Shokz upgrades an open earphone to create better sound and lighter design.

Shokz has announced two new versions of his open earphones. Like the original OpenDots One, which came to the market in May 2025, the new Shokz OpenDots 2 and OpenDots Air are also designed to be attached to the back of your ear, with their drivers positioned to project the sound towards your auditory canals without blocking them. It is a design that offers potentially more comfort and environmental awareness than conventional wireless earphones, while the two new versions are tailored to specific needs.

Shokz has upgraded his open earphones with better sound and a lighter design

The OpenDots 2 have a bone conduction microphone, while the OpenDots Air are a cheaper entry alternative.

The OpenDots Air is a start-up version available in the color options Black or daybreak purple for $129.95, making it cheaper than the original $70. They have the “ next-generation spherical acoustic structure” by Shokz called Bassphere, which uses a pair of special 11.8mm drivers on each side with a “optimized membrane” to improve bass, volume and clarity. You can create custom EQs in an associated app, but there are also preset sound profiles, including a voice amplification mode for podcasts and audiobooks as well as a private mode that reduces higher frequencies when you stay in quiet environments.

The battery life is estimated to be up to nine hours of playback, which can be extended to up to 36 hours with the charging case. There is no ANC, but AI algorithms help reduce background noise when calling. The OpenDots Air also have dynamic ear detection, so you can wear them on both sides without having to determine which earpiece sits left or right. They'll find out for themselves.

The OpenDots Air are also the lighter of the two new models with 6.3 grams per earphone, but with 6.4 grams per earphone, the OpenDots 2 for 199.95 US dollars are not much heavier and offer more functionality. The OpenDots 2 are available in the color options pearl white, gray and black and have the same double driver system as the air, but with Dolby Audio support. In order to further improve your sound in calls, an additional bone conduction microphone has been added, helping to isolate your voice from background noises that may make it more difficult for others to hear you.

The battery life of the OpenDot 2 alone is 10 hours or 40 hours with the charging case, which can be increased with a wireless Qi charger. Both new Shokz offers use Bluetooth 6.1, can be connected to two devices simultaneously for easy switching (e.g. between your phone and laptop) and can be located with the mobile Shokz app, but only if you are in Bluetooth range. The OpenDots 2 improve their chances of being found as they have the Find Hub app from Google support that displays their last known location, even if you are not nearby.