TL;DR
Shokz has split its open-ear clip-on earbuds into two distinct models—the OpenClip for general use and OpenClip C for calls—featuring redesigned 16.2mm drivers, a 28% lighter chassis, and AI-driven noise cancellation that reduces background noise by 95% during calls. This matters because Shokz is defending its category lead against Sony, Bose, and a flood of Chinese rivals entering the open-ear space.
What Happened
Shokz today announced the second-generation of its clip-on open-ear earbuds, launching two separate models—the OpenClip (music-focused) and OpenClip C (call-focused)—instead of the single hybrid design from 2024. The new lineup, available immediately on Shokz’s website and at Amazon, features a 28% lighter 8.5-gram-per-ear design, redesigned 16.2mm dynamic drivers delivering +40% bass extension down to 20Hz, and a proprietary AI noise-reduction algorithm that cuts ambient call noise by 95% according to Shokz’s internal testing.
Key Facts
- The OpenClip costs $179.99 and the OpenClip C costs $199.99, both shipping June 4, 2026 from Shokz.com and Amazon.
- Each earbud weighs 8.5 grams, down from 11.8 grams in the first-generation OpenClip launched in May 2024.
- The 16.2mm dynamic drivers use a new dual-magnet motor structure to achieve 40% more bass output at 20Hz compared to the prior model.
- The OpenClip C adds a bone-conduction microphone alongside dual beamforming mics, enabling 95% ambient noise reduction during voice calls per Shokz lab tests.
- Battery life is 10 hours per charge for the OpenClip and 9 hours for the OpenClip C, with the charging case providing 3 additional full charges (40 hours total for OpenClip, 36 hours for OpenClip C).
- Both models carry an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, and the case is IPX4 splash-resistant.
- Shokz claims a 15% improvement in Bluetooth 5.4 connection stability over the previous generation, with support for LC3 codec on compatible devices.
Breaking It Down
Shokz’s decision to split the product line is the most telling signal from this launch. In 2024, the company tried to serve both music listeners and heavy call users with a single earbud design—and compromised on both. The OpenClip now prioritises sound quality with larger drivers and bass tuning, while the OpenClip C adds a bone-conduction microphone—the same technology Shokz pioneered in its neckband headphones—to capture the user’s voice directly through skull vibrations, bypassing ambient noise entirely.
Shokz’s internal testing shows the bone-conduction mic on the OpenClip C reduces wind noise by 90% at 20 km/h (12 mph) compared to the first-generation model, which relied solely on beamforming mics.
This is a critical improvement for the remote work and outdoor fitness markets that drive open-ear adoption. The first-generation OpenClip struggled in noisy environments—users on city streets or near construction sites reported that callers could hear traffic as clearly as their voice. By layering bone-conduction sensing with traditional MEMS microphones, Shokz is effectively creating a dual-path voice capture system: the bone mic grabs the user’s voice cleanly from the skull, while the beamforming array handles spatial noise reduction. The 95% ambient noise reduction figure, while likely measured in ideal lab conditions, represents a meaningful step forward if it translates to even 70-80% in real-world use.
The weight reduction from 11.8g to 8.5g is not trivial. Open-ear clip-on earbuds live or die on comfort—users wear them for hours during runs, commutes, or workdays. A 28% lighter design, especially when combined with a redesigned clip mechanism that Shokz says distributes pressure more evenly across the ear’s concha, directly addresses the primary complaint from first-gen users: ear fatigue after 90 minutes. The IP55 rating remains unchanged, which is adequate for sweat and light rain but notably behind the IP57 rating on Sony’s LinkBuds Open or the IPX6 on Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds.
What Comes Next
- Sony and Bose response expected by Q4 2026: Both companies are rumoured to be preparing second-generation open-ear products. Sony’s LinkBuds Open (2025) currently lack clip-on designs, while Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds (2024) use a different ear-hook form factor. Shokz’s split-model strategy forces competitors to choose which use case to target.
- Shokz must prove the call quality claims independently: No third-party reviews are available at launch. Tech reviewers at CNET, Tom’s Guide, and Rtings are expected to publish tests within two weeks. The 95% noise reduction figure will face particular scrutiny if real-world testing shows significant variance.
- LC3 codec adoption remains bottlenecked: While Shokz supports LC3 via Bluetooth 5.4, most Android phones (except Pixel 8/9 and Samsung Galaxy S24/25 series) and no iPhones support the codec. Expect Shokz to push for broader adoption, possibly through a firmware update enabling LC3+ support in late 2026.
- Price competition from Chinese OEMs: Brands like Baseus, Soundpeats, and EarFun are already selling open-clip earbuds at $50–$80. Shokz must justify its $180–$200 price point through superior comfort, call quality, and brand trust—or face margin erosion within 12 months.
The Bigger Picture
This launch sits at the intersection of three converging trends. Open-ear audio has grown from a niche for runners and cyclists into a mainstream category, with market research firm IDC estimating 34 million open-ear units shipped globally in 2025, up 52% from 2024. Shokz controls roughly 22% of that market, per IDC, but faces pressure from Sony (12%), Bose (9%), and dozens of Chinese brands that collectively hold 45%.
The second trend is specialisation in audio hardware. Just as Sony split its WH-1000XM series into separate models for music and calls, Shokz is acknowledging that a single earbud cannot optimise for both use cases. The bone-conduction microphone on the OpenClip C represents a return to Shokz’s core competency—it invented the consumer bone-conduction headphone market in 2011 and holds over 200 patents in the space. By deploying that technology in a clip-on form factor, Shokz is betting that call quality will become the decisive differentiator in a market where sound quality differences are narrowing.
Third, the weight reduction race is intensifying. The 8.5g per earbud is now the lightest in the premium open-ear segment—Bose’s Ultra Open weighs 11.2g, Sony’s LinkBuds Open weigh 9.8g, and even Apple’s rumoured open-ear AirPods (expected 2027) are speculated to target 7–8g. Shokz has set a new floor for comfort expectations, and competitors will need to respond with lighter materials or risk being perceived as bulky.
Key Takeaways
- [Product Split]: Shokz now sells two distinct models—OpenClip ($180) for music and OpenClip C ($200) for calls—rather than a single hybrid, acknowledging that one design cannot optimise both use cases.
- [Weight Breakthrough]: At 8.5 grams per earbud, the new OpenClip is 28% lighter than the first-gen model and the lightest premium open-ear earbud on the market, directly addressing the comfort fatigue that limited adoption.
- [Call Quality Leap]: The OpenClip C’s bone-conduction microphone plus beamforming array claims 95% ambient noise reduction, a dramatic improvement over the first-gen’s all-MEMS approach, but third-party verification is pending.
- [Battery and Durability]: 10-hour per-charge battery life and IP55 rating are class-competitive but not best-in-class, leaving room for Sony or Bose to counter with longer runtime or higher water resistance in their next generations.
