Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Revolutionary Open-Ear Design

Revolutionary Open-Ear Design

The Ultra Open Earbuds challenge conventional earbud wisdom with their distinctive clip-on design. Rather than entering your ear canal like AirPods or traditional earbuds, they attach to the outer edge of your ear using a flexible silicone cuff. This creates a fundamentally different listening experience—one that prioritizes situational awareness alongside audio quality.

Attachment Mechanism

Each earbud features a precision-engineered barrel that houses the speaker, connected to a curved silicone band that wraps around your ear's outer ridge. The attachment is remarkably secure—vigorous head movements, running, and gym workouts don't dislodge them. Yet they're gentle enough for all-day wear without pressure or discomfort.

The silicone ear hooks are soft and flexible, conforming to different ear shapes and sizes. Bose includes the earbuds in a single size, relying on the flexible design to accommodate most users. Testing across different ear shapes confirms broad compatibility, though those with very small or very large ears may find fit challenging.

Build Quality and Materials

Premium materials define the construction. The speaker barrels feature smooth plastic housings with subtle metallic accents. The silicone ear bands resist sweat and moisture (IPX4 rating), making them suitable for workouts. At just 6.5 grams per earbud, they're remarkably light—you barely notice them after initial adjustment.

Available in Black Diamond and Moonstone Blue, both finishes exhibit refined aesthetics that look more like jewelry than tech accessories. The compact charging case measures just 2.5 x 2.5 inches, slipping easily into pockets.

Sound Quality: Defying Open-Ear Limitations

Open-ear designs traditionally sacrifice sound quality for awareness. The Ultra Open Earbuds challenge this compromise with surprisingly rich, full-bodied audio that rivals some closed-ear competitors.

Bose Immersive Audio

The standout feature is Bose Immersive Audio—essentially spatial audio that works with any stereo content, not just specially mixed tracks. Using proprietary algorithms, the earbuds upmix standard stereo into an expansive soundstage with convincing instrument separation and dimensional depth.

With music, the effect is remarkable. Orchestral recordings gain width and depth, with violins positioned distinctly left, cellos center-right, and brass in the back. Rock tracks place drums centrally while guitars pan convincingly to sides. The spatial processing never feels artificial—just more open and airy than standard stereo.

Frequency Response

For open-ear earbuds, bass response is impressive. While lacking the visceral impact of sealed earbuds, there's sufficient low-end presence for most genres. Electronic music retains punch and rhythm, though bassheads will notice the physics-imposed limitations of not sealing your ear canal.

Midrange clarity is excellent—vocals sound natural and present, never recessed or muffled. The open design actually benefits midrange transparency, avoiding the congestion that some sealed earbuds create. Treble extends cleanly without harshness, revealing cymbal shimmer and acoustic guitar string detail.

Volume and Leakage

Maximum volume is louder than expected for open earbuds, sufficient even in moderately noisy environments like busy streets or gyms. However, the open design means everyone nearby can hear your music at higher volumes—these aren't for quiet offices or libraries when cranked up. At moderate listening levels (60-70%), leakage is minimal and socially acceptable.

Situational Awareness: The Core Benefit

The Ultra Open Earbuds excel at their primary purpose—delivering quality audio while maintaining complete environmental awareness.

Safety and Practicality

For runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts, the safety benefits are transformative. You hear approaching vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards clearly while enjoying music or podcasts. No transparency mode toggle needed—awareness is constant and natural.

In office environments, you can wear them during meetings or while working, remaining responsive to colleagues without removing earbuds. Parents appreciate hearing kids while listening to audiobooks. The use cases are extensive for anyone who needs audio without isolation.

Ambient Sound Integration

Unlike transparency modes that pipe in artificially processed external audio, the Ultra Open design provides genuinely natural environmental sound. Birds chirp, wind rustles, conversations flow—all with authentic timbre and spatial cues. This creates a more pleasant, less fatiguing experience than electronic transparency.

Battery Life and Charging

Bose claims 7.5 hours of playback, with an additional 19.5 hours from the charging case (27 hours total). Real-world testing confirms these numbers—even slightly exceeding them at moderate volumes with Immersive Audio disabled.

