Shokz Open Fit Air 2: First Run Impressions of a Lighter, Smarter Open-Ear Running Earbud

Introduction

The Shokz Open Fit Air 2 is the update to the most affordable option in Shokz’s Open Fit line, and early signs point to it being a genuinely worthwhile step up. These are air-hook style, truly wireless open-ear earbuds, and within the wider Open Fit family they are the ones most clearly geared toward fitness and workouts, with a focus on delivering the most reliable fit of the open-ear options.

After a first run with them, the changes from the original Open Fit Air look well judged: a lighter build, a new control system, stronger water resistance, improved bass, and more battery life. Here is what stood out.

Who the Open Fit Air 2 Is For

Within the Open Fit line, the Open Fit Air 2 sits as the most affordable option, staying around the same price as the original Open Fit Air. The design is dominated by the ear hook element, which exists to keep the earbuds secure during workouts. If you run, train, or simply want open-ear earbuds that stay put, this is the model in the range built for that.

It is worth knowing where it fits in the wider family. The Open Dot is a daintier clip-on earbud using similar technology to the Open Fit, and there are also neckband style options like the Open Run and the Open Swim Pro. All of the Open Fit line earbuds are suitable for running, but the Air 2 leans hardest into that use case.

Main Strengths

The headline changes are all practical ones. The Air 2 is now lighter than the original Open Fit Air and is the lightest earbud in the Open Fit family. Touch controls have been replaced with pressure-sensitive controls in a different position, and this feels like a clear win: touch controls are notoriously unreliable at faster running paces, while the new system felt noticeably easier and more reliable to use without resorting to physical buttons.

Durability has also been improved, with a stronger water-resistant rating for the earbuds and added moisture protection for the charging case, useful if you carry the case on runs.

On sound, the Air 2 uses air conduction technology with Shokz’s bass-feel driver and Open Bass 2.0 algorithm, an uptick in power and bass borrowed from the Open Dot range. On a first run the earbuds sounded bright overall and enjoyable, with a noticeable improvement in bass and power over the original, which helps when battling external sounds. Four EQ presets and a custom EQ mode are available in the Shokz app for further tuning.

Battery life is rated up to 8 hours per charge and 36 hours with a fully charged case, with a quicker fast-charge mode delivering 3 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. Dual microphones with AI noise reduction are included to improve call performance in louder environments, though call quality has not yet been fully tested.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The weight saving is generally positive, but going lighter brings one open question: whether the balance of the earbuds has tipped too far, potentially affecting the reliability of the fit. During a sweaty 6.5-mile run, there was one occasion when an earbud needed to be nudged back into place. Sunglasses and a cap were also being worn, which may have contributed, but that is a realistic setup for most runners.

The other honest caveat is sound in noisy conditions. Even with the improved bass and power, the earbuds still struggled against noisy traffic and wind, though they performed better than the original Open Fit Air in the same environment. Battery drain on the first run was around 10% for an hour of running at high volume on the standard EQ mode, which is in line with expectations for open-ear earbuds at this price.

Buying Advice

The pricing has gone up slightly compared to the launch price of the first Open Fit Air, listed at £129 in the UK. If you already own the original Open Fit Air and run regularly, the combination of better controls, more battery life, improved durability, and a brighter, bassier sound profile makes the Air 2 look like a worthy upgrade.

If fit security is your top priority, it is worth waiting for fuller testing to confirm whether the lighter design compromises the reliably secure fit the original was known for. That is the main question still to be answered with more time and more runners involved.

Conclusion

The Shokz Open Fit Air 2 makes a strong first impression. The move to pressure-sensitive controls, longer battery life, better bass, and stronger water resistance all address real running needs, and early use suggests another good set of earbuds for runs from Shokz. The one thing to watch is whether the lighter build costs a little of the original’s rock-solid fit, which deserves closer attention in longer-term testing. For runners who want an affordable, workout-focused open-ear earbud, this looks like one of the more sensible picks in the Open Fit line.