If you want better Portability/foldability
Choose Shokz OpenFit 2. It scores 4.5 vs 2.5 for Portability/foldability, with a 4.1 overall score.
Shokz OpenFit 2+ Review
Bottom Line
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.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
44 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.016 (36%)
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Positive 3.5-4.416 (36%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.47 (16%)
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Negative 1.5-2.44 (9%)
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Very negative below 1.51 (2%)
Pros
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Battery life received strong agreement as excellent, long-lasting, or a non-issue for daily use, training, and long sessions.
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Android compatibility received one direct positive test result alongside iOS compatibility.
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The one explicit clamping-force assessment was very positive because the reviewer felt no clamping pressure at all.
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Multi-platform compatibility was positively supported by tested compatibility across Android and iOS.
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USB-C received one explicit positive mention for avoiding proprietary charging cables.
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Comfort was one of the strongest points across nearly every review, with repeated praise for long-wear softness, low fatigue, and all-day active use.
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Multipoint was repeatedly described as smooth, seamless, convenient, or reliable for switching between phones, laptops, watches, and other devices.
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Weight comfort was consistently praised; reviewers repeatedly said the earbuds felt very light or nearly disappeared on-ear.
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Build quality was praised through flexible/durable ear hooks and robust-feeling materials.
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Design and aesthetics were praised as classy, understated, premium, sleek, and among the best-looking open-ear designs tested.
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Instrument separation was praised when reviewers heard clean, distinct instruments or stereo separation without muddying vocals and guitars.
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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.
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Physical buttons were widely praised as easier, more reliable, and more comfortable than touch-only controls, though one ultrarunner wanted an on/off button.
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Charging was praised for wireless convenience and quick top-ups, but one review reported case charging behavior that could leave earbuds undercharged.
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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.
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Most reviewers who discussed high-volume behavior heard clean playback without distortion, though one warned that very high volume could sound cranky.
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Treble drew mostly positive comments for crispness, sparkle, and detail, while SoundGuys found the treble weak and less detailed in busy mixes.
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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.
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Water and sweat resistance was generally reassuring for rain, sweat, and workouts, though reviewers warned against submersion and sweat-related charging care.
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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.
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Midrange and vocals were generally described as clean, natural, energetic, or more forward, with the strongest praise coming from music-focused reviews.
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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.
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Setup simplicity was supported by the convenient pairing button and the fact that app use is not required for basic functions.
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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.
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Call quality was mostly praised as clean, clear, or very good, with caveats around wind, crowded cafés, or heavy processing.
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EQ customization was a clear strength: reviewers liked tweaking sound, custom EQ, and personal preference controls, though one app workflow was limited.
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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.
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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.
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Microphone noise reduction generally handled traffic, background noise, or indoor noise well, but wind remained the recurring weak scenario.
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Dolby and the open presentation usually expanded the stage, but SoundGuys felt the spatial positioning was more artificial than genuinely dimensional.
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Volume was usually enough for music, calls, and outdoor use, but reviewers split on headroom in noisy places, with some wanting more output.
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One reviewer found video latency minimal and acceptable for casual gaming, while noting no dedicated gaming mode elsewhere in the review.
Cons
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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.
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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.
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Sensor feedback was mixed: one review praised wear detection, while another wished smart sensors were included.
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Voice assistant integration exists through limited touch or button customization, but reviewers treated it as secondary rather than a standout feature.
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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.
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Portability had one notable criticism from an ultrarunner who found carrying the case extra weight and space during long races.
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Touch control usefulness was limited in the cited review because the touchpad was mainly restricted to voice assistant activation.
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Codec support drew criticism from one reviewer because the earbuds lack high-end Bluetooth codecs.
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Only SoundGuys offered an opinionated frequency-response critique, finding upper mids and treble below its preferred target.
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LDAC was specifically missed by one reviewer who expected it on a premium open-ear product.
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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.
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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, Maximum volume clarity, near average in Comfort during long use, Stability, below average in Codec support, Frequency response accuracy, LDAC.
Summary
44 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher19 (43%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts15 (34%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower10 (23%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codec support | 2.0 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
| Spatial audio | 4.1 | 2.9 | +1.2 |
| Clamping force comfort | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| Maximum volume clarity | 4.5 | 3.3 | +1.2 |
| Frequency response accuracy | 2.0 | 3.2 | -1.2 |
| LDAC | 2.0 | 3.2 | -1.2 |
| Portability/foldability | 2.5 | 3.6 | -1.1 |
| Preset EQ profile quality | 4.4 | 3.4 | +1.0 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Frequency response accuracy
Choose Soundcore AeroClip Earbuds. It scores 4.2 vs 2.0 for Frequency response accuracy, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better LDAC
Choose Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones. It scores 4.1 vs 2.0 for LDAC, with a 3.7 overall score.
If you want better Codec support
Choose EarFun OpenJump Open Ear Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for Codec support, with a 3.6 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
- More expensive: price and security tradeoff The OpenFit 2+ was described as nearly as rich, more secure, and roughly $100 cheaper than Bose's model.
- Similar: sound quality The reviewer said OpenFit 2+ sound quality was close to the Bose benchmark for open-ear sound.
JBL Soundgear Sense
- Worse: weight and comfort The OpenFit 2+ was presented as much lighter-feeling than this open-ear companion.
Nothing Ear (Open)
- Better: measured sound quality and price SoundGuys said Nothing Ear (Open) measured better and cost less, making it a stronger sound/value comparison.
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.
Video Reviews
YouTube - The Running Dutchman
- Review score
- 3.6
Article Reviews
androidcentral.com
- Review score
- 4.1
digitalreviews.net
- Review score
- 4.1
techradar.com
- Review score
- 4.3
Top Open-Ear Headphones to Consider
Best for all-day comfort, secure open-ear awareness, long battery life, and a genuinely useful touchscreen case. Skip it if deep bass, strong isolation, compact size, or consistently premium music quality...
Pros: Instrument separation, Multipoint connectivity reliability
Cons: Noise isolation (passive)
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.
Pros: Microphone noise reduction, Bluetooth
Cons: Active noise cancellation, Codec support
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...
Pros: Android compatibility, Software/setup simplicity
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Choose them for cool, all-day over-ear comfort, outstanding awareness, and spacious sound at a fair price. Skip them for loud commutes, deep bass, strong isolation, compact portability, or if shallow...
Pros: Headband adjustability, Voice assistant integration
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