Why We’re Obsessed With Shokz OpenDots: Secure-Fit Bone Conduction Earbuds

Curious about the fit, feel and sound quality of the new Shokz OpenDots? Us too, which is why we had to put them to the test!

I’ve been using the Shokz OpenDots One, and I’m honestly obsessed. I’ve always loved the idea of bone-conducting headphones; being able to hear my music/podcast/book while still listening to my surroundings is such an important safety factor for running. But the over-ear versions never felt comfortable after a few hours. With my hat and glasses, they’d start to put too much pressure on my head.

The OpenDots One fix that. Because they go around the middle of my ear, they don’t press on my head, and the best part is, they somehow stay in place with out clamping down. Even with a beanie, I can feel them against my ears, but without any pressure.

Shokz OpenDots Overview

They’re light and stable, no matter what I’m doing. I can run, shake my head, or have a mid-run dance break, and they don’t move. The earbuds are made of soft silicone, so they aren’t stiff or snappy; they just gently rest in place.

Even after hours of wear, I barely notice them.

We’ve done a full comparison of Shokz Openrun vs Openfit, so check that out to see them all lined up.

When you put them in, a soft tone lets you know they’re on, and a quick double-tap starts your music—another double-tap pauses it. Just as easy, the volume is super intuitive: pinch the right earbud to turn the volume up and the left to turn it down. Everything responds smoothly and instantly.

Plus, the earbuds are interchangeable, so it doesn’t matter which ear you put them in; they work either way.

I have been happy with the battery life. I get about ten hours of use before needing to charge.

And if I forget, a quick 10-minute charge gives me about two more hours of use. It’s perfect for when I’m about to head out for a run and realize I forgot to plug them in. I can let them charge and actually do my warm-up….

They’re IP54 water-resistant, so sweat and light rain are no problem.  They are not made for swimming for that we do recommend going back to the Shokz Swim.

For those who like to tweak their sound, the Shokz app has four preset EQ modes and a custom option. I don’t really use it, but it’s a nice bonus for those who need or want to customize the sound.

Quick Charge

Charging is also super easy. The earbuds automatically power up whenever they’re in the case. And when the case itself runs low, you can set it on a wireless charging pad or plug it in to charge. Easy peasy.

The case is a little slippery to hold, but the smooth finish makes it easy to slide in and out of pockets. The only time the earbuds have ever come off unintentionally is when I’m taking off a sweatshirt or a shirt with a tighter collar. Honestly, that’s about the only thing I can complain about.

I mean, I’ve always wanted a soundtrack to my life, and this is the closest I’ve gotten to it! The Shokz OpenDots are comfortable, secure, and super easy to use; they’ve quickly become my go-to for runs, doing the dishes, and everything in between.

Phone Calls

Since so many of us take phone calls via our earbuds while on the go, this is a feature we were very interested in.

As expected it’s easy to answer or hang up and in general the quality is ok, but so far nothing stands up to the Airpods. In this case it’s likely because there’s not enough filtering out of outside noise when it’s picking up your voice. And likewise since you can’t block out any noise around you, it can make hearing the call a bit harder.

Shokz App

Another feature that I wasn’t aware til now, is the Find My Earbuds feature in the Shokz app! This is something that has long made running with AirPods a winner for many people, so it’s fantastic to see it incorporated here as well.

While they won’t pinpoint them on a map, it will make the earbuds emit a ringing sound to help you locate them. Not perfect, but better than the hunting with not help at all.

The app is also where you can use any of the pre-set sound modes or make adjustments. I think this is useful if you know you’re going to listen to more audiobooks or specific types of music.

Ok what else do you want to know when it comes to running headphones? Have you tried the Shokz OpenDots or other clip on earbuds? We’re always looking for your feedback!

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