Shokz OpenFit Air – TDP Review

The Shokz OpenFit Air enters the market as a complementary model to the original OpenFit, retailing at a more affordable price of $199 AUD. Unlike many sponsored reviews, this assessment is entirely unbiased, ensuring an honest and thorough evaluation. Open-ear technology, which has seen a surge in popularity over the past 18 months, offers a unique listening experience by using mini speakers that hover just outside the ears. This design appeals particularly to runners, cyclists, and those who prefer situational awareness over immersive audio, providing a comfortable alternative to traditional in-ear monitors (IEMs) and true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comfortable Fit: Ergonomic design with ‘kidney shape’ profile and revised ear hook ensures comfort, especially for users with glasses or helmets.
• Situational Awareness: Open-ear technology allows for awareness of surroundings, ideal for runners and cyclists.
• Quick Charge Capability: Provides 2 hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge, offering convenience for quick boosts.
• Clear Sound Quality: Good balance of mids and highs with reduced distortion and enhanced bass for open-ear earbuds.
• Multipoint Connectivity: Seamlessly switch between two connected devices, enhancing usability for multiple gadgets.
• Portable Charging Case: Lightweight and compact design, making it easy to carry during activities.
• App Support: Customizable touch controls and firmware updates through the Shokz app.

Cons:

• Limited Battery Life: Single-use playtime of just over 5 hours, which is lower than some competitors.
• No Wireless Charging: Charging case lacks wireless charging capability, which might be a drawback for some users.
• Limited Control Customization: Touch controls can be customized only to a limited extent; lacks physical buttons.
• Basic App Features: No custom EQ in the app, limiting sound customization options.
• IP54 Rating: Provides only moderate protection against dust and water, not suitable for extreme environments.

Design and Build Quality: Sleek, Lightweight, and Practical

The Shokz OpenFit Air showcases a thoughtfully crafted design that significantly improves upon its predecessor. With a sleek, minimalist appearance, these earbuds are not only visually appealing but also highly practical for everyday use. The revised material and thickness of the ear hooks ensure a comfortable fit, even when worn with glasses or a helmet, making them ideal for various activities.

One of the standout features is the innovative ‘kidney shape’ profile of the driver output, which alleviates pressure on the tragus, addressing a common issue found in similar models like the Soundcore Aerofit Pro. The lightweight construction of the OpenFit Air further enhances comfort, allowing users to wear them for extended periods without discomfort.

The build quality is robust, with attention to detail evident in every aspect of the design. Despite their thin profile, these earbuds are durable and able to withstand daily wear and tear. However, their IP54 rating, while providing some level of dust and water resistance, may limit their use in more demanding environments. Overall, the Shokz OpenFit Air strikes a fine balance between elegance and functionality, making them a practical choice for those seeking reliable open-ear audio solutions.

Fit & Comfort: Ideal for Active Lifestyles

The Shokz OpenFit Air is meticulously designed to provide maximum comfort, making them an excellent choice for active individuals. The revised ear hook design, featuring improved material and thickness, ensures a secure and comfortable fit. This design allows the earbuds to stay in place during a variety of activities, including running, biking, and high-intensity workouts.

The ‘kidney shape’ profile of the driver output is a significant enhancement, reducing pressure on the tragus and preventing discomfort during prolonged use. This thoughtful design change addresses a common issue with other open-ear models, making the OpenFit Air a superior option for long-term wear.

During testing, the earbuds demonstrated exceptional stability, staying firmly in place even during vigorous movements. Their lightweight construction and thin profile make them almost imperceptible, adding to the overall comfort. Users with glasses will also appreciate the non-intrusive ear hooks, which do not pinch or cause discomfort, a notable improvement over other models like the 1MORE S50.

While the Shokz OpenFit Air excels in fit and comfort, it’s important to note their IP54 rating. While this offers some protection against dust and water, it may not be sufficient for more extreme sports or activities. However, for most fitness enthusiasts, the comfort and secure fit of the OpenFit Air will be more than adequate, making them a top choice for those who prioritize comfort and stability in their audio gear.

Performance and Sound Quality: Tailored for Situational Awareness

The Shokz OpenFit Air excels in providing an audio experience that balances performance with situational awareness, making them particularly suitable for outdoor activities like running and cycling. Utilizing open-ear technology, these earbuds deliver sound through mini speakers that hover outside the ears, ensuring users remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying their favourite music or podcasts.

