Shokz OpenFit 2+ review: The upgrade you hope it will be

The OpenFit 2+ launched alongside the Shokz OpenDots One, so it’s inevitable that there are comparisons between the two products.

The successor to last year’s excellent OpenFit and OpenFit Air, the OpenFit 2+ are, undoubtedly, a better pair of headphones than the OpenDots One.

At the centre of that statement is a much fuller, louder sound, Atmos functionality that does make a difference, and an improved design that bleeds a lot less sound to your fellow commuters compared to the previous generation.

But out of the two pairs of headphones Shokz launched in early July, I find myself reaching for the OpenDots every time — which is part of the reason it took an extra few weeks to publish this review.

Considering the OpenFit 2+ are both pricier than last year’s model, and the same price as the OpenDots, it’s an interesting position for these earbuds to be in.

What do the OpenFit 2+ offer?

Shokz focused on audio improvements for this generation of its OpenFit product. The engineers packed two individual speakers into each of the earbuds; a larger low-frequency driver for improved bass and an independent high-frequency unit for improved audio quality at the high end.

Not only does the audio sound better, but it also leaks out a lot less, which was one of my criticisms of the original OpenFit.

Each of the OpenFit 2+ earbuds wraps around your ears for a secure fit, just like the previous generation, but with the addition of a physical button on each earbud for more precise control over calls and music.

The earbuds can last up to 11 hours from a single charge, and up to 48 hours with the extra battery in the case. If battery life is running low, 10 minutes in the case will give you enough battery for about 2 hours of listening time.

Rated IP55 for dust and water resistance, it can handle getting a few drops of rain while you’re exercising.

Like the OpenDots, the OpenFit 2+ also supports Dolby Atmos, and can pair with two separate devices simultaneously for easy switching between your phone and your laptop.

What does the OpenFit 2+ do well?

Shokz has made some big improvements to the audio quality with the OpenFit 2+. By adding a second driver, the sound range is more expansive than last year’s offering.

It also leaks a lot less sound, so you can wear them in the office — or in the train, and not worry about your coworkers hearing everything you listen to.

The Dolby Atmos support does help a little but here. You don’t get the same sound stage as earbuds like the AirPods 4 or the Sonos Ace, but there is a discernible difference when it is switched on. It opens up the sound a bit, but I didn’t find the directional surround aspects of Atmos were as epic as they should be.

The OpenFit 2+ are comfortable to wear for extended periods, which is great because the battery lasts for ages. You’ll comfortably get through a whole workday listening to music with these on before you need to charge, which is no doubt helped along by the lack of noise cancellation.

One of the best changes with this version though is the inclusion of physical buttons. The original OpenFit earbuds had a confusing control system, so the inclusion of a physical button on each earbud simplifies that dramatically.

The fact you can customise the controls in the Shokz app is a nice addition as well.

What could the OpenFit 2+ improve?

While these are comfortable for extended wear for most people, if you wear glasses, there can be a bit of friction behind your ears.

It’s far from a dealbreaker, though. I found that I just needed to take periodic breaks from wearing both glasses and earphones to manage any discomfort. The fact is that the sound quality boost of these earbuds over previous models makes that discomfort bearable.

It’s probably also worth noting here that the OpenFit 2+’s design is intended to let through external sounds. That means there’s no noise cancellation at all, so if you want noise cancellation, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Verdict

What are you looking for when choosing a pair of open-ear earphones like the OpenFit 2+ or the OpenDots One? Is it a pair of athletic headphones to keep you company while you’re exercising without clocking external sound? Or is it something that gives you that same presence in an office environment.

As someone who works from home, for me, it was very much the latter. I want a pair of headphones that means I can hear when my wife or kids talk to me, yet lets me listen to music while I work. If I want to exercise, I’ll typically do it with a pair of headphones that can block out external distractions.

I think that’s the main reason that I found myself gravitating towards the OpenDots, despite the fact the OpenFit 2+ has superior audio quality, and is equally secure and comfortable.

For athletic types looking for the best open-styled earbuds, I think the OpenFit 2+ may be the place to look. But if you just need something for the office, it’s probably overkill.