Compare Shokz OpenFit Air 2 vs Shokz OpenSwim Pro

Sound is clear, energetic, and surprisingly full for an unsealed fit, with particularly good voices. Higher-end Shokz models and sealed earbuds still deliver more depth and refinement.

Underwater playback earns especially strong praise for its fullness and clarity. On land the audio is good for bone conduction but noticeably less rich than conventional earbuds, especially at loud volumes.

The presentation is wide and spacious for open-ear earbuds, with good separation of musical layers. Incorrect positioning can make the stereo image uneven.

The open-ear, bone-conduction approach lacks the enveloping soundstage of more traditional headphones, particularly when external noise intrudes.

There is no active noise cancellation, making noisy trains, gyms, and other distracting environments a poor match. The awareness-first design intentionally lets the outside world in.

This open-ear headset cannot mask loud gym music or other intrusive sounds. It suits awareness-focused activity rather than noise-cancelling listening.

Bass has more body and punch than expected from lightweight open-ear earbuds, especially with EQ adjustments. Deep sub-bass and hard-hitting electronic music remain weaker points.

Bass is limited compared with sealed earbuds, especially on dry land, but can sound noticeably fuller underwater or with earplugs. Some swimmers find its punch surprisingly strong for bone conduction.

The open design lets traffic, wind, and household noise compete with music. It is welcome outdoors but frustrating on trains and other loud routes.

Open ears keep environmental sounds accessible, which is valuable outdoors but makes trains, busy roads and loud gyms difficult places to follow audio.

Leakage is better contained than on some open-ear designs, especially at moderate volume. Nearby people may still hear playback in a quiet office or train.

At restrained listening levels the headset may be unobtrusive, but loud music can be audible to nearby people, especially at a crowded pool wall.

Wind and traffic suppression keep many outdoor calls intelligible, though very fast cycling can still overwhelm the processing.

Noise-reducing microphones keep land-based calls intelligible in ordinary settings, although very loud surroundings remain a challenge.

The box is sparse, with earbuds, case, and paperwork but no USB-C charging cable. Anyone without a spare cable must supply their own.

Swim earplugs are useful for stronger perceived sound and lower pool noise, and the supplied case helps store the wet headset. These extras make the swimming package more complete.

Clarity can be strong without turning volume all the way up, but the bass and balance may deteriorate at higher levels. The ideal setting varies with ambient noise.

Bass-heavy music can distort when volume is pushed toward the top, particularly outdoors when listeners are trying to overcome surrounding noise.

Most ears get a steady fit, but a few users reported shifting or uneven driver positioning. Sunglasses, hats, or individual ear shape can matter.

The ear hooks stay put through running, strength drills and many swimming strokes, including flip turns. Fit is less predictable under a tight cap, with some bounce or pressure reported.

Highs are often bright and detailed, especially in quiet environments. One listener found the upper register somewhat thin.

Higher-frequency detail and vocals remain clear enough for enjoyable music, including underwater, even if the overall presentation is not audiophile-grade.

The Vocal preset can sound overly compressed for music, making other settings more appealing for most genres.

Vocal presets can help speech, and swimming mode changes the underwater balance. Preferences differ sharply: some like the swim tuning, while others find it flat and prefer Standard.

There is enough loudness for most exercise and busy streets, but very noisy travel may overpower the unsealed design. Lower volumes can sound too thin.

Volume is adequate in calmer environments but often cannot overpower wind, crowds or traffic. Raising it to maximum can add distortion or unwanted vibration.

The slimmer case is practical for pockets and looks tidy. Its charging storage and low weight make it easy to take on walks and rides.

The supplied soft or silicone case is handy for storing the headset and its special cable, while drainage or ventilation helps wet gear dry. Its practical design suits pool bags.

Classical music, layered recordings, and acoustic material retain pleasing detail. Distinct instruments are easier to appreciate in quiet settings.

Despite its open-ear construction, the headset delivers pleasing separation of musical elements in both local playback and Bluetooth listening.

Lightweight comfort, secure exercise fit, and everyday awareness make this a compelling workout companion. The feature cuts and open-ear sound tradeoffs keep it from replacing isolating earbuds for everyone.

