Shokz have produced some excellent earphones over the last few years. Aimed at sports and outdoor enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to engage with the world around them, still listen to music or other entertainment; while maintaining situational awareness. This time around, the ambition of Shokz has gone up a level while introducing noise reduction to the fray, giving a more hybrid option to those who want the best of both worlds.
DESIGN AND COMFORT
The OpenFit Pro continues Shokz familiar open-ear philosophy but refines it into a more premium, lifestyle-focused product. The ear-hook design is lightweight yet secure, using an ultra-thin nickel-titanium alloy frame that flexes naturally to suit different ear shapes. Combined with Shokz Ultra-Soft Silicone 2.0 coating, the result is a pressure-free fit that’s clearly intended for all-day wear rather than short listening sessions.
Comfort is further reinforced by the open-ear format itself, which avoids sealing the ear canal entirely. This makes the OpenFit Pro particularly appealing for users who dislike traditional in-ear buds or experience fatigue during long calls, workouts, or workdays. Stability is clearly a priority here as well, with optional support accessories available for higher-intensity activities and an IP55 rating ensuring resistance to sweat, dust, and rain.
The design is thoughtful with the controls being physical buttons on each each which are customisable to the users desire (through the app) as to what varied combinations of button press do.
CONNECTIVITY AND BATTERY LIFE
Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 6.1, offering stable performance up to 10 metres and fast, reliable pairing when the case is opened. Multi-device support allows two devices — including varying the second device through the Shokz app — to remain connected simultaneously, making it easy to move between calls on a laptop and music on a phone without re-pairing.
Battery performance is a strong point. The earbuds delivered over 12 hours of listening consistently on a single charge with noise reduction disabled, or around 6 – 7 hours with it enabled. The charging case extends total listening time to up to 50 hours, and a quick 10-minute charge provides up to four hours of playback. Qi wireless charging support adds further convenience for desk or bedside use; that is, if you, like I do, have chargers everywhere.
USER EXPERIENCE: IMPRESSIVE SOUND DELIVERY
From a usability perspective, the OpenFit Pro feels carefully thought out. Physical buttons with a raised profile replace touch controls, reducing accidental inputs during workouts or movement. Smart wear detection automatically pauses audio when the earbuds are removed and resumes playback when they’re worn again, a feature that’s still uncommon in open-ear design.
Audio customisation is handled through the Shokz app, where users can choose from five preset EQ modes or create two custom profiles. Support for Dolby Atmos and head-tracking adds a more immersive edge for compatible content, while DirectPitch 3.0 technology helps minimise sound leakage for more private listening. Call quality is also a focus, with AI-assisted voice pickup designed to significantly reduce background noise and improve clarity during calls.
But that moves me to, perhaps the most important point of the review: The sound quality is, for the physical size of the units, remarkable. Don’t get me wrong and think this is audiophile gear, it’s not… But if you’re after something that’s lightweight, small, provides some noise reduction and delivers really solid, rich sound with bass, clean and crisp higher register and excellent voice quality you’re in luck.
NOISE REDUCTION
Noise reduction is the headline innovation for the OpenFit Pro and represents a notable shift for open-ear audio. Rather than attempting full isolation, Shokz takes a more balanced approach, aiming to reduce distracting ambient noise while preserving situational awareness. This is achieved through advanced acoustic modelling, a triple-microphone system, and an ear-adaptive algorithm that predicts in-ear noise levels in real time.
In practice, this technology is positioned as most effective in moderate noise environments such as offices, cafés, and gyms. It won’t replace traditional ANC earbuds on planes or trains, but that’s not the point. The OpenFit Pro is designed for users who want clearer audio without losing awareness of their surroundings, and the adjustable noise reduction levels give users control over how much of the surrounding environmental sound they let in.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The Shokz OpenFit Pro is priced at an RRP of AU$399.00 and is available in Black and White. Pre-orders open from 6 January 2026, with general availability from 22nd January 2026 through Shokz Australia, Amazon, and JB Hi-Fi.
CONCLUSION
The OpenFit Pro represents a confident evolution of Shokz open-ear concept. Rather than trying to compete directly with traditional noise-cancelling earbuds, it leans into a hybrid approach that prioritises comfort, awareness, and adaptability across different environments. The introduction of adjustable open-ear noise reduction, combined with long battery life, strong call performance, and thoughtful physical controls, makes it a compelling option for professionals, commuters, and active users alike.
At $399, it sits firmly in premium territory, but for those who value all-day comfort and situational awareness without sacrificing audio quality, the OpenFit Pro stands out as one of the most technically ambitious open-ear earphones Shokz has released to date.
