Shokz OpenFit 2 vs OpenFit: Should you upgrade?

When it comes to open-ear headphones and earbuds that prioritize environmental awareness, Shokz has been a leader in the market. The company’s newest release, the Shokz OpenFit 2, builds upon its predecessor with several key improvements designed for active users. But are these changes substantial enough to warrant an upgrade from the first OpenFit, or should you save some money and stick with the first generation? This Shokz OpenFit 2 vs OpenFit comparison breaks down all the differences to help you decide which is right for your needs.

Editor’s note: this article was published on March 18, 2025, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Shokz OpenFit 2 compared to the OpenFit?

The Shokz OpenFit 2 features redesigned ear hooks that are noticeably thinner than the original model. Made with flexible nickel titanium, these hooks distribute pressure more evenly while maintaining a secure fit, making them more comfortable for extended wear. The OpenFit 2’s hooks curve more naturally around the ear compared to the original OpenFit’s somewhat stiffer design.

While the original OpenFit relied entirely on touch controls on the logo area, the OpenFit 2 introduces a physical multi-function button alongside the touch panel. This addition significantly improves usability during workouts, especially when wearing gloves or when your hands are sweaty. Many users will appreciate the tactile feedback of physical buttons over touch controls, which can sometimes be finicky or register accidental inputs when adjusting the fit.

Both models feature an IP54/IP55 rating for dust and sweat resistance, making them suitable for workouts and light rain, though neither is fully waterproof. The OpenFit 2 (8.4g per bud) is slightly heavier than the original (8.3g per bud), but the improved weight distribution through the redesigned hooks makes this difference negligible in practice.

Do the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit have more features?

The OpenFit 2 builds on its predecessor with several new features that enhance the overall user experience. Most notably, the OpenFit 2 introduces:

• DualBoost technology: Two speakers in each bud (one for bass, one for mids/highs)
• Physical button controls: Complementing the touch panel for more reliable control
• Multipoint connection: Allowing seamless switching between two connected devices
• Bluetooth 5.4: Upgraded from 5.2 on the original OpenFit

Both models offer the same EQ customization options through the Shokz app, including four preset EQ modes (Bass Boost, Treble Boost, Vocal, and Standard) and a five-band custom EQ targeting the same frequency ranges (64Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz, 4kHz, and 8kHz).

Both models lack wear detection for automatic play/pause functionality and a find-my-device feature for the case. Additionally, neither model has a waterproof case, which could be problematic for users who frequently exercise outdoors in unpredictable weather.

How do the Shokz OpenFit 2 and OpenFit connect?

The Shokz OpenFit 2 features the newer Bluetooth 5.4 standard compared to the OpenFit’s Bluetooth 5.2. While both provide stable connections, the OpenFit 2 offers improved connection stability and potentially better power efficiency.

The most significant connectivity upgrade with the OpenFit 2 is the addition of Multipoint connection support, which allows you to pair the earbuds with two devices simultaneously and switch between them seamlessly. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently switch between listening to music on a phone and taking calls or attending meetings on a laptop.

Both models support the basic SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, with no support for higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC. The pairing process remains simple for both models, requiring you to open the case and hold the touch controls to enter pairing mode.

Is battery life better on the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit?

Battery life is one area where the OpenFit 2 shows substantial improvement over its predecessor. The OpenFit 2 offers up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge, compared to 7 hours and 13 minutes for the original OpenFit.

The charging case for the OpenFit 2 provides an additional 37 hours, bringing the total to 48 hours of playback before needing to recharge the case. The original OpenFit case offers 21 additional hours for a total of about 28 hours of combined use.

Both models feature fast charging capabilities, though the OpenFit 2 has a slight edge: a 5-minute charge delivers 2 hours of playback, while the original OpenFit provides 1 hour of playback from the same 5-minute charge.

Neither model supports wireless charging, relying instead on USB-C for wired charging.

Do the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit block noise better?

Neither the Shokz OpenFit 2 nor the original OpenFit is designed to block external noise. Their open-ear design is specifically intended to maintain environmental awareness, allowing you to hear your surroundings while enjoying your audio content. This makes them ideal for outdoor activities like running and cycling, where situational awareness is crucial for safety.

