Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Comfortable to wear ; Clear, detailed sound ; Solid battery life ; Striking looks

Weak noise isolation ; Indifferent call quality ; Lacks bass ; Expensive

An impressive take in the wearable audio category, the Bose Open Ultra Earbuds boast good sound, great comfort and a solid list of features. Call quality is still hit and miss, and the premium price is arguably a little too premium

Comfy, glasses-friendly shape Open, airy sound Excellent controls Impressive spatial audio Doesn't block your ears

Expensive No wireless charging No Bluetooth Multipoint (yet)

“The Ultra Open Earbuds' quirky design could be the shape of things to come.”

Musical, entertaining sound ; Good sense of timing ; Surprisingly solid, weighty bass ; Comfortable fit

Relatively expensive by earbuds standards ; Not the last word in clarity or detail ; Call quality could be better

For a first attempt, it’s hard not to be impressed by the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. They’re well-executed in terms of design and an enjoyable listen

Very little sound leakage ; Intuitive to wear and use ; Immersive Audio capabilities

Premium price ; Uneven-feeling weight distribution

Bose's attempt at the open-ear form factor is a great success from our early testing, The sound is incredible, the earbuds are comfortable and easy to wear, and they don't shift during runs despite a few threatening wobbles. The high price tag is a...

So comfortable you'll forget you're wearing them ; Good enough sound (when in suitable isolation) ; Great control app with EQ and Immersive Audio

Sound inevitably lacks punch of true in/on/over-ears ; Can't always hear surroundings clearly ; Battery life isn't great

There's no doubt that the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the best in their category (that being earbuds that don't actually go into your ears and always let environmental sound pass through). However, despite comfort that's so beautifully judged that...

Innovative, small, and comfy design. Clear, warm, and relatively detailed sound. Stylish (if odd) aesthetic. Solid controls, including volume control by default. Wraparound hinge stays put under duress. Good battery playback time. Google Fast Pair and...

Very expensive for open earbuds. Some software quirks. Require physical adjustment for the best sound. Spatial audio effect is just OK. No wireless charging support.

Budget friendly alternative to Bose option ; Great, clear everyday sound ; Subtle design ; Clear microphone quality

No automatic pause when you take out of ear ; Slight compression at high volumes ; Slightly large around ears, even with added grips

Soundcore's 30i clip-on buds, like the Bose Open-Ultra buds are subtle, comfortable, and sit outside the ear instead of within. They pack great, every day sound, a top-teir microphone, and secure fit for only $70.

Look more like a fashion accessory ; Comfortable ; Design makes for a more aware listening experience ; Case is pocketable

Battery life could be longer ; Pricey ; Sound could be slightly refined

Bose's new Open Ultra earbuds feature a unique open ear-cuff design without sacrificing Bose's premium sound features like Immersive Audio and top-tier clarity. They wear comfortably, come in a sleek charging case, and stay stable on the ear even when...

High-end design throughout ; Excellent audiophile performance ; High-quality audio ; Good battery life ; Excellent free app

Not for everyone

If you crave exceptional audio quality without sacrificing awareness or style, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer a revolutionary listening experience at a premium price.

As subtle as open fit earphones get ; Expansive, impactful sound ; Very comfortable fit

Very expensive ; Battery life could be better ; Narrower appeal than regular earphones

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds fly straight to the top of the emerging ‘open fit’ class, with subtle styling and great sound. Just try not to wince at the price.