JBL Soundgear Sense vs Shokz OpenFit Air
Quick take: The JBL Soundgear Sense costs $5 less.
| Spec | JBL Soundgear Sense | Shokz OpenFit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$115 | ~$120 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Open-Ear & Bone Conduction | Open-Ear & Bone Conduction |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 6 hrs | 6 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 24 hrs | 28 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 15 min = 4 hr | 10 min = 2 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 16.2 mm | — |
| Weight | 26 g | 9 g |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
JBL Soundgear Sense
- ✓Among the best bass and fullest sound in the open-ear category
- ✓Detachable neckband makes them effectively lose-proof for intense workouts
- ✓Flexible earhooks adjust to a wide range of ears
- ✓15-minute speed charge adds 4 hours
- ✓Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint
- ✓JBL Headphones app with full EQ and control remapping
- ✓IP54 dust and sweat resistance
- ✗12.9g per bud — roughly double the weight of clip-on rivals
- ✗Sound leakage at volume is a recurring complaint in quiet spaces
- ✗6-hour per-charge battery is mid-pack
- ✗Earhooks can conflict with glasses arms
- ✗SBC/AAC only, no hi-res codec
Shokz OpenFit Air
- ✓8.7g buds with memory-alloy hooks vanish after a few minutes
- ✓Noticeably better sound than bone-conduction Shokz at the same price
- ✓6 + 22 hours of battery with quick charge (10 min = 2 hr)
- ✓Multipoint pairing
- ✓IP54 handles sweat and rain
- ✓Shokz app EQ modes and control customization
- ✗Call/microphone quality draws consistent owner complaints
- ✗Open design struggles in wind and loud gyms
- ✗Sound still trails the OpenFit and OpenFit 2
- ✗Ear hooks share space with glasses arms
- ✗SBC/AAC over Bluetooth 5.2 — older spec than newer rivals