Shokz OpenFit Air 2 replaces touch controls with pressure buttons to avoid unintentional taps.

      Shokz's OpenFit Air 2 is their lightest earhook earbud featuring sweat-proof controls.

      If you've ever unintentionally paused your music while running because sweat activated the touch controls, Shokz has a solution. The company has just released the OpenFit Air 2, their lightest earhook earbuds to date, and the most notable change is in how they are controlled.

      Shokz has completely eliminated touch controls and replaced them with pressure-sensitive buttons, a minor adjustment that addresses a common annoyance for those who exercise with earbuds.

      Why are pressure controls important?

      While touch controls seem modern, they can be quite problematic during workouts. Sweat, loose hair, or even a single drop of rain can inadvertently activate a phantom tap, interrupting your music. Shokz's pressure-sensitive buttons need an actual press to register, which significantly reduces accidental inputs. This is a straightforward design decision that directly addresses the frustrations many runners and gym-goers experience.

      What else makes these earbuds appealing?

      In addition to the control features, the OpenFit Air 2 weighs only 7.2 grams per earbud, making it the lightest earhook product ever made by Shokz. This weight is less than that of Nothing's Ear Open and Shokz's own more expensive OpenFit Pro. Shokz also markets it as an affordable alternative to its flagship OpenFit 2, providing customers with a budget-friendly entry point into the brand.

      The charging case has been reduced in size by 10.5%, and the entire setup is nearly 20% lighter than the previous model. Sound quality comes from Shokz’s Bassphere dual driver system combined with OpenBass 2.0 for enhanced bass response, while a 30-degree angled speaker and DirectPitch technology help to minimize sound leakage.

      You can enjoy up to 8 hours of battery life per charge and a total of 36 hours with the charging case, along with Bluetooth 6.1 and an IP55 water resistance rating. One aspect to note is that noise cancellation is exclusive to the more expensive OpenFit Pro.

      The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 will be available starting August 27 for $129.95, launching alongside the bone conduction Shokz OpenRun Air 2, providing two lightweight and more affordable open-ear options.

      Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with over nine years of experience in editorial work.

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      Shokz OpenRun Air 2 introduces USB-C charging, a 10-hour battery life, and an upgraded bone-conduction design

      Shokz has significantly refreshed its bone-conduction headphone line. The company introduced the OpenRun Air 2, a smaller, lighter sports headphone designed for runners, cyclists, and anyone needing to stay alert during workouts. It replaces the old proprietary charging cable with USB-C, extends battery life to 10 hours, and modifies the fit to feel nearly weightless on your ears. The OpenRun Air 2 will be released on August 27 for $129.95 in Black and Ice Blue, providing budget-minded runners a lighter, more open-eared option.