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Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review 2026

Ultra-comfortable open-ear earbuds with Bose's legendary sound quality

Updated July 2026 1-year limited warranty By Marcus Johnson, Senior Audio Tech Editor
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8.8/10
Very Good
Overall
9.7
Features
9.8
Ease of Use
9.5
Value for Money
9.2
Support
9.6
Reliability
9.8

About Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds redefine the open-ear category with a revolutionary design that clips onto your ear, delivering Bose's signature sound quality while keeping your ears completely open. Unlike any other open-ear earbud, the Ultra Open uses a unique clip-on design that doesn't go in your ear canal and doesn't wrap around the back of your ear — it simply clips onto the outer ear, making them incredibly easy to put on and take off, and surprisingly comfortable for all-day wear. Bose's open-ear audio technology delivers rich, detailed sound that's surprisingly full-bodied for an open design. With IPX4 water resistance, up to 8 hours of battery (30 total with the case), multipoint Bluetooth, and excellent call quality, these are premium open-ear earbuds for people who value comfort above all. They're great for walking, light workouts, and all-day wear where situational awareness is important.

✓ What We Like

  • Revolutionary clip-on design — incredibly comfortable and easy to wear
  • Bose's legendary sound quality, surprisingly good for open-ear
  • Excellent call quality with Bose's noise-rejecting microphones
  • Multipoint Bluetooth and seamless device switching
  • IPX4 water resistance for sweat and rain

✗ What We Don't Like

  • Very premium price tag
  • Not ideal for intense high-impact workouts — can shift
  • Sound leakage at higher volumes
  • Bass can't compete with sealed in-ear designs

Key Features

Revolutionary Clip-On Design

Unique open-ear clip design that sits on the outer ear — no ear tips, no ear hooks. Incredibly easy to put on and take off. You can wear them comfortably for hours without any ear canal pressure.

🎶

Bose Signature Sound

Bose's acclaimed audio engineering delivers rich, detailed sound that's remarkably full for an open-ear design. Custom-designed 17mm drivers and Bose's signal processing create surprisingly immersive audio.

📞

Clear Call Quality

Bose's noise-rejecting microphone system delivers clear voice pickup even in noisy environments. The open design actually helps with call clarity since you can hear yourself naturally.

🔄

Multipoint Bluetooth

Connect to two devices simultaneously and switch seamlessly between them. Go from a work call on your laptop to music on your phone without re-pairing. Works with iOS, Android, and computers.

Threat Protection

Built-in malware blocker, ad blocker, and tracker protection that operates even when the VPN is disconnected. Automatically scans downloaded files for threats before they can execute.

NordLynx Protocol

Proprietary protocol based on WireGuard that delivers exceptional speed without compromising security. Up to 2x faster than OpenVPN in our standardized speed tests.

🔗

Meshnet

Create encrypted private tunnels between up to 60 devices for secure file sharing, remote access, and virtual LAN parties regardless of where the devices are physically located.

📌

Dedicated IP

Get a personal static IP address that only you use. Ideal for accessing IP-restricted corporate networks, online banking, and avoiding constant CAPTCHA prompts.

Technical Specifications

Battery Life8h per charge / 30h total
Water ResistanceIPX4 (sweat & splash resistant)
DesignClip-on open-ear
Driver Size17mm custom
ANCNo (open-ear design)
MultipointYes
ChargingUSB-C, Qi wireless charging
Weight4.7g per earbud

How It Compares

FeatureBose Ultra Open EarbudsSony Float RunOladance Wearable Stereo
Starting Price$299$149$149
Battery Life8h / 30h total10 hours16h / 54h total
Water ResistanceIPX4IPX4IPX4
DesignClip-on open-earNeckband open-earEar clip open-ear
Sound QualityBest-in-classExcellentVery Good
All-Day ComfortExcellentVery GoodGood
MultipointYesNoYes
Best ForAll-day wear & light workoutsRunningDaily use & travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bose Ultra Open Earbuds good for running?

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are okay for light jogging and walking, but they're not our top recommendation for serious running or high-impact workouts. The clip-on design is secure enough for casual activities but can shift during intense running or jumping. For serious runners, we'd recommend the Sony Float Run or Soundcore Aerofit Pro with ear hooks. But for walking, yoga, gym sessions, and everyday wear, the Ultra Open Earbuds are excellent.

How do they stay on without ear tips or hooks?

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds use a clever clip design that grips onto the outer rim of your ear (the helix). The clip is flexible and spring-loaded, so it conforms to your ear shape and holds securely. It's a different mechanism than traditional earbuds — rather than going in your ear or hooking around the back, it clips onto the outside. Most people find it surprisingly secure and comfortable, though ear shapes vary.

How is the sound quality compared to regular earbuds?

For an open-ear design, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sound excellent — arguably the best-sounding open-ear earbuds available. They deliver rich mids, clear highs, and more bass than you'd expect from an open design. That said, they still can't match the deep bass and immersive quality of properly sealed in-ear earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Physics is physics — open designs will always have less bass and more sound leakage.

Can other people hear my music?

At moderate volumes (50-70%), the sound leakage is minimal — people more than a foot away probably won't hear anything. At higher volumes, there is noticeable leakage, as with any open-ear design. In quiet environments like offices or libraries, keep the volume down. In gyms, outdoors, or other noisy settings, the leakage won't be bothersome to others.

MJ
Marcus Johnson
Senior Audio Tech Editor — 8+ years testing headphones and audio gear, former audio engineer

Final Verdict

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are the most comfortable open-ear earbuds we've tested, with a revolutionary clip-on design that you can wear all day without fatigue. The sound quality is best-in-class for open-ear, and the premium features (multipoint, wireless charging, great call quality) round out an impressive package. While they're expensive and not ideal for intense workouts, they excel at comfortable all-day wear with situational awareness. If comfort is your top priority and you want the best open-ear sound available, these are worth the premium.

Get Bose Ultra Open Earbuds →
$299 · 1-year limited warranty · Overall Score: 8.8/10