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Bose Ultra Open Earbuds · Photo source

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Photo 1 of 15

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds · Photo source

Bose · Ultra

Ultra Open Earbuds

Released February 2024

The Ultra Open Earbuds are Bose's first cuff-style open earbuds, which clip onto the side of the ear and leave it open, suited to people who want music while still hearing their surroundings.

Type
Open-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Battery
7 h
With case
26.5 h
Best codec
aptX Adaptive
Weight
6.4 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the clip-on cuff design is secure and comfortable and keeps you naturally aware of your surroundings, but both find them expensive. They differ on sound: What Hi-Fi? found it musical and entertaining for open earbuds, while SoundGuys found it compromised and the microphone below par.

From whathifi.com and soundguys.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
Open-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Spatial audio with head tracking
Yes
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Drivers
Bose OpenAudio, a transducer in a tightly controlled acoustic structure that aims sound at the ear canal with little leakage
Audio features
Bose Immersive Audio (Still keeps the sound in place as you turn your head; Motion lets it follow) using an onboard IMU; Auto Volume adjusts the volume to the noise around you; three-band EQ in the Bose app; aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 7 hours
With the case
Up to 26.5 hours
Wireless charging
No
Battery life detail
Bose UK's page gives up to 7 hours per charge (4 hours with Immersive Audio or Auto Volume on) and up to 19.5 more hours from the case (12 hours with Immersive Audio on); the launch press release and owner's guide give 7.5 hours per charge and 27 hours in total (3.5 hours per charge with both Immersive Audio and Auto Volume on); up to 48 hours connected but not playing
Charging case
USB-C; earbuds charge in up to 1 hour, the case in up to 3 hours; a wireless charging case cover is sold separately
Fast charging
10 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback

Design

Weight (each earbud)
6.4 g
Water and sweat resistance
IPX4
Bluetooth
5.3
Two devices at once
Yes
Controls
A physical button on top of each earbud's battery barrel for play, pause, skip, volume and calls; press-and-hold shortcut customisable in the Bose app (for example Switch Source)
Fit and ear tips
Cuff-shaped design that clips onto the side of the ear, with a silicone-coated flex arm joining the speaker to a battery barrel behind the ear; plastic (PC-ABS), metal and silicone
Case weight
0.097 lb (about 44 g)
Water resistance detail
IPX4 for the earbuds
Works with
Bose app (launched with Bose Music) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices since a July 2024 update; Google Fast Pair; Personal Surround Sound as rear speakers with the Bose Smart Soundbar (2024)
Colours
Black and White Smoke at launch; Bose UK has since sold several limited editions, currently Desert Gold
In the box
Two earbuds, charging case, USB-C (A to C) cable (30 cm), safety sheet

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Open design leaves the ear canal free, and works with glasses, hats and earrings
  • Immersive Audio with head tracking, and aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices
  • Multipoint (added by a 2024 update) and IPX4 water and sweat resistance

Cons

  • No noise cancelling, so they don't block out a noisy commute
  • Battery life drops to 4 hours with Immersive Audio or Auto Volume on
  • Wireless charging needs a case cover sold separately

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
SonyLinkBuds Open
Open-earNo8 h22 hLC35.1 gOct 2024
AppleAirPods 4
Open-earNo5 h30 hAAC4.3 gSept 2024
Anker soundcoreAeroFit 2
Open-earNo10 h42 hLDAC10 gOct 2024

Sources

  1. bose.co.uk/p/earbuds/bose-ultra-open-earbuds/ULT-HEADPHONEOPN.html
  2. assets.bosecreative.com/m/65e13aaa016a23ac/original/889371_OG_ULT-HEADPHONEOPN_…
  3. bose.com/pressroom/bose-ultra-open-earbuds
  4. bose.com/pressroom/bose-smart-soundbar-and-personal-surround-sound

Photo: assets.bosecreative.com

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