A year after the OpenDots One, Shokz is launching the OpenDots 2 on September 29, 2026, on shokz.com and at retailers like i-run.com. At RunMorph, we know the open-ear clip format well from our review of the first model, and this new version directly answers the criticism aimed at its predecessor, particularly on sound volume and water resistance. The price climbs accordingly.
© Shokz, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Shokz OpenDots 2 keep the OpenDots One's open-ear clip design and fix its two main weaknesses: sound volume and water resistance. Fit is still the benchmark of the category thanks to the nickel-titanium alloy headband, and battery life climbs to 40 hours with the case. At 199 €, this model sits at the premium end, a notch above its predecessor.
At RunMorph, we file the OpenDots 2 under open-ear clip earbuds, a format Shokz did a lot to popularize after its bone conduction headphones. The principle is the same as on the OpenDots One: an acoustic module sits against the ear without blocking the ear canal, connected to a flexible band that gently clips the earlobe. Two years after opening up this segment, Shokz refines the formula with a new generation of speakers, better water resistance and Bluetooth 6.1 connectivity. At 199 €, the product sits at the top of the open-ear range, above the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and well ahead of the Nothing Ear (open).
RunMorph's advice: if you already own the Shokz OpenDots One and you're happy with the sound, upgrading isn't essential. But if you were torn between the first model and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds because of weak volume or limited water resistance, the OpenDots 2 fix both complaints.
| Specification | Shokz OpenDots 2 |
|---|---|
| Weight per earbud | 6,4 g |
| Case weight | 38,8 g |
| Earbud battery life (music) | 10 hours |
| Total battery life with case | 40 hours |
| Battery life on calls | 6,5 hours alone, 25 hours with case |
| Fast charging | 5 minutes of charging for 2 hours of listening |
| Earbud water resistance | IP57 |
| Case water resistance | IP54 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.1, 10-meter range |
| Colors | Gray, pearl white, black |
| Price | 199 € |
On the road or in the city, hearing a car approach or a cyclist pass changes everything for safety. The OpenDots 2's open-ear design leaves your ear canal completely clear, unlike in-ear buds that seal it off. You keep your music or your audio coach while staying fully aware of what's happening around you.
The OpenDots 2's nickel-titanium headband takes repeated flexing without losing its shape, a critical point for multisport use. The clip stays put whether you're on a technical trail or a road bike, and the IP57 rating covers sweat, rain and splashes, though it doesn't allow for prolonged submersion.
At RunMorph, we regularly hear from runners who lose their in-ear buds mid-interval session. The clip design eliminates that problem entirely, since the earbud never sits inside the canal and can't be knocked out by sweat or movement.
© Shokz, official photo used for editorial purposes
The most common complaint about the OpenDots One was volume and a lack of bass, a limitation inherent to earbuds that don't seal the ear canal. Shokz responds with Bassphere 2.0 technology, claimed to cut distortion by 70% compared to the previous generation, paired with a reworked Dolby Audio profile for punchier bass. A MirrorPitch module rounds out the setup by aiming sound more precisely at the ear, which reduces sound leakage to the outside.
Early reviews confirm a real step up. One French review describes a solid sound balance with honest bass extension for this format, while noting that output remains limited below 70 Hz, a physical constraint of the open-ear principle rather than a flaw specific to this product. Another French review agrees, describing bass that's present and clean thanks to Bassphere 2.0, with a powerful output despite the lack of acoustic sealing. At RunMorph, what stands out most is that the gap with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds closes noticeably on this front, whereas the OpenDots One was clearly behind Bose's model on power.
Call quality also improves with the addition of a third bone conduction microphone, alongside the two air conduction microphones already present on the OpenDots One. One review tempers that claim, however, flagging average voice quality in noisy environments, sometimes sounding a bit hollow. In windy outdoor conditions, keep your expectations realistic here.
