At Shokz, we're thrilled to share a milestone that truly belongs to our incredible community. According to Omdia*, Shokz has been the World‘s No.1 Open-Ear Headphones Brand in global shipments for three consecutive years (2023-2025).* This isn't just a number; it's a testament to the millions of users worldwide who have embraced a new way of listening – a trend we're proud to lead.
From the data in Omdia's report, open-ear products accounted for more than 10% of the global personal audio market, with annual shipments exceeding 30 million units by 2025.
What started as a niche innovation is now rapidly becoming an indispensable part of daily life.
From the Track to Your Desktop: Open-Ear Goes Mainstream
Think back just a few years. Open-ear headphones are still a new concept. With the rise of bone conduction technology, open-ear headphones started gaining attention in sports enthusiasts – runners needing to stay safe, or cyclists wanting to hear their surroundings. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 delivers safety, comfort, and high-level waterproof performance for sports enthusiasts and active lifestyles.
Building on this legacy, the conversation around open-ear audio is expanding. Users are becoming increasingly mindful of ear-canal health and the fatigue caused by traditional earbuds, and they discover open-ear technology isn't just a feature but a liberation. Also, hybrid professionals want to remain "present" in the office while on a call. Modern parents multitasking at home also want to enjoy their podcast playlist. Urban commuters value a premium soundtrack without losing the pulse of the city. The "open-ear" philosophy has evolved from a safety feature to a fundamental desire for uninterrupted connection and comfortable awareness in every scenario.
In parallel, a new diversity of form factors has emerged to better serve these evovling needs. The OpenFit 2 Series, built around an ear-hook design, focuses on all-day comfort and stable performance for extended use across work and daily life. Meanwhile, OpenDots One introduces an innovative clip-on form factor, delivering a lighter, more fashion-forward experience for users who value portability and style. Alongside classic headband designs that prioritize maximum stability, Shokz has created a diversified open-ear portfolio, expanding the possibilities of open-ear listening to fit more lifestyles and moments, whether it is the ear-hook design providing unparalleled all-day comfort, clip-on style offering lightweight and trendy feel, or the classic headband design ensuring maximum stability.
Beyond Form Factor: The Power of Scenario-Driven Innovation
With the open-ear headphone category expanding rapidly, Omdia Research Manager, Cynthia Chen points out a crucial trend: market growth is increasingly fueled by scenario-based applications. This trend places a premium on high usage frequency, extended wearability, and the unique advantages of open listening. Thus, it is no longer just about the shape of headphones; it's about making sure they excel in specific daily moments.
Shokz has taken this insight into heart. Instead of adopting a generic approach, Shokz is focused on crafting specialized experiences for high-value use cases, building our strength not just on being open-ear, but on being expertly open-ear.
The latest OpenFit Pro is a prime example. It's not just a leap in design; it's a masterclass in scenario-focused engineering. It delivers a rich, immersive sound that pushes the boundaries of open-ear audio, while maintaining the liberating and non-occlusive fit. Most notebly, OpenFit Pro introduces a milestone feature of Shokz lineup - a redefined approach to noise reduction for the open-ear world. It doesn't seal you off; instead, it intelligently minimizes distractions and allows users to be immersed in the audio while remaining fully aware of the surroundings. OpenFit Pro empowers users to control their audio environment without sacrificing their connection to the world.
Looking Ahead: Mastering Every Moment
Being recognized as the global leader for three years in a row is just the beginning. Shokz is committed to scenario-specifc innovation, refining the balance between listening experience and awareness. By staying dedicated to users' real-world needs, Shokz strives to be the reliable choice for open-ear listening.
*Omdia is a market-leading data, research, and consulting business focused on helping digital service providers, technology companies, and enterprise decision makers thrive in the connected digital economy.
*Data source: Omdia, global unit shipments (sell-in), 2023-2025.
Open-Ear headphones: Smart personal audio devices with a non-in-ear design that preserves environmental awareness, utilize either bone-conduction or air-conduction technology and are typically available in ear-hook, ear-clip, or neckband form factor.
