Shokz OpenFit 2 vs. Soundcore AeroFit 2: which open-ear earbuds should you choose?

      Open-ear earbuds were initially a novelty, sitting at the intersection of bone conduction headphones and traditional wireless earbuds. However, this category has now become mainstream as consumers have recognized that their hybrid design offers greater comfort than traditional earbuds and better sound quality than bone conduction. Manufacturers have responded by creating more innovative designs, enhancing bass performance, and including features that were absent in earlier models.

      Two of the top brands in the classic earhook style open-ear category are Shokz and Soundcore. The Shokz OpenFit 2 and Soundcore AeroFit 2 share several similarities, including dust and water resistance, comparable battery life, the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously, and the latest Bluetooth technology. Yet, there are also significant distinctions that may make one of these open-ear models a better fit for you.

      Let’s compare the two.

      **Shokz OpenFit 2 vs. Soundcore AeroFit 2: Price**

      Shokz positions itself as the premium brand in the open-ear market, with the OpenFit 2 priced at $180. In contrast, Soundcore is recognized for its competitive combination of price and performance, retailing the AeroFit 2 at just $100.

      While both models occasionally offer discounts, Soundcore's discounts tend to be more substantial when available. Thus, when considering both regular and sale prices, Soundcore emerges as the clear winner.

      **Winner: Soundcore AeroFit 2**

      **OpenFit 2 vs. AeroFit 2: Specs Comparison**

      | Feature | Shokz OpenFit 2 | Soundcore AeroFit 2 |

      |--------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------|

      | Colors | Black, Beige | Black, Blue, Green, White |

      | Weight | 9.4 grams (each earbud), 68.8 grams (charging case) | 10 grams (each earbud), 65 grams (charging case) |

      | Noise Cancellation | No | No |

      | Battery Life | Up to 11 hours per charge; 48 with the case | Up to 10 hours per charge; 42 hours with the case |

      | Charging | USB-C | USB-C, wireless |

      | Fast Charge | 1 hour of playback from 5 min. charge | 2 hours of playback from 5 min. charge |

      | Water/Dust Resistance | IP55 | IP55 |

      | Bluetooth Version, Codecs | 5.4, SBC, AAC | 5.4, SBC, AAC, LDAC |

      | Additional Features | Physical buttons, Bluetooth Multipoint, EQ modes and custom equalizer, control customization, earbud finder tones | Touch controls, Bluetooth Multipoint, EQ modes and custom equalizer, 3D surround sound mode, control customization, hi-res audio, balance control, earbud finder tones |

      As shown, both products have closely matched specifications. While the OpenFit 2 has a slight advantage in battery life, the AeroFit 2 leads in terms of Bluetooth codec support and wireless charging capabilities.

      However, upon examining finer details, it's clear they are not identical.

      **Winner: Tie**

      **OpenFit 2 vs. AeroFit 2: Design and Fit**

      There are primarily two reasons why users gravitate toward open-ear earbuds: Comfort and situational awareness. Both the OpenFit 2 and AeroFit 2 provide excellent comfort, allowing users to forget they are wearing them shortly after use. Like all open-ear designs, they do not block the ear canal, enabling external sounds and voices to be heard as if no earbuds were worn at all.

      The most noticeable difference is in how the OpenFit 2 are designed to sit. Shokz has managed to enhance comfort and stability by optimizing the arc's shape and employing super-soft silicone that wraps around the entire hook as well as part of the speaker module, ensuring the OpenFit 2 remain securely in place.

      Although the AeroFit 2 are lightweight and comfortable, Soundcore only utilizes silicone on the flexible connecting wire, resulting in less grip from the front and rear modules compared to the OpenFit 2. Soundcore's inclusion of a four-position hinge in the speaker module allows for fine-tuning of the fit but may affect the sound quality relative to your ear canal.

      The first-generation OpenFit only featured touch controls, which were somewhat tricky and limited in functionality. The second generation incorporates a highly tactile set of physical buttons alongside the touch controls — a major upgrade, as you can now control everything, including volume, without uncertainty.

      The AeroFit 2 rely on touch controls, which offer good customization through the Soundcore app, but they lack the precision of physical buttons.

      For those concerned with aesthetics, the AeroFit 2’s variety of color options is appealing, though the OpenFit 2 has a slightly sleeker and more attractive design.

      With enhanced stability and the