Pros
- Noise reduction works surprisingly well in moderate noise environments
- Comfortable and secure
- Impressive sound quality
- Lots of customizable audio options
- Easy-to-use app, on-bud controls
Cons
- No Auracast support
- Battery life cut in half with noise reduction on
- Large case isn’t as pocketable as others
- Can shift away from ears during some activities
- Expensive
I can’t count how many times I have had friends tell me that they, or their kids, don’t like earbuds. They aren’t comfortable. I can’t wear them for long periods of time. I can never find ones that fit right in my ears. These are the most common complaints I hear, which is why I always recommend open-ear buds. But they come with a concession: they won’t sound as good (depending on the use case, most people don’t care) and audio leaks in since there’s no way for noise reduction. Or is there?
Shokz has found a way to combat this with the Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds, which leverage the company’s own noise reduction technology even though they sit atop your ears not in them, with flexible hooks that wrap around the backs of your lobes. These are the open-ear buds you want to buy, especially if you’re wearing them for commuting or working out at the gym.
After wearing them for a few minutes at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, I was impressed with how well they cancelled at least some of the ambient noise of the crowded show floor. So, I knew I had to try these at home. I wore them for a few weeks while working at home and in coffee shops, working out in the basement (strength training, boxing, cardio), and going for leisurely weekend walks. Bottom line: I was even more impressed.
Shokz OpenFit Pro Review
How do these fare in the key areas? Let’s take a look.
Comfort, Fit, and Controls
The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds, as noted, wrap around your ear using flexible hooks (there’s an accessory piece for a more secure fit if you think you need it – I didn’t). The rectangular buds then sit overtop your ear canals. They’re comfortable wear and stay put. While I did have some challenges keeping them positioned correctly when putting on a winter toque for a Sunday morning walk, a bit of patience helped (and the toque actually helped keep them in place!)
I did rigorous workouts with them on, including strength training and cardio, and they didn’t budge. Not even while I was jumping rope! I did find, however, that when lying on the floor or a bench for exercises like core moves or bench presses, they shifted away from my ears slightly based on the natural head movement. These aren’t, in other words, earbuds you’ll want to wear to sleep or for intense yoga.
Once paired, you can use on-bud controls, which I appreciate are offered as tiny physical buttons versus a swipe or touch motion. Control playback, modes, and other settings. You can also use the app to control and customize the on-bud functions.
Noise Reduction
The setting you really want to pay attention to with these earbuds it called Noise Reduction. How does it work? Traditionally, in-ear buds have a much easier time blocking noise both passively and actively since they seal your ears. So, accomplishing this with open-ears is an interesting challenge. Shokz’s Open-Ear Noise Reduction mode consists of three mics in each bud combined with a refined speaker design and an Ear Adaptive Algorithm that work together to soften background noise. Yes, this is even though sound can logically leak into your ears through the unsealed canals.
Two of the mics are feedforward microphones that continuously monitor environmental noise. The third feedback microphone tracks the sound reaching the ear. They work alongside DirectPitch 3.0, which purportedly helps focus audio towards the ear canal to reduce sound leakage.
I tried the mode in various settings, and I was wowed. My loud furnace at home when the heat clicked on during a deep freeze of -30°C nights in Toronto? I could barely hear it. Working at a local coffee shop with background music, patron chatter, and water running while they washed dishes? It was softened considerably. Noise reduction isn’t as effective with noise like traffic while I walked on the sidewalk beside a busy street. But it can work incredibly well in so many other settings, like silencing the hum of the train, subway, or bus, chatter in the office, or ambient noises while you work or at the gym.
Sound Quality
Beyond noise reduction, they sound pretty great, richer and fuller than I expected from a pair of open-ears. I listened to a variety of tracks as well as watched streaming video content, using additional features like Dolby Atmos support with head tracking and leveraging the enhanced bass via SuperBoost. At times, I forgot I was wearing open-ear buds and not in-ears. With Atmos and supported content, you get a more immersive experience, especially with noise reduction all the way up (you can control the level via a slider in the app).
There are five preset EQ modes that come in handy (think Vocal for podcasts) and you can set two more. One thing worth noting, however, is that much like with bone conduction earbuds (these use air conduction), the vibrations from the music or other content, especially if you are using a bass-heavy EQ, can be a little jarring. You might find it uncomfortable, even, if you’re listening for long periods of time. You won’t notice it if you’re listening to podcasts, with bass turned down, and at a lower volume. But if you’re looking to pump loud, bass-heavy tunes, this might be a sensation that takes some getting used to, and you may prefer in- or on-ears for that.
Battery Life
They last a good amount of time per charge, especially with the charging case. But while you get up to 12 hours per charge, 50 with the case, this is cut in half if you use noise reduction. That’s a small price to pay, however, for the added convenience of being able to quiet your surroundings without plugging your ears.
Comparison to Shokz OpenFit Earbuds
I compared these to the Shokz OpenFit open-ear buds, which were introduced in 2023, and I was reminded that these older earbuds sound pretty good, too. It’s no wonder Shokz is a favourite among athletes and especially runners (my good friend who runs marathons swears by them). In fact, bass performance isn’t a massive upgrade with the Shokz OpenFit Pro buds: you still get pretty good bass reproduction with those older-model ones. The real selling point here is the noise reduction, which works enough to justify the upgrade if you need it.
Should You Buy the Shokz OpenFit Pro Open-Ear Buds?
If you’re one of those people who don’t like or can’t wear in-ears, these are a great compromise. They’re among the best buds you’ll find that offer an in-ear bud-like experience without actually plugging your ears. You get the best of both worlds. The noise reduction isn’t comparable to what you’d get with premium in-ears. But it’s a feature you don’t traditionally find in open-ear buds at all, and that’s a huge plus.
If you’re looking for a good pair for remote work Zoom calls, walking, running, exercising, and/or commuting, they’re a solid option. For something to help quiet environments with mid-level, low-frequency noise, like your home furnace, the hum of an engine, and background chatter, you’ll be blown away at how well they work. They’re not going to turn a loud and busy urban street into a quiet, serene experience. But they work better than you’d expect. For someone who doesn’t like in-ears and has been on the hunt for the perfect pair of open-ears that rival them, these are it.
The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds come in black and white and sell in Canada for $330.