Shokz OpenFit Pro Review: Is It Worth Paying Extra for the Pro Version?

Explore the pros and cons of Shokz OpenFit Pro headphones and find out if the premium price matches the performance of these open-ear sports earbuds.

Shokz OpenFit Pro steps up as the new flagship open-ear headphones from Shokz, positioned above the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit 2+ models. The headline feature here is the introduction of active noise cancellation (ANC), alongside promises of improved sound quality and longer battery life compared to the OpenFit+.

Having tried these headphones personally, I can say the sound and comfort are truly impressive. Among the best sports headphones I've used, they double wonderfully for everyday wear too. But, and it’s a big but, the noise cancellation leaves something to be desired—much like other open-ear ANC attempts, including models like Honor Open Earbuds.

Given the price tag, which is quite steep, and the presence of solid alternatives like the JLab Epic Open Sport and even the Shokz OpenFit 2+, both significantly cheaper, I’m left pondering if the Pro is really worth the extra bucks.

Shokz OpenFit Pro Specs at a Glance

• Price: $249 USD
• Colors: Black, White
• Battery Life: Up to 12 hours playback; 50 hours with charging case
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.1
• Water Resistance: IP55 (sweat and rain resistant, not waterproof)
• Weight: 11.3 grams per earbud

Pricing and Availability

The Shokz OpenFit Pro debuted on January 6, 2026, at CES and is available in two classic colors — black and white. At $249, they are currently the priciest open-ear headphones in Shokz’s lineup.

To give some perspective, the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit 2+ models retail for $180 and $200 respectively, often found on sale. This makes the Pro version a noticeable jump in price.

Design and Fit That Keeps You Moving

What really caught my eye is the premium look and feel – a blend of metal and soft silicone where it touches your skin. The open-ear design features independent ear hooks that snugly position the driver near but not inside the ear canal, letting you stay aware of your surroundings – a must for outdoor workouts.

The flexible ear hooks are a godsend for long wear, hugging your ears firmly during everything from intense runs to HIIT sessions without any discomfort.

The hook tapers to a slim profile near the top, which makes wearing glasses alongside these a breeze. Thanks to the IP55 rating, they shrug off sweat and rain, but don’t plan on dunking them in water.

Controls That Don’t Drive You Nuts

I’m a sucker for physical buttons over touch controls, and Shokz delivers on this with a multifunction button on each earbud. These buttons control playback, toggle ANC modes, and adjust volume.

You can even remap these buttons through the Shokz app if you want a different setup. Despite their small size, I found them easy to use during sweaty workouts or while wearing gloves.

Seamless Connectivity for Your Devices

Bluetooth 6.1 support means stable connections and low latency. The multipoint feature lets you connect to two devices at once – I switched effortlessly between my phone and laptop without any hiccups.

Even syncing with my Garmin sports watch during runs was flawless, with no dropouts. The wireless range is solid enough that you’re not chained to your device’s pocket.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where Shokz really shines: SuperBoost technology, with dual diaphragms, delivers the best sound I’ve heard from open-ear headphones. The Shokz app allows enabling Dolby Atmos with head tracking and custom EQ settings, which further enhances the audio experience.

Tracks like Reckoner by Radiohead and One Of The Greats by Florence + the Machine sound immersive, with clear vocals and powerful bass. The opening strings and vocals of Berghain by ROSALÍA come through beautifully.

On quieter tracks like Your Idol from the Demon Slayer soundtrack, the highs sometimes felt a touch blurred, but nothing too off-putting.

Importantly, the volume and clarity hold up well outdoors, even on noisy streets. Energetic songs like David Guetta’s Titanium and Rick Springfield’s Jessie’s Girl blasted through with clarity during my runs.

Noise Cancellation — A Mixed Bag

The noise cancellation feature, honestly, didn’t blow me away. Even on the highest setting, the improvement is noticeable only in certain environments, and ambient sounds still seep in.

Open-ear headphones generally struggle here because they don’t physically block sound like in-ear ANC earbuds do. This means in very noisy settings, like loud trains or traffic, your music can get drowned out.

On the plus side, OpenFit Pro nicely dampens treadmill and stationary bike noise, plus muffles background chatter in offices or cafés. This balance between situational awareness and noise reduction is a trade-off that outdoor athletes will appreciate.

Battery Life That Makes You Choose

Here’s the kicker: noise cancellation halves the battery life. With ANC on, you get 6 hours of playback (24 hours with the case). Without it, the headphones run for a solid 12 hours (50 hours with the case).

That’s a big gap between “acceptable” and “excellent” battery life, and given the modest noise cancellation effect, I’d personally opt to leave ANC off and enjoy the extended playtime.

The quick charge feature is a lifesaver: 10 minutes in the case gives you 4 hours of music – perfect for those on-the-go moments.

Should You Splurge on Shokz OpenFit Pro?

If you’re hunting for the best sound quality in open-ear headphones, Shokz OpenFit Pro is an excellent choice. They sound fantastic, fit comfortably, and boast impressive battery life.

However, they share the same open-ear challenges: sound washes out in noisy environments, and the new noise cancellation doesn’t dramatically improve this.

At $249, they’re expensive, especially with strong competitors like the JLab Epic Open Sport, Shokz OpenFit 2 and 2+, and Honor Earbuds Open available for much less. Another noteworthy contender is the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which clip on rather than hook around your ear – less secure during high-movement workouts but fantastic sound-wise.

“If you want the best possible sound in an open-ear headphone, Shokz OpenFit Pro is a strong pick.”

FAQ

• What is the battery life with noise cancellation on?
  About 6 hours on a single charge, extending to 24 hours with the charging case.
• Can I use these headphones for running outdoors?
  Absolutely. They fit securely, are sweat-resistant, and keep you aware of your surroundings.
• How effective is the noise cancellation?
  It reduces some background noise but won’t block loud environments completely.
• Are these headphones compatible with multiple devices?
  Yes, multipoint support allows connection to two devices simultaneously.
• Do they work with voice assistants?
  Yes, they support Google Assistant and Siri within device OS limitations.

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