OpenDots 2 vs OpenDots Air: Which of the New Shokz Clip-On Earbuds Should You Buy?

We already got a lot of questions asking which of our latest clip-on earbuds, the £179 OpenDots 2 and the £129 OpenDots Air, is best for specific users.

Both earbuds are open-ear clip-on, both look great, and both come packed with thoughtful features. But they're built for slightly different people, and there’s a £50 price gap between them.

So, which one should you buy? Let’s get into it.

Shokz OpenDots 2 Review vs Shokz OpenDots Air Review at a Glance

Design and Comfort

OpenDots 2 Design Overview

The £179 OpenDots 2 is a clip-on earbud, and it weighs just 6.4g per earbud. It is built using our flexible JointArc™ arm, which is made from a nickel-titanium plate that moulds naturally to a wide range of ear shapes.

It fits securely, and you can wear it all day without feeling ear fatigue. It comes in three finishes: Pearl White, Grey, and Black.

OpenDots Air Design Overview

The £129 OpenDots Air is also a clip-on earbud, weighing 6.3g per earbud. It also uses the JointArc™ system and the same skin-soft silicone that makes our clip-on earbuds so comfortable to wear.

The design is a little more stylish. The ones in colour Daybreak Purple, in particular, have a soft pearlescent finish that feels a bit more fashion-forward. Black is also available if you prefer something more classic.

Which Feels Better for Long Listening Sessions?

Honestly, these two are very closely matched on comfort. They are both open-ear earbuds, so there's no pressure build-up, and there’s a much lower chance of ear fatigue when you wear them for long. Both models keep your ears open to the air, which also means your ears stay cooler.

Sound Quality Comparison

Music Listening Performance

The £179 OpenDots 2 performs better here. It runs Bassphere™ 2.0, a more advanced spherical acoustic system that packs dual 11.8mm drivers into a module that performs on a level with a 16mm driver. It also uses our flagship open-ear audio technology of Dolby Audio and MirrorPitch™, which angles the sound outlet toward your ear to reflect and reinforce the audio.

The £129 OpenDots Air uses the same 11.8mm dual driver setup and Bassphere™ technology, so it delivers more than what you'd expect from a compact clip-on. Vocals are clear, and the balance across lows, mids, and highs is solid at any volume. It's a genuinely good-sounding earbud. There is a gap between the two, but the OpenDots Air is far from a compromise.

Podcasts, Audiobooks, and Voice Content

Both earbuds include a Vocal EQ mode that brings the mid-range forward, which makes speech-based content easier to follow. The OpenDots Air handles this particularly well; the sound signature is naturally balanced, which suits podcasts and audiobooks without needing much adjustment.

The OpenDots 2 gives you more fine-grained control because it has Smart EQ and a broader app-based customisation set, but for spoken word content, there isn't a big difference.

Which Earbuds Deliver Better Overall Sound?

The OpenDots 2 wins on sound. The combination of Bassphere™ 2.0, MirrorPitch™, and Dolby Audio puts it in a class above the OpenDots Air for music listening. But the OpenDots Air still sounds excellent for an open-ear clip-on at its price. If you care very much for music quality, consider the OpenDots 2. If you listen to a lot of podcasts and general content, the OpenDots Air covers you well.

Voice Clarity During Calls

The OpenDots 2 uses a three-microphone setup: one bone-conduction mic that picks up vocal vibrations directly, plus two air-conduction mics. This combination keeps your voice sharp and focused even in less-than-ideal conditions. The bone-conduction element is particularly good at capturing a clean voice signal regardless of what's happening around you.

The OpenDots Air has two digital microphones and AI-powered noise reduction. In lab testing, the system reduced surrounding environmental noise by over 95%. Both earbuds perform well for everyday calls.

Performance in Noisy Environments

The three-mic configuration on the OpenDots 2 gives it an edge when background noise is at its worst, such as on busy streets, crowded transport, and noisy open-plan offices. The bone-conduction mic doesn't rely on air pressure to capture your voice, so it stays effective in situations where ambient noise would trip up a standard microphone system.

The OpenDots Air works well in a typical call environment, too, and the AI noise reduction does a very good job in most conditions.

Which Model Is Better for Frequent Calls?

The OpenDots 2 is the better choice for anyone who frequently makes calls throughout the day, especially in noisy environments. The OpenDots Air handles calls very comfortably for calls made from home or in lighter environments.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery Life Per Charge

The OpenDots 2 lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge. The OpenDots Air gets up to 9 hours. Both will last a full working day comfortably. With the case, the OpenDots 2 stretches to 40 hours total. The OpenDots Air reaches 36 hours.

Fast Charging

Both earbuds support fast charging: 5 minutes in the case gives you around 2 hours of playback on the OpenDots 2, and 10 minutes gives you 2 hours on the OpenDots Air. The OpenDots 2 also supports Qi wireless charging, so you can top up the case on any compatible wireless pad without reaching for a cable. The OpenDots Air does not have wireless charging.

