Shokz OpenDots Air

Design and Construction

Since its founding in 2011, Shokz has consistently pursued the vision of open headphones that maintain constant interaction with the surrounding environment. The manufacturer approaches this with remarkable attention to quality, as the author was able to verify first-hand. The focus here is clearly less on achieving the lowest possible price and more on purpose-built products developed, manufactured and tested with considerable expertise.

This applies equally to the newest and so far most affordable model in the OpenDots clip-on series. While the battery and driver are housed in plastic enclosures, the central retention element uses a nickel-titanium alloy. This is designed to provide consistent, long-term comfortable positioning on most ear types, with the centre of gravity directed towards the ear for a secure fit. This so-called JointArc is encased in rubberised, skin-friendly silicone developed in-house by Shokz and manufactured in their own factory. At just 6.3 grams each, the weight is featherlight.

The Shokz OpenDots Air are available in Black and Daybreak Purple, and are held securely by magnetic attachment in a compact plastic charging case in the corresponding colour, complete with a USB port and integrated battery.

To minimise the conceptual disadvantage in bass transmission, two 11.8 mm dynamic drivers operating in tandem are used per side in a so-called Bassphere arrangement. This technology is simultaneously intended to reduce sound leakage to the outside. The proprietary DirectPitch technology further ensures that sound is directed towards the ear during playback, while being cancelled out of phase in unintended directions. And indeed: sound leakage is remarkably low, so there is no need to worry about disturbing fellow passengers or attracting unwanted interest in one’s personal conversations.

Practical Use

The Shokz OpenDots Air sit comfortably on the ear over extended periods. The elastic titanium frame and soft, rubberised silicone coating ensure a reliable fit across different ear shapes. In particular, users with small ears who are not comfortable with other headphone designs should try these clip-ons. The same applies to glasses wearers.

Thanks to the well-executed construction and low weight, there is no pressure or discomfort. Whether making long phone calls, listening to music or simply leaving the headphones in position unused, an irritating sensation in everyday use is virtually absent. And that is something that genuinely cannot be said of most headphones. In isolated cases, depending on positioning, earrings may knock against the back of the housing. For sports use, the OpenDots Air are nonetheless well-suited, and the IP55 rating proves its worth here.

The initial pairing process on first use is straightforward. From that point on, a Bluetooth connection (version 6.1) is established quickly and stably, with range extending across multiple rooms. Subsequent pairing also works well, once you know that the front of the charging case features not a recessed button but a touch-sensitive one that requires a firm press to activate.

On battery life: the manufacturer states approximately nine hours of playback for the clip-ons and a total capacity of 36 hours with the charging case. The latter can be quickly topped up via USB-C – ten minutes of charging delivers two additional hours of playback. These figures can be confirmed in practice, volume-dependent, and prove entirely usable. Wireless charging of the case is not supported.

Functionality

For control purposes, the Shokz OpenDots Air use so-called Force Sensor pressure sensors, which according to the manufacturer are less prone to accidental activation than touch-sensitive surfaces and are designed to prevent misoperation with sweaty hands.

Single and double presses are available for the battery housing, while double and triple taps are assigned to the JointArc. These can be configured separately for the left and right earpiece, and the sensitivity of the press function is also adjustable. Accordingly, all typical actions – from volume control to voice assistant activation or call handling – can be performed directly on the device, and this works reliably.

Configuration is handled via the capable companion app for Android and iOS. In addition to mandatory firmware updates (test firmware: EU_V_02), the app provides a built-in five-band graphic equaliser with presets and custom settings for personal sound adjustment.

Multipoint pairing for up to two devices can also be activated, along with a find function in case the headphones go missing around the home. Additional smart automation features include automatic detection of which ear each earpiece is worn on, with the clip-on assigned accordingly. Playback can also be set to pause and resume automatically.

Sound – Surprisingly Good

For the price range and construction type, the Shokz OpenDots Air deliver a surprisingly well-balanced and full-bodied sound. The intensity and punch of an in-ear system should of course not be expected from an open clip-on design, though the OpenDots Air sit closer to the outer ear canal than the bracket construction of the OpenFit range. Even so, in combination with an iPhone 15 Pro, the OpenDots Air can deliver a powerful output level and corresponding punch when needed. This is clearly advantageous for intensive listening in louder environments. It goes without saying that at higher volumes, awareness of the surrounding environment is reduced.