Despite the inherent challenges of open-ear design, Shokz has managed to achieve impressive sound quality. The drivers are cleverly shaped to direct audio towards the ear, minimising distortion and enhancing bass response. This design choice helps to counteract the natural dissipation of bass frequencies that occurs with open-ear technology, resulting in a richer and fuller sound compared to many competitors.

The sound profile of the OpenFit Air is tuned to emphasize clear mids and highs, which is essential for maintaining vocal clarity in podcasts and calls. There is a steady elevation in the upper mids, peaking around 4kHz, which brings vocals to the forefront without sounding tinny or harsh. The treble rolls off smoothly, reducing the risk of listening fatigue during extended use.

One of the key advantages of the OpenFit Air is their ability to provide good volume levels without compromising on situational awareness. With a sensitivity of around 96dB, these earbuds allow users to listen at higher volumes in busy environments without losing touch with their surroundings. This makes them ideal for urban runs or cycling in traffic, where safety is a priority.

While the sound quality is commendable for open-ear earbuds, it’s important to set realistic expectations. The OpenFit Air won’t match the immersive experience of in-ear monitors (IEMs) or high-end true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, particularly in terms of bass depth and noise isolation. However, for users who prioritize situational awareness and comfort over absolute audio fidelity, the Shokz OpenFit Air offers a well-rounded and enjoyable listening experience.

Battery Life and Charging: A Mixed Bag

When it comes to battery life and charging, the Shokz OpenFit Air presents a somewhat mixed picture. On one hand, the earbuds feature a quick charge capability, providing 2 hours of playtime from just 10 minutes in the case. This can be incredibly convenient for those who need a quick power boost before heading out. However, the overall battery performance and charging case design may leave some users wanting more.

The charging case for the OpenFit Air is compact, measuring approximately 6 x 6.5 x 2.5 cm, and lightweight enough to carry in a running vest or cycling jersey pocket. Despite its portability, the case lacks wireless charging, a feature that is becoming increasingly common in this price range. The case does, however, offer enough power to recharge the earbuds an additional 3.5 times, extending their usability significantly.

In terms of single-use playtime, the OpenFit Air falls short compared to some of its competitors. With an advertised battery life of 4.5 to 6 hours per charge, actual use revealed a slightly better performance, clocking in at just over 5 hours. While this is acceptable for general TWS standards, it is relatively low for open-ear models, especially when compared to alternatives like the Oladance OWS Pro, Soundcore Aerofit Pro, and 1MORE S50, which offer between 8 and 15 hours of continuous use.

This shorter battery life means that the OpenFit Air might not be the best choice for all-day activities, such as long cycling sessions or extended outdoor adventures. Users who require longer playtime without frequent charging may find this a drawback. However, for mid-distance runs, gym sessions, or commuting, the battery life should be sufficient.

So, while the Shokz OpenFit Air offers some convenient charging features and a portable case, their overall battery life may not meet the needs of every user. The quick charge function and case capacity provide some compensatory benefits, but those seeking extended use without recharging may need to look elsewhere.

Controls and Usability: Intuitive Yet Limited

The Shokz OpenFit Air features a user-friendly control scheme designed to enhance usability, particularly during physical activities. However, while the controls are intuitive, they come with certain limitations that might affect user experience for some.

Touch Controls

The OpenFit Air employs capacitive touch controls, which are more forgiving than traditional touch-sensitive areas. Shokz has cleverly designed these larger touch areas to reduce accidental touches, a common issue when adjusting earbuds during movement. This is a thoughtful addition, particularly for runners and cyclists who often need to make quick adjustments on the go.

Customization Options

Through the Shokz app, users can customise the touch controls to a certain extent. This includes disabling single-touch functionality to prevent unintended actions. While this level of customization is useful, it falls short of providing a fully tailored experience. For example, the app does not support extensive remapping of controls, which might be a downside for users accustomed to more flexible settings.

Volume Control

Controlling the volume on the OpenFit Air involves holding the touch sensor, which, while not overly cumbersome, might not be the preferred method for everyone. Some users may miss the tactile feedback of physical buttons, which provide more precise and error-free adjustments. Unfortunately, the OpenFit Air lacks any physical buttons, limiting control options to touch inputs only.

