Shokz OpenFit Air 2 – New Open-ear Headphones Weighing 7.2 g with Bluetooth 6.1 and up to 36 Hours of Battery Life
At just 7.2 g per earpiece, the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 are considerably lighter than their predecessors. A redesigned Shokz Bassphere driver, Shokz OpenBass 2.0 and DirectPitch are intended to improve the acoustic performance without sealing the ear canal. Longer battery life, IP55 protection and pressure-sensitive controls complete an extensive second-generation update.
- The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 address the qualities that matter most in everyday open-ear headphones: low weight, a secure fit, useful battery life and reliable operation when moving. Shokz has also revised the acoustic platform, connectivity and weather protection, although support for only SBC and AAC keeps the choice of Bluetooth codecs firmly at a basic level.
Open-ear headphones no longer occupy a small niche reserved primarily for runners. They have become a distinct category within Personal Audio, offering an alternative for anyone who wants to listen to music, podcasts or calls without becoming acoustically detached from their surroundings. Shokz Holding Limited has played an important role in establishing this approach, and the new Shokz OpenFit Air 2 show how much attention the company now gives to refining the details rather than merely explaining the concept.
The second generation is lighter and more compact, yet promises longer battery life and improved resistance to moisture. Shokz has also changed the driver arrangement, reconsidered the controls and adopted Bluetooth 6.1. None of these measures alters the underlying principle: the ear canal remains open, while the headphones aim to direct sound towards the listener with greater precision.
Key Facts Shokz OpenFit Air 2
- Open-ear Bluetooth headphones weighing 7,2 g per earpiece
- Shokz Bassphere driver with two 11.8 mm transducers
- Shokz OpenBass 2.0 and DirectPitch
- Bluetooth 6.1 with SBC and AAC
- MultiPoint connection for two devices
- Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair
- Up to eight hours of music playback per charge
- Up to 36 hours of total playback with the charging case
- Ten-minute quick charge provides up to three hours of playback
- Four microphones with AI-assisted noise reduction for calls
- IP55-rated earpieces and IP54-rated charging case
- Pressure-sensitive controls
- Adjustable EQ and control settings via the Shokz App
Less Weight Where It Matters Most
With earphones designed to remain in place for hours, a reduction of just a few grams can matter more than it might suggest on paper. Each Shokz OpenFit Air 2 earpiece weighs 7.2 g, compared with 8.7 g for the original Shokz OpenFit Air. That represents a reduction of around 17 per cent at the point where the user will notice it most.
A 0.75 mm Ni-Ti alloy frame forms the basis of the flexible ear hook. According to Shokz, this construction is intended to adapt naturally to different ear shapes, maintaining a stable position without applying unnecessary pressure. This balance is particularly important for an open-ear model: it cannot rely on an eartip seated inside the ear canal to hold it in place.
The charging case has been trimmed as well. Shokz states that it is 10.5 per cent smaller than before, while the combined weight of the earpieces and case has fallen by 17.6 per cent. The result should be easier to carry, but also less noticeable during long listening sessions or physical activity.
A 30° Change in Direction
Shokz has not simply reduced the dimensions of the existing design. The loudspeaker is now positioned at an angle of 30°, placing it closer to the ear and aligning it more directly with the ear canal. This is meant to establish a more natural position while delivering sound with greater focus.
The ear itself nevertheless remains unobstructed. Traffic, conversations and other environmental sounds can still be perceived, which is the fundamental advantage of the open-ear format when running, cycling, hiking or moving through a busy city. It also explains the inevitable distinction from conventional in-ear headphones: isolation is not the objective here, and the design should be judged accordingly.
Shokz Bassphere: Two Transducers in Place of One
The acoustic revision centres on the new Shokz Bassphere driver. Rather than using a single large circular transducer, the system employs two high-sensitivity 11.8 mm transducers. Shokz claims that together they achieve an acoustic output comparable to that of one 16 mm circular driver.
Open headphones face an obvious challenge in the lower frequencies because they cannot use a sealed fit to reinforce bass. Shokz OpenBass 2.0 is intended to compensate through signal processing, giving the bass range greater substance despite the open construction. This does not turn the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 into conventional in-ear headphones, but it shows where the manufacturer sees the greatest opportunity for improvement.
DirectPitch serves a related but separate purpose. The technology is designed to direct more of the sound towards the listener while reducing leakage into the immediate surroundings. Better focus should therefore benefit both perceived clarity and privacy, particularly in quieter public spaces where escaping sound can otherwise become conspicuous.
Personal Sound Profiles through the Shokz App
The Shokz App provides four predefined EQ modes: Standard, Vocal, Bass and Private. Two additional profiles can be configured individually, allowing users to adapt the tonal balance rather than being restricted to the factory tuning.
Its role extends beyond equalisation. The app can be used to customise the controls, manage MultiPoint connections and install software updates. A Find My Earbuds function can also make the earpieces emit a sound, provided they have merely been misplaced rather than left somewhere entirely beyond reach.
Pressure-sensitive Controls Replace Touch Panels
Touch controls can be convenient in calm conditions, but less predictable when sweat, rain or hair reaches the control surface. Shokz has therefore replaced the touch panels of the original Shokz OpenFit Air with pressure-sensitive controls on the Shokz OpenFit Air 2.
The standard assignments cover playback, pause, track selection and call management. Volume adjustment and access to a voice assistant can be assigned through the app. The more deliberate physical action should reduce accidental commands while training or in poor weather, where a casual touch interface can quickly become frustrating.
Bluetooth 6.1 with MultiPoint
Wireless communication is based on Bluetooth 6.1, with Shokz specifying an operating range of up to 10 m. The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 support the SBC and AAC codecs, together with the A2DP, AVRCP and HFP Bluetooth profiles.
