With the headphones open, I looked at them with curiosity for a long time. I liked the idea of being able to listen to my music without being totally cut off from the world, but I had two very simple doubts: does it really last, and does the sound remain pleasant when the ear is not blocked? With the OpenDots Air, I understood quite quickly why this format can become addictive, especially outside, in the office or while commuting.
Shokz OpenDots Air do not fit into the ear canal. They clip around the ear using a flexible arch, then diffuse sound by air conduction. We listen to our playlist, a podcast or a call, while continuing to hear a car, a colleague, an announcement, or simply the atmosphere around us. That’s exactly what I liked: I keep my bubble, but I don’t disappear into it.
Open headphones that can be worn without pressure
The first real surprise is the comfort. Each earbud weighs just 6.3g, and that makes a difference. The Nickel Titanium JointArc™ system keeps the headphones in place, while the soft silicone prevents the feeling of pressure. Nothing blocks the ear. Nothing gives this impression of being locked into your own sound. We feel them at first, then we forget them quite quickly.
To use them, you have to position them like a small clip. The audio part is placed close to the entrance to the ear, without ever sinking. The arch surrounds the pavilion, and the other part rests behind it. The first few times I adjusted the angle slightly to find the best placement. The good sign is quite obvious: the sound becomes clear, the earpiece does not pull, and the clip remains stable when you move your head.
For running, it’s frankly reassuring. I have my music, but I still hear the street. At the office, it’s almost more practical: I can listen to a soft playlist without removing an earphone as soon as someone approaches. After a few days, I especially liked not having to choose between listening to something and remaining attentive to what was going on around me.
Connection, controls, volume: how I use them on a daily basis
The connection is made as with classic Bluetooth headphones. You open the case, activate Bluetooth on your phone, computer or tablet, then select OpenDots Air from the list of available devices. The connection is based on Bluetooth 6.1, with an announced range of up to 10 meters. Once paired, the earbuds reconnect quickly when removed from the case.
The Shokz app then allows you to adjust the sound, EQ modes and customizable controls. The detail that I really embraced was this freedom to adjust everything my way: playback, pause, volume, next track, call or voice assistant. The controls come via pressure on the back of the earpiece and taps on the stem that surrounds the ear.
In use, I hardly need to take out my phone anymore. While running, I can pause or adjust the volume without breaking my rhythm. In the office, this avoids overly visible gestures. When traveling, I keep my hand on my earpiece without digging in my bag. You just have to take a few minutes at the start to customize the controls in the application, then the gesture becomes natural.
Natural sound, with enough bass for everyday use
The sound doesn’t have that closed-bubble feel of classic headphones, but for running, working, listening to a podcast or launching a playlist, it is more than clean and pleasant enough. Shokz Bassphere™ technology boosts bass in a compact format. Vocals remain clear, music retains depth, and listening remains comfortable even for a long time. These are not the headphones to choose to cut out everything around you. Their interest is precisely the opposite.
Calls work well in simple situations, thanks to the two air-conduction microphones per earpiece. In a quiet office, at home or outside without too much noise, the voice remains clean. Battery life also follows: up to 9 hours of listening time on a charge, and up to 36 hours with the case. A quick 10-minute charge recovers up to 2 hours of listening time, saving mornings when the case is almost empty.
The only detail to remember: the case charges via USB C, but does not support wireless charging. The headphones are IP55 certified, therefore resistant to perspiration and light rain. They don’t go in water, and the case is not waterproof. After a workout, I wipe them with a soft cloth, especially around the microphones. It’s not glamorous, but it extends the life of the product.
The ear cuff that truly transforms the product
I didn’t think I would like the accessory as much, but the lilac ear cuff completely changes the look. Sold for $19.99, it adds a fashion detail that makes the headphones much more visible, in a good sense of the word. The small silver flowers, the lilac touches and the Aurora Violet color give a soft, luminous result, almost a tech jewel.
With the hair tied up, the effect works very well. It’s not immediately clear whether it’s an earphone, an earring, or both. And that’s precisely what attracts compliments. I had several comments while wearing them, which rarely happens with traditional headphones. Usually we try to make them disappear. There, we assume their presence.
The price is better understood in use: you pay for comfort, autonomy, the open format, the application, stability, and that little gem side that you don’t often find on headphones. At $139, the Shokz OpenDots Air are not a gadget purchase, but a pair that you really use if you run, work to music or keep your headphones on for a good part of the day.
How to connect Shokz OpenDots Air to your phone?
You must open the case, activate Bluetooth on your phone, then select OpenDots Air from the list of available devices. Once the first connection is made, the headphones reconnect more quickly when you take them out of the case. They can also connect to a Bluetooth-enabled tablet or computer.
How to control music with Shokz OpenDots Air?
Controls are done directly on the headphones, with pressures and taps. In the Shokz app, one can customize gestures to manage play, pause, volume, tracks, calls or voice assistant. It’s convenient for running, working or walking without taking out your phone.
Why choose open earphones?
Open headphones keep the ear free. We listen to music, a podcast or a call, but we still hear the environment. It’s practical in the office, more reassuring outside, and often more comfortable if you don’t like traditional tips. The Shokz OpenDots Air also add a lightweight clip format, good support and a really pretty design with the lilac ear jewel.
