A familiar fit, upgraded features

Shokz used CES to push its open-ear lineup further upmarket with the OpenFit Pro, a new pair of hook-style earbuds designed to sit outside the ear canal while still aiming for fuller sound. The pitch is convenience and awareness: you can hear music or calls without sealing off the outside world, which appeals to runners, commuters, and office users who dislike the pressure and occlusion of in-ear tips. Shokz is also betting that comfort is becoming a deciding factor as more people wear audio devices for hours at a time.

The OpenFit Pro keeps the brand’s signature ear-hook form but adds features typically associated with more traditional earbuds. A dedicated noise-reduction mode is included, not to create full isolation, but to help cut down ambient distractions during calls or in busy spaces. Shokz is also leaning into spatial audio branding, offering Dolby Atmos with head tracking, a feature that has become a marketing shorthand for “cinema-like” sound even when listening on small drivers.

Battery claims are another part of the upgrade story. Shokz says the OpenFit Pro can deliver about six hours with noise reduction enabled, and around a full day with the charging case. With noise reduction off, the company says the earbuds can reach roughly twelve hours, again extending to about a day with the case. Those numbers will matter because open-ear designs often trade deep bass and isolation for airflow, and users tolerate the compromise more readily if they are not constantly chasing a charger.

The earbuds also arrive with practical durability targets. An IP55 rating positions them for sweat, dust, and light rain—enough for workouts and city use without suggesting they are meant for swimming. Wireless charging support adds a small but meaningful convenience, especially for users who keep a desk pad or bedside charger and prefer not to manage yet another cable.

Pricing, positioning, and the open-ear race

At roughly $250, the OpenFit Pro sits in a price band where expectations are high, and Shokz is implicitly arguing that open-ear can be a primary audio choice rather than a niche accessory. The market is increasingly crowded with “aware listening” products, from sport-first models to fashion-leaning designs, and the competition is no longer only about whether open-ear is comfortable. It is about whether it can handle calls cleanly, hold up to daily wear, and sound convincing enough that buyers do not feel like they are paying a premium for a compromise.

CES timing matters here. The show routinely shapes early-year purchase intent, and brands use it to claim momentum even before full reviews land. Shokz is presenting OpenFit Pro as a step toward “all-day” earbuds that fit work, workouts, and travel. That also reflects how people now use audio: short meetings, long playlists, voice notes, navigation prompts, and constant switching between devices. The more seamless the product feels across those contexts, the more justifiable the price becomes.

For consumers, the decision is likely to come down to trade-offs. Open-ear designs generally do not deliver the same isolation or low-end impact as sealed earbuds, and head tracking or spatial audio cannot fully offset physics. But many users value situational awareness, reduced ear fatigue, and quick on-off convenience. Shokz is betting that a richer feature set, better battery performance, and small quality-of-life upgrades can turn that preference into a premium category.

Preorders opened immediately with early January shipping expectations, signaling that Shokz wants to capture CES attention while it is still fresh. The next test will be whether buyers accept open-ear at flagship pricing, or whether the segment remains a secondary option alongside traditional earbuds.