TL;DR
For open-ear wearers, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are comfortable clip-ons that deliver powerful sound. They keep you aware of your surroundings, but they can’t block noise, and they launched at $299. Bose released a 2nd Gen on October 1, 2026, so the original now makes the most sense when it’s discounted.
Earbuds that never block your ears sound like a trick. This Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review explains how they work and whether they’re still worth buying. Open earbuds rest outside your ear canal, so you can hear your music and the world. The short answer: they’re comfortable, sound great for open earbuds, and suit active people. However, they’re pricey and weak in loud places. The 2nd Gen also arrived on October 1.
How this review was made: It pulls together published tests from RTINGS, TechRadar, Digital Trends, TechGearLab, SFGate, AppleVis, and others. It is not based on the author’s hands-on use.
What Are the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are clip-on open earbuds. They don’t sit in your ear canal. Instead, they clip onto the edge of your ear and aim sound toward the canal. That way, you hear music and your surroundings at once.
Bose launched them in early 2024 at $299. As of October 2026, reports say US retailers have discounted them, with one listing near $229. That drop likely follows the 2nd Gen launch. Always check the live price.
| Spec | Details |
| Launch price | $299 |
| Type | Open, clip-on, no noise cancellation |
| Weight | About 6 g per earbud, 43 g case |
| Battery | 7.5 hours (4.5 with Immersive Audio) |
| Case battery | About 19.5 extra hours |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (Snapdragon Sound) |
| Water resistance | IPX4 |
| Charging | USB-C only, no wireless charging |
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What are the pros and cons?
| Pros | Cons |
| Very comfortable, glasses-friendly shape | High price for what you get |
| Strong sound for open earbuds | No noise cancellation |
| Immersive Audio with head tracking | Weak in loud places |
| Stable for most workouts | No wireless charging |
| Little sound leakage | Some reports of app glitches |
What’s It Like to Use the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?
Comfort is the biggest win. Each earbud weighs about 6 grams, and nothing goes inside your ear. SFGate’s reviewer called them the most comfortable workout earbuds they had used. Digital Trends adds that the shape doesn’t clash with glasses and sits close to your ear canal.
Putting them on takes a few tries. What Hi-Fi? notes that there’s a small technique to it. TechRadar found them easy to wear after a few attempts. The battery barrel sits behind your ear, which makes the weight feel a bit uneven.
Do they stay on during workouts?
For most people, yes. RTINGS rated them great for sports and fitness and praised their stability. TechGearLab’s testers had no issues even while rock climbing.
There are limits, though. During runs of 6 to 7 kilometers and one 20-kilometer run, TechRadar’s reviewer had an earbud fall out twice. One came loose while adjusting the volume, and the other during a very fast run. A cycling helmet strap could also knock them off. So they suit steady runs and gym time better than extreme sports.
How Do You Control the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?
Each earbud has a small physical button on the barrel behind your ear. TechRadar describes the setup like this:
- Press once to switch between Immersive and Stereo modes.
- Press twice to skip a track.
- Press twice and hold to change volume. The left earbud lowers it, and the right one raises it.
Physical buttons work well with sweaty fingers. Digital Trends calls the controls excellent. However, Loud and Wireless points out a catch. If you wear only one earbud, you can’t always get both volume directions. Also, there are no swipe gestures like on Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Should You Use the Bose Music App?
Immersive Audio, a mode that combines Still and Motion, is available in the Bose Music app. In Motion mode, the sound seems to stay in place as you turn your head. The app also offers EQ settings.
Without the app, you can still pair the earbuds and play music. But you’d miss the features that set them apart.
One reviewer at SFGate reported a glitch. While listening to podcasts, the earbuds kept switching between Immersive and standard modes. The spoken audio should be played in stereo if that happens. The app also lets you know if there are any firmware updates.
How Do the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Connect?
The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3. On compatible Android phones, they support aptX Adaptive through Snapdragon Sound. That mode can improve quality and lower delay. iPhone users get AAC.
Reviewers had mostly good results. AppleVis found pairing fast and reliable on an iPhone, with very good range. TechRadar reported one failed connection in a month, and re-pairing fixed it. That reviewer also swapped between a phone and a laptop without much trouble.
Multipoint, which lets you connect to two devices at once, is a gray area for the original. Bose lists it as a feature of the 2nd Gen. Check Bose’s current spec sheet before you count on it.
How Long Does the Battery Last?
Bose rates the earbuds at 7.5 hours per charge. With Immersive Audio on, that drops to 4.5 hours. The case adds about 19.5 more hours.
Real-world results were close. TechRadar got about six hours before a low battery warning. The case matched Bose’s claim. Charging uses USB-C only, because the original case has no wireless charging. Digital Trends listed that as a downside.
How Well Do They Block Out Noise?
They don’t. Open earbuds leave your ear canal clear, so there’s no seal and no noise cancellation. The earbuds are built to let the world in.
That has clear effects:
- Loud places are hard. Loud and Wireless found the earbuds got overpowered in train-level noise.
- Travel and office work suffer. RTINGS rated them poor for both, mainly because they can’t isolate sound.
- Leakage is low. TechRadar noted very little sound escapes, so people nearby shouldn’t hear much.
Bose’s Auto Volume feature adjusts playback as your surroundings change. It helps, but it can’t replace isolation. If you often need quiet, sealed earbuds with noise cancellation fit better.
How Do the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Sound?
