery life
One of the most significant parts of OpenFit 2 is the long battery life. The company advertises 11 hours, and that claim is real. I have worn these all day while working on a major project at home, and I was shocked that they just kept going. The long battery life is a huge benefit, especially useful on those long days hiking from sunup to sundown for those of us who enjoy some performance-enhancing music along the way.
Shokz OpenFit 2 charging case with earbuds inside.” Photo by Chris Thienel
Call quality
The call clarity of the headphones is excellent. I have never had anyone complain about my sound quality, whether I'm using it on my phone or computer. Call quality is so good that I now use them as my primary headphones for video calls and business calls throughout the day.
Shokz OpenFit 2 vs. similar earbuds
Over the past decade, I have owned a variety of wireless headphones and earbuds. I seem to be constantly looking for that unicorn that can provide great sound, allow for spatial awareness, and provide long-lasting battery life. I thought I had that a few times over the years.
The original Shokz Titaniums I bought in 2017 were a game changer–with my first foray into bone-conducting technology, I was able to have a headset that played music but let me hear what was going on around me. That initial pair, though, lacked the sound quality one expected for phone calls, and often I was told I sounded “tinny” or like I was talking through a can on a string.
The Shokz OpenRun was a major leap forward in tech from the original pair. The sound quality was excellent for music and podcasts. The headphones had a smaller profile, longer battery life, and much better sound quality. My biggest gripe with them, however, was the proprietary charging cable it required and the fact that it only came with a soft case back then. I actually broke a pair in my backpack with that soft case–luckily, Shokz has an incredible warranty and customer service team who took care of me with a brand new pair.
In 2023, I was headed to Iceland for a North to South Traverse of the island nation. My friend had just completed the same hike and warned me of how maddening the constant sound of fierce wind was hiking all day, he recommended I get a pair of Apple AirPod Pros for the hike. The noise-cancelling feature was a massive help on that hike, and being able to use one earbud at a time helped extend the battery life, especially in the remote interior. One issue, however, was that the Apple AirPods fell out of my ear canal easily. This was a major issue when you have on three hoods, are hiking in a driving wind and snow with sustained winds of 40 mph, and you need to somehow fish an earbud out of your layers to get it back into your ear with frozen hands.
Over the past two years, I've been disappointed with my Apple AirPod Pro 2. Besides the issues with them constantly falling out of my ears during activities or anytime I bend over to do the most straightforward task, like tying a shoe. I also hate how they jump between devices. Without warning or my selecting it, my AirPods will jump from an active phone call to my MacBook Air without rhyme or reason. The constant “Apple thinks it is smarter than me for what I need” has been a major reason those generally are on the desk next to my computer while I use my OpenFit 2.
Who should buy the Shokz OpenFit 2?
Buy if you prioritize situational awareness, need exceptional battery life, and want comfortable all-day wear for active lifestyles.
Skip if you need maximum noise isolation, prefer in-ear designs, or primarily use earbuds in very noisy environments.
Where to buy the Shokz OpenFit 2?
The Shokz OpenFit 2 earphones are a popular gear item, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Similar products
Shokz Open Fit 1
Price: $160
Weight: Earbud (each 8.3g0.29oz) Charging Case 57g/2oz
Battery Life: 7 hours / up to 28 hours with the charging case
Water Resistance: IP54
The OpenFit and OpenFit2 share many similarities in battery life, comfort, and spatial awareness. The OpenFit2 has two significant improvements versus the previous model. Both upgrades were highlighted as needed improvements in our full review of the Shokz OpenFit.
The first improvement is the physical buttons on top of each earbud that let you control volume, skip tracks, and answer and end calls. The OpenFit2 still has touch controls, but the physical button is easier to use, especially on cold days when wearing gloves. The second improvement is that the case now features wireless charging. I have not utilized this feature yet, but for those who prefer the ease of wireless charging, it is now an option.
Shokz Open Fit 1
Price: $250
Weight: Earbuds (each 5.3g/0.19oz), Charging case 50.8g/1.79oz
Battery Life: 6 hours play time/24 hours with case
Water Resistance: IPX4
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are an exceptional pair of earbuds you may also consider. Apple’s option for various levels of noise cancellation are great including transparency which allows for the surrounding noises to come through. The mic also has great noise canceling technology for calls helping to block out background noise while on a call.
While the sound is great, I find that having an earbud inserted into my ear canal all day gets uncomfortable after a couple of hours. The other major drawback for me is that my Apple AirPods Pro2 earbuds do not stay in my ears–anytime I bend over the earbuds fall out, and they tend to work themselves out during activities. The all-day comfort and the Skokz OpenFit2 staying in place no matter what I am doing are why I prefer them for daily use.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Price: $130
Weight: 26g/0.91oz
Battery Life: 8 hours/10 min quick charge for 1.5 hour playtime
Water Resistance: IP67
The Shokz OpenRun have been a beloved pair of headphones over the years. The bone conducting technology is great for sound and also spatial awareness, plus pair with foam earplugs and you have a noise canceling listening option. The battery life is sufficient for a day out and about, and the quick charge option is a life saver when needed.
One big difference in the OpenRun versus the OpenFit2 is the size. With the OpenRun’s built in around the back of the net band, I often found them problematic to stash easily in my bag while on trail in particular. I used an after-market crush-proof case for them, but it is bulky.
The small size of the OpenFit2 and the fact the case is also a power source for charging them make them a better option for me in both daily use and also while hiking and spending time outdoors.
Shokz OpenRun
Why you should trust us / About the author
My name is Whitney, better known in the long-distance world as “Allgood.” I have been thru-hiking for almost 30 years, have well over 10,000 miles of long trails under my feet, and I am an all-around outdoor enthusiast. Whether I am blazing a new route across a remote area of Oregon, bombing down a snowy ski run on Mt. Hood or finding myself 68 miles offshore in a 23-foot boat, I am happiest outside in the natural world.
I have worked as a professional in the outdoor industry for over a decade at a headwear brand supporting public lands, as the VP of Sales & Marketing at Six Moon Designs, and as the CRO of FarOut Guides. I now run my own consulting firm for outdoor brands, Black Dog Outdoors. Besides being a dirtbag who loves the outdoors, I am a big fan of outdoor technology. Every evolving tech has enhanced outdoor pursuits with better navigation tools helping us stay found, increased our safety, and allowed us to enhance our experiences based on our individual preferences, hey, some of us love data.
I have been a major advocate of Shokz products ever since 2017, when I first discovered their original model at Outdoor Retailer out in the pavilions, where all the new cool gear was found back then. From the second I tried them, I was hooked on the spatial awareness concept of their line. I enjoy hiking in snake country, and these were a game-changer for that. Over the years, I have broken two pairs of their headphones, the original Trekz Titanium and then a pair of OpenRun. Both times I contacted their warranty department, which was highly responsive and helpful, and got me a new pair in no time flat. I will always recommend a brand that goes above and beyond when it comes to customer service, and Shokz fits that bill.
