Shokz OpenDots ONE Review: Grey Open-Ear Earbuds for Everyday Listening

Wireless earbuds have become a convenient choice for listening to music, taking calls and enjoying podcasts throughout the day. However, traditional in-ear designs are not comfortable for everyone, particularly those who prefer not to place earbuds inside their ear canals.

The Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds in Grey offer a different approach. Combining a lightweight clip-on design with open-ear audio technology, these earbuds are designed for people who want personal audio while remaining more aware of their surroundings.

With Dolby Audio, Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint pairing and up to 40 hours of total listening time with the charging case, the Shokz OpenDots ONE brings together practical features for work, commuting, exercise and everyday listening.

In this guide, we explore the key features, design, battery performance and everyday uses of the Shokz OpenDots ONE Grey to help you decide whether these wireless earbuds are right for you.

1. Open-Ear Clip-On Design for Everyday Comfort

One of the most distinctive features of the Shokz OpenDots ONE is its clip-on design. Rather than sitting inside the ear canal, each earbud clips around the ear, allowing users to listen without the conventional in-ear fit.

Each earbud weighs approximately 6.5 grams, making the design lightweight and compact. The flexible JointArc™ structure uses a titanium alloy, helping the earbuds maintain a secure fit during everyday activities.

This design may appeal to people who prefer open-ear listening or find conventional earbuds uncomfortable. It is also designed to work alongside common accessories such as glasses, hats and caps.

The earbuds feature smart left-and-right recognition, so you can place either earbud on either ear without needing to identify a fixed left or right unit.

Whether you're working at your desk, walking outdoors or listening to a podcast while handling everyday tasks, the clip-on design offers an alternative to traditional in-ear headphones.

It's important to remember that comfort varies between users. If possible, consider your preferred fit and listening habits when choosing between open-ear and in-ear earbuds.

2. Enjoy Music with Dolby Audio

Open-ear earbuds are designed to deliver audio without sealing the ear canal. The Shokz OpenDots ONE combines this approach with air-conduction audio technology and Dolby Audio support through the Shokz app.

The earbuds are designed for listening to music, podcasts and other everyday audio content. Shokz also incorporates its Bassphere™ technology to support a fuller listening experience in a compact design.

Users can adjust their listening preferences through the app, which offers preset equaliser settings and a custom EQ option. Dolby Audio mode can also be activated through the app for a different audio presentation.

These customisation options allow listeners to adjust the sound to suit different content and personal preferences.

As with other open-ear headphones, the listening experience may differ from sealed in-ear earbuds. Because the design does not isolate the ear canal in the same way, surrounding sounds can remain more noticeable, and audio may be less immersive in noisy environments.

For users who prefer to remain more connected to their surroundings while listening, this can be an important consideration.

3. Up to 40 Hours of Battery Life

Battery life is an important factor when choosing wireless earbuds, especially for people who use them throughout the day.

The Shokz OpenDots ONE provides up to 10 hours of music playback on a single charge. With the charging case, total listening time can reach up to 40 hours under the manufacturer's test conditions.

Actual battery performance depends on volume, audio content, connectivity conditions, settings and usage habits.

The earbuds also support quick charging. According to Shokz, placing the earbuds in the charging case for 10 minutes can provide up to two hours of music playback under specified test conditions.

This can be useful when you need additional listening time before leaving home or returning to work.

The charging case supports both USB-C charging and compatible wireless charging pads, offering flexibility when powering up your earbuds.

4. Bluetooth 5.4 and Multipoint Pairing

The Shokz OpenDots ONE uses Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity with compatible devices.

It also supports multipoint pairing, which allows the earbuds to connect to two devices simultaneously. This can be useful if you regularly switch between a smartphone and a laptop.

For example, you might listen to audio from your laptop while working and then switch to your smartphone to take a call. Multipoint pairing is designed to make moving between compatible devices more convenient, although connection behaviour can depend on the devices and settings being used.

The earbuds support AAC and SBC audio codecs, helping provide compatibility with a broad range of Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, tablets and other devices.

The advertised wireless range is up to approximately 10 metres in suitable conditions. Walls, interference and connected-device limitations can affect actual performance.

For users who want wireless audio without being tied to a single device, these connectivity features make the OpenDots ONE a practical option to consider.

5. Clearer Calls with AI Noise Reduction

Wireless earbuds are often used for more than entertainment. They can also be useful for phone calls, online conversations and meetings.

