Shokz OpenDots One review: Comfortable clip-on earbuds with strong bass and impressive battery life.

      Shokz OpenDots One

      

       MSRP $200.00

      

      

      

      

      

      

       Pros

      

      

       Lightweight and portable

      

       Remarkable bass performance

      

       Supports wireless charging

      

       Outstanding battery longevity

      

      

      

      

      

       Cons

      

      

       High price tag

      

       Restricted control options

      

      

      

      When discussing open-ear earbuds, there are primarily two styles: earhooks or clips. While earhooks provide stability, they can be incompatible with glasses. They tend to have a bulky look and generally place the speaker outside the ear's concha, making it challenging to direct sound into the ear canal. The clip style, which wraps around the side of your ear, mitigates these issues, and now Shokz has launched its first clip-style model, the $200 Shokz OpenDots One.

      The clip-style category already has numerous options, featuring models from brands such as Bose, Soundcore, and Soundpeats. Have the Shokz OpenDots One established a unique position, or should you consider alternatives? Let’s take a closer look.

      Design

      Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

      Before diving into the design details, it's worth mentioning the name. In 2023, prior to the introduction of its earhook-based Shokz OpenFit, the company briefly marketed a similar device called the Shokz OpenDots. Very few people owned them (in fact, a Shokz representative referred to them as a beta product), so the company decided to retain the OpenDots name while avoiding confusion with the earlier open-ear product — hence, OpenDots One.

      If I had to describe the OpenDots One in one word, it would be “portable.” Shokz has made a concerted effort to minimize the size of these earbuds, including the charging case, which is the smallest I've seen for open-ear earbuds.

      The earbuds are similar to the $299 Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, featuring a flexible connector linking the main speaker module to a barrel-shaped battery compartment. They offer IP54 protection against dust and water — suitable for rain and sweat, but little beyond that.

      Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

      While Bose emphasizes the aesthetics of the Open Ultra, using metallic-finish inlays on its speaker module and offering a staggering 10 color options, Shokz has opted for a more understated look for the OpenDots One. The connector is wrapped in Shokz’s matte-finish, ultra-soft silicone, and the two modules exhibit subtle satin-finish accents. Color options include black or grey (more like beige).

      You can control the earbuds in two ways. You can either tap anywhere on the flexible connector or the back of the battery compartment, or you can pinch the top and bottom of the barrel with your index finger and thumb. This pinching motion is also used with the Open Ultra Earbuds, though Bose incorporates a physical button, while Shokz relies on a touch-sensitive interface.

      The OpenDots One also features an interesting design: there’s no predefined right or left earbud. Built-in sensors identify the orientation when placed in your ears and automatically assign the correct channel. While you can adjust these settings through the Shokz app, it’s unclear why you would need to.

      Similarities to Bose’s design extend to how the OpenDots One are housed in their case — mostly visible once the lid is opened, making them easy to retrieve.

      In addition, Shokz improves upon the more expensive Bose earbuds by including wireless charging.

      Shokz OpenDots One specs

      Price

      $200

      Weight

      0.23 oz (each earbud), 1.38 oz total with charging case

      Form factor

      Open earbuds (clip style)

      Noise cancellation

      None

      Battery life

      10 hours per charge, 40 hours total with charging case

      Charging

      USB-C, wireless

      Voice assistant

      Native smartphone access

      Multipoint

      Yes

      Water/dust resistance

      IP54 (earbuds only)

      Hi-res audio

      No

      Fast pairing

      No

      Bluetooth/codecs

      BT 5.4 with AAC, SBC

      Auracast

      No

      Comfort, controls, and connections

      

      

      

      

      

      

       1.

       Shokz OpenDots One

       2.

       Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

      

      With few exceptions, open-ear earbuds are generally very comfortable for extended periods. This is true for the clip-style, but personal preference (and possibly ear anatomy) plays a significant role.

      I've been using the OpenDots One for a week, often keeping them in all day. After a few hours, I feel pressure where the speaker module presses against the inside of my concha. While it isn't painful, I do need to take short breaks before re-inserting them.

      I mention the anatomy factor because it affects only my right ear; the