In 2023, Shokz strayed from its bone conduction roots with a pair of “air conduction” open-ear wi-fi earbuds. Whereas the Shokz OpenFit delivered higher audio than bone conduction fashions, that wasn’t saying a lot. Their sound was nonetheless hit-or-miss, and a few customers had issues with their finicky contact controls. At CES 2025, the corporate is again with the $180 OpenFit 2, which apparently has options for each points, in addition to a brand new bone-conduction headset for workplace calls.
The Shokz OpenFit 2 has a woofer and tweeter in every earpiece for extra dynamic sound. (The primary-gen mannequin solely had a single driver for every ear.) The corporate additionally improved its bass algorithm, which “enhances dynamic low-frequency vibrations directly to your ear.”
The open-ear buds’ design hasn’t modified dramatically from the unique OpenFit: a hook nonetheless wraps round every ear with a bud resting simply exterior. However Shokz engineered the brand new mannequin’s ear hook with a softer silicone (for better consolation) and a tighter curve (for improved stability). The corporate says it “molds to the contours of your ear for a personalized, comfortable fit.” Every earpiece weighs 9.4g (0.33 oz). You may order it in black or beige.
The 2023 mannequin used contact controls, which aren’t at all times the most effective enter answer for earbuds’ small surfaces. So, the brand new mannequin has bodily multifunction buttons along with contact controls, which ought to assist forestall or reduce unintentional touches.
The OpenFit 2 is rated for as much as 11 hours per cost (up from seven within the first-gen mannequin) or 48 hours when factoring within the bundled charging case. Additionally they have a greater water resistance ranking (IP55 vs. IP54 within the unique) and Bluetooth 5.4.
Shokz additionally has a brand new workplace headset, the OpenMeet, which looks like a redesigned religious successor to its OpenComm sequence. Like different office headsets, it appears to be like a bit… goofy, with its lengthy mic stem jutting out towards the mouth space. Much like the OpenComm, the earpiece sits in entrance of the ear as an alternative of on, in or round it. However a key distinction is that OpenMeet’s band extends over the highest of the pinnacle, not behind it.
The corporate says OpenMeet is designed to really feel weightless, due to a five-point design that distributes its 78 g for minimal strain. Its audio merges bone and air conduction, and the corporate says its (hilariously named) “LeakSlayer 3.0” tech helps reduce sound leakage to assist hold your calls non-public.
OpenMeet makes use of a dual-mic system utilizing Qualcomm’s cVc noise discount, which Shokz claims reduces background noise by as much as 98.6 p.c. It has a devoted mute button, Bluetooth 5.4 and as much as 15 hours of battery life.
The Shokz OpenFit 2 is obtainable immediately for $180 on the firm web site, Amazon and retail companions (together with Finest Purchase and Goal). In the meantime, the OpenMeet headset is bought by means of the corporate’s enterprise web site.
