Gadget / Earbuds / Review
【Hardcore Gadget Geek's Review】Shokz OpenFit Air 2 Review: Out Sep 16, JPY 19,880, 7.2g a Side and 8 Hours Per Charge
The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 is the entry model of its ear-hook, open-ear line. It weighs 7.2g a side, 17.2% lighter than its predecessor. It went on sale Sep 16, 2026 at JPY 19,880 (tax included), with 8 hours per charge and up to 36 with the case. It is my pick for lightness and price.
Key points
- Release date: Sep 16, 2026. JPY 19,880 tax included (the OpenFit Pro above it is JPY 39,880)
- 7.2g a side, 17.2% lighter than the previous model's roughly 8.7g. IP55, Bluetooth 6.1, multipoint
- Up to 8 hours per charge, up to 36 with the case, up to 3 hours from 10 minutes of charging
[Released Sep 16, 2026] Shokz OpenFit Air 2
The OpenFit Air 2 is an ear-hook open-ear model so light you forget it
With open-ear earphones, the longer you wear them, the more weight and pressure matter. The OpenFit Air 2 cuts the weight to 7.2g a side.
Shokz says it is 17.2% lighter than the previous model. Working backward, that puts the old one at about 8.7g, roughly 1.5g more (7.2 ÷ 0.828 = 8.7).
As an IT consultant (SE), I read the footnote before the headline number. The 8 hours and the 36 hours are both the maker's conditions, so I read the buds alone and the buds with the case separately.
How I judged it
First, weight. A 0.75mm nickel-titanium frame keeps it to 7.2g a side, and the hook shape reduces pressure.
Next, battery and fast charging. 8 hours per charge and 3 hours from 10 minutes. Even a charge while you get ready covers a commute both ways. That is 18 minutes of playback per minute of charging (180 ÷ 10).
If you can't decide, take the OpenFit Air 2. The reason: for JPY 19,880 you get 7.2g a side and an 8-hour battery.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shokz OpenFit Air 2 Open-Ear Earbuds
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
When did the OpenFit Air 2 come out? Price and specs
| Item | OpenFit Air 2 |
|---|---|
| Release date | Sep 16, 2026 |
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 19,880 |
| Weight | 7.2g a side (17.2% lighter than the previous model) |
| Playback | Up to 8 hours per charge / up to 36 hours with the case |
| Fast charging | Up to 3 hours from 10 minutes |
| Dust and splash resistance | IP55 |
| Connection | Bluetooth 6.1, multipoint |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Sound | Bassphere driver (equal to a 16mm driver), 4 preset EQs plus 2 custom EQs |
| Colors | Black, white, ice blue |
Bass comes from Shokz's patented driver and an algorithm called OpenBass 2.0. It also supports Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair.
How does it differ from the OpenFit Pro?
| Item | OpenFit Air 2 | OpenFit Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 19,880 | JPY 39,880 | +JPY 20,000 (about double) |
| Per charge | Up to 8 hours | Up to 12 hours | +4 hours (+50%) |
| With case | Up to 36 hours | Up to 50 hours | +14 hours |
| 10-minute fast charge | 3 hours | 4 hours | +1 hour |
| Noise reduction | ― | Focus Mode (a Shokz first) | ― |
| Wireless charging | ― | Qi supported | ― |
The Pro is the upper model with Focus Mode, Qi wireless charging and call-noise reduction. The JPY 20,000 gap is about the Air 2's whole price.
If you mainly listen to music for hours, take the Air 2. If you also take calls or visit noisy places, take the Pro.
Strengths and things to note
Strengths
Light. At 7.2g a side it is easy to wear all day. A 17.2% weight cut matters a lot for something you wear daily.
Plenty of features for the price. Bluetooth 6.1, multipoint, IP55 and fast charging all come for JPY 19,880.
Things to note
The codecs are SBC and AAC, so no LDAC. Your ears stay open, so loud train noise is not blocked. Focus Mode is a feature of the OpenFit Pro above it.
Who is it for?
People who listen to music or radio with open ears while commuting or working from home. People whose ears tire from glasses or masks. It also suits anyone looking for long-wear earphones under JPY 20,000.
If you run or get wet, the IP67 bone-conduction OpenRun Air 2 is another way to choose.
Price and where to buy
JPY 19,880 tax included, sold at Shokz's official Rakuten store and others. Over a year, that is about JPY 54 a day (19,880 ÷ 365).
If you can't decide, take the OpenFit Air 2. The reason: 7.2g a side, 8 hours per charge, and JPY 19,880.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shokz OpenFit Air 2 Open-Ear Earbuds
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
For bone conduction and the Bose comparison, see the best open-ear and bone-conduction earphones. For accessory-style buds, read the best ear-cuff earbuds, and for run tracking the best Garmin smartwatches.
Related reading: Shokz OpenRun Air 2 review, Shokz OpenFit Pro review.
FAQ
When did the OpenFit Air 2 come out?
It went on sale Sep 16, 2026, at JPY 19,880 (tax included).
What is the difference between the OpenFit Air 2 and the OpenFit Pro?
The Pro costs JPY 39,880 and offers 12 hours per charge, 50 hours with the case, Focus Mode and Qi wireless charging. The Air 2 costs JPY 19,880 with 8 hours per charge and 36 hours with the case.
Is the OpenFit Air 2 waterproof?
It is IP55 dust and splash resistant. That covers sudden rain and hard workouts, but not submerging it.
About the writer and sources
Written by a gadget nerd who works as an IT consultant (SE). At work, I read the footnotes behind a spec before the headline number, and I built the tables here the same way.
Release dates and prices were re-checked on Oct 26 against the makers' announcements and Rakuten Ichiba listings. Sources are listed below.
