Shokz OpenFit Air 2: featherweight new earbuds that keep you tuned into the world around you

Shokz has just unveiled the OpenFit Air 2, the next generation of its earhook earbuds. This second version goes even smaller, hits a record 7.2 g per earbud, and refines the fit so it works as well for a full day at the office as it does on a run. It’s genuinely built for everyday use: light, great-sounding, and versatile. Marathons.com breaks down what makes the new Shokz OpenFit Air 2 stand out.

Before we get into the details, it’s worth looking at the Shokz phenomenon. Founded in 2011, the Chinese brand has become the reference in open-ear audio, first through bone conduction made popular in the running and cycling worlds, then by expanding into more classic formats like the OpenFit. Even if its initial US launch didn’t meet expectations, Shokz bounced back and is now present in more than 70 countries, with over 30 million units sold in total. Momentum fueled by a booming market, with running among the most popular activities.

In the middle of all that, Shokz claims the global No.1 spot for open-ear earbuds in shipped volume for the past three years (2023-2025), according to Omdia. If Shokz is doing so well, it’s mainly because the brand builds innovative, premium products for runners and active people. You also see it out in the field, with partnerships across nearly all the Marathon Majors (Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, New York), the Paris Marathon, and UTMB.

No.1 worldwide for 3 years

Shokz is the global market leader in open-ear earbuds (source: Omdia)

Earbuds you completely forget you’re wearing

That’s the first thing you notice when you put them on. At just 7.2 g per earbud (down from 8.7 g for the first generation), the OpenFit Air 2 is the lightest earhook earbud Shokz has ever made. The brand went with a flexible nickel-titanium alloy structure and a redesigned earhook to keep things stable without pressure points, even during hard sessions. The speaker angle sits at 30° and lands neatly in the concha for clear, natural open-ear sound. With these tweaks, Shokz is aiming squarely at people who choose an active, on-the-move lifestyle. Comfort, weight, versatility: the OpenFit Air 2 is one of the most complete options on the market.

The charging case has been updated too: slimmer and lighter than the first-gen version, it slips easily into a shorts pocket or a small running belt.

For launch, the brand is offering three colors: timeless Black and White for the purists, plus a new Glacier Blue for anyone who wants to stand out.

Shokz OpenFit Air 2: ultra-light, compact earhook earbuds for running or work, with open-ear sound so you stay aware of what’s around you.

A new pressure-sensitive button for smooth, precise control

This is probably the most practical change for runners: the OpenFit Air 2 drops the first-gen touch controls in favor of a real, pressure-sensitive physical button on each earbud. On the older model, some users noticed accidental pauses triggered by sweat, rain, or even a strand of hair brushing the earbud. That’s now a thing of the past. The new button is simply more reliable and more precise, so OpenFit Air 2 users can control playback without the frustration.

On durability, the earbuds are rated IP55 (sweat, rain, splashes) and the case is IP54. Those protection ratings keep things running even in demanding conditions. Enough to handle a wet run or a hard interval session without drama.

36 hours of battery life to keep your mind off charging

Battery life is the make-or-break spec for our gadgets. Few things are more annoying than a device dying mid-run. With the OpenFit Air 2, that shouldn’t be much of a worry: autonomy is clearly up versus the previous generation. This version delivers up to 8 hours of listening on a single charge (6 hours before) and 36 hours total with the case (up from 28). The other big win is charging speed: a 10-minute quick charge gives you 3 hours of listening, perfect if you forgot to top up before a long run.

Another genuinely useful day-to-day upgrade: the move to Bluetooth 6.1 enables multipoint pairing with two devices at once. Switching from your laptop to your phone has never been easier.

Sound quality is a major strength of the OpenFit Air 2

On the audio front, the OpenFit Air 2 delivers with specs that look seriously promising. It features Shokz’s patented Bassphere transducer (dual 11.8 mm drivers) paired with the OpenBass 2.0 algorithm, for fuller bass than the previous generation. DirectPitch technology channels sound toward the ear to reduce leakage and keep things a bit more discreet in the city.

Unlike many earbuds out there, there’s no active noise cancelling here. Makes sense: it’s pure Shokz DNA, run and move while staying aware of your surroundings. It’s exactly this open, safer format that’s made the brand’s reputation over the past few years. For calls, a dual-mic system paired with AI-assisted noise reduction keeps your voice clear even in busy places.

Where the OpenFit Air 2 fits in the Shokz lineup

The OpenFit Air 2 sits in Shokz’s classic air-conduction open-ear family, built around everyday comfort and versatility. In parallel, the brand keeps its historic bone-conduction range (OpenRun), more directly tied to performance and running, notably backed by Eliud Kipchoge and Hellen Obiri.

Bone-conduction range (OpenRun)

Model	Key strengths	Positioning	Price
OpenMove	Affordable entry-level bone conduction, BluetoothⓇ 5.1, IP55	Entry level (accessible)	€89.95
OpenRun	Best-seller, IP67, 8-hour battery, quick charge	Standard (best-seller)	€139
OpenRun Pro 2	DualPitch (bone + air conduction), 12-hour battery, quick charge 5 min → 2h30, Bluetooth® 5.3, IP55	Top end (Performance)	€199

Classic air-conduction range (OpenFit)

Model	Key strengths	Positioning	Price
OpenFit Air	8.7 g/earbud, touch controls, IP54, 6h (28h with case)	Standard	€109
OpenFit Air 2	7.2 g/earbud, lightest in the lineup, pressure-sensitive physical button, Bassphere™ speaker, 8-hour battery (36h with case), quick charge, Bluetooth 6.1, dual microphone, IP55, clear calls	Standard	€139
OpenFit 2 / 2+	Up to 11 hours of listening (48h with case), quick charge, Dolby spatial audio (2+ only), Qi wireless charging case (2+ only), IP55, clear calls, next-gen Bluetooth 5.4, DualBoost™OpenBass™ 2.0, DirectPitch™ 2.0	Top end (Premium)	€199

With the OpenFit Air 2, Shokz brings some major upgrades to the most versatile model in its lineup. It’s not trying to take on the OpenRun range on pure performance, but it still ticks a lot of the boxes that matter in training: record low weight, a reliable button, rain resistance, and battery life that can cover a week’s worth of sessions without recharging. At 7.2 g per earbud, it’s a real technical achievement. Priced at €139, it’s a strong option for runners and active people looking for an all-around audio companion, as comfortable on a long run as it is in a meeting.

✔ Check out the OpenFit Air 2 on the official Shokz.com