Open headsets compared: Shokz, oleap, and Nearity

Brief summary

A video compares three open-ear headsets intended for phone and Zoom calls while keeping environmental awareness: the Shokz OpenRun / OpenRun Pro 2, the OIP Pilot, and the Nearity headset. All three are open-ear designs that let you hear ambient noise (cars, birds, wind) while making calls.

Main findings

• Winner for call clarity and natural/full voice: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 — loudest and clearest in this test.
• OIP Pilot and Nearity both use boom microphones and include a USB Bluetooth dongle; Shokz has no boom mic and no dongle (designed primarily for sports/outdoor use).
• Nearity’s standout capability is a built‑in AI transcription/translation service and the ability to record calls on both ends.
• Because all are open-ear, environmental sounds remain audible when used outdoors.

Per-product summary

Shokz OpenRun / OpenRun Pro 2

• Features:
  • Open-ear bone/conductor-style design
  • No boom mic (mic located under/near the ear)
  • Compact egg-like case
  • Marketed for outdoor/sports use
• Pros:
  • Best call clarity and loudness in this test
  • Fuller-sounding voice
  • Compact case
  • Works fine with computers/tablets despite no dongle
• Cons:
  • No included USB dongle
  • Mic not on a boom (could be a limitation in some scenarios)
• Use case:
  • Reviewer’s primary daily driver; preferred if forced to choose one

OIP Pilot

• Features:
  • Boom microphone
  • Comes with a triangular box and a USB Bluetooth dongle
  • Solid build quality
• Pros:
  • Well-built hardware and boom mic
  • Usable for computer calls via included dongle
• Cons:
  • Reviewer disliked the triangular packaging
  • Required mic gain adjustment to match Shokz’s loudness/clarity
• Use case:
  • Solid boom-mic option; slightly behind Shokz in clarity at the same settings

Nearity headset

• Features:
  • Boom microphone
  • Built-in AI app for transcribing/translation
  • Can record phone calls (both ends)
  • Power button separated from other buttons for easier use
  • Includes a USB dongle but no carrying case
• Pros:
  • Very useful call recording and transcription features
  • Comfortable button layout
  • Acceptable voice quality after gain adjustment
• Cons:
  • Lesser-known brand
  • No carrying case included
  • Not top in raw call clarity vs. Shokz
• Use case:
  • Kept by the reviewer specifically for the recording/transcription capability

Direct comparisons noted by the reviewer

• Sound/clarity: Shokz > OIP Pilot ≈ Nearity (after gain adjustments).
• Mic design: OIP and Nearity use boom mics (closer to the mouth); Shokz uses a built-in mic under/near the ear (no boom).
• Accessories:
  • OIP and Nearity include USB dongles.
  • Shokz does not include a dongle but includes a compact egg-like case; Nearity includes a dongle but no case.
• Intended usage:
  • Shokz: aimed at outdoor/sports use.
  • OIP and Nearity: more office/computer-friendly due to dongles and boom mics.

User experience and environmental context

• Test environment: outdoors with wind, birds, and traffic approximately 50 ft away.
• All three headsets allow environmental sounds through due to open-ear design.
• Reviewer used the same gain/settings across headsets to compare raw microphone performance.
• Shokz sounded louder and fuller without changing settings; OIP and Nearity improved after gain adjustments.

Ratings / numerical scores

• None provided.

Concise verdict / recommendation

If call clarity and a natural/full voice are your priority (especially outdoors or while active), the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the best pick here. If you need built-in AI transcription and phone-call recording, choose the Nearity. The OIP Pilot is a solid, well-built boom-mic option and works well with its included dongle. The reviewer’s personal choice: keep the Shokz as the daily driver and also keep the Nearity for recording/transcription.

All unique points mentioned

• Shokz:
  • No boom mic; mic under/near ear
  • Louder/higher apparent gain; fuller voice
  • Egg-like compact case
  • No USB dongle
  • Designed for sports/outdoor use
• OIP Pilot:
  • Boom mic
  • USB Bluetooth dongle included
  • Triangular box packaging (reviewer disliked)
  • Solid build
• Nearity:
  • Boom mic
  • Built-in AI transcription/translation app
  • Can record phone calls on both ends
  • Separated power button for easier use
  • Includes dongle but no carrying case
  • Lesser-known brand
• Common to all three:
  • Open-ear design (ambient noise still audible)
  • Intended for phone/Zoom calls
  • Can be used with computers/tablets (Shokz works without a dongle)

Speakers

• Single reviewer in the video; no multiple-speaker viewpoints.