App Integration

The Shokz app offers additional functionalities such as toggling multipoint connectivity and viewing connected devices. This feature is particularly handy for those who frequently switch between multiple devices, like a phone and a laptop. Firmware updates through the app ensure that the earbuds remain up-to-date with the latest improvements and bug fixes from Shokz, enhancing long-term usability.

Limitations

Despite the thoughtful design, the touch controls are not without their drawbacks. The absence of physical buttons might be a deal-breaker for some users, especially those who engage in activities that make touch controls impractical, such as wearing gloves during cold weather. Additionally, the customization options, while helpful, are somewhat limited and may not meet the needs of power users seeking more control over their audio experience.

Call Quality: Adequate for On-the-Go Communication

The Shokz OpenFit Air offers satisfactory call quality that suits the needs of users who require reliable on-the-go communication. While not designed to replace high-end communication devices, these earbuds perform admirably in various environments, providing clear audio in most situations.

Performance in Different Environments

During testing, the OpenFit Air demonstrated competent performance in both quiet and noisy environments. In relatively silent settings, such as an office or at home, the call quality is clear, though the audio can sometimes sound slightly over-compressed and digital. This minor drawback is more noticeable in tranquil surroundings but doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience.

In busier environments, such as on the street or public transport, the OpenFit Air shines. The earbuds effectively filter out background noise, ensuring that the user’s voice remains intelligible over ambient sounds like traffic, conversations, and machinery. This noise-handling capability makes them a dependable choice for outdoor calls, whether you’re on a run or commuting.

Real-World Testing

Real-world tests revealed that the OpenFit Air’s microphones excel at picking up speech clearly in challenging conditions. For example, during a phone call in a bustling café, the person on the other end of the line reported being able to hear my voice clearly, despite the background chatter and clinking dishes. Similarly, outdoor tests conducted near busy roads demonstrated that the earbuds could effectively distinguish between speech and environmental noise, maintaining call quality even amidst honking cars and distant construction noise.

Use Case Scenarios

While the OpenFit Air is well-suited for casual calls and quick conversations on the move, they might not be the best choice for professional settings where pristine audio quality is paramount. For instance, regular use for virtual meetings or extended conference calls in an office environment might reveal their limitations. However, for those needing a reliable option for sporadic calls while running errands or during workouts, the OpenFit Air performs more than adequately.

Additional Features: App Support and Multipoint Connectivity

The Shokz OpenFit Air earbuds come equipped with a range of additional features designed to enhance user experience, notably through app support and multipoint connectivity. These features add significant value, making the OpenFit Air a versatile choice for users who need seamless integration with multiple devices.

App Support

The Shokz app is a robust companion to the OpenFit Air, offering several functionalities that enhance the earbuds’ usability. Through the app, users can:

• Customize Touch Controls: While the customization options are somewhat limited, users can adjust settings to disable single-touch functionality to prevent accidental commands, which is particularly useful during physical activities.
• Audio Presets: The app includes several audio presets, such as Bass Boost, which adds warmth and depth to the sound profile. Although a custom EQ is not available, the presets provide enough variety to cater to different listening preferences.
• Firmware Updates: The app allows users to update the firmware, ensuring that the earbuds are always equipped with the latest features and improvements from Shokz. This proactive approach to updates can help resolve bugs and enhance performance over time.

Multipoint Connectivity

One of the standout features of the OpenFit Air is its multipoint connectivity capability. This feature allows the earbuds to connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between devices without the need to disconnect and reconnect. This is particularly useful for users who frequently alternate between their phone and laptop, such as taking a call on a mobile phone while working on a computer.

• Device Management: The Shokz app provides a device list, showing all connected devices, which simplifies managing connections and ensures a smooth user experience.
• Seamless Switching: With multipoint connectivity, users can seamlessly switch between devices, such as pausing music on a laptop to answer a phone call, and then resuming music playback without any manual intervention.

Limitations

While the additional features of the OpenFit Air are beneficial, they do come with some limitations:

• No Custom EQ: The lack of a custom equalizer might disappoint audiophiles who prefer to fine-tune their sound settings. The available presets, however, still offer a decent range of sound adjustments.
• Basic App Functions: Beyond the core functionalities, the app does not provide extensive customization or advanced features, which may limit its appeal to power users seeking more control over their audio experience.

Comparison with Competitors: Standing Out in a Crowded Market

The Shokz OpenFit Air enters a competitive market of open-ear earbuds, where several brands have made significant strides. To understand how they stand out, it’s crucial to compare them with notable competitors like the 1MORE S50, Soundcore Aerofit Pro, and Oladance OWS Pro.

