Which Shokz headphones or earbuds should you choose? A full guide to all ranges

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Shokz has established itself as the benchmark for open-ear listening, first pioneering bone conduction, and now renowned for its open-ear, air-conduction earbuds. All their ranges share the same philosophy: music playback that doesn’t isolate you from the environment, for greater safety, comfort and freedom.

Bone or air conduction: the starting point

The first criterion to consider is the type of sound conduction. Bone conduction headphones transmit sound via vibrations on the temporal bone. The ears remain completely free, guaranteeing excellent perception of your environment and a very stable fit on the move. The Shokz Open Move, Open Run and Open Swim models all use this technology.

Open earbuds diffuse sound in front of the ear without blocking it. The sound reproduction is fuller and more natural than with bone conduction, with superior comfort for prolonged use at the office or on the move. They can be attached with clips, like the OpenDots, or ear hooks, like the OpenFit.

earbud transmission diagram
With air conduction, sound is projected in front of the ear, either with a clip system hold for greater discretion (left) or an ear hook for greater stability (center). With bone conduction (right), sound is transmitted by vibrations on the skull, leaving the ears free.

Three ranges of bone conduction headphones: Move, Run and Swim

The Shokz range of bone conduction headphones is organized into three distinct families. The Shokz Open Move is the entry-level model, with Bluetooth 5.1 multipoint connectivity, a 6-hour battery life and an IP55 certification. It lays the technical foundations of Shokz bone conduction without advanced features, all at a contained price of €89.

Shokz Open Move
The Open Move is an excellent starting point for users looking for an introduction to open-ear listening, particularly bone conduction, without investing too much.

The Run range introduces a progressive performance upgrade. The OpenRun model features a more rugged design (IP67 certification) and extended battery life of 8 hours. The Pro versions add fast charging, longer battery life and more advanced microphone technologies. The OpenRun Pro 2 takes this logic a step further, with Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity, a 12-hour battery life—the longest of any bone conduction headphones—and a more efficient fast charge that provides 2.5 hours of playback in just 5 minutes.

Shokz Open Run Pro
The Run range is aimed at those looking for sturdier headphones capable of withstanding more demanding outdoor conditions, with more advanced features such as fast charging and improved battery life. Shown here are the Shokz Open Run Pro.

The Swim range clearly stands out in terms of technology. Entirely waterproof, the OpenSwim Pro boasts IP68 certification and a 32GB internal memory for audio playback without a Bluetooth connection, an added feature for water sports.

Shokz Open Swim
The Open Swim Pro is the ultimate model for swimmers, with maximum water resistance and an integrated MP3 player, ideal for listening to music during swimming sessions.

We’ve detailed the different Shokz bone conduction headphones with their main distinguishing features. Depending on your use, you’ll be able to choose the model best suited to your needs.

Shokz Open MoveShokz Open Run ProShokz Open RunShokz Open Run Pro 2Shokz Open Swim Pro
Bluetooth5.1 multipoint5.1 multipoint5.1 multipoint5.3 multipoint5.4 multipoint
Battery life6 hours10 hours8 hours12 hours9 hours
IP certificationIP55IP55IP67IP55IP68
MicrophoneDual DSP noise-canceling microphoneDual DSP noise-canceling microphoneDual DSP noise-canceling microphone2 wind and noise resistant microphonesDual noise reduction technology
Fast charge✅ 5 min = 1h30✅ 10 min = 1h30✅ 5 min = 2h30✅ 5 min = 3h
Storage for MP3 files✅ 32 Go
Price€89€129€139€199€199

Two ranges of open earbuds: OpenDots and OpenFit

Shokz open earbuds are all based on air conduction, but differ in their fit, Bluetooth connectivity, total autonomy and audio technologies.

The Shokz OpenDots ONE adopt a clip-on system. They incorporate advanced features such as dynamic detection of the left or right ear, Dolby Audio processing, and Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint connectivity, with a total battery life of 40 hours.

Shokz OpenDots ONE
The OpenDots ONE are an ideal choice for users wanting to enjoy a discreet, high-quality listening experience. These clip-on earbuds are perfect for everyday use, with an ultra-lightweight fit and a sleek look.

The OpenFit range, with its ear hook design, progresses in clearly identifiable technical stages. The OpenFit Air and OpenFit share a common foundation with Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint and a 28-hour battery life. What sets them apart is the absence of AI noise cancelling for calls and the fast charging speed on the Air model. The OpenFit 2 and OpenFit 2 Plus models feature Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint and a 48-hour battery life, with the Plus version adding wireless charging.

Shokz OpenFit 2 in action
The OpenFit models offer excellent autonomy and connectivity for versatile use at a reasonable price. You’ll find the earbuds best suited to your needs among the 4 different models. Shown here are the Shokz OpenFit 2.

The OpenFit Pro represents the flagship of the range, combining Bluetooth 6.1 multipoint, up to 50 hours of battery life, wireless charging and active noise reduction. It also boasts Dolby Atmos compatibility for immersive audio quality, ideal for discerning audiophiles and users seeking the best sound experience.

Shokz OpenFit Pro in action
The OpenFit Pro is Shokz’s top-of-the-range model, designed to offer the best open-ear audio experience. Its impressive 50-hour battery life and unique features make it the best model in the industry.

We’ve detailed the various Shokz air conduction open earbuds with their main distinguishing features. Depending on your preferences in terms of battery life, usage and budget, you can choose the model best suited to your needs.

Shokz OpenFit AirShokz OpenFit Shokz OpenFit 2Shokz OpenDots ONEShokz OpenFit 2 PlusShokz OpenFit Pro
FitEar hookEar hookEar hookClipEar hookEar hook
Bluetooth5.2 multipoint5.2 multipoint5.4 multipoint5.4 multipoint5.4 multipoint6.1 multipoint
Battery life28 hours28 hours48 hours40 hours48 hours50 hours
IP certificationIP54IP54IP55IP54IP55IP55
Fast charge✅ 10 min = 2h✅ 5 min = 1h✅ 10 min = 2h✅ 10 min = 2h✅ 10 min = 2h✅ 10 min = 4h
Wireless charging✅ ✅ ✅ 
TechnologyDirectPitch, OpenBass AirDirectPitch, AI noise cancelling (calls), Shokz OpenBass 1.0DirectPitch 2.0, AI noise cancelling (calls), OpenBass 2.0Dynamic Ear Detection, Dolby Audio, DirectPitchDolby Audio, DirectPitch 2.0, AI noise cancelling (calls), OpenBass 2.0Active noise cancelling, Dolby Atmos, AI-optimized microphones, wind resistance, OpenBass 2.0
Price€109€139€159€199€199€249

Which Shokz headphones or earbuds are right for you?

Beyond the technical specifications, the choice of a Shokz model depends above all on your budget, your level of activity, outdoor use, and potential exposure to water. The choice between bone conduction and open earbuds will depend on the fit, sound reproduction quality and battery life you’re looking for.

The most affordable models, such as the Open Move or OpenFit Air, are designed to introduce you to the brand, while the higher-end models gradually add additional technologies. IP certification also plays a key role, especially for sports use. Today, only the Shokz Open Swim Pro is suitable for swimming, for example. Thanks to a wide range of earbuds and headphones, Shokz has a model for every user.

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