Which Earbuds Last Longer?

The OpenDots 2 wins on battery in every category, slightly longer per-charge, more total hours, faster wired charging, and the addition of wireless charging. This is not such a big gap for everyday use, but it shows if you travel a lot or use them a lot.

Features and Smart Technology

Touch Controls and Customisation

The OpenDots 2 uses a dual-control system. You can either tap the JointArc™ or pinch the battery. You can play, pause, skip, adjust volume, and answer calls without reaching for your phone.

The OpenDots Air uses a similar setup with its own force sensor, though the control mapping differs slightly. On the OpenDots Air, a single pinch adjusts volume, while on the OpenDots 2, a single pinch plays or pauses. Both can be customised through the Shokz App.

App Support and Settings

Both earbuds are compatible with the Shokz App on iOS and Android. The app lets you manage EQ settings, customise controls, check battery levels, update firmware, and configure multipoint pairing.

The OpenDots 2 has a broader set of options, including Smart EQ, Dolby Audio toggle, and the Find My Earbuds feature with Google Find Hub integration. The OpenDots Air covers EQ customisation, control personalisation, and multipoint settings.

Multipoint Connectivity

Both models support multipoint pairing, connecting to two devices simultaneously. You can switch between them through the app.

Bluetooth Performance and Stability

Both earbuds run Bluetooth 6.1 with a range of up to 10 metres and instant auto-pairing when you open the case. Both also support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair.

Exclusive Features Available on OpenDots 2

The OpenDots 2 has some features that the OpenDots Air doesn't, like:

• Dolby Audio,
• MirrorPitch™ technology,
• Bassphere™ 2.0,
• wireless charging,
• Google Find Hub location tracking,
• Drop Alerts, and
• the three-microphone call system with bone-conduction mic

The OpenDots Air doesn't carry exclusive features that the OpenDots 2 lacks. That said, it comes with everything most everyday listeners need, at £50 less.

OpenDots 2 vs OpenDots Air: Which Offers Better Value?

The OpenDots 2 costs £179, while the OpenDots Air costs £129. For that £50, the OpenDots 2 gives you:

• Dolby Audio and Bassphere™ 2.0 for better sound quality
• A bone-conduction mic for clearer calls
• MirrorPitch™ for enhanced bass
• Wireless charging
• A higher IP57 rating
• Find My Earbuds with location tracking

When the OpenDots Air Makes More Sense

The OpenDots Air is the right pick if you want a high-quality open-ear clip-on earbud at a more accessible price, and you don't need the highest level of sound or call performance. It's great for casual listening, podcast fans, people who want comfortable all-day earbuds for light office use, and anyone trying the open-ear headphones design for the first time. The sound is genuinely impressive for the price, and the comfort, fit, and battery life are all strong.

Discover Shokz OpenDots Air. A lightweight open-ear design that combines lasting comfort with a natural listening experience.

Shokz OpenDots Air. Lightweight, comfortable, and designed for everyday listening.

£129

Learn More

When the OpenDots 2 Is Worth the Upgrade

The OpenDots 2 is worth the extra spend if you're on calls regularly throughout the day, you care about sound quality and want the best our clip-on range offers, you travel often, or you're likely to use your earbuds in more demanding environments. The Dolby Audio upgrade alone makes a clear difference for music listeners, and the three-mic system is noticeably better for calls in noisy settings.

Experience Shokz OpenDots 2. Its compact open-ear design delivers all-day comfort and clear, immersive sound.

Shokz OpenDots 2. Lightweight open-ear comfort for an enjoyable listening experience all day long.

£179

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between OpenDots 2 and OpenDots Air?

Both are open-ear clip-on earbuds from our new OpenDots range, but the OpenDots 2 is the flagship model. The OpenDots Air costs £50 less. Here are the key differences:

• Audio technology (Bassphere™ 2.0 and Dolby Audio on the OpenDots 2 vs Bassphere™ on the OpenDots Air)
• Microphone setup (three mics vs two)
• Water resistance rating (IP57 vs IP55 on the earbuds)
• Battery features (wireless charging on the OpenDots 2 only)

Is OpenDots 2 worth the extra cost over OpenDots Air?

It depends on how you plan to use them. If calls are a big part of your day or you want the best possible sound from an open-ear clip-on, the OpenDots 2 is a worthwhile upgrade.

If you mainly listen to podcasts, casual music, or want comfortable all-day earbuds without the premium price, the OpenDots Air gives you excellent value. Both are strong products; the question is how much you'll actually use the additional features.

Can you wear OpenDots 2 or OpenDots Air with glasses?

Yes. Both earbuds use a clip-on design that sits on the outer ear, so there's no conflict with glasses arms. They are also lightweight, so you can wear both the earbuds and glasses without feeling pressure or discomfort. Many of our customers who wear glasses specifically favour clip-on designs for this reason.