Shokz Upgrades Open Earbuds with Better Sound, Lighter Design
▼ Summary
– Shokz has released two new open-ear earbuds, the OpenDots Air and OpenDots 2, which clip behind the ear and project sound without blocking the ear canal.
– The OpenDots Air are an entry-level model priced at $129.95, featuring Bassphere technology for improved bass and clarity, custom EQ, and up to 36 hours of battery life with the charging case.
– The OpenDots 2 cost $199.95, offer Dolby Audio support, a bone-conduction microphone for clearer calls, and up to 40 hours of battery life with a Qi wireless charging case.
– Both models use Bluetooth 6.1, support dual-device connectivity, and can be located via the Shokz app within Bluetooth range, but only the OpenDots 2 support Google’s Find Hub for last-known location tracking.
– The OpenDots Air weigh 6.3 grams per bud with no ANC but use AI for call noise reduction, while the OpenDots 2 weigh 6.4 grams and include dynamic ear detection for automatic left/right orientation.
Since 2006, a veteran tech reviewer has been covering the latest gadgets, and his passion for electronics dates back to childhood. Now, Shokz is expanding its open-ear audio lineup with two new models: the Shokz OpenDots 2 and OpenDots Air. Like the original OpenDots One from May 2025, both clip behind your ear and project sound toward your ear canal without blocking it. This design prioritizes comfort and situational awareness over the isolation of traditional earbuds, and each new version targets a different audience.
The OpenDots Air serve as an entry-point option, priced at $129.95 , more than $70 less than the original. They come in black or daybreak purple. Shokz equips them with a next-generation spherical acoustic structure called Bassphere, featuring a pair of custom 11.8mm drivers on each side with an optimized diaphragm to boost bass, loudness, and clarity. Through the companion app, you can create custom EQ profiles, but preset sound modes are also available, including a voice-boosting setting for podcasts and audiobooks and a privacy mode that reduces higher frequencies in quiet environments.
Battery life on the OpenDots Air reaches up to nine hours of playback, extendable to 36 hours with the charging case. There is no active noise cancellation, but AI algorithms work to minimize background noise during calls. A standout feature is dynamic ear detection: you can wear either earbud on either side without fussing over left or right orientation, as the buds automatically figure it out.
Weighing just 6.3 grams per earbud, the OpenDots Air are the lighter of the two. However, the OpenDots 2, at $199.95, are nearly as light at 6.4 grams per bud and pack more features. Available in pearl white, gray, and black, they use the same dual-driver system but add support for Dolby Audio. To improve call clarity, a bone-conduction microphone isolates your voice from background noise, making it easier for others to hear you.
Battery life on the OpenDots 2 stretches to 10 hours on a single charge, or 40 hours with the case, which supports Qi wireless charging. Both models run on Bluetooth 6.1 and can connect to two devices simultaneously for seamless switching between, say, your phone and laptop. You can locate them via the Shokz mobile app, but only when within Bluetooth range. The OpenDots 2 go further with support for Google’s Find Hub app, which reveals their last known location even when you’re far away.
(Source: The Verge)