MultiPoint allows the headphones to remain connected to two source devices simultaneously. A user can therefore move between a smartphone and notebook without repeating the pairing procedure each time. Google Fast Pair provides a quicker initial connection with compatible Android devices, while Microsoft Swift Pair performs the equivalent role under Windows.
The Bluetooth implementation is modern in terms of connection management, but the codec selection is notably restrained. Shokz has chosen broad compatibility rather than including a more extensive range of higher-quality or low-latency alternatives.
Eight Hours from the Earpieces, 36 Hours in Total
Battery life has advanced from the first Shokz OpenFit Air. The new model is rated for up to eight hours of music playback from one charge, an increase from the previous six hours. With the charging case included, total playback rises from 28 to as much as 36 hours.
A quick ten-minute stay in the case should provide up to three additional hours of listening. Charging the earpieces fully takes approximately 60 minutes, while charging the earpieces and case together requires around 100 minutes. Shokz also specifies up to six hours of talk time per charge and as much as 25 hours with the case.
These figures make the smaller case particularly relevant. Shokz has managed to reduce the physical burden of carrying the complete set while increasing the time available away from a power source.
Four Microphones for Calls
Each side contains a dual-microphone system, giving the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 four microphones in total. AI-assisted signal processing is used to identify and suppress surrounding noise so that the speaker’s voice remains more prominent.
Shokz intends the system to maintain intelligibility in locations such as cafés, public transport and busy training environments. The company reports a marked improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio during its internal simulations, although the actual result will naturally depend on factors such as wind, background noise and the position of the earpieces.
IP55 Protection for Training and Daily Use
The earpieces carry an IP55 rating, improving their protection against sweat, rain and splashing water. The charging case is rated to IP54, so it too has a defined level of resistance against dust and moisture.
This makes the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 suitable for sport, outdoor activities and everyday use in uncertain weather. The ratings do not, however, make them appropriate for swimming or wearing in the shower. Water resistance and waterproof construction remain two quite different things.
The Most Important Advantages at a Glance
- Exceptionally low weight: Each Shokz OpenFit Air 2 earpiece weighs just 7.2 g.
- Awareness of the surroundings: The open design leaves the ear canal unobstructed.
- Revised acoustic platform: Shokz Bassphere, OpenBass 2.0 and DirectPitch address output, bass response and sound leakage.
- Longer listening time: Battery life reaches up to eight hours per charge and 36 hours with the case.
- More deliberate operation: Pressure-sensitive controls are intended to prevent accidental commands caused by sweat, rain or hair.
- Convenient device switching: MultiPoint maintains simultaneous connections with two source devices.
- Better prepared for outdoor use: IP55 protection covers the earpieces against sweat and splashing water.
- Extensive app control: EQ profiles, button assignments, MultiPoint management and software updates are available centrally.
Price & Availability
The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 are already available from the manufacturer at a price of € 139,-. The package contains two Shokz OpenFit Air 2 open-ear Bluetooth earpieces, the corresponding charging case, documentation and a warranty card.
Getting to the Point
The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 do not attempt to reinvent the open-ear principle. Instead, Shokz Holding Limited has concentrated on the characteristics that determine whether this type of headphone remains comfortable and practical throughout the day. Lower weight, a smaller case, longer battery life and improved protection form a coherent set of changes rather than a collection of isolated updates.
The redesigned Bassphere driver and Shokz OpenBass 2.0 also indicate that comfort has not been treated as the sole priority. Open headphones remain acoustically more demanding than sealed in-ear models, particularly in the bass, so more precise sound direction and dedicated signal processing are sensible areas of development. The restricted choice of SBC and AAC is the one conservative aspect of an otherwise broadly modern specification. For users primarily seeking light, open and uncomplicated headphones for exercise, commuting and extended daily wear, however, the overall concept appears carefully judged.
| Product | Shokz OpenFit Air 2 |
|---|---|
| Price | € 139,- |
Technical Specifications
| Product | Shokz OpenFit Air 2 |
|---|---|
| Characterisation | Open-ear Bluetooth headphones with ear hooks |
| Transducer principle | Air-conduction transducers |
| Drivers | Shokz Bassphere with two 11.8 mm circular transducers |
| Signal processing | Shokz OpenBass 2.0, DirectPitch |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±10 dB |
| Sensitivity | 97.5 dB ±3 dB |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.1 |
| Bluetooth profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP |
| Audio codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Wireless range | Up to 10 m |
| Frequency band | 2.402 MHz to 2.480 MHz |
| MultiPoint | Two devices simultaneously |
| Fast pairing | Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair |
| Microphones | Four microphones with noise reduction |
| Microphone sensitivity | -38 dB ±1 dB |
| Earpiece battery capacity | 56 mAh |
| Charging-case battery capacity | 600 mAh |
| Music playback | Up to 8 hours |
| Total playback with charging case | Up to 36 hours |
| Talk time | Up to 6 hours, or up to 25 hours with charging case |
| Quick charging | 10 minutes for up to 3 hours of music playback |
| Earpiece charging time | Approximately 60 minutes |
| Earpieces and charging-case charging time | Approximately 100 minutes |
| Standby time | Up to 1,5 days, or up to 180 days in the charging case |
| Earpiece protection rating | IP55 |
| Charging-case protection rating | IP54 |
| Weight per earpiece | 7,2 g ±0.2 g |
| Charging-case weight | 46,4 g ±2 g |
| Total weight | 60,8 g ±2 g |
| Earpiece materials | Plastic, silicone, stainless steel |
| Charging-case materials | Plastic, stainless steel |
| Brand | Shokz Holding Limited |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shokz Holding Limited |
| Distribution | Shokz Holding Limited |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
