Back in 2024, Bose did something that felt pretty odd (at least for the time). It launched a pair of earbuds, via a Kith collab no less, that clipped onto your ear like a piece of jewelry rather than plugging into it. Those Ultra Open Earbuds became the blueprint for the entire clip-on category that we’ve seen gain some serious traction this year.
And then Bose went silent while Sony, Nothing, and seemingly everyone else ran with the idea. As the trend continues to grow, the originator is back with two of them, the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the all-new Sport Open Earbuds.
Fixing the Flagship’s Weak Spots
If you spent time with the original Ultra Opens like we have, then you’re all too familiar with the two gripes people had them. They never got quite loud enough, and bass was lackluster at best. Though, to be fair, these are the two biggestcritiques of the space. The 2nd Gen tackles both with a newly engineered driver that Bose claims digs deeper and plays louder.
Battery life jumps from 7.5 to 9 hours, with another 19.5 waiting in a redesigned case that finally stands upright and charges wirelessly. There’s also a new Cinema Mode that leans on Bose’s TrueSpatial tech. According to Bose, this helps stretch the soundstage for watching movies and listening to podcasts. Android users will be happy to hear there’s also integrated aptX Adaptive support.
Even the metallic caps pick up a beveled finish this time around, which tells you exactly where this category is heading; the world of fashion.
The Sport Open Name Rides Again
Longtime Bose fans might remember the Sport Open Earbuds moniker from a short-lived, hook-style model back in 2021. The revived version shares nothing but the name, adopting the cuff silhouette with a soft matte silicone finish and an IP54 rating for sweat, dust, and the occasional rogue rain shower.
Bose says the C-arm cuff stays put through headshakes and, we kid you not, cartwheels. Textured physical buttons handle music and calls even with sweaty fingers, and you get 7 hours per charge with 22 more in the case. At $199, it also undercuts its flagship sibling by a full hundred bucks.
Two Mics, One AI, Clearer Calls
Both of the new models run Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, and both also get SpeechClarity, which is Bose’s AI-driven setup that pairs a dedicated mic with a voice pickup unit in each bud to help scrub background noise from your phone calls. There’s also an Auto Volume feature that nudges playback up or down dynamically as your surroundings shift.
Spec Sheet
Models: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) / Bose Sport Open Earbuds
Design: Open-ear cuff (no ANC)
Battery (Ultra): 9 hours + 19.5 hours via case
Battery (Sport): 7 hours + 22 hours via case
Durability (Sport): IP54 sweat, splash, and dust resistance
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint, Google Fast Pair
Codecs (Ultra): aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound
Charging Case: Wireless charging, upright design
Colors (Ultra): Black, White Smoke + LE Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green, Sky Pink
Colors (Sport): Black, White Smoke + LE Eucalyptus Green
Price: $299 (Ultra) / $199 (Sport)
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $299 for the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and $199 for the Sport Open Earbuds, both models open for pre-order on September 19th ahead of an October 1st release.
Recap
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) & Sport Open Earbuds
Bose returns to the clip-on earbud category it kickstarted with a louder, longer-lasting 2nd Gen Ultra Open and a $199 gym-ready Sport model built to survive an actual cartwheel.
