Shokz has recently shaken up the earbud market with their new OpenFit Air, a more affordable version of their popular OpenFit model. If you’re scratching your head wondering what sets these two apart, you’re not alone.
Both promise comfortable, open-ear listening, but which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll dive into the key differences between the OpenFit Air and its older sibling, the OpenFit.
We’ll break down everything from design and sound quality to battery life and price, helping you decide which pair deserves a spot in your ears.
Shokz OpenFit Air vs OpenFit: Main Differences and Similarities
Here are some similarities and differences between the Shokz OpenFit Air and OpenFit in bullet points:
Similarities:
- Open-ear hook style design using air conduction technology
- Comfortable fit, especially when worn with glasses
- IP54 dust and water-resistant
- Touch controls with double tap and press-and-hold gestures
- App support for Android and iOS
- Multipoint connectivity
- USB-C charging
- Quick charge feature (2 hours of listening with 10-minute charge)
- Similar battery life (around 7 hours in real-world testing)
- 28 hours total battery life with the charging case
Differences:
- Price: OpenFit Air ($119) vs OpenFit ($179)
- Colors: OpenFit Air available in more colors (including pink and white)
- Design: OpenFit is slightly smaller; Air has a larger earpiece
- Materials: OpenFit has smoother plastic case; Air has matte silicone finish
- Battery placement: OpenFit has battery in ear hook; Air has it in the earpiece
- Sound profile: OpenFit has more bass; Air has more treble emphasis
- EQ settings: OpenFit offers custom 5-band EQ; Air only has EQ presets
- Touch surface: OpenFit has silicone finish; Air has matte plastic finish
Shokz OpenFit Air vs OpenFit: Specs Comparison
| Specification | OpenFit Air | OpenFit |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | DirectPitch™ (air conduction) | DirectPitch™ (air conduction) |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (single charge) 28 hours (with case) | 7 hours (single charge) 28 hours (with case) |
| Charge Time | 1 hour (earbuds) 2 hours (empty case) | 1 hour (earbuds) 2 hours (empty case) |
| Quick Charge | 10 min for 2 hours use | 5 min for 1 hour use |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (earbuds only) | IP54 (earbuds only) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Weight | Earbuds: 8.7g ± 0.2g Case: 56.4g ± 2g Total: 73.8g ± 2.4g | Earbuds: 8.3g ± 0.2g Case: 57g ± 1g Total: 73.85g ± 1g |
| Materials | Earbuds: Plastic, Silicone, Stainless steel Case: Plastic | Earbuds: PC, Silicone Case: PC |
| Launch Date | June 2024 | June 2023 |
| Standby Time | Up to 30 days | Up to 10 days |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Range | 33 feet | 33 feet |
| Compatible Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Controls | Built-in touchpads | Built-in touchpads |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-16kHz | 50Hz-16kHz |
| Sensitivity | 96.2 ± 2.5dB | 96 ± 2.5dB |
| EQ | 4+ modes (customizable via app) | 4+ modes (customizable via app) |
| Microphone | Dual Noise-Canceling | Dual AI Noise-Canceling |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -38 dB ±1dB | -38 dB ±1dB |
Design and Comfort
OpenFit Air
The OpenFit Air sports a slightly tweaked design compared to its predecessor. It features a new beveled body made entirely of plastic, with silicon used only for the ear hooks. These hooks now have a cutout, which helps them conform better to different ear sizes.
The battery has been moved from the ear hook to the main body, resulting in a marginally larger and heavier earbud.
Despite these changes, the OpenFit Air maintains Shokz’s reputation for incredible comfort. The design still aims for extremely low pressure at the top of your ears, making them easy to wear for extended periods.
Original OpenFit
The original OpenFit set the bar high for comfort in open-ear designs. It features a slightly smaller and lighter build compared to the Air model, with silicon used more extensively in its construction.
Verdict
Both models excel in comfort, with the original OpenFit being slightly lighter. However, the difference is minimal, and both offer an exceptionally comfortable wearing experience, especially for long listening sessions.
Fit and Stability
Both the OpenFit Air and the original OpenFit provide excellent stability during exercise and casual use.
The flexible nature of the ear hooks ensures a secure fit without feeling like they’re clamping onto your ears.
This design allows users to maintain spatial awareness of their surroundings, making them ideal for runners, cyclists, and office workers who need to stay alert to their environment.
Controls and App
Touch Controls
The touch controls on both models are highly responsive and work well even in wet conditions.
The OpenFit Air introduces the ability to turn off touch controls, which can be useful for those prone to accidental touches. However, Shokz missed an opportunity to add more gesture options to the Air model.
App Features
The app for both models is nearly identical, offering battery tracking, EQ selection, multipoint toggling, and control customization.
One notable difference is that the OpenFit Air lacks the custom EQ option found in the original OpenFit, which might disappoint some users looking for more personalized sound tuning.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery Life
- OpenFit Air: 6 hours of playtime, 28 hours total with the charging case
- Original OpenFit: 7 hours of playtime, 28 hours total with the charging case
The OpenFit Air sees a slight decrease in single-charge battery life, but maintains the same total battery life with the case.
Connectivity
Both models feature Bluetooth 5.2, SBC and AAC codec support, and multipoint connectivity. The connection range and stability are solid on both earbuds.
Latency is low enough for video watching, but there might be some lag when gaming, especially on Android devices.
Sound Quality
OpenFit Air
The OpenFit Air comes with a brighter sound signature compared to the original. It offers more prominent treble and slightly more forward vocals, resulting in higher clarity. However, this comes at the cost of weaker bass and less warmth in the low end.
Original OpenFit
The original OpenFit has a warmer sound profile with more emphasis on the low end. However, it can struggle with bass distortion at higher volumes, especially with bass-heavy tracks.
Verdict
Both models offer surprisingly good sound quality for open-ear designs. The OpenFit Air addresses the bass distortion issue of the original but at the cost of less warmth. Your preference will depend on whether you prioritize clarity or a fuller bass response.
Microphone Quality
The original OpenFit seems to have a slight edge in microphone quality for phone calls, offering better voice isolation from background noise.
The OpenFit Air still performs well but doesn’t quite match its predecessor in this aspect.
Pricing
The most significant difference between these two models is the price point:
- OpenFit Air: $119 / £119
- Original OpenFit: Significantly higher $179
Shokz OpenFit Air vs OpenFit: Which Should You Buy?
The Shokz OpenFit Air presents itself as a compelling option for those looking to enter the world of open-ear earbuds without breaking the bank. It retains most of the features that made the original OpenFit popular, including excellent comfort, good sound quality, and practical design for active users.
If you’re on a budget and want a comfortable, versatile pair of open-ear earbuds, the OpenFit Air is an excellent choice. You’ll get most of the benefits of the original OpenFit at a much more affordable price point.
However, if you’re an audiophile who prefers a warmer sound signature with stronger bass, or if you frequently make phone calls and prioritize microphone quality, you might want to consider the original OpenFit, despite its higher price tag.
Ultimately, both models offer great value in their respective price ranges. The OpenFit Air brings the benefits of open-ear technology to a wider audience, while the original OpenFit remains a solid choice for those willing to invest more for slightly better overall performance.
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Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
