Bose Ultra Open

Expert Reviews

18 experts

Engadget
Bose’s new open-fit earbuds are more of a fashion accessory than a wearable and come with some inherent trade-offs.
75 / 100
RTINGS
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds belong to the relatively new category of open-fit headphones meant to tackle the desire of folks who want to experience natural-sound...
8.2 / 10
CNET
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Daringly Different
8 / 10
digitaltrends
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review: Style and sound champs
8 / 10
Android Police
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds clip onto your ears to provide high-quality audio without blocking out the outside world.
7 / 10
Wired
These pricey Bose wireless earbuds let in all the sound to keep you safe in any situation.
7 / 10
The Verge
Bose’s new earbuds have a clip-on design and attach to your outer ear without blocking your ear canal. This allows you to always hear the outside world along with your music.
6 / 10
SoundGuys
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds bring a unique cuff-like, clip-on design to the open-ear world, but unfortunately, they still suffer from sonic compromises like other open-ear options.
5.5 / 10
Android Central
Bose Ultra Open earbuds are the gold standard
4.5 / 5
T3
Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds don't go into your ears and always allow ambient sound in but are they good full-time earbuds?
4 / 5
Gizmodo
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Interesting Design With a Polarizing Price
4 / 5
TechRadar
Are these the best open-ear buds you can get?
4 / 5
Tom's Guide
Biggest pros and cons of Bose's fashion-forward, open-ear buds
4 / 5
WhatHIFI
Bose enters the brave new world of open’ wireless earbuds
4 / 5
Trusted Reviews
Introduction Bose Ultra Open Earbuds look to capitalize on the growing interest in the wearable audio. Wearable audio comes with compromises but the concept is becoming more popular as people seek to be in tune with not just their music but their surrounding environment. Open-air headphon
4 / 5
Expert Reviews
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review: Flashy, expensive and surprisingly effective
4 / 5
PCMag
Bose takes an entirely new approach with its $299 Ultra Open Earbuds. The goal behind these aptly named open earbuds—they sit outside your ears rather than deep within them—is to allow you to listen to and enjoy your music while also allowing you to hear and remain aware of the world around you. The
3.5 / 5
Tech Advisor
Bose is one of the biggest players in the headphone market and is known for its very impressive noise cancelling cans. However, the brand is going for something a little different with its latest launch, the Ultra Open earbuds. The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are designed to leave your ear canal free

User Reviews

13403 users

Video Reviews

CNET1 year ago

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review: A Game-Changer?

Video Summary: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer a unique clip-on fit with good sound and minimal leakage, but their high price ($299) and potentially polarizing look might be drawbacks. While they lack noise cancellation, they provide an open-ear design allowing awareness of surroundings, making them suitable for activities like running or cycling. Battery life is rated at 7.5 hours, decreasing to 4.5 with immersive audio, and the charging case offers an additional 19.5 hours. Features like immersive audio and auto-volume are also highlighted....

CEONTHEMAKING1 year ago

Taking a look at the NEW Bose Ultra Open Earbuds PURCHASE LINKS Bose Ultra ...

Video Summary: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer comfort and an open-ear design, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings. While they provide decent sound quality and features like immersive audio and EQ controls, they lack advanced features like multi-point connectivity found in some competitors. They are best suited for individuals who prioritize comfort and situational awareness over top-tier audio performance....

Danny Pops4 months ago

Bose Ultra Open Ear Buds Review

Video Summary: The Bose Ultra earbuds are a good option for runners, featuring an open-ear design for situational awareness. They have physical buttons for playback control, which are easier to use during activity compared to haptic feedback. The earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant and performed well in rain. A unique flexible rubber piece allows for a custom fit. However, for those who prefer very loud audio in noisy environments, they might not be the best choice....

The French Glow1 year ago

Why the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the Best Open Earbuds

Video Summary: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer a comfortable and natural listening experience with a unique open-ear design. They feature 12mm drivers, providing excellent audio quality that's better than bone-conduction headphones. The earbuds are lightweight and secure, making them ideal for workouts and daily wear. The Bose Music app allows for EQ adjustments and customization of controls. However, they lack multi-point connectivity and active noise cancellation, which might be a drawback for some users. Despite the premium price point, the open-ear design and comfortable fit make them a compelling option for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying audio....

The French Glow3 months ago

Are the BOSE Ultra Open Earbuds still the best? - Quick Review

Video Summary: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds use larger 12mm drivers for better bass and immersive audio, providing a more spacious 3D sound. They are designed to minimize sound leakage, unlike the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds....

Description

Launch Date

8/15/2025

Launch Price

299 USD

Official website

https://www.bose.com/p/earbuds/bose-ultra-open-earbuds/ULT-HEADPHONEOPN.html

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are premium open-ear earbuds that deliver immersive audio through proprietary OpenAudio technology. They feature a cuff-shaped design that rests gently outside the ear canal, allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying rich, private sound. They offer all-day comfort, Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, water resistance, and customizable sound settings via the Bose app.

Highlights

Open-ear design allowing awareness of surroundings
Immersive spatialized audio with proprietary OpenAudio technology
Up to 7 hours of play time with up to 48 hours standby
Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for two-device simultaneous connection
IPX4 water resistance for durability against splashes and sweat
Customizable sound and controls via Bose app
Cuff-like, comfortable fit for all-day wear
Surprisingly private sound despite open design

Specifications

fit	Open Ear with cuff-shaped design
microphones	Built-in Microphone
noise cancelling	No
water resistance	IPX4
charging case	Included, hard plastic
earbud dimensions	0.73\ H x 0.67\ W x 1.07\ D
earbud weight	0.014 lb
case dimensions	1.65\ H x 2.56\ W x 1.04\ D
case weight	0.097 lb
materials	Plastic (PC-ABS), Metal, Silicone, Gold Plating
rechargeable	Yes
battery life	Up to 7 hours (4 hours with Immersive Audio or Auto Volume)
standby time	Up to 48 hours
extra battery case	Up to 19.5 hours additional
battery charge time	1 hour
charging interface	USB-C port
wireless connectivity	Bluetooth, A2DP, HFP, Bluetooth Low Energy, AAC, SBC
bluetooth multipoint	Yes, connect to two devices simultaneously
controls	Simple button controls with customizable shortcut via Bose app
app compatibility	Bose app for Adjustable EQ, Auto volume, firmware updates

Pros and Cons

Comfortable open-ear cuff design that doesn't block the ear canal
Innovative OpenAudio technology delivers richer bass than traditional open earbuds
Bluetooth multipoint connectivity allows easy switching between two devices
Good battery life with fast charging and substantial backup in charging case
Water resistant (IPX4) suitable for active use
Adjustable EQ and other settings via Bose app for personalized sound
Maintains situational awareness since ears are not blocked

No active noise cancellation due to open-ear design
Sound quality may vary significantly depending on ambient environment
No wireless charging support
Limited bass and overall lower MDAQS sound score typical for open-ear earbuds
May leak sound at high volume in very quiet environments

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