Open-ear earbuds have earned a loyal following, largely because they let users stay aware of their surroundings or avoid the uncomfortable, sealed-off feeling of in-ear designs. Whether it’s for safety, comfort, or situational awareness, the open-ear form factor has steadily expanded across the earbud market, proving it’s more than a niche preference—it’s a meaningful alternative.
That said, full awareness isn’t always ideal. There are moments when you want to hear most of what’s happening around you, but not everything. That’s the gap Shokz is aiming to fill with its new OpenFit Pro earbuds, which rethink what open-ear audio can do by introducing selective noise reduction—a first for the brand.
Shokz officially unveiled the OpenFit Pro at CES 2026, an appropriately high-profile stage for such a shift in philosophy. By adding noise-reduction technology to an open-ear design, the company is challenging the long-held assumption that open-ear listening must mean total transparency to the outside world.
After testing this feature during the early days of the show, it quickly became clear that this isn’t just a novelty. The ability to subtly dial down distractions while keeping situational awareness intact could make this one of the most practical audio innovations on display this week—especially for commuters, show-floor wanderers, and anyone who wants control without complete isolation.