Fit remains the central selling point of the OpenDots line, and this second generation doesn't change the recipe that made the first model a success. The nickel-titanium JointArc headband adapts to the shape of your ear and applies light but constant pressure, with no pressure points even after several hours of wear. At 6,4 grams per earbud, the weight is identical to the OpenDots One, confirming that Shokz didn't sacrifice comfort to fit in the new acoustic components.
One French review describes a three-part design, an acoustic sphere, a rear module and the flexible headband, that distributes pressure on the ear better than single-arm designs. Each earbud can be worn on either ear, a handy detail for extended daily use. Touch controls and head gestures let you manage music and calls without pulling out your phone, a real plus on a long run where every interruption breaks your rhythm.
© Shokz, official photo used for editorial purposes
On battery life, Shokz claims 10 hours of listening per charge for the earbuds alone, and up to 40 hours total with the case. On calls, battery life logically drops to 6,5 hours for the earbuds alone and 25 hours with the case. Fast charging gets you 2 hours of listening from just 5 minutes plugged into the case, a real improvement over the 10 minutes the OpenDots One needed for the same result. One French review confirms figures that beat the manufacturer's claims, measuring 9 to 10 hours per earbud.
On water resistance, the OpenDots 2 move up to IP57 for the earbuds, versus IP54 on the OpenDots One. In practice, that means resistance to sweat, driving rain and splashes, plus tolerance for brief accidental submersion. The charging case stays at IP54, so it's protected against splashes but not submersion. At RunMorph, we see this as the most concrete improvement in the OpenDots 2 for outdoor sports use, without turning them into swimming gear.
Exceptional fit inherited from the OpenDots One. Punchier, bassier sound thanks to Bassphere 2.0. Clear step up to IP57 water resistance. 40 hours of total battery life with the case. Efficient fast charging, 5 minutes for 2 hours of listening.
199 € price tag, up from the previous model. Call quality still just average in noisy environments. Bass limited below 70 Hz, a constraint of the open-ear format. Case limited to IP54, so less protected than the earbuds.
| Criteria | OpenDots One | OpenDots 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight per earbud | About 6,4 g | 6,4 g |
| Earbud battery life | About 10 hours | 10 hours |
| Total battery life with case | About 28 hours | 40 hours |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP57 (earbuds), IP54 (case) |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 6.1 |
| Fast charging | 10 minutes for 2 hours | 5 minutes for 2 hours |
| Launch price | About 179 € | 199 € |
The most tangible improvement between the two generations is total battery life with the case, up by around 12 hours, and earbud water resistance, which jumps from IP54 to IP57. Sound also gains in power thanks to Bassphere 2.0, a point OpenDots One owners flagged as the first model's main limitation.
Against the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, the OpenDots 2 bet on a clip fit rather than a rigid ear hook, a choice that suits runners who also wear a cap or sunglasses better. Pricing stays comparable between the two models, though, at around 199 €. Against the Nothing Ear (open), which sits in a noticeably lower price bracket, the OpenDots 2 justify the gap with better water resistance and a more stable fit during exercise, at the cost of a less eye-catching design. And against the OpenDots One, the choice mostly comes down to weighing a 20 € difference against real gains in battery life and water resistance.
During the interval sessions in our 10K program, the open-ear clip lets you keep an ear on outside sound cues during pace changes, without ever losing an earbud mid-sprint. For your Sunday long runs, 40 hours of battery life with the case easily covers a full week of training without a daily recharge.
© Shokz, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Shokz OpenDots 2 fix the two concrete weaknesses of the OpenDots One: weak sound power and just-barely-adequate water resistance. Fit, already excellent on the first model, stays untouched. At 199 €, this product sits alongside the best open-ear references on the market, which lines up with the level of finish on offer. At RunMorph, we're giving it a rating of 8,0 out of 10, with an honest caveat: the product just launched, on September 29, 2026, and this rating is based on Shokz's official data along with the two first French reviews available so far.