Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds (2nd Gen) - Black

Everyday Earbuds

The Ultra Open Earbuds Gen 2 are an additional addition to the collection of BOSE gadgets. I do prefer the earbuds for working out because they are securely attached to the ears, and you still have the ability to be aware of your surroundings, particularly for public road runners. For those contemplating an investment, the sound quality is consistent with that of any other BOSE device, featuring crystal-clear music and deep bass. While it may be more expensive than certain other earphones available, it is a worthwhile investment.

Juntex

My new favourite headphones!!

Having used a variety of Bose headphones over the years, the sound quality of these earbuds didn’t disappoint. I use my earbuds while travelling on public transport or out walking so the open style was excellent as I felt more aware of my surroundings but didn’t feel they compromised on the quality of sound. You do need to increase the volume a fair bit if traffic is heavy but the control buttons were quite responsive and I never had issues hearing my music. I also wore them at lunch at work and colleagues could not hear anything so the privacy is surprisingly good for the open style. I often struggle with sleep and enjoy a little music to help me relax but as a side sleeper it can be uncomfortable wearing headphones. These earbuds were very comfortable to wear, even while lying down. They’re very light and you hardly notice you’re wearing them but they’re also a close fit so you don’t have to worry about them falling off/out while out and about. I really enjoyed the addition of the Cinematic mode with these 2nd gen earbuds - it adds extra depth and richness to my music and enhances the experience. Call quality for making/receiving calls with the earbuds was improved vs the first gen earbuds too. The battery life is great and I like that the app shows the charge level of the case as well as each earbud. I would prefer if there was a charge indicator for each earbud in the case like the previous generation had but it’s not been an issue in practical terms. My one real chagrin is the slight gap between the two halves of the case - it serves no purpose as the case opens easily and just makes the finish a little less sleek. No impact on the performance of the product but just a personal dislike for me! The case itself is perfectly palm sized and I like that the usb-c connection is now on the side instead of the bottom. The earbuds look sleek and are very soft and flexible ensuring a comfortable fit. Just need a silicone case to be available to prevent scratching as I take my earbuds in my bag every day - hopefully this will be available soon! Overall, an excellent product and I’m delighted with my new earbuds. I would definitely recommend to anyone who uses earbuds on the move on a daily basis but is not looking for a noise cancelling option.

Seahawk14

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen

As a regulator commuter (train) and someone that enjoys physical exercise I was interested to see how these Earbuds lived up to my expectations and to be fair they were pretty good. The sound, as with all Bose products that I have heard, was almost a given but actually I felt these really excelled. In particular I found the immersive audio setting was ideal for commuting and exercise as the sound seemed to follow you around irrespective of your environment. The sound itself was strong and true and the ability to adjust some of the settings was useful although I would have liked to see more pre-set features depending on the type of music e.g. indie, pop, rock etc. With any headphone that you are going to wear out and about (particularly at this price) you want to be sure they are going to remain in place and not fall off. I had no concerns at all with these. They wrap around your ear in a snug fit without ever feeling pinched or tight (see photo). I found them very comfortable to wear and could easily forget that I had them in place. Being open earbuds they are going to let in outside / external noise, that is arguably the whole point. If you want earphones that are noise cancelling these are not for you. I found I could listen to music on a train without any issues and without having to crank the music up to a ridiculous volume. However, if you are at the platform as the train arrives the noise will drown out the music. As a runner I liked being able to hear what is going on around me, particularly if I am running at night or alone. In that respect these worked really well. I could still hear the music but also external sounds. One feature that might be useful (for the developers) is for an option for the music to automatically turn down if they detect you are in a conversation. Another feature I liked was the button on both Earbuds that allowed you to pause audio, skip to next track etc. The buttons on these are plenty big enough to press easily on the move, with either hand, without having to use incredible levels of dexterity or a specific touch in a tiny area. These were 'big' buttons!. Overall, I thought these were a really good set of earphones. You have the security / certainty of Bose technology and audio with a product that performs really well. If you want noise cancelling these aren't for you, but if you want to listen to music or a podcast while taking in some external noise then these are for you.

Bluenoseknows

Amazing - great fit and quality

Love these earbuds. Before I put them on, I wasn’t sure how they would stay on the ears but I was so pleasantly surprised. They just sit perfectly and solidly. I love outdoors - walking, running are my regular activities. I’m so glad I have got these as I struggled to find ones that fit so well. Sounds really good but you are still aware of your surroundings. Great to be able to adjust the bass. I like the controls on the buds, they are easy to remember and help when I run. Overall very pleased with them.

Bluebell

Love these for running

I've had these earbuds for just over 10 days now. On opening I was instantly impressed with the quality. The case is very compact and opens and closes nicely, the earbuds also sit well in the case. I've not tried this style of earbuds before and was really pleased with how comfortable they are. They are very easy to wear and sit perfectly on my ears, they do not move at all so are great for running. The bluetooth connection is excellent. I've mainly used them connected to my phone via the Bose App as you can check on battery levels there for the earbuds and charging case and adjust the settings, etc. It also contains a useful guide to using the earbuds. They also connect well via bluetooth to an old MP3 device. The buttons on the top of the earbuds work well for turning them on and off, skipping a tune and also answering and ending calls. The only minor issue I had with the buttons was adjusting the volume which was a bit fiddly, I've found this easier to adjust via the App instead which is no bother. I've been using the earbuds mainly for beach and woodland runs, particularly at the beach it can get quite windy so I run with a headband and the earbuds still fit nicely under this. The sound quality is very good and I've found them very easy to use.

