Impressive Noise Reduction from Open-Ear Buds

Traditionally, open-ear earbuds have struggled in noisy environments like bustling urban areas. They are designed to let in external sounds, which means commuters often find them lacking in noisy scenarios. When you need a good set of earbuds for every occasion, you typically end up buying multiple pairs—one for normal use and another to manage the roar of public transportation or street musicians.

This dilemma was at the forefront when I heard about the new Shokz OpenFit Pro buds that claimed to offer 'noise cancellation' at the CES 2026 event. Priced at $249.95, they don't provide genuine noise cancellation as traditionally defined. Instead, they deliver noise reduction, which can be surprisingly effective.

How It Works

Unlike true active noise cancellation, which requires ear canal sealing, the OpenFit Pro uses a combination of advanced technology to minimize external noise. This includes a tri-microphone array, improved speaker design, and an adaptive algorithm. Two microphones track ambient sounds, while a third one near the ear evaluates what noise infiltrates the ear canal.

Initially skeptical, I had doubts given my experiences with previous Shokz products, which performed poorly in loud settings. However, the noise reduction capabilities of the OpenFit Pro genuinely impressed me, particularly with adjustments available in the accompanying app.

Practical Performance

Although true active noise cancellation devices manage better overall sound isolation, the OpenFit Pro holds its own in less extreme noise situations. They manage to make music and audiobooks enjoyable even in moderately bustling settings like coffee shops, albeit still struggling against overpowering noises like a mariachi band.

At home, they lower background noise like the droning of household devices effectively enough to maintain focus, though they won't drown out a blaring TV. Nevertheless, they're perfect for maintaining ambient awareness while enjoying personal audio.

Additional Features and Drawbacks

One notable improvement is in the bass response, typically a weak point for open-ear buds. They now operate up to a range of 40kHz and reduce distortion below 100Hz. Support for Dolby Atmos with head tracking is present, but the effect felt more like a novelty than a necessity.

On the downside, the fit and design need attention. The hooks feel unwieldy behind the ears, especially when pairing them with glasses. The case, while large, does extend the battery life significantly, giving an additional 50 hours after the earbuds' 12-hour standalone performance (six hours with noise reduction active).

Suitability and Niche Appeal

While these earbuds are unlikely to become a mainstay replacement for everyone’s more traditional ANC-enabled buds, they appeal to those who require environmental awareness. Perfect for commutes, casual strolls, or household tasks, the OpenFit Pro brings a new twist to open-ear listening, showing that they can indeed offer a viable noise reduction while letting you stay alert to your surroundings.