The Shokz OpenDots ONE includes four microphones and AI-assisted noise reduction designed to help capture the user's voice while reducing unwanted background noise during calls.

This feature can be helpful when taking calls while commuting, working from a shared space or moving between everyday activities.

However, call quality can vary depending on the surrounding environment, Bluetooth connection, device compatibility and the level of background noise. No microphone system can eliminate every sound in a busy setting.

For important meetings, it is still worth choosing a reasonably quiet location whenever possible.

6. IP54 Water and Sweat Resistance

For users who enjoy walking, exercising or commuting, resistance to sweat and light splashes can be an important feature.

The Shokz OpenDots ONE earbuds have an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. This provides protection against limited dust ingress and water splashes under specified test conditions.

The rating does not mean the earbuds are waterproof. The charging case is not rated as waterproof, and the earbuds should not be submerged or exposed to water for extended periods.

After exercise or exposure to moisture, follow the manufacturer's care instructions and ensure the earbuds are dry before charging them.

These precautions can help you use the product appropriately and protect its long-term performance.

7. Customisable Controls and Everyday Convenience

The Shokz OpenDots ONE offers touch and pinch controls for managing compatible functions, including music playback and calls. Through the Shokz app, users can customise supported control gestures to suit their preferences.

The app also provides access to equaliser settings, Dolby Audio mode, battery information, firmware updates and a Find My Earbuds feature that can make the earbuds ring to help locate them.

These features help make the earbuds more adaptable to different listening routines.

The interchangeable left-and-right design is another practical detail. Since the earbuds can automatically recognise their position, placing them back into the charging case is more straightforward.

Together, these design and software features focus on making everyday use more convenient without adding unnecessary complexity.

8. Who Should Consider the Shokz OpenDots ONE Grey?

The Shokz OpenDots ONE may be worth considering if you prefer a lightweight, open-ear design and want wireless audio for a range of daily activities.

They may suit:

• Commuters: For listening to podcasts or music while remaining more aware of surrounding sounds.

• Office workers: For personal audio during desk work and compatible calls.

• Active users: For walking, gym sessions and other activities where a clip-on fit is preferred.

• Multitaskers: For switching between a compatible smartphone and laptop using multipoint pairing.

• People who prefer open-ear designs: For those who do not enjoy the fit of conventional in-ear earbuds.

However, these earbuds may not be ideal for everyone. If you regularly listen in very noisy environments, need strong passive noise isolation or prefer the sealed fit of conventional in-ear models, another design may be more suitable.

Open-ear audio also does not replace safe listening practices. Keep the volume at a comfortable level and remain attentive to traffic and other hazards when outdoors.

9. Key Specifications at a Glance

Feature	Shokz OpenDots ONE Grey
Product type	Open-ear true wireless earbuds
Model	E310-ST-GY
Design	Clip-on open-ear
Earbud weight	Approximately 6.5 g each
Audio technology	Air conduction
Audio features	Dolby Audio support, Bassphere™
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4
Multipoint	Connects to two devices
Music playback	Up to 10 hours per charge
Total playback	Up to 40 hours with charging case
Quick charging	10 minutes for up to 2 hours of music
Water resistance	IP54 for earbuds
Charging	USB-C and compatible wireless charging
Microphones	Four, with AI-assisted noise reduction
Audio codecs	AAC and SBC
Colour	Grey

Specifications and battery figures are based on manufacturer information. Actual performance may vary depending on usage and conditions.

Final Verdict: Open-Ear Audio for Work, Travel and Everyday Listening

The Shokz OpenDots ONE Grey offers an alternative to conventional wireless earbuds through its clip-on open-ear design, lightweight construction and practical connectivity features.

With Dolby Audio support, customisable sound settings, multipoint pairing, AI-assisted call noise reduction and up to 40 hours of total music playback with the charging case, it is designed to accommodate a variety of everyday listening needs.

Its IP54-rated earbuds and wireless charging support add further convenience, while the open-ear design may appeal to users who prefer not to place earbuds inside their ear canals.

Ultimately, the best earbuds depend on your preferred fit, listening environment and daily routine. If you are looking for compact wireless earbuds with an open-ear clip-on design, the Shokz OpenDots ONE Grey is worth exploring.

Shop the Shokz OpenDots ONE Grey

Discover the Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds in Grey at Tech Power Up.

Product page: https://techpowerup.com.au/products/shokz-opendots-one-open-ear-true-wireless-earbuds-grey-e310-st-gy

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