Choose the Shokz OpenFit 2+ for open-ear comfort, secure runs, long battery life, and convenient wireless charging. Skip it if you need ANC, deep bass, LDAC, or earbuds that never shift under helmets, buffs, or jumps.
Best for
Best for runners, cyclists, commuters, walkers, and active users who want music or calls while staying aware of traffic, people, and surroundings. Reviewers especially liked them for long wear, workouts, and daily movement.
Not for
Not for listeners who need ANC, deep sealed-earbud bass, high-end codecs like LDAC, or critical-listening accuracy. Ultra runners and helmet/beanie users should also weigh the case, layer-removal, and fit caveats.
Verdict
Across the reviews, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ lands as a highly convincing open-ear workout earbud because comfort, battery life, button controls, and situational awareness earned unusually consistent praise. Sound is also stronger than reviewers expected from the format, especially with EQ or Dolby, though the tradeoff is clear: bass depth, isolation, and true ANC cannot match sealed earbuds. The Plus upgrades, mainly Dolby audio and wireless charging, are treated as worthwhile for new buyers, but not always enough for current OpenFit 2 owners. Fit is secure for running and everyday movement, yet helmets, buffs, glasses, vertical jumps, and wet post-workout charging introduce real caveats.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
More expensive: price and security tradeoffThe OpenFit 2+ was described as nearly as rich, more secure, and roughly $100 cheaper than Bose's model.
Similar: sound qualityThe reviewer said OpenFit 2+ sound quality was close to the Bose benchmark for open-ear sound.
JBL Soundgear Sense
Worse: weight and comfortThe OpenFit 2+ was presented as much lighter-feeling than this open-ear companion.
Nothing Ear (Open)
Better: measured sound quality and priceSoundGuys said Nothing Ear (Open) measured better and cost less, making it a stronger sound/value comparison.
Reviewers broadly praised the open-ear sound as unusually strong, clear, balanced, or top-tier for the category, though SoundGuys treated it as below critical-listening earbuds and one runner focused mainly on clear voice playback.
Button control usability: 4.5, based on 11 reviews
Physical buttons were widely praised as easier, more reliable, and more comfortable than touch-only controls, though one ultrarunner wanted an on/off button.
Value was usually positive for first-time buyers because reviewers saw the $10-$20 Plus premium or category price as justified, though existing OpenFit 2 owners may not need to upgrade.
Preset EQ profile quality: 4.4, based on 4 reviews
Preset EQ opinions were mostly positive for Bass Boost, Treble Boost, and Vocal/voice modes, with one technical review saying presets help compensate for open-ear limitations.
Midrange and vocals were generally described as clean, natural, energetic, or more forward, with the strongest praise coming from music-focused reviews.
Water/sweat resistance rating: 4.3, based on 10 reviews
Water and sweat resistance was generally reassuring for rain, sweat, and workouts, though reviewers warned against submersion and sweat-related charging care.
The app was generally considered useful, simple, or feature-rich for EQ, firmware, controls, Dolby, and tracking, though a few reviews described it as minimal or not essential.
Sound leakage was generally better than expected for open-ear earbuds at reasonable volumes, but reviewers still warned that higher volumes can be heard nearby.
Bass was often better than expected for open-ear earbuds, especially with EQ or Dolby, but several reviewers still noted limited punch and depth compared with sealed earbuds.
EQ customization was a clear strength: reviewers liked tweaking sound, custom EQ, and personal preference controls, though one app workflow was limited.
Spatial/Dolby audio was usually praised for richer, wider, more immersive sound, but some reviewers preferred it for video or podcasts over music and one found it gimmicky.
Stability was strong for running, workouts, and general movement, but reviewers found caveats with helmets, buffs, high-impact jumps, or losing an earbud when removing layers.
Bluetooth behavior was mixed: reviewers liked seamless single-bud use, but others reported earbuds staying connected in the case or draining phone battery without an off switch.
Case quality was mixed: reviewers liked the size/design and wireless charging, but cited a pinch hazard, poor low-battery signaling, and non-waterproof case limitations.
Voice assistant integration: 3.3, based on 2 reviews
Voice assistant integration exists through limited touch or button customization, but reviewers treated it as secondary rather than a standout feature.
Find My-style feedback was mixed: some reviewers liked ringing/tracking features, while others complained about missing true case Find My support or losing tracking when the battery died.
Passive isolation is essentially not the point of the design; the cited reviewer emphasized that the earbuds do not isolate the listener from the world.
Active noise cancellation: 1.3, based on 4 reviews
Reviewers consistently framed ANC as absent or unsuitable for noise-cancellation seekers, treating the product as intentionally awareness-first instead.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Open-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Spatial audio, Clamping force comfort, Preset EQ profile quality, below average in Codec support, LDAC, Frequency response accuracy.
Summary
8 compared features
Above average0.4+ pts higher63%
5 features
Same as averagewithin 0.3 pts0%
0 features
Below average0.4+ pts lower38%
3 features
Attribute
This product
Category average
Difference
Spatial audio
4.1
2.4
+1.7
Clamping force comfort
5.0
3.3
+1.7
Codec support
2.0
3.6
-1.6
LDAC
2.0
3.5
-1.5
Frequency response accuracy
2.0
3.4
-1.4
Preset EQ profile quality
4.4
3.2
+1.2
USB-C
5.0
3.8
+1.2
Instrument separation
4.7
3.6
+1.1
FAQ
Are the Shokz OpenFit 2+ good for running?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly found them comfortable and secure for running, road use, trails, and long sessions, though high-impact jumps, helmets, buffs, and removing layers can create fit or loss risks.
Do they have active noise cancellation?
No. Reviewers emphasized that these are open-ear earbuds designed for awareness, not isolation or ANC.
How good is the sound quality?
For open-ear earbuds, reviewers were mostly impressed by the clear, balanced, and often lively sound. The main caveat is that bass depth and critical-listening accuracy still trail sealed earbuds.
Is Dolby Audio worth it?
Most reviewers liked Dolby for a richer, wider, or more immersive presentation, especially for video, podcasts, or outdoor listening. A few preferred regular mode for music or found Dolby artificial.
How is the battery life?
Battery life was one of the strongest points, with reviewers calling it excellent, impressive, or a non-issue. One caveat was case behavior when low on power or when dirty pins prevent proper charging.
Are calls clear?
Usually yes. Reviewers praised clean call audio and strong noise reduction, but wind, crowded cafés, and heavy processing were recurring limits.
Should OpenFit 2 owners upgrade?
Reviews generally framed the Plus model as worthwhile for new buyers because of Dolby audio and wireless charging. Existing OpenFit 2 owners may find the upgrades too incremental for a full replacement.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Best for secure, comfortable open-ear workouts, strong battery life, and easier physical controls. Skip them if you need ANC, sealed-earbud sound, or the best value at full price.
Choose the Soundcore AeroClip if you want featherlight open-ear buds with strong comfort, secure fit, clear calls, and surprisingly full sound. Skip them if you need ANC, sealed-bud isolation, higher...
Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)
#3Current product
Shokz OpenFit 2+
3.9
Best for open-ear comfort, secure runs, long battery life, and convenient wireless charging. Skip it if you need ANC, deep bass, LDAC, or earbuds that never shift under helmets, buffs,...
Pros: Clamping force comfort, Battery
Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)
Choose the AeroFit 2 for comfortable open-ear listening, strong battery life, app control, and value. Skip it if you want class-leading sound balance, real isolation or ANC, smaller cases, or...