KZ SHOKZ OpenFit 2+ True Wireless Open-Ear Headphones Review

The Shokz OpenFit 2+ are fantastic open-ear buds for fitness and safety, with best-in-class comfort and battery life. But their music sound quality is mediocre, and you pay a premium for the design. Worth it if staying aware is your #1 need.

The Shokz OpenFit 2+ are open-ear earbuds designed to let you hear your surroundings while you listen. They're built for active folks who need to stay aware, whether you're running, cycling, or just walking around the office.

This HYROX edition adds Dolby Audio tuning and Qi wireless charging to the solid OpenFit 2+ formula. You get physical buttons to avoid accidental taps, a comfy ear hook design, and an IP55 rating for sweat and rain. It's a straightforward upgrade for a specific type of user.

Let's be real: these aren't for critical music listening. Our database scores them at just 56.5/100 for music, which is their weakest area. The open-ear design means you lose bass and detail compared to a sealed in-ear bud. That said, for what they are, they sound decent. The 17mm drivers and Dolby tuning provide a natural, balanced audio profile that's perfect for podcasts, calls, and workout playlists. Just don't expect thumping bass or noise isolation—there isn't any.

At $200, you're paying a premium for the open-ear form factor and the HYROX co-branding. The battery life and comfort scores are in the 95th and 86th percentiles, respectively, which is fantastic. But you're sacrificing sound quality and ANC. If staying aware is your top priority, the value is there. If you just want great-sounding wireless earbuds, this price buys you much better audio elsewhere.

Compared to top competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ are playing a different game. Those models excel at noise cancellation and rich, immersive sound, but they seal you off from the world. The Shokz are the opposite. Against other open-ear buds, like older Shokz models, the addition of Dolby Audio and wireless charging here is nice, but it's an incremental update. The Apple AirPods Pro offer a transparency mode that tries to do both, but it's not the same as a truly open design.

Skip these if you're an audiophile or just want the best sound quality for your money. Also, if you commute on a loud train or fly often, the complete lack of noise cancellation is a deal-breaker. For those scenarios, a good pair of ANC earbuds like the Sony XM5s will serve you much better.

Buy these if you're a runner, cyclist, or someone who works in an environment where you need to hear ambient noise constantly. The comfort and battery life are legitimately best-in-class for this category. They're also a great pick for people who hate the feeling of earbuds jammed in their canals. Just go in knowing you're trading audio fidelity for situational awareness.