This time, TheSor is at the office. I chose Shokz OpenComm 2 mainly for work: I wanted comfortable long calls, clear voice pickup and awareness of the people around me. By the time of my original review, I had used the headset for around 10 months in the office, working from home, in the car and on the bike. That experience is the basis for my view on the microphone, comfort and everyday controls, rather than a promise of a revolution based on specifications.
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Which OpenComm 2 is this? Check the version
This review covers the older OpenComm 2, which I used with a Loop110 adapter. The adapter is included in the UC bundle; do not assume every OpenComm 2 offer includes one.
This is not a review of OpenComm2 2025 Upgrade. The newer version introduces USB-C and Shokz App support on Android, while the UC 2025 Upgrade bundle uses Loop120. My comments about the lack of a mobile app and using Loop110 apply to the older equipment I tested. Check the exact bundle name before buying.
Comfort over a long working day: the biggest benefit
Comfort was the main reason I kept using them. OpenComm 2 do not seal the ear canal or cover the ears with cups. Shokz lists the weight at 35 g; in my use, the light design let me put them on in the morning and take them off after work without noticeable pressure.
I also wore them with glasses. The rear band and sections around the ears did not cause significant discomfort for me. That reflects my own fit and glasses, though; it is worth checking comfort for yourself, especially if you plan to wear a headset all day.
Open ears at the office: awareness without isolation
OpenComm 2 use bone conduction. Sound is not delivered through a tip sealing the ear canal, so environmental sounds still reach me. In the office I could take part in an online meeting while noticing someone nearby wanting to speak to me.
There is a trade-off: loud conversations and office noise do not disappear. If you need silence to concentrate, this open design will not provide it. Microphone noise reduction helps the person at the other end; it does not cancel the environmental noise you hear.
Video review: the microphone in real settings
The video shows OpenComm 2 at work and outside the office, including call comparisons in different conditions. If microphone quality is your priority, listen to the samples and judge them against your own needs. The original video is in Polish.
Microphone tests: the office, coffee machine and home
In a fairly noisy office, including beside a coffee machine, OpenComm 2 brought my voice forward better than the GoPro microphone used in that comparison. This is a comparison of particular samples, rather than a measurement of noise reduction in every situation.
At home I tried calls with sounds from the next room and renovation noise nearby. In my judgement, speech remained clear and the background was reduced. That does not mean every sound was removed completely; microphone performance needs to be assessed alongside the actual noise level and boom position.
Calls in the car
Under my test conditions, OpenComm 2 delivered a clearer voice and better background suppression than the hands-free system in the car I used. This was a useful practical benefit, because intelligible calls away from the desk mattered to me.
I did not compare every factory-fitted car system, so I would not treat this result as a universal ranking. The video samples are the best complement to the written account.
Battery life and a quick top-up between meetings
Shokz specifies up to 16 hours of talk time or up to 8 hours of music playback for this model. A five-minute charge is rated for up to two hours of calls. These are different use cases: talk time should not be treated as music playback time.
With my fairly heavy use, I usually charged the headset every two or three days. I did not keep an exact log of call and listening minutes, so this observation is not a laboratory confirmation of the stated maximum. A short top-up between meetings was simply useful.
Loop110: computer connection, range and status lights
I used the USB Loop110 adapter with the reviewed headset. Shokz specifies a range of up to 30 m; walls, office layout and interference affect actual results. I would not promise that distance in every home or consistent call quality through several obstacles.
In my use, the adapter let me move away from the computer, and the headset reconnected when I returned to range. The lights helped me track status: blue indicated a connection, green an active call, and red a muted microphone. The photo shows three adapter states from my test.
Mute, two devices and computer compatibility
The boom has a dedicated mute button. It was practical, but I would have preferred a lift-to-mute action. On my unit, rotating the boom away did not replace pressing the mute button.
I used the headset with a MacBook running macOS and an HP computer running Windows, including Teams meetings. The older model does not support the mobile Shokz App; pairing uses physical buttons, while firmware updates need a computer and the appropriate Shokz Connect setup. Two devices can be paired, such as a computer and phone. These older-model limitations should not automatically be applied to the 2025 Upgrade.
Cycling after work: what did the test show?
I also tried OpenComm 2 on the bike. The multifunction button let me pause music and change tracks. In my test, calls were clear at around 25 km/h, while above roughly 30 km/h or in crosswinds, wind interference became noticeable. Those are observations from one test, not guaranteed operating thresholds.
Hearing your surroundings is useful, but it does not guarantee safety. I mainly see this boom-mic headset as a tool for calls and work. Before using any headset for a long workout or event, I would check fit and controls on a familiar route.
Music, IP55 protection and carrying the headset
For calls, the sound met my needs. Music was a useful extra during work or movement rather than the main buying criterion. OpenComm 2 would not be my first choice for listening where isolation and strong bass are the priority.
My bundle included a hard case, useful in a laptop bag. Shokz rates the headset at IP55. That does not make it suitable for swimming or immersion, and the USB adapter should not be assumed to have the same protection.
Strengths and limitations after 10 months
Strengths
- Comfort during long working days in my use.
- Clear voice pickup in the office and home situations I tested.
- An open design that keeps surroundings audible.
- Infrequent charging with my routine and useful quick top-ups.
- Loop110 and a dedicated microphone mute button.
Limitations
- No isolation in a noisy office.
- Lifting the boom does not mute the microphone.
- No mobile Shokz App support on the older tested version.
- Wind affects cycling calls.
- Music is secondary; communication is the main purpose.
Verdict: who would I recommend OpenComm 2 to?
After the roughly 10 months covered by my original review, I was very happy with OpenComm 2. Long-wear comfort and a microphone that worked well for my daily calls made the biggest difference. During that period, the headset did not let me down.
I would mainly recommend it to someone who spends hours in meetings and wants to keep their ears open. If blocking noise or music is the priority, I would try other designs too. Before buying, compare the older model with the 2025 Upgrade and confirm the included adapter and charging method.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the 2025 Upgrade review?
No. This review covers the older OpenComm 2 used with Loop110. The 2025 Upgrade differs in areas including charging and app support.
Does every bundle include a USB adapter?
Do not assume so. The UC bundle includes an adapter; check the contents of the particular offer before buying.
How long does the battery last?
Shokz specifies up to 16 hours of calls or up to 8 hours of music playback. Charging every two or three days describes my routine rather than a precise measurement of the maximum.
Does noise reduction silence the office for me?
No. It works on microphone input and the voice sent to the other person. The open design still lets environmental sound reach you.
Does OpenComm 2 work with Mac and Windows?
Yes. I used the headset with a MacBook running macOS and an HP computer running Windows, including with the Loop110 adapter.
Does it support the Shokz App?
The older tested version does not support the mobile app. The 2025 Upgrade supports Shokz App on Android, so the versions should not be confused.
Compare and share your experience
For a more general everyday and exercise-focused option, see my Shokz OpenDots One review and OpenFit 2 Plus review. What headset do you use for work? Share your experience in the comments.
Sources and test scope
My original review after around 10 months and the embedded video are the basis for the opinions here. I checked technical claims against the older OpenComm 2 specifications, and version differences against Shokz’s generation comparison. I did not carry out new battery measurements or laboratory microphone testing.