Shokz has unveiled its latest open-ear wireless earbuds, the OpenFit 2, at CES 2025, and they're almost perfect. The company has made notable improvements to comfort, volume, battery life, and touch controls, addressing many of the issues found in its predecessor, the OpenFit Air. However, the sound quality, although better than the Air, still falls short of expectations.

The OpenFit 2 boasts an updated design, featuring an extra speaker in each bud, dedicated to bass and mids/highs, respectively. This approach has proven successful in Shokz's OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones. The ear hook design has also been tweaked to accommodate users who wear glasses, and physical buttons have been added for simpler controls. Battery life has seen a significant boost, now lasting up to 11 hours on a single charge.

In testing, the OpenFit 2 demonstrated many of these improvements. The thinner ear hook design made it easier to use with glasses, and the increased volume handled loud environments like highways and the bustling Vegas Strip. The physical buttons were also a welcome addition, making it easier to control music playback. However, the sound quality, while better than the Air, was still a letdown.

On certain tracks, vocals sounded muddy, and bass-heavy songs occasionally became distorted at higher volumes. This was particularly noticeable when running outdoors. However, in quieter environments, like listening to podcasts, the sound quality was less of an issue.

The OpenFit 2's sound quality, although an improvement, doesn't quite live up to the standards set by the OpenRun Pro 2. The difference in sound quality may be attributed to the OpenFit 2 using traditional air conduction, whereas the OpenRun Pro 2 employs air conduction for bass and bone conduction for treble and mids.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase the OpenFit 2 will depend on individual preferences and intended use. For running and exercising, the OpenFit 2's comfort and lack of a wraparound neckband make it an attractive option. However, for those prioritizing sound quality, the OpenRun Pro 2 may still be the better choice.

The Shokz OpenFit 2 is available starting today for $179.95 in black and beige.