HelenS

Concentrate on the Run

Using the ear buds has changed my focus when running. They are so comfortable and secure when running. Clear sound and easy to clean. The lack of cable loop to secure the case to a bag for security when traveling os the only missing piece.

Cgatyeo

A stylish and superior product

What can I say about the Open Ear buds !!! Wow . I have been using them them for the past 2 weeks and I’m literally obsessed. As you would expect Bose have excelled with the 2nd Generation of these ear buds . Straight away the quality of the charging case is far superior than my previous ear buds and although a bit apprehensive on attaching to my ears there was no issues . The sound is brilliant and the different modes is such a great feature. Like my other Bose headphones I enjoy having the immersion mode. It literally feels like someone is sitting on your shoulder singing into your ear. I can’t lie and say I didn’t love the quiet mode either when shopping a pure joy blocking out all the chatter of the shops .. heaven. On unpacking the ear buds there is a handy instruction key of how to use the earbuds . I found this helpful the first couple of times I was out and about to check so I knew what my I was doing . So easy and straight forward and charging is quick. I mainly used mine when I’m out walking with music and take the odd call. Clarity of call was great with no echo and it didn’t seem to pick up to much of the surrounding road noise I was still aware of my surroundings whilst out walking and didn’t at all feel like the earbuds would fall out either. They hug the ear really securely and I have quite a few piercings and at first felt they were hitting some but I just slightly shifted the ear bud down and resolved this minor issue. If I was being critical at all I was a bit self conscious that they stuck out on my ear more than other ear buds but that soon passed when u hear the pure quality of the sound. They look and feel expensive and sound matches this. Can’t recommend enough for music lovers as the sound from such a small device is on par with the over ear Bose headphones.

Shamilla

Great sounding, rich and immersive open earbuds

Confession first, I am a committed 1st Gen Bose Ultra Open Earbuds user, using them literally every day, (dog walks, exercise sessions, gardening etc) so the 2nd Gen faced a tough task to improve on them. I am delighted to say the challenge was accepted and beaten by these 2nd Gen earbuds. They seem to have been improved in areas I never thought needed, but, I am SOOOO glad they did. The fit is notably better and they are easier to put onto your ears. They "announce" they are turned on and connected with a pleasing sound rather than 1st Gen android voiceover. I listen to an eclectic mix of podcasts, audible books, radio and music (classical through to drum and bass) and the sound is EXCEPTIONAL in my view, they have a warmth and depth that is much better than many other in-ear brands, but without the intrusive nature of plugging the ear canal. To add context I have other earbuds from mainstream brands, (including a "fruit" based brand, a Japanese brand beginning with "S" as well as a DJ brand beginning with "B") and in my opinion these knock them all for six, I'm glad that Bose have concentrated on making the audio quality a premium, rather than adding a host of health gimmicks of dubious value. I used the spatial sound feature once but found the standard non spatial stereo setting to be my favourite. There is an easy to use app which allows a measure of customisation, including EQ which can be changed depending on listening tastes and type of music / voice I listen to. The battery life is good enough for me having used them for five hours at normal volume and still had battery left. My only criticism is that the case may well be scratched in time, as it is so small I tend to pop it in the same pocket as my keys, however, I found a good Spigen case for my 1st Gen so that may not be a concern when 3rd parties make a case for the 2nd Gen. The big question I have to address is, are these a real step forward over 1st gen and are they worth the money?? The answer is "yes" to both. My Granny used to say, "buy cheap; buy twice" and I think that applies here.

JY2026

amazing sound quality, great design!

I've been using the Sport Open Earbuds for a while now, and I am surprised by the quality and fit of this product. The sound is great, and the design sleek and clean, I don't even notice I'm wearing any headphones. I initially got them for my long runs but I have been wearing them around the house as well. Compared to other sport headphones, these allow me to wear (sun)glasses and don't move an inch, but I still feel safe on the road. The charging case is also very small and charge my earbuds very quickly. Within a couple of minutes, I'm ready to go again! These have truly surprised me so far!

Loz

Very good pair of open earbuds

So I got these as part of the Bose Sneak Peak programme and already use Bose open earbuds for sporting purposes so I was interested to see how they compared. First thing is that they don't feel as solid as my older pairs but that isn't a bad thing as the connecting material is lighter and more malleable which immediately makes them feel more sporty (which is underlined by the flash of fluo green on the earbuds themselves and the see-through case). Anyone who doesn't used the equaliser on the app for their earbuds absolutely needs to as, straight out of the case, they're tinny. Whack up the bass and add a bit of mids and treble, however, and you've got a more than capable sound which is, as ever with Bose open earbuds, remarkable considering they sit outside your ear canal. Given they're sport earbuds, I gave them a thorough test with gym work, where they budged not an inch while doing 200 sit ups (not all in one go I hasten to add) which is probably the exercise most likely to dislodge them. The other sporting activity I use them for is running, where I use relatively quiet roads but it's always very useful being aware of your surroundings. So, again, the music was better than an open earbud had any right to provide but, when there were cars behind me, I was able to hear them clearly and adjust accordingly (although it's always worth having a look around just in case). Finally, I took them for a lunchtime walk at work (not something I usually use open earbuds for) without realising they were digging up a road which was too noisy for the open earbuds to work effectively. I'm giving them a free pass though as it really was very noisy and I usually use in ear for walking, so very much not their fault. So, why four stars and not five? I think my older pair have got a slightly warmer sound, which is what I like. That doesn't mean the sound isn't remarkable for an open ear design, because it is, it just means that Bose has made a better (more expensive) pair to compete with itself. Do these work as sport earbuds? Absolutely.

Spofferoonie