Shokz Releases New OpenDots One Earbuds: Hands-on Review

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Shokz may have popularized the bone-conduction category, but lately, the audio brand has been branching out, with unique offerings in the open-ear earbud space. The latest are the OpenDots One, which launched today and join an increasingly crowded clip-on earbud market, competing with styles from rivals like Bose, Anker, and JLab.

We put the Shokz OpenDots One to the test ahead of their launch. While they’re not perfect, they make a compelling case for being one of the best clip-on earbuds you can buy, offering the right combination of comfort, sound quality, and performance.

Shokz OpenDots One: Design

Similar to Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds, Shokz OpenDots One feature a flexible band with a driver that sits in the outer ear. The unit that houses the battery clips behind the ear, giving these earbuds something of a resemblance to earrings.

The case is compact and features a stylish two-tone design. The earbuds themselves are impressively lightweight, yet secure on the ear. The case is also wireless-charging compatible, which is a nice touch. I wore them on a long bike ride, and, aside from minor adjustments, I was able to forget they were there.

The most unusual design decision is that the earbuds are interchangeable. There’s no left or right markings. I thought this was an oversight at first, until I realized they’re designed to be swappable without affecting stereo sound. Shokz explained that they “utilize Dynamic Ear Detection Technology to automatically recognize which bud is in each ear.”

Shokz OpenDots One: Features and Controls

Shokz’s user-friendly app allows for easy control over the earbuds, including customizing the touch controls and EQ modes. You can choose between presets, including “Vocal” and “Bass,” or create a custom sound profile using the five-band EQ. The earbuds also feature a Dolby Audio mode, although I didn’t find it added much to the listening experience on most songs.

There are features I do find handy, including multipoint pairing for connecting to two devices at once. One surprising feature that I’ve rarely seen on open-ear earbuds is wear detection; the earbuds automatically pause and play when you take an earbud out. There’s a slight delay, but it works pretty reliably.

The earbuds’ touch controls were one of its weakest points; they were simultaneously slow to respond and somewhat overly sensitive. Either pinching the barrel twice or double-tapping on the band portion controls playback and phone calls. It works, but the slow response time could be improved. But if you find yourself accidentally pressing the controls, you can turn off the pinch or tap controls.

Shokz OpenDots One: Sound Quality and Performance

Impressively, Shokz has managed to produce some of the best-sounding open earbuds I’ve tested, with a level of clarity that’s rare for earbuds of this type. The bass response is surprisingly robust, befitting a pair of workout earbuds. There are inevitable tradeoffs, including reduced detail in the highs, but overall, there’s a lot to love about how these earbuds sound.

The lightweight design and compact case make these great for workouts, and the water resistance comes in handy for sweat and rain. That said, I wouldn’t limit these to workouts. The sound quality is crisp and detailed enough to suit use at the office or everyday wear for any setting where you want to remain aware of your surroundings. The earbuds also have up to 10 hours of playtime on a charge, with a total of 40 with the case.

Shokz OpenDots One: Verdict

Shokz OpenDots One earbuds are among the best sounding from a pair of open-ear earbuds, and the clip-on design is comfortable for all-day wear, whether you’re running and biking or sitting at the office.

At $200, these are a fairly pricey pair of earbuds, especially considering the niche category they’re competing in, and the fussy controls could be improved. Still, they undercut Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds in price by $100, and while I would give Bose the edge in audio quality, the OpenDots outlast the Ultra Opens in battery life while still delivering great sound.