– Priced at $129.95, the OpenDots Air are the most affordable Shokz open-ear clip-on earbuds.
– They feature an IP55 rating (higher than the OpenDots One) but the charging case lacks ingress protection.
– Battery life is 9 hours (36 hours with case) with fast charging, but no Qi wireless charging.
– They use Bassphere technology (not Bassphere 2.0) with custom 11.8mm dual drivers and 6 EQ modes.
– Controls include touch and force pinch sensors, with AI-powered noise reduction for calls and Dynamic Ear Detection.
New Shokz OpenDots Air launched along side the OpenDots 2
Shokz also released a second pair of earbuds called the OpenDots Air alongside the OpenDots 2. Like the OpenDots 2 and the OpenDots One, they are open-ear clip-on earbuds, but cost less than the other two OpenDots models. The pricing is set at a lower point for budget-conscious users.
Design differences and protection ratings
The design of the OpenDots Air earbuds differs a bit from that of the OpenDots One and OpenDots 2, but they still feature the nickel-titanium plate called Shokz JointArc, which lets them adapt to different ear shapes. Nevertheless, they are still light at 6.3 grams. Shokz says the OpenDots Air earbuds have an IP55 rating; this is higher than the IP54 rating of the OpenDots One’s. However, the charging case has no ingress protection.
Audio technology and drivers
The OpenDots Air feature Shokz’ Bassphere technology like the OpenDots One, and not the more advanced Bassphere 2.0 available on the OpenDots 2. The earbuds are equipped with custom 11.8 mm dual drivers and have 4 preset EQ modes. They also have two customizable EQ modes. This makes them versatile for different listening preferences.
Smart features and ear detection
Like the other OpenDots earbuds, the Air earbuds have support for Dynamic Ear Detection Technology, so users don’t have to worry about which of the earbuds is for the left or right ear. They will also automatically pause playback when you take them off and resume playback when you put them back on. This is a convienient feature for daily use.
Microphone and control system
The OpenDots Air features dual microphones on each earbud and uses AI-powered noise reduction to make your voice clear during calls. Like the OpenDots 2, the OpenDots Air earbuds have touch controls and a force pinch sensor. You tap to control playback and answer/reject calls while pinching adjusts the volume, skips tracks, or rejects calls. The controls are intuitive.
Battery life and charging details
Battery life is slightly lower than that of its siblings at 9 hours (36 hours with the case) due to having a smaller battery; and the charging case lacks Qi wireless charging support. You do get fast charging – 10 minutes of charging for 2 hours of use. The OpenDots Air also have Bluetooth 6.1, Bluetooth Multipoint, and work with the Shokz app.
Pricing and color options
Priced at $129.95, the OpenDots Air can be purchased in Daybreak Purple and Black on the manufacturers website. Unfortunately, there are no free gifts with the purchase. These earbuds offer good value for the price point.