Experts agree on one thing. These sound very good for open earbuds. They don’t match the best sealed earbuds, though.
What did reviewers say?
TechRadar called them the best-sounding open-ear buds it had tried. Digital Trends said they beat every other open-ear model it had tested. It also noted that bass, usually the first thing open designs lose, stays strong.
TechGearLab was more measured. Its panel compares all earbuds together, and it felt these weren’t the best in the group. That’s fair, since open designs can’t seal in bass the way in-ear buds do.
What do the measurements show?
RTINGS found decent accuracy overall. Like most open designs, the Bose struggle with deep bass. They render mids and highs more accurately. Loud and Wireless saw a similar pattern. Its frequency tests suggest Bose boosted upper bass, mids, and highs to make up for the missing seal.
Is Immersive Audio worth using?
It’s one of the best reasons to buy them. Digital Trends said the open sound is a good base for the spatial effect. TechRadar felt it improved movies on a phone. However, the battery drops from 7.5 to 4.5 hours with it on, so use it when it matters.
Can You Use Them for Phone Calls?
Yes. Most testers found call quality good for open earbuds.
- Quiet or office settings: RTINGS rated the microphone as decent. There was little background noise in an office, according to TechGearLab. Callers sounded clear.
- General use: AppleVis called call quality solid for an open-ear design.
- Noisy streets: Fewer detailed tests exist. Open designs usually let in more noise than sealed ones, so results may vary.
Bose lists clearer calls as a major upgrade in the 2nd Gen, thanks to a feature called SpeechClarity. That suggests the original has room to improve in noisy spots.
Original vs Ultra Open 2nd Gen: What Changed?
Bose unveiled the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) on September 17, 2026. Sales began October 1 at $299. Here’s how they differ, based on eCoustics’ comparison:
| Feature | Original (2024) | 2nd Gen (2026) |
| Price at launch | $299 | $299 |
| Battery | 7.5 hours | 9 hours |
| Battery with Immersive Audio | 4.5 hours | 5 hours |
| Case | +19.5 hours, no wireless charging | +19.5 hours, wireless charging |
| Sound | Original driver | New driver, deeper bass, higher volume |
| Calls | Standard | SpeechClarity |
| Cinema Mode | No | Yes |
| Multipoint | Check Bose’s specs | Yes, two devices |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Personal Surround (with Bose soundbars) | Yes | No |
One detail matters for some owners. The 2nd Gen drops Personal Surround, which pairs the earbuds with compatible Bose soundbars. You may find that the original setup is better suited to your needs if you use that setup.
Should You Buy the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?
It depends on your price and needs. Android Police points out that many rival clip-on earbuds cost under $150, and some cost under $100. So Bose’s price is a real hurdle.
Buy the original if:
- You find them at a solid discount
- You want comfort, awareness, and strong sound for open earbuds
- You run or work out in safe, steady conditions
- You use Personal Surround with a Bose soundbar
Skip the original if:
- You’d rather pay $299 for the 2nd Gen’s longer battery, wireless charging, and calls
- You need noise cancellation for travel or loud offices
- You want a deep, bass-heavy sound
- You’re on a tight budget
What Should You Get Instead?
Here are the best alternatives, based on what you need:
- Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), $299: Best if you want the newest features and don’t mind the price.
- Bose Sport Open Earbuds, $199: Made for workouts, with IP54 protection and physical buttons. It skips Immersive Audio.
- Shokz OpenFit Pro or OpenDots 2: Strong rivals from a company known for open-ear audio. RTINGS compared the OpenFit Pro directly and found the Bose more stable.
- Budget clip-ons, like 1MORE S20 Ultra at $79.99: Much cheaper, though with fewer premium extras.
- Sealed earbuds with noise cancelling, like Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 3: Best for planes, trains, and loud offices.
Conclusion
This Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review comes down to a simple choice. They’re comfortable and sound excellent for open earbuds, and they keep you aware of your surroundings. But they cost a lot, can’t block noise, and now share the spotlight with a 2nd Gen.
In addition to being a solid choice for everyday listening, the original is still a good choice if you get a chance to pick one up on sale. Compare current prices for both generations before you buy. Then explore more earbud guides at Techprixo, and share this review with a friend who’s shopping for open earbuds.
Disclaimer
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FAQ
They’re worth it if you want comfort, awareness, and strong sound for open earbuds. They launched at $299 and have been discounted, so the price matters. With the 2nd Gen out as of October 1, the original makes most sense on sale. They aren’t good for loud places.
No. They’re open earbuds, so they sit outside your ear canal and have no active noise cancellation or sealing. You hear your surroundings all the time. If you need quiet on planes or trains, choose a sealed pair like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or AirPods Pro.
Bose rates the earbuds at 7.5 hours per charge, or 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio on. The case adds about 19.5 hours. TechRadar measured around six hours in its testing. They charge by USB-C, and the original case doesn’t support wireless charging.
Yes, for most runners. RTINGS rated them great for sports, and testers found the fit stable and comfortable. TechRadar did note a few wobbles during very intense runs, and the earbuds can be knocked off by hand. They have IPX4 protection, so they handle sweat and light splashes.
The 2nd Gen adds a new driver for deeper bass, up to 9 hours of battery life, wireless charging, Cinema Mode, two-device multipoint, and Bluetooth 5.4. It drops Personal Surround, which works with Bose soundbars. Both cost $299 at launch, and the new model went on sale October 1, 2026.
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