Swimmers and multisport users are particularly enthusiastic about the unusual combination of underwater playback, secure fit and land connectivity.

IP55-rated earbuds shrug off sweat and rain during ordinary workouts, and the case receives useful moisture protection. Neither is intended for swimming.

IP68 protection is the core appeal, handling laps, flip turns, showers and wet workouts rather than merely splashes. The stated depth and duration limits still matter.

The earhooks usually stay secure through running, gym work, and cycling. A few users needed occasional readjustment during sweaty exercise.

Bluetooth is described as dependable, and switching between connected devices works without much disruption in normal use.

Voices are clean and intelligible, making podcasts, calls, audiobooks, and acoustic tracks especially pleasant. Complex musical mids can sound less rich.

Vocals and midrange material come through clear and balanced, helping spoken-word listening and music retain definition despite restrained bass.

Traffic, approaching bikes, conversations, and household sounds remain audible alongside music. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose these for outdoor activity.

Keeping the ears unobstructed makes traffic, conversations and other surroundings easier to hear while moving. This remains one of the strongest reasons to choose the design.

Caps, beanies, and ordinary glasses often fit comfortably over the slim hooks. Some combinations with sunglasses or sports headwear may disturb their positioning.

Swim goggles and caps generally work with the slim frame, while glasses and sunglasses are more divisive. Some wear them together comfortably and others find combinations crowded.

The case’s exposed USB-C port is a small outdoor-use worry. Damp-weather hikers may prefer extra protection for the charging connector.

A sealed magnetic connection avoids exposing an ordinary port to water, a deliberate compromise that helps preserve swim-ready waterproofing.

Eight-hour earbud endurance and roughly 36 hours with the case hold up well in everyday use. Long walks, workouts, and workdays rarely demand an inconvenient recharge.

Bluetooth endurance generally covers full workdays and most training sessions, but local-file playback is shorter and high volume reduces runtime. Long-distance athletes may need to plan around that gap.

Ten-minute top-ups can restore around three hours of listening, making the earbuds easy to prepare for a spontaneous workout. Charging is fast, but cable-only.

Fast charging is a standout convenience, frequently praised for adding hours of playback in a short top-up. The unusual connector is less universally convenient than USB-C.

The earhooks leave the ear canals unsealed and put little pressure on the ears. That helps avoid the soreness and stuffiness of traditional earbuds.

Gentle frame pressure supports a secure fit, but a tight swimming cap can push the hooks against the ears or temples during longer sessions.

Soft-touch materials and a snug magnetic case make the set feel well assembled. The smooth, skin-friendly finish is comfortable during exercise.

The flexible, silicone-coated frame survives ordinary active use and feels durable, though some find it less rigid than the previous OpenSwim.

The small, sleek earbuds keep a relatively subtle profile around the ear. The Ice Blue option and refined finish draw particular praise.

The streamlined wraparound shape looks discreet on the head, and the brighter color option appeals to those wanting a distinctive piece of swim gear.

Remarkably light earhooks can stay on for hours without rubbing, heat, or pressure. Several wearers barely noticed them during a full workday or long workout.

The light, soft frame often disappears during hours of running, swimming, or daily wear. A few users notice pressure from snug swim caps or the headband during certain positions.

At only 7.2 grams apiece, these earhooks feel exceptionally light and are easy to forget while worn. Low weight is a standout improvement over bulkier models.

The compact, low-weight frame is barely noticeable to most users across long sessions, although head shape can make it feel less airy for a few.

The app’s adjustable EQ can add needed bass and improve the default sound. Tailoring the sound helps make these adaptable to different listening preferences.

There are basic preset choices rather than a full customizable EQ. Some listeners find the limited options underwhelming for fine-tuning music.

The Shokz app offers useful control remapping, battery information, and listening options. Its flexibility adds practical value to otherwise straightforward earbuds.

The companion app makes EQ and mode selection easier and can help configure controls or multipoint connections. Its handling of onboard songs draws criticism, although one account notes newer playback-order controls.

Speech generally stays clear on walks, at work, and even near busy roads. Very strong wind while cycling can limit conversation.

