Bose's Return To Wireless Open Earbuds Comes With A Few Major Upgrades

The popular audio brand Bose, which kicked off the clip-on style open earbuds design with its Ultra Open Earbuds in 2024, is back with two new models. The company is launching the second-gen Ultra Open Earbuds and a pair of fitness-focused and more affordable Sport Open Earbuds. The introduction of these open earbuds follows the launch of the company's Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) in August for buyers who prefer an over-ear headphone design but don't want to shell out for the more premium QuietComfort Ultra model.

The new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the Sport Open Earbuds are priced at $299 and $199, respectively, and will go on sale October 1. If you want, you can preorder both starting September 19 via Bose's own website or select retailers. You'll be able to choose from Black or White Smoke colors for both models, but the sport version also gets a limited-edition Eucalyptus Green colorway. The company is not leaving the Ultras behind, which have their own limited-edition Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green, and Sky Pink variants.

Bose says the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) build on their predecessor's and come with a number of improvements, including better sound and call quality as well as a longer battery life. One notable change comes in the form of new drivers that enable the earbuds to deliver deeper bass and higher volume than the original Ultra Open. Another new feature that you'll get is the Cinema Mode, powered by Bose's TrueSpatial technology. This will help the earbuds deliver a more immersive soundstage and theater-like experience with video and podcast content. Moreover, Bose is leveraging AI-driven voice isolation tech for better voice capture during calls.

Although the overall design is largely the same as the first-gen model, there are some refinements, such as a metallic cap with a beveled finish instead of a matte cap with a flat finish, and a new case that stands upright and supports wireless charging — a feature absent on the original. Bose adds that the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) can provide up to nine hours of playback on a single charge, with the case adding another 19.5 hours. However, the battery backup will be reduced if you use Immersive Mode.

Other features include support for Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive, IPX4 water resistance, Google Fast Pair, multipoint connectivity with two devices, Auto Volume to adjust playback as per the surroundings, and access to your phone's voice assistant. Moreover, Bose plans to release a firmware update at a later date to bring support for Google Find Hub to track the location of the earbuds and Amazon's Alexa+ voice assistant.

According to Bose, the new Sport Open Earbuds are designed for active pursuits, such as running, fitness, and various outdoor activities. These carry many of the same features found in their more expensive cousin; however, you don't get the Cinema Mode, and the design is pretty different, with more of a 'C' shape. The company says this shape, combined with a soft silicone finish, will deliver a snug and secure fit in your ears for strenuous movements. The silicone finish will also make it easier to wipe away any dirt or grime.

One of the highlights of these earbuds is the inclusion of tactile physical buttons, which will let you control your playback even with your sweaty or wet fingers. These are also rated IP54, meaning they can handle a little dirt or dust as well as your sweat and water splashes. The case looks similar to the one you get with the second-gen Ultra Open and supports wireless charging; however, there is a textured lid for enhanced grip while opening or closing it. In terms of battery life, you'll only get about seven hours on a single charge, but the case will add another 22 hours.

Bose's open-earbud offerings are certainly more on the premium end. However, since the introduction of the original Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, the market has seen a lot more clip-on options across price segments from the likes of Anker, Baseus, Sony, and Shokz. So, it will be interesting to see how Bose's latest offerings fare against the increased competition.