1MORE S50

The 1MORE S50 has been a popular choice among open-ear earbud enthusiasts due to its balanced sound profile and comfortable fit. However, the Shokz OpenFit Air offers several improvements:

• Fit and Comfort: While the S50 is comfortable, the OpenFit Air’s innovative ‘kidney shape’ driver profile and revised ear hook design provide superior comfort, particularly for users who wear glasses or helmets.
• Battery Life: The S50 boasts longer battery life compared to the OpenFit Air, with up to 15 hours of continuous use. This makes the S50 a better option for extended activities without the need for frequent charging.
• Sound Quality: Both models deliver good sound quality, but the OpenFit Air’s focus on reducing distortion and enhancing bass provides a slightly richer audio experience, especially for podcasts and vocal-heavy content.

Soundcore Aerofit Pro

The Soundcore Aerofit Pro is another strong contender, known for its robust build and impressive sound. However, the OpenFit Air has distinct advantages:

• Comfort: The Aerofit Pro can cause discomfort due to its design, which places pressure on the tragus. The OpenFit Air mitigates this issue with its ergonomic design, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
• Noise Handling: In noisy environments, both models perform well, but the OpenFit Air has a slight edge in maintaining call clarity amidst background noise, making it more reliable for outdoor activities.
• Battery and IP Rating: The Aerofit Pro has a better battery life and a higher IP rating, making it more suitable for intense workouts and outdoor activities. However, the OpenFit Air compensates with quick charge capabilities and a lightweight, portable design.

Oladance OWS Pro

The Oladance OWS Pro is recognized for its long battery life and immersive sound quality. Here’s how the OpenFit Air compares:

• Battery Life: The OWS Pro outshines the OpenFit Air with an impressive battery life of up to 15 hours, making it ideal for long-duration use without recharging.
• Sound Quality: The OWS Pro offers a more immersive audio experience with better bass response, thanks to its larger drivers. The OpenFit Air, while good, focuses more on clarity and reducing distortion.
• Comfort and Fit: The OpenFit Air’s lightweight and ergonomic design provide a more comfortable fit for extended periods, particularly for those engaged in physical activities.

Overall Comparison

The Shokz OpenFit Air distinguishes itself in several key areas:

• Innovative Design: The ergonomic and lightweight design ensures comfort and stability, making them ideal for active users.
• Situational Awareness: The open-ear design maintains situational awareness, a critical feature for runners and cyclists.
• Quick Charge Capability: The quick charge feature offers convenience, providing 2 hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge.

Conclusion: A Solid Choice for Open-Ear Enthusiasts

The Shokz OpenFit Air is a noteworthy addition to the open-ear earbud market, offering a combination of comfort, design, and practicality that makes it a solid choice for those seeking an alternative to traditional in-ear monitors. Its innovative ‘kidney shape’ profile and revised ear hook design ensure a comfortable and secure fit, particularly for active users and those who wear glasses or helmets.

The sound quality is commendable for open-ear technology, providing clear mids and highs with an emphasis on reducing distortion and enhancing bass response. While it may not match the immersive experience of IEMs or some high-end TWS earbuds, it offers a well-balanced audio profile that suits a variety of listening preferences.

Battery life is a mixed bag, with quick charge capability providing a convenient boost, but overall playtime falling short compared to some competitors. The compact and lightweight charging case is a plus, although the lack of wireless charging might be a downside for some.

The intuitive touch controls, supported by the Shokz app, offer reasonable customization, though the absence of physical buttons and a custom EQ might limit appeal for power users. Multipoint connectivity is a standout feature, providing seamless switching between devices, which is particularly useful for those who juggle multiple gadgets.

In comparison with competitors like the 1MORE S50, Soundcore Aerofit Pro, and Oladance OWS Pro, the OpenFit Air holds its own, particularly in terms of comfort and usability. It may not lead in every category, but its thoughtful design and practical features make it a compelling option for those prioritising comfort, situational awareness, and reliable performance in open-ear earbuds.

Overall, the Shokz OpenFit Air is a strong contender in the open-ear market, offering a balanced mix of features that make it a solid choice for enthusiasts looking for a comfortable, high-quality, and versatile audio solution.

Want more? Click here Shokz OpenSwim Pro – TDP Review – TDP (techdriveplay.com)

Zachary Skinner

Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.