Shokz keeps expanding its lineup, and the latest to join the open-ear party is the OpenDots ONE. With a clip-on design and all the usual Shokz tech baked in, it’s aimed squarely at people who want to stay connected to their surroundings without jamming something in their ears.
Although Bose unlocked the category of clip-on earbuds last year with their Ultra Open ($299) buds, the Shokz OpenDots One arrive for $100 less. So let’s find out what makes the OpenDots One a worthy competitor.
Secure Fit
The OpenDots ONE is Shokz’s first stab at a clip-on design, which follow the over-ear hook style we saw with the OpenFit in 2023. Each bud weighs a featherlight 6.5g—basically ghost-level light—and the whole package with the case tips the scale at just 52g. The magic trick? A JointArc frame made of nickel-titanium, that sci-fi alloy that flexes to hug your ears without turning into a medieval torture device. Shokz also slapped some soft silicone on the speaker’s outer shell to keep things comfy during those long hauls—because if you’re wearing them all day, they shouldn’t feel like they’re trying to win a wrestling match with your cartilage.
Speaker Drivers & Audio
Shokz sticks to its open-ear playbook with the OpenDots ONE, letting you stay plugged into your music without tuning out the world. The real story here, though, is under the hood.
Bass is handled by Shokz’s new Bassphere tech—a pair of 11.8mm drivers crammed into a spherical module to simulate the output of a beefier 16mm driver. Translation: you get tighter, punchier low-end without strapping subwoofers to your ears. Highs stay clean, and the overall response leans dynamic rather than dull.
For the first time, Shokz is throwing Dolby Audio into the mix, adding spatial depth and clarity that open-ear designs usually struggle with. And their signature DirectPitch tech keeps your playlists from leaking out like a broken faucet—so you can listen freely without broadcasting your questionable music choices to the entire coffee shop.
Playtime
The OpenDots ONE provides up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 40 hours of playback time with the case that supports wireless charging.
User Support
Built for the real world, the OpenDots ONE comes with an IP54 rating—enough to handle sweat, dust, and the occasional run-in with light rain without calling it quits.
It also packs Dynamic Ear Detection, so it doesn’t care which bud goes in which ear. No L or R labels, no second-guessing—just pop them in and let the tech figure it out.
Control
The OpenDots ONE provides Intuitive Touch Controls to manage music listening and phone calls by tapping the battery compartment, JointArc, or by ‘pinching’ the battery with two fingers.
Users can also tailor sound listening preferences through the Shokz App (iOS, Android). Features include multipoint pairing between two devices, 4 pre-set EQ modes plus two personalized EQ, Find My Earbuds, and more.
Comparison
| Shokz Model | OpenDots ONE (2025) | OpenFit (2023) |
| Price | $199.95 | $179.95 |
| Wearing Style | Ear Clip | Ear Hook |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Drivers | 11.8mm | 18 x 11mm |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Controller Type | Touch (Answer/End, Previous Track, Volume) | Touch (Answer/End, Previous Track, Volume) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 with Multipoint | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Range | 10 Meters | 10 Meters |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IP54 Sweatproof | IP54 Sweatproof |
| Battery Case Average Life | 40 Hours | 28 hours |
| Battery Case Charging Time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Dimensions | 5.98 x 2.99 x 0.91 inches | 1.94 x 1.72 x 0.75 inches |
| Weight | Earbuds: 6.5 g ± 0.2 g (each) Charging Case: 39 g ± 2 g Total Weight: 52 g ± 2.4 g | Earbuds: 8.3 grams (each) Charging Case: 57 grams Total Weight: 65.3 grams |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Material | Stainless Steel, Silicone, Plastic | Plastic |
The Bottom Line
Shokz once again skips the bone-conduction route in favor of open-air sound, this time with a sleeker, lighter clip-on design. The OpenDots ONE trims the fat from the previous OpenFit, adds more battery life with a wireless charging case, and throws in a few smart tricks like ear detection and Dolby Audio for good measure.
Yes, the wireless earbud market is bloated—there’s enough choice to make your head spin. And no, open-ear models won’t give you noise-canceling isolation, but they will keep you aware of your surroundings so you don’t end up walking into traffic while grooving to Taylor Swift.
Sure, you can grab budget buds from Skullcandy, Edifier, or Final, or go open-ear on the cheap with options from Sennheiser or 1MORE. But if you’re looking for something that actually fits, sounds good, and doesn’t feel like a science experiment on your head, the $199.95 OpenDots ONE might just be worth the premium. Just don’t expect them to make your coffee.
Price & Availability
The Shokz OpenDots ONE are available for $199.95 at Amazon in black or grey, and at select retailers nationwide.
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