If you’ve been following G Style for a while, you know I’m a big fan of Shokz. In fact, to this day, I still keep a pair of their OpenMove bone-conducting headphones at my desk for when I need to stay locked into my computer but still want to hear what’s going on in the house.
Back at CES, I was immediately drawn to the design of the OpenFit line—we are called G Style for a reason, and I’m always looking at the aesthetics first. After spending some quality time with the new Shokz OpenFit Pro, I’ve found they take the open-ear experience to a whole new level. Let’s dig in!
The Open-Ear Dilemma, Solved?
The gift and the curse of open-ear devices have always been the same: they allow you to hear the world around you. While that’s great for safety, it’s not always great for your playlist when the world gets a little too loud.
Shokz has addressed this with an innovative open-ear noise reduction system. It’s a bit of a game-changer. It allows me to hear my music and business calls much better, but still keeps me perfectly aware of my surroundings. It’s that balance I’m always looking for when I’m multitasking between the 9-to-5 and the magazine.
Premium Design & “The Snap”
At $249.95, you expect a certain level of fit and finish, and Shokz delivers. It comes in two classic colors—Black or White—and both look sharp.
One “little” detail I have to mention is the charging case. It features a soft-close design that just feels premium. It’s one of those tactile things you don’t think about until you use it, but it really elevates the experience. Plus, the case is compatible with wireless chargers, which is a must-have feature in my book.
Tech Specs That Matter
Under the hood, Shokz packed in a lot of tech to justify that “Pro” moniker:
- AI-Powered Call Clarity: My voice comes through crisp on Microsoft Teams and phone calls, even if there’s background noise.
- 50 Hours of Power: Between the buds and the case, you’ve got enough juice to get through a heavy work week without hunting for a cable.
- IP55 Resistance: They’re rated for water and dust, so if you’re out for a ride and get caught in a drizzle, you’re good to go.
- Dolby Atmos Optimized: For the media junkies, these are optimized for Atmos, providing a much wider soundstage than you’d expect from something that doesn’t sit inside your ear.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been using these every day lately. They’re perfect for when I want to listen to music at night without disturbing the misses, or when I need to keep an ear out for our dog while working in the office.
In my previous recaps, I mentioned that I found myself reaching for Shokz more often than my more expensive Bose open-air units. With the addition of the noise reduction and the Atmos optimization on the Pro model, that gap has only widened.
Pros:
- Noise reduction makes open-ear listening actually viable in louder spots.
- 50-hour battery life is a beast.
- Soft-close case and wireless charging are great “Pro” touches.
Cons:
- At $249, they are an investment for open-ear tech.
Are you guys ready to make the jump to open-ear, or are you sticking with traditional buds? Let me know in the comments!
