Shokz's OpenFit Pro refines open-ear design with enhanced stability and sound features

Shokz upgrades its open-ear headphones with the OpenFit Pro, introducing a more secure fit, premium build, and advanced features like wear detection and Dolby Atmos, catering to active users seeking awareness and comfort.

Shokz has sharpened its open-ear formula with the OpenFit Pro, a more polished and more expensive follow-up that addresses several of the complaints levelled at earlier models. The most obvious change is fit: the redesigned ear hooks and speaker housings sit more securely, even for wearers who use glasses, and the earbuds stayed stable during running, lifting and brisk head movement. The new model also adds wear detection, fully physical controls, Bluetooth 6.1, Dolby Atmos with optional head tracking and Shokz’s first attempt at open-ear noise reduction.

The hardware feels more premium than the price suggests. Each earbud has an IP55 rating and the charging case mixes an aluminium frame with a rubberised finish that resists fingerprints and scuffs better than typical plastic rivals. The trade-off is size. The case is noticeably bulkier than before, making it less suitable for tight trouser pockets and more practical in a gym bag. Still, the physical design is refined, with a restrained look that sits somewhere between fitness gear and consumer audio.

Sound quality is strong for an open-ear product. Shokz’s new SuperBoost drivers deliver clear mids, smooth treble and bass that is controlled rather than heavy. Dolby Atmos adds a little extra width and perceived loudness, although it does not transform the presentation. The wider issue remains the same one that affects most open-ear earbuds: there is no seal, so outside sound competes directly with music and podcasts. In quieter settings the OpenFit Pro copes well, but in a noisy gym or on a busy street it can still feel underpowered at maximum volume.

The headline noise-reduction feature helps, but only to a point. It can soften constant background sounds such as fans, air conditioning and low-level chatter, yet it does not behave like conventional active noise cancellation. Sudden noise still cuts through, and several reviewers have noted that the effect is limited in louder environments. Some also reported a pressure sensation, though that was not universal. Battery life is a major strength, with Shokz rating the earbuds for up to 12 hours on a charge and 50 hours with the case, although those figures fall once noise reduction is enabled.

For buyers who prioritise stability, comfort and awareness over isolation, the OpenFit Pro is a compelling open-ear option. Tom’s Guide and RTINGS both place it among the stronger premium choices in the category, while SoundGuys argues that the noise-reduction upgrade may not fully justify the price increase on its own. That is a fair caution. Even so, the OpenFit Pro is a more complete product than Shokz’s earlier open-ear models, and for runners, gym users and glasses wearers it is one of the better-balanced options available.