The lack of noise isolation is a deliberate design choice rather than a shortcoming, though it does mean that both models struggle in noisy environments. In such settings, you might be tempted to increase the volume to compensate, which could potentially lead to hearing damage over time.

If you’re looking for earbuds that can block out noise when desired, neither of these models will satisfy that need. You would need to consider sealed earbuds with active noise cancelation for that purpose.

Do the Shokz OpenFit 2 sound better than the Shokz OpenFit?

The Shokz OpenFit 2 offers improved sound quality over the original model, primarily due to the new DualBoost technology that incorporates two speakers in each earbud. This dual-driver approach allows for better frequency separation, with one driver focusing on bass and the other handling mids and highs.

While the open-ear design inherently limits bass response in both models, the OpenFit 2 delivers a fuller, more balanced sound, especially when using the Bass boost or Treble boost EQ presets. The OpenFit 2 also gets louder than its predecessor, which can be helpful in noisy environments without being uncomfortably loud.

Objective Measurements

Both models show similar frequency response characteristics typical of open-ear designs, with relatively reduced bass and a stronger emphasis on treble frequencies. The OpenFit 2’s DualBoost technology helps mitigate some of these limitations, but the fundamental constraints of the open-ear design remain.

The OpenFit 2 tracks more closely to reference curves through the midrange than its predecessor, with a somewhat restrained treble in its default sound setting. Both devices benefit significantly from their custom EQ options, which can help compensate for the inherent limitations of their open design.

Do the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit have a better microphone?

Both the Shokz OpenFit 2 and the original OpenFit offer similar microphone quality that performs well in various conditions. The microphones in both models can accurately relay voices of different pitches while filtering out typical background noises.

The OpenFit 2 features two microphones in each earbud with noise canceling technology, coupled with AI-powered beamforming algorithms, which improve performance in office environments, noisy streets, and even moderately windy conditions.

Shokz OpenFit 2 vs Shokz OpenFit: Price and availability

The Shokz OpenFit 2 launched in November 2024 for $179.95 at Amazon, which is virtually identical to the original OpenFit’s launch price of $179 at Amazon in June 2023.

However, with the release of the OpenFit 2, the original model has seen price reductions and can often be found at discounted prices. Additionally, Shokz has released a more affordable OpenFit Air model at $119, which offers similar functionality to the original OpenFit but with reduced sound quality and shorter battery life.

Both models are widely available through Shokz’s official website and major retailers.

Should you get the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit?

The Shokz OpenFit 2 represents a meaningful evolution of the original design rather than a revolutionary upgrade. For new buyers, the OpenFit 2 is clearly the better choice with its improved comfort, controls, and battery life. Current owners of the original OpenFit might want to wait for a sale before upgrading unless the physical buttons or significantly extended battery life are particularly important to them.

Both models excel at their primary purpose: providing audio while maintaining environmental awareness for safety-conscious users. While neither can match the sound quality of sealed earbuds, they fill an important niche for runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts who need to stay aware of their surroundings without sacrificing their personal soundtrack.

What should you get instead?

While the Shokz OpenFit series offers compelling options in the open-ear earbuds market, several alternatives are worth considering:

• Nothing Ear (Open) $149 at Amazon: These currently hold the top spot for the best open earbuds, according to our testing. These provide better audio quality than both OpenFit models while often selling at a comparable or lower price point. If sound quality is your priority within the open-ear category, this might be your best option.
• Sony LinkBuds Open ($199.99 at Amazon) provide an unoccluded fit with additional app functionality. These earbuds use an in-ear loop design instead of over-ear hooks for a more discrete appearance. While the default sound profile isn’t stellar, the included equalizer allows for substantial customization, and the microphones perform well for calls.
• JLab Epic Air Sport ANC 3 ($99.99 at JBL): These earbuds offers a different approach with over-ear hooks similar to the OpenFit design but with sealed in-ear tips. Unlike the OpenFit series, these include active noise cancelation with a transparency mode, giving you the flexibility to maintain environmental awareness when needed and block out noise when desired. These also provide different sound characteristics due to their sealed design and carry a robust IP rating for intense workouts in various conditions.

If you’re specifically interested in situational awareness without compromising your ears, Shokz’s bone conduction headphones, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, might also be worth considering. They leave your ear canals completely open while delivering audio through vibrations against your cheekbones.