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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a featherlight open-ear pair built for all-day comfort and marathon battery life, choose shokz OpenFit 2; if you need immersive spatial audio, a rugged waterproof build and a smart case with a touchscreen, choose Cleer ARC 5.
• shokz OpenFit 2 — biggest strength: a 9.4 g-per-earbud open-ear design with Ni-Ti alloy earhooks, up to 11 hours per charge and 48 hours with the case.
• shokz OpenFit 2 — biggest trade-off: IP55 only, no spatial audio, and a plastic-and-silicone build that's more everyday than extreme.
• Cleer ARC 5 — biggest strength: Dolby Atmos and THX Spatial Audio with head tracking, IPX7 waterproofing, and up to 60 hours total from a case that has its own touchscreen and UV-C cleaning.
• Cleer ARC 5 — biggest trade-off: a heavier overall package (145 g total, 97 g case) and a bulkier case than the shokz alternative.
• Who shokz OpenFit 2 is for: commuters, office workers and casual gym-goers who want light, private, long-lasting sound.
• Who Cleer ARC 5 is for: runners, cyclists and outdoor athletes who want cinematic audio and a case that survives the elements.
The OpenFit 2 is the comfort-first open-ear option. Each earbud weighs just 9.4 g, and the earhook uses a Ni-Ti alloy that flexes and contours to the shape of your ear rather than clamping onto it. That's the detail that matters most if you wear open-ear buds for hours at a time — at your desk, on a call, or through a long commute. The open-ear shape itself keeps you aware of traffic, coworkers and announcements, while DirectPitch 2.0 is there to keep your audio from leaking to everyone around you.
On the audio side, shokz pairs DualBoost composite drivers with its OpenBass 2.0 algorithm. The stated goal is clear mids and highs plus deeper bass than you'd expect from an open design, and the frequency range runs a full 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Dual noise-cancelling mics handle calls, and the physical multifunction buttons let you adjust volume, skip tracks, take calls and switch between two paired devices without pulling out your phone. The Shokz App adds EQ modes and control customization.
Buy it if you prioritize light weight, all-day comfort, long battery life and private sound for commuting and work. Skip it if you train in heavy rain or want spatial audio, since IP55 and standard stereo are the limits here.
Cleer ARC 5: Who It's For
The ARC 5 goes after a different buyer: someone who wants their open-ear buds to sound like a home theater and survive the outdoors. Dolby Atmos and THX Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking are the centerpiece — as you turn your head, the soundstage repositions around you, which is genuinely useful for movies on a tablet or immersive music listening. Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive and Lossless support handles the wireless side, and DBE 4.0 bass enhancement fills in the low end of a dynamic driver rated to 40 KHz.
The case is the second story. It's slim enough for a pocket at roughly 3.3 by 2.36 by 0.8 inches, but the lid hides a full-HD touchscreen for adjusting Dolby effects, EQ and controls, plus UV-C sanitization that runs when you close it. Total playtime reaches up to 60 hours with the case, and a 5-minute charge gives about 2 hours of playback. IPX7 waterproofing means sweat, rain and even a dunk won't kill them.
Controls are touch- and voice-based and tie into the Cleer+ App for EQ and firmware. Apple MFi certification makes pairing with iPhone and iPad seamless, Bluetooth 5.4 covers a 10-meter range, and the package includes a cable, charging case, headphones and manual with a 1-year warranty.
Buy it if you want the most immersive open-ear sound available, you exercise outdoors in any weather, and you like the idea of a smart case. Skip it if you want the lightest possible earbuds or you'd rather not deal with a case that's heavier than most.
• Best for all-day comfort → shokz OpenFit 2. At 9.4 g per earbud with a flexible Ni-Ti alloy hook, it's built to disappear on your ears.
• Best for battery life → Cleer ARC 5. Up to 60 hours total versus 48, and a 5-minute charge beats shokz's 10-minute top-up for the same 2-hour gain.
• Best for workouts and weather → Cleer ARC 5. IPX7 waterproofing outranks IP55 for sweat, rain and splashes.
• Best for immersive audio → Cleer ARC 5. Dolby Atmos, THX Spatial Audio with head tracking and Snapdragon Sound are features shokz simply doesn't match.
• Best for simple physical controls → shokz OpenFit 2. Real buttons beat touch controls when your hands are sweaty or gloved.
• Best for travel and portability → shokz OpenFit 2. A lighter case and carrying bag make it easier to toss in a bag.
• Best for iPhone and iPad owners → Cleer ARC 5. Apple MFi certification means friction-free pairing.
• Best warranty coverage → Cleer ARC 5. A 1-year warranty versus shokz's 90-day limited warranty.
If I were buying for myself, I'd pick the shokz OpenFit 2. In my opinion, the 9.4 g weight, the contouring Ni-Ti earhooks and the 48-hour total battery are the things I'd actually feel every single day, and physical buttons are a small luxury I don't want to give up. The Cleer ARC 5 is the more exciting product — spatial audio, IPX7 and that touchscreen case are genuinely impressive — but it's also the heavier, bulkier one. If you want your open-ear buds to double as an entertainment system and you train outdoors, go Cleer. For everything else, I'd take the shokz.
One practical note: both are sold at prices that move around, so check the current price on Amazon before you commit — the button on this page takes you straight there.
Not universally. The ARC 5 wins on audio immersion, waterproofing and total battery, while the OpenFit 2 wins on weight and everyday comfort. "Better" depends entirely on whether you prioritize features or feel.
The Cleer ARC 5 offers up to 60 hours total with its case against 48 hours for the shokz OpenFit 2. Per single charge they're close — 12 hours for Cleer versus 11 for shokz — so the case is where Cleer pulls ahead.
They carry an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means they handle sweat, rain and brief water exposure. The shokz OpenFit 2 is rated IP55, which covers sweat and light rain but not submersion. For swimming-adjacent or stormy conditions, Cleer is the safer pick.
No. Both work as standard Bluetooth earbuds out of the box. The Shokz App and Cleer+ App are optional extras for EQ tweaks, control customization and firmware updates — useful, but not required.
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See also: Shenzhen SHOKZ OpenFit Air vs Kinglucky Gen2: Open Ear TWS, Creative Outlier Free Pro+ vs Amazon Renewed SHOKZ OpenRun, SGNICS Jitterbug Smart3 vs Kinglucky i121: Ipx4 Waterproof