Review: Shokz OpenFit Air

During our evaluation of the Shokz Open Fit in late 2023, we questioned the optimal use case for these headphones. The primary emphasis appeared to be on the fully open design, intended to enhance safety during activities such as cycling, running, or other exercises where environmental awareness is crucial. At that time, we considered the price point to be excessive for what seemed a limited application.

Today marks the release of the Shokz Open Fit Air, a closely related successor. While it introduces at least one welcome enhancement, it unfortunately retains certain aspects that we hoped Shokz would have addressed since the previous model.

Revisiting the Shokz Open Fit

Although this review will primarily focus on the Shokz Open Fit Air, it’s important to revisit its predecessor. We aim to illustrate why the Open Fit excels in scenarios like office use but presents challenges in quieter environments, such as when trying to sleep. Extended use of the Shokz Open Fit revealed some unexpected benefits. Notably, during phone calls, recipients consistently reported clear audio quality. We never experienced a need to revert to using the phone due to audio issues. Furthermore, we appreciated the ability to maintain awareness of our own voice volume during calls in public or office settings.

However, we encountered some challenges with the volume control. While the Open Fit proved useful for monitoring ambient sounds, such as children crying, while trying to sleep, the volume increments were not granular enough for comfortable sleep. The steps were either slightly too loud or too quiet, making it somewhat disruptive, leading us to seek better alternatives. We also observed that comfort improved with prolonged use, as the frames softened and became less noticeable over time.

Focusing on the Shokz Open Fit Air

An examination of the specifications for the Open Fit Air initially led to some confusion. Many specifications appear identical to those of its predecessor: the same dynamic composite driver size, wireless range, Bluetooth version, battery capacity (including the charging case), case size, and weight. This raises the question: what distinguishes the Open Fit Air?

We identified three key differences, as well as one additional detail. The primary difference is the price. The Shokz Open Fit launched at 2,500 kronor, while the Shokz Open Fit Air has a launch price of 1,500 kronor (though the original Shokz Open Fit is currently available for 1,800 kronor on Shokz’s website). We consider this revised price to be far more appropriate for the product’s capabilities.

The second notable difference is the size of the speaker housing. The Shokz Open Fit Air features a significantly larger housing, which, during our cycling test, generated more wind noise and reduced the audibility of music. Surprisingly, the battery life for the earbuds themselves is reduced by one hour in the new Open Fit Air, offering six hours instead of seven, while the total battery life with the case remains consistent at 28 hours.

Finally, the Open Fit offers the option to create a custom EQ profile, a feature absent in the Open Fit Air. Also, it is available in pink.

In summary: a lower price, larger size, reduced battery life (without the case), and no custom EQ profile.

Implications

It appears that Shokz aimed to create a budget-friendly alternative to the Shokz Open Fit Pro, experimenting with various features to develop a new product primarily distinguished by its lower price – a goal that has been achieved. However, it’s regrettable that focus wasn’t directed toward improvements in other areas, such as wireless charging for the case, finer volume control, a single-click option for the buttons, and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to customize button functions during phone calls, a feature that remains absent.

Conclusion: Shokz Open Fit Air

The Shokz Open Fit Air continues to prioritize awareness over an immersive sound experience. We find it most suitable for running, particularly given the often noisy environment of gyms. Cycling remains viable, provided you avoid headwinds or high speeds.

However, the Shokz Open Fit Air, like its predecessor, excels in podcast listening, radio, and phone calls. Its superb headset functionality, despite the limited customization options, makes it a preferred choice in these areas. The convenience of seamless transitions between calls, audio playback, and conversations is a major advantage. No plugs, no cords, just simplicity.

Ultimately, the differences between the original and the Shokz Open Fit Air are marginal, making the reduced price the defining advantage. The current pricing on Shokz’s website for the original Shokz Open Fit is likely a temporary promotion related to the new launch. However, considering the prevailing market price of 2,500 kronor for the original, the Shokz Open Fit becomes the clear winner.

Shokz provided a review unit for this evaluation. The provision of review units does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are always conducted independently with our readers and consumers as our priority.