4 days ago
I tested the new Shokz open-ear headphones and they might be the best I've tried
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Looking for wireless earbuds that won't fall out, block out the world around you or leave your ears aching after an hour?
Shokz, known and loved for its open-ear headphones and bone conduction technology, has just dropped the OpenFit 2 Series, its latest innovation in open-ear, true wireless audio – and they might just be the comfiest earbuds you'll ever wear.
Releasing two upgraded models to choose from – the OpenFit 2 and the OpenFit 2+ – the latter of which is complete with Dolby Audio, these featherlight buds deliver powerful sound, deep bass and 48-hour battery life, all without sealing off your ears.
Whether you're running, commuting or on back-to-back calls all day, these sleek wireless headphones are set to be the wearable tech upgrade your day-to-day has been waiting for.
Whether you're running, commuting or on back-to-back calls all day, these sleek wireless headphones are set to be the wearable tech upgrade your day-to-day has been waiting for. Available in beige and black. shop £169
Boasting dynamic sound plus Dolby Audio, wireless charging and all the other unbeatable features of the Shokz OpenFit 2, these earbuds are for those who demand more from their audio. Available in grey and black. shop £179
Comfortable, ergonomic and designed to sit on the ear rather than in it, the ultra-lightweight new Open-Ear headphones hook over the ear and utilise bone conduction, DirectPitch™ technology to transmit sound to your ears without obstructing them.
This allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while still enjoying your favourite tunes in ultra-crisp, impressive sound.
This is all down to Shokz's industry-first DualBoost™ Technology, which features two individual speakers in each earbud – an extra-large low-frequency driver for deep, resonant bass and an independent high-frequency driver for crisp mids and highs.
And while the OpenFit 2's sound is incredibly impressive, the OpenFit 2+ features Dolby Audio which surrounds you with lifelike sound, meaning whether you're listening to music, watching TV or gaming, you can enjoy a spatial, high quality audio experience.
And did we mention that the earbuds boast 11 hours of listening on a single charge and a 48 hour runtime with the charging case? Truly, running out of battery mid-run will be a thing of the past.
Complete with physical buttons and touch controls for easy adjusting of volume, call controls and track skipping, not to mention IP55 water resistance for your sweatiest of workouts, these new Shokz Earbuds are set to revolutionise the way you listen.
And I truly can attest to that as I got to try out the Shokz OpenFit 2 for myself.
As a woman who enjoys running, having a pair of earbuds that enable me to hear the world around me without compromising on sound quality has been on the top of my 'must-find' list for a while now. Well, until I got my hands (and ears) on these Shokz open-ear earbuds.
Extremely comfortable, lightweight, ergonomic and reliable, these sleek earbuds slip over the ear with ease, sitting quite happily against the tragus.
The buds have a smooth and comfortable soft silicone finish which make them great for wearing all day without issue, with the hook not creating any discomfort or weightiness whatsoever thanks to its lightweight build.
You could truly forget you had these sleek earbuds on.
Thanks to the silicone finish and reliable fit, I've not had a single issue with the buds coming loose or falling off while running – remaining reliably secure on even my longer plods.
Thanks to the open-ear design, you don't have any of that inner ear pressure or pain you often get with standard, in-ear earbuds either, another huge selling point for me, whose small ears end up aching after just an hour of in-ear wear.
Despite not having the Dolby-powered sound of the OpenFit 2+, the OpenFit 2's audio is still outstanding. Crisp, clear and dripping in quality, these earbuds offer unrivalled sound quality that's easily complement by the ambient sound of your surroundings, bringing peace of mind with it.
And the open-ear design really did bring peace of mind, allowing me to engross myself in my music with acute awareness of my surroundings, and with neither suffering as a result of the other.
There's not much to say aside from these earbuds have an excellent battery life. I find myself rarely having to charge them, unlike earbuds of times gone by, and am yet to be caught out by empty battery on the go. More Trending
They also don't take long to charge in the case, while the case itself charges fast, too. Big win.
In short, the Shokz OpenFit 2 are a game-changer. Comfortable, reliable, secure and safety-oriented, these amazing earbuds don't just treat my ears to fantastic sound quality, but help to ensure I'm always alert to what's going on around me, a priceless quality in a piece of tech.
This one is a huge 10/10 from me.
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
MORE: Frizzy? Damaged? Dull? Living Proof's new haircare range targets your exact hair woes
MORE: Gap x Dôen collection is now available in the UK from £35 – here's everything you need to know
MORE: From spicy margs to dirty martinis – Abercrombie's new graphic tees are a summer vibe and start at just £22
