I tried Shokz open earphones and they replaced my AirPods after the first use

Getting immersed in music can be an indulgence but that can also be a danger on the street. I have always enjoyed using over-ear headphones but there are times I switch it up for my Apple AirPods when I carry a small bag or go for a workout. Bear in mind that I'm still using the gen 2 AirPods, I feel like an upgrade is needed.

That's when I came across bone induction earphones, and Shokz's new OpenFit 2+ caught my attention. The open-ear design is an alien concept to me but it also allows me to stay aware of the surroundings without taking a pause on my music or podcast.

Retailing at £179, the same as Apple AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, I felt the Shokz OpenFit2+ had more to offer. I have been wearing them to the gym and when travelling, and I wish I had discovered them earlier.

The OpenFit2+ supports Dynamic Sound and Dolby Audio, while it does not provide spatial audio, it delivers vibrant sounds. I can hear the power of bass and crystal-clear mids and highs.

The earphones are made from ultra-soft silicone rubber to provide a comfortable fit and flexible ear hooks. I found them featherlight meaning I can wear them for hours with no discomfort. It took me a while to adjust the position and get used to the "hang" of it. As a glasses wearer, the earphones do not get in the way either.

Of course, there are other earphone brands, such as Anker's Soundcore V20i Open-ear Headphones, £46 on Amazon. One shopper said they were "okay", adding: "I was let down by not being able to replay the last track, unlike others that I bought."

Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds are reduced from £299.95 to £249.95. They feature a cuff-like fit and combine premium sound quality. While they look like usual earbuds, the design keeps all phone conversations and music private.

The Shokz OpenFit 2+ has one physical multifunction button on each side and a touch panel for precise and intuitive functions such as activating Siri and Bixby. But all buttons are customisable in the app.

The sound quality is great. It can be a strange listening experience at first, though. I even managed to converse with my friends while keeping the music on in my ears - very useful, especially when strolling on the street.

Another bonus is that there are no hygiene issues when sharing earphones with friends because they don't go in the ear, and it's unlikely that they will pick up debris or earwax. However, my friend found it hard to adapt to what she described as a "half in, half out" situation.

She told me: "It's an odd feeling, like you're in an echo box or like I'm eavesdropping on other people's conversations, and I struggle to focus on either the music or the conversation."

The Shokz OpenFit 2+ supports wireless charging and a quick 10-minute charge provides up to two hours of listening time. I have been using them for a month without having to charge, as it also has a standby time of up to 270 days. Since I've got my hands on the OpenFit 2+, my Apple Airpods have been sitting on the side.

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