👀 Quick Take
Bose takes a bold leap with its Ultra Open Earbuds, ditching the traditional in-ear seal for a unique open-ear design. But does it work in real life? Let’s break down the hype, the sound, and whether these buds are actually worth your wallet in 2025.
🎯 Why Everyone’s Talking About These Earbuds
In a world full of ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) earbuds trying to block everything out, Bose decided to go the opposite direction—let everything in.
The Ultra Open Earbuds sit gently on the outer ear, not inside it. Think of it as a cross between sunglasses and headphones. With runners, bikers, and multitaskers in mind, Bose is betting big on safety and comfort.
🎧 Design & Fit: Comfort Like Never Before
✔️ Iconic Hook-Style Clip-On Design
✔️ Feather-light build (weighs under 13g each)
✔️ Sweat-resistant IPX4 rating
The design is unconventional but genius. Instead of going into your ear canal, they gently clip onto the outer ear and rest near the canal. You feel almost nothing—but hear everything. Perfect for people who hate the “plugged” feeling of traditional earbuds.
🏃♀️ Best For: Runners, commuters, and casual listeners who need environmental awareness.
🔊 Sound Quality: Surprisingly Rich, With Caveats
✅ Open-ear but full-bodied audio
✅ Impressive clarity at low to mid volumes
❌ Struggles in noisy environments
Don’t expect skull-rattling bass, but Bose’s magic delivers warm mids and crisp highs. The biggest surprise? Minimal sound leakage despite the open design. That said, if you’re in a loud subway or windy area, expect the sound to get drowned out.
📞 Call Quality & Features
✔️ Crystal-clear mic with beamforming
✔️ Touch controls on the side
✔️ Fast Bluetooth 5.3 connection
✔️ 3D Spatial Audio compatible
The call quality is top-notch—typical Bose excellence. Your voice is clear even in windy environments, and the touch controls are intuitive. Spatial audio works great with compatible streaming apps, making Netflix sessions more immersive.
🔋 Battery Life & Charging
🔋 Up to 7.5 hours playback (without spatial audio)
🔋 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio
🔋 19.5 extra hours via charging case
🔌 USB-C & quick charge support
In real use, you can expect 6+ hours of listening without Immersive Audio on. The charging case is pocketable and delivers up to 2 full charges. Fast charging gives 2 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charge.
📲 Bose Music App Integration
The Bose Music app allows you to:
🎚 Customize EQ
🌀 Toggle Immersive Audio
🔄 Update firmware
🎛 Control multipoint pairing
If you’re deep in the Bose ecosystem, this will feel like home.
⚖️ Bose Ultra Open vs. Competitors
| Feature | Bose Ultra Open | Sony LinkBuds | Shokz OpenFit |
| Fit Type | Clip-on open | In-ear ring | Bone-conduction |
| Sound Isolation | Low | Medium | Very Low |
| Bass Response | Medium-High | Medium | Low |
| Price (approx.) | $299 | $179 | $129 |
Bose delivers the richest audio experience in the open-ear segment but also comes at a premium. Sony’s LinkBuds are more discreet, while Shokz wins for fitness-specific bone conduction.
🌍 Are They Eco-Friendly?
Not fully, but…
♻️ The packaging is 100% recyclable
⛔ No replaceable parts or recyclable buds
🌱 Energy-efficient charging system
While Bose has made efforts toward eco-conscious packaging, the earbuds themselves don’t lead in sustainability. It’s a step forward but not a full leap.
💸 Verdict: Who Should Buy These?
✅ You want the most comfortable earbuds ever
✅ You prioritize situational awareness
✅ You dislike pressure from in-ear tips
❌ You work or commute in loud environments
❌ You want deep bass or full ANC
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds aren’t for everyone—but for those they’re made for, they’re a game-changer. If you’re a runner, commuter, or just hate the feeling of traditional earbuds, this could be the most comfortable and aware audio solution of 2025. They’re not cheap, but they are seriously clever.
⭐ Overall Rating: 4.2/5