Charging Performance

The compact case charges via USB-C, reaching full capacity in about 3 hours. Fast charging provides 2 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge—handy for quick top-ups. The case supports wireless Qi charging, adding convenient flexibility.

Battery indicators display precisely in the Bose app and appear on iOS devices. Individual earbud battery levels help identify charging issues early.

Controls and Connectivity

Each earbud features a button for playback control—single press for play/pause, double-press for skip forward, triple-press for skip back. Volume adjustment requires the Bose Music app or device controls, which feels like an oversight for $299 earbuds.

Bluetooth Performance

Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable connectivity up to 30 feet, maintaining solid pairing even with obstacles. Multipoint connection supports two devices simultaneously—answering phone calls while connected to your laptop, for example.

Audio latency is low enough for casual video watching, though not quite suitable for competitive gaming. The AAC and SBC codecs ensure compatibility with all devices, though enthusiasts may lament the absence of aptX or LDAC.

Voice Calls

Call quality impresses with clear voice transmission and effective background noise reduction. The outward-facing microphones capture your voice naturally while suppressing wind and environmental noise. Video conferencing works well, though wind can overpower the system outdoors.

Bose Music App

The companion app (iOS/Android) provides firmware updates, EQ customization, and Immersive Audio controls. The 5-band equalizer offers useful sound shaping, though presets cover most needs. The interface is clean and responsive, among the better audio apps available.

Comparison with Competitors

vs. Shokz OpenRun Pro ($180)

Shokz uses bone conduction rather than open-ear speakers, creating a different experience. Shokz wins for secure fit during intense exercise and superior battery life (10 hours). Bose counters with dramatically better sound quality and more comfortable wear for extended periods. Choose Shokz for hardcore athletics, Bose for general use with superior audio.

vs. Sony LinkBuds ($178)

Sony's donut-shaped drivers offer similar open-ear benefits at lower cost. LinkBuds are lighter and more compact with longer battery (11 hours). However, Bose provides richer sound, more secure fit, and better build quality. Sony edges ahead on value; Bose delivers premium performance.

vs. AirPods Pro 2 ($249)

A fundamentally different approach—AirPods isolate with ANC, offering transparency mode for awareness. AirPods Pro 2 deliver superior noise cancellation, more features, and Apple ecosystem integration. Ultra Open Earbuds provide more natural awareness and unique aesthetic. Choose based on whether you prefer isolation with optional transparency (AirPods) or constant awareness (Bose).

Who Should Buy the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?

Perfect for:

• Runners, cyclists, and outdoor athletes prioritizing safety
• Office workers needing audio without isolation
• Parents wanting to hear kids while listening to content
• Anyone uncomfortable with in-ear or over-ear headphones
• Users seeking distinctive, jewelry-like audio accessories
• People with ear sensitivity or hearing aids

Consider alternatives if:

• You need maximum bass impact and volume (get sealed earbuds)
• You want active noise cancellation for flights/commutes
• You're on a tight budget (consider Sony LinkBuds or Shokz)
• You work in very noisy environments requiring isolation
• You prefer traditional earbud fit and form factor

Specifications

Specification	Details
Design	Open-ear clip-on style
Weight	6.5g per earbud
Bluetooth	5.3 with multipoint
Codecs	AAC, SBC
Spatial Audio	Bose Immersive Audio (all content)
Battery Life	7.5 hours (earbuds) + 19.5 hours (case) = 27 hours total
Charging	USB-C, Qi wireless, fast charging (10 min = 2 hours)
Water Resistance	IPX4 (splash and sweat resistant)
Colors	Black Diamond, Moonstone Blue
Price	$299

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Revolutionary open-ear design maintains complete situational awareness
• Surprisingly rich sound quality for open earbuds
• Bose Immersive Audio creates convincing spatial soundstage
• Exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear
• Secure fit even during vigorous exercise
• Excellent call quality with noise reduction
• Premium build quality and distinctive aesthetics
• Fast charging and wireless case charging

Cons:

• Limited bass impact compared to sealed earbuds
• Sound leakage at higher volumes
• No volume controls on earbuds (app/device only)
• Higher price than competitor open-ear models
• One-size-fits-most may not suit all ear shapes
• No active noise cancellation (by design)
• Not ideal for very noisy environments