Once you’ve been exposed to active noise cancellation, it can be very difficult to go back. Ask a headphone reviewer (like this one) which feature they miss most when jumping between headphones, and “noise cancellation” will rank highly. When you’ve heard noise cancelling headphones, you rarely go back.
But not every situation demands noise cancellation. Sometimes you need to hear the world, and fitness and exercise could be one of the best examples of when.
That could be why open audio earphones have become so intriguing, allowing your ears to remain open, but still having the sound from your mobile reach your ears.
The problem with open audio styles of listening is that everything tends to come in, offering limited isolation even if you want a little.
Over at CES 2026, bone conduction specialists Shokz are showing off something designed to hit the middle ground, providing both open audio and a degree of isolation.
It’s a new pair made to go over the ear that skips the bone conduction, but instead uses microphones, algorithms, and little speakers, all coming together to listen for the ambient noise, cancel some of it out, and transmit the music to your ears.
Less “active noise cancellation” and more “noise isolation”, the Shokz OpenFit Pro relies on three microphones and adaptive algorithms, plus a complex driver and diaphragm system to handle the highs and lows of sound, while also cutting back on some of the noise around you.
The concept is one that feels kind of like it shouldn’t work, but after going ears-on, we can say it sounds better than it should.
They’re a little like Apple’s AirPods 4 with ANC, delivering a form of active noise cancellation that works better than it should, and still manages to keep an open sound.
Alongside this, Shokz has included head-tracking with Dolby Atmos support, a feature designed to provide interactive audio, though won’t likely deliver a proper Atmos on iPhone. That sort of technology is typically locked down for Apple AirPods and Beats headphone owners using Apple Music on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
However, you will find 12 hours of usage from the battery inside, plus roughly three full charges amounting to 50 hours in total, plus a sweat and water resistant design sporting an IP55 rating.
And unlike most gadgets announced at CES which tend to come without a price or release date, the Shokz OpenFit Pro have pricing and availability, set for $399 in Australia from January 22.
