If you struggle with traditional in-ear headphones, you’re not alone. As a tech reviewer, I’ve tried countless earbuds in different shapes and fits but haven’t found a comfortable in-ear model that sounds good, doesn’t fall out of my ears, and doesn’t feel heavy after just 30 minutes of use.
I was skeptical about trying the Shokz OpenFit Air conduction headphones due to concerns over audio leakage. But after using them nonstop for a few weeks, they’ve become invaluable for listening to music and podcasts while working out, gardening, walking and even for talking on the phone. These $120 open-ear headphones won me over, especially for when I’m out and about and need to be aware of my surroundings.
An open-ear design is not for everyone, especially people who like a tight, immersive seal in their ear and booming bass. But if you dislike the feel of buds in your ears or can’t get them to stay in, read on to find out if the Shokz OpenFit Air will work for you.
These lightweight headphones have an open-ear design for those who want good quality audio and a comfortable fit while also staying aware of their surroundings.
What I liked about them
Lightweight design and fit
The standout feature of the OpenFit Air for me is the design, which looks sleek and modern without being bulky and heavy. The speaker sits right above my ear canal, and a flexible rubber ear hook allows it to rest ever so gently on my ear, even when I’m wearing reading glasses.
The matte silicone surface and metallic silver ring give the OpenFit Air a premium feel, especially in the black-and-silver color combination. (They’re also available in pink/silver and white/silver). Their low profile makes them the right choice for when I’m working in an office or working out at the gym. I had previously tried the original OpenFit, which has a thicker and less comfortable ear hook, so I appreciate the fact that Shokz designed this ear hook to be thinner and lighter (0.3 ounces), making them earbuds I can wear for over an hour without wanting to rip them off. An IP54 rating means I can get them sweaty or damp too, but they’re not waterproof.
They actually stay put
Comfort doesn’t mean a whole lot if the earbuds don’t stay put, right? I wore these while walking, working out at the gym and even having my head upside down pulling weeds in the garden, and they never fell off. At the same time, I can hear what’s going on around me, which is great for safety when you’re out.
Impressive sound quality
Shokz’s DirectPitch technology uses carefully calibrated reverse sound waves to optimize the sound pressure to your inner ear. I got decent audio with minimal sound leakage, something I was worried about, as mentioned earlier. Phone calls sounded great according to those I asked (it uses four microphones to reduce background noise), and at the gym, others couldn’t hear my music while I was standing nearby. Granted, I wasn’t playing anything with heart-thumping bass, but I was making my way through an energizing workout playlist. There’s a Bass Boost option in the app if you want to pump it up.
I spent a lot of time using these for calls and Zoom meetings, as well as listening to audiobooks and podcasts when I’m home or out running errands. The audio is full and rich, and I never struggle to hear it, though I do keep the volume up pretty high. More importantly, I can still hear what’s going on around me, which is a concern if I’m out and about.
App features and controls
There are no physical buttons, so tapping on the capacitive touch areas on the earbuds controls the volume, skips forward and plays and pauses. I appreciated the ability to further customize (and even disable to avoid accidental presses) those controls in the Shokz app. Depending on what you’re listening to, you can choose from one of four EQ presets.
For multitaskers, the MultiPoint Pairing feature is easy to use and seamless. I’m able to sync the headphones with two devices simultaneously, so I can switch between my smartphone and laptop when I get home from the gym with just one simple tap.
Reliable battery life (but not the best)
Shokz claims six hours of battery life on a single charge, with the charging case adding an additional 22 hours, totaling 28 hours of listening time. While this falls short of some competitors like the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, it does have a quick charge function, giving you two hours of playtime from just 10 minutes in the case. There’s no wireless charging, unfortunately.
What I didn’t like about them
Audio quality is good but not excellent
While they sound and feel great on my ears, the OpenFit Air are not the right choice for anyone looking for powerful bass and immersive spatial audio. The sound quality can’t match that of our best wireless earbuds picks like the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Pro 2. And now that the open-ear AirPods 4 wowed our tech editor with the addition of active noise cancellation, there are certainly more options out there. But those earbuds come with a higher price tag. If you’re like me and mainly use your earbuds for calls, audiobooks and podcasts and music at the gym, you will be very satisfied with the audio quality.
Touch controls can be fussy
The touch controls can be a little finicky at times. I’ve tapped the wrong spot more than once while trying to hit pause when someone wants to talk to me. The response time could be faster too, especially since sometimes they require another attempt. But the companion app makes it easy to customize the controls or you can disable them entirely if you’re prone to those accidental presses.
Bottom line
If you’re anything like me and can’t tolerate the feel of traditional earbuds in your ears, the OpenFit Air from Shokz is absolutely worth a look. With their open-ear design and featherlight construction, I can (and do) wear these all day long without getting the dreaded ear fatigue and wanting to take them off after an hour. They keep me connected to my music and podcasts whether I’m at the gym or just getting stuff done around the house.
They’re not perfect, of course. The touch controls can be finicky, and if you’re looking for earth-shattering bass or crystal-clear highs, these are not the right choice for you. But if you prioritize comfort over audiophile-grade sound, these $120 open-ear headphones offer a compelling combination of solid sound, situational awareness and all-day comfort in an attractive, sleek design.