Voice calls come through well in offices and during walking or cycling in moderate noise. Busy roads and louder places can make speech harder to follow.

Fast device discovery and easy pairing are positives, though one cycling test encountered occasional brief connection dropouts.

Adding Bluetooth makes this far more versatile than a swim-only player, with generally reliable connections for music and calls on land. Underwater playback still requires stored files.

Pressure-sensitive controls cut accidental taps and are a notable improvement over the old touch system. Finding the small buttons can still be fiddly, particularly with gloves.

Most find the tactile controls workable while running or swimming, including with wet hands or gloves. Smaller volume and mode buttons can be fiddly, with occasional accidental switching.

Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair make the first connection straightforward on compatible hardware. Everyday setup is easy to learn.

Bluetooth pairing and basic operation are straightforward, even with a computer. File loading and less common configuration settings require more effort.

The price buys excellent comfort, exercise practicality, and long battery life without reaching flagship costs. Some missing extras and stronger competitors are worth weighing.

The premium feels justified for swimmers who also run or cycle and need both playback modes. Land-only listeners or swimming-only buyers often have cheaper ways to cover their needs.

SBC and AAC cover everyday Bluetooth listening, but there is no more ambitious high-resolution codec selection.

The expanded assortment of playable audio file types is welcome for loading locally stored music. Bluetooth codec options are modest, although that does not bother everyone for this kind of listening.

Switching between a laptop or watch and a phone is a useful everyday perk. Some wearers found transitions seamless without repeated manual reconnecting.

Two-device pairing adds useful flexibility for switching between personal devices and taking a call. Setup is handled through the app and generally works as intended.

Google Fast Pair makes connecting to supported Android phones quick and simple, with minimal setup fuss.

The headphones can sink if they come loose, creating a particular loss risk in lakes or deeper open water. Securing them under swim gear is sensible.

The magnetic connection can feel secure and simpler than the original charging cradle, but the proprietary cable is a recurring headache: losing it means finding the correct replacement.

An audible earbud-finding feature helps locate one or both buds misplaced around the house. It is a handy everyday convenience.

The large onboard music library is a signature strength, making underwater and phone-free listening possible. Finding, ordering, and transferring songs can be less smooth than the sheer storage capacity suggests.

Large storage does not guarantee easy listening: track order, folder access, shuffle repeats and sparse in-app navigation frustrate many. A few accounts report improved app or folder controls, so experiences differ.

The charging case is smaller than before and generally fits a jacket or shorts pocket. It still feels large beside compact in-ear or clip-on cases.

The lack of automatic wear detection means playback does not pause when an earbud is removed. It is a missed convenience found on pricier alternatives.

The matte charging case conceals fingerprints noticeably better than glossy alternatives.

Ordinary streaming is convenient through Bluetooth on land, but saved subscription playlists generally cannot be transferred for underwater offline playback. Owned compatible files are needed.

The proprietary headset connection draws repeated complaints from people wanting an everyday USB-C charging cable. Some appreciate its water-sealing rationale, and charging-end connectors can vary.

Switching between streamed music on land and stored files underwater makes one headset work across sports. Some dislike fiddly button combinations and returning to Bluetooth after each restart.

Copying locally owned files is straightforward once connected to a computer, but the cable, possible adapter, and manual preparation feel dated beside streaming services.

Call noise reduction trims wind and background sounds without making voices obviously artificial.

A cycling test reported occasional brief audio interruptions, sometimes outdoors and sometimes indoors. Other usage was largely trouble-free.

A spatial audio option was noticed, but its effect made little audible difference to one listener.

Wind can overwhelm the music on faster bike rides and exposed runs, although the streamlined design helps reduce physical wind buffeting for some.

Turning up bass-heavy tracks can produce a noticeable cheekbone tickle or vibration, which some find distracting. Others report less vibration than on earlier Shokz models.

The standard band does not suit everyone, and several accounts wish for a shorter Mini option. One account describes size choices differently, so fit expectations should be checked carefully.

The two-year coverage, including reassurance about water ingress, is a welcome benefit for equipment used in the pool.

Wireless charging is omitted from this lower-priced model. Fast USB-C charging softens the blow, but a charging pad will not work.