It is understandable that open-ear headphones generally cannot match the bass performance of conventional headphones, as a significant portion of the displaced air is lost to the environment. Bass reproduction is therefore generally less powerful and exhibits compromises in timing, dynamics and tonal imaging (Adel Tawil: Katsching).

Nevertheless, by focusing on the mid and upper bass range, Shokz achieves noteworthy results. This creates a pleasant fullness that can be appreciated, for example, on Goldfrapp’s Systemagic. Definition is also convincing. True sub-bass (Rihanna: Pon De Replay), however, remains beyond the Shokz OpenDots Air.

The midrange and treble are less affected by these limitations. Shokz has in my view achieved a well-judged tuning that delivers practical, genuinely pleasant results across genres without any unpleasant emphases or harshness. The best results are achieved in quiet environments. That said, awareness of the surrounding environment always remains intact by design – though not to the same extent as with Shokz’s own OpenFit and bone conduction models.

Compared to bone conduction technology, the sound here is more convincing thanks to greater directness, better detail resolution and superior bass reproduction. In direct comparison, I find the open-ear bracket designs – in particular the OpenFit Pro – to be sonically superior overall. Conversely, the OpenDots Air deliver superior sonic fullness at lower playback levels in outdoor environments.

The comparison with the similarly new and more expensive OpenDots 2 was also interesting. The latter are sonically superior in virtually every discipline, aside from true deep bass. The sound on that model is more composed and more detailed – the price difference makes itself heard.

Call Quality

For phone calls, the Shokz OpenDots Air uses two microphones per clip and an integrated noise-cancellation system with AI-assisted filtering. Call partners receive a signal focused on speech, while static background noise such as traffic is reliably suppressed.

My call partners rated the transmission quality as good, though slightly “filtered” and susceptible to wind noise. I would also rate the intelligibility of the other party as good. A common issue for call partners is public transport announcements, which are selectively amplified by the noise-cancellation system. To Shokz’s credit, this function can be deactivated in the app.

Target Audience

With the OpenDots range, Shokz targets users who want a comfortable, visually understated yet decorative headphone for daily use. The design, high wearing comfort, solid sports and communication capability, and open ear canal will undoubtedly attract a broad audience.

Shokz now offers a choice between bone conduction models aimed primarily at athletes and swimmers, the OpenFit series with its bracket design that excels in everyday working life, and the OpenDots range with its more lifestyle-oriented aesthetic. Ultimately, of course, personal fit and preference will always be the deciding factor.

Verdict

Anyone looking for a lightweight, comfortable and affordable headphone that maintains constant environmental awareness through its open design will find it difficult to look past the Shokz OpenDots Air. As the more compact sibling of the Shokz OpenDots 2, they score strongly on ergonomics, design, sports suitability and sound performance, delivering an excellent price-to-performance ratio.

This combination makes them a genuine everyday companion that earns a clear recommendation. It would be a mistake to dismiss the OpenDots Air as mere accessories – even if their clip-on aesthetic does make a strong visual statement. Those with higher demands on sound quality will find the OpenDots 2 a worthy alternative, leaving the final decision to budget and personal taste.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Shokz OpenDots Air

Who are the Shokz OpenDots Air aimed at?

The Shokz OpenDots Air are designed for everyday users looking for a lightweight, comfortable headphone with an open ear canal – for sports, communication or everyday music listening. They are particularly well-suited to glasses wearers and those with small ears who struggle with other headphone designs.

How does the sound of the Shokz OpenDots Air compare to in-ears?

By design, the Shokz OpenDots Air cannot match the intensity and punch of an in-ear system. Bass performance will inevitably fall short of conventional headphones. The midrange and treble fare better, and the overall sound is well-balanced and surprisingly full for the price range.

Are the Shokz OpenDots Air suitable for sport?

Yes. The IP55 rating provides protection against sweat and splash water. The secure fit thanks to the JointArc and nickel-titanium frame makes these clip-ons well-suited for more demanding sports and workout sessions.

Do the Shokz OpenDots Air support Multipoint?

Yes. Multipoint pairing for up to two devices can be activated via the Shokz app. Bluetooth 6.1 ensures fast and stable connectivity.

What is the difference between the Shokz OpenDots Air and the OpenDots 2?

The OpenDots 2 is the more expensive sibling model and is sonically superior in almost every respect – more composed and more detailed. The Shokz OpenDots Air offer excellent value for money and are particularly suited to those new to the world of open-ear headphones.