Shokz Launches Two Open-Ear Headphones on Same Day: OpenFit Air 2 Drops to 7.2g, OpenRun Air 2 Focuses on Anti-Bounce Design
Shokz has simultaneously announced the OpenFit Air 2 and OpenRun Air 2 — one an air-conduction ear-hook design, the other a bone-conduction over-the-head design. Both launch on August 27 at the same $130 price point.
Launching the same day at the same $130 price, Shokz is this time pitting two open-ear headphones head-to-head within its own lineup. The OpenFit Air 2 goes with an ear-hook air-conduction design, while the OpenRun Air 2 uses a bone-conduction design that wraps around the back of the head, bypassing the ear canal entirely. Both share a clear common goal: making the headphones as unnoticeable as possible during workouts.
The OpenFit Air 2 drops to just 7.2g per earpiece, about 17% lighter than the previous generation — a weight the company describes as "roughly equivalent to a few paperclips." The open-ear design doesn't seal off the ear canal, avoiding pressure buildup while letting wearers stay aware of ambient sound, making it well-suited for running in traffic-heavy cities where staying alert to surroundings matters. The trade-off with the ear-hook design comes down to fit: the ergonomics are a plus for long wear sessions, but the hook structure may clash with glasses or certain hat styles. Shokz has included real product photos so consumers can judge compatibility for themselves.
On the sound front, Shokz says the OpenFit Air 2 uses its proprietary Bassphere audio driver and OpenBass 2.0 algorithm, promising "fuller bass" and "more complete sound." The earbuds feature angled speakers that direct sound straight toward the ear canal, which the company calls a "more natural listening experience." The companion app offers four preset EQ modes, plus two customizable personal EQ slots. Battery life comes in at 8 hours per charge, extending to 36 hours with the charging case, and a 10-minute quick charge delivers 3 hours of playback. Connectivity has been upgraded to Bluetooth 6.1 with multipoint support. The OpenFit Air 2 launches August 27 at $130.
OpenRun Air 2 Targets Runners with Anti-Bounce Focus
The OpenRun Air 2 takes a completely different approach: the headphone body wraps around the back of the head, using bone-conduction drivers to produce sound. Like its sibling, it's lighter than its predecessor, with an overall design that prioritizes stability to minimize bounce and shift during runs. Given that it's built for runners, this design trade-off comes as no surprise.
The OpenRun Air 2 also connects to the Shokz app for EQ adjustments, offering 10 hours of battery life per charge, with a 5-minute quick charge delivering 2 hours of playback — more modest numbers than the OpenFit Air 2, consistent with bone-conduction headphones' typical positioning. This model also launches August 27 at the same $130 price, meaning Shokz is essentially leaving the decision entirely up to consumers: open-ear sound quality versus bone-conduction anti-bounce stability — price simply isn't a factor in the choice.
