Last updated on April 4th, 2024 at 08:01 am

Bluetooth earbuds wrap around the ear, allowing full awareness during music and calls

Bose’s newest earbuds differ greatly from their previous noise-canceling models, designed to allow external sound in rather than block it out. They attach to your ear more like jewelry than gadgets.

These earbuds represent the latest advancement in Bose’s open audio technology, which uses small speakers to play music into your ears without blocking them, a concept previously seen in the excellent Frames audio glasses, which have since been discontinued.

Priced at a hefty £300 (€349/$299), the Ultra Open earbuds enter a limited market of open earbuds, including the £179 Shokz OpenFit and £149 Sony LinkBuds. However, the Bose earbuds offer two significant advantages over their competitors: great, full sound and a unique fit that doesn’t interfere with glasses or other headwear.

A cylindrical battery sits behind the ear, connected to the L-shaped plastic speaker arm by a flexible silicone spring. This setup keeps the earbuds in place around the side of your ear.

The fit feels quite unusual and may require some practice to get used to, but once properly secured, they are light and comfortable. Despite my initial concerns, they stayed in place securely during runs, even with sweat or vigorous head movements.

The button located on the top of the battery cylinder handles controls. Press it once, twice, or three times for playback control, or press and hold to activate your selected shortcut, which by default cycles between modes. To manually adjust the volume, you can double-press and hold, although this can be awkward for precise adjustments.

Instead, the earbuds feature an auto-volume system that swiftly adjusts the sound based on ambient noise levels. While it functions, it can be overly sensitive, quickly increasing volume for actions like blowing your nose or rustling a packet of crisps. I only used it while running.

Specifications

Water resistance: Sweat resistant (IPX4)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive)
Battery life: Up to 7.5 hours (27 hours with case)
Earbud weight: 6.4 grams each
Earbud dimensions: 19 x 17 x 27 millimeters
Charging case weight: 44 grams
Charging case dimensions: 42 x 65 x 26 millimeters
Case charging: USB-C

Quality sound

One standout feature is their impressive sound quality. They deliver full-range audio with robust bass and a richness usually found in traditional earbuds, rather than open-fit models which often sound thin. While they may not reach the deepest bass notes and are surpassed by fully sealed earbuds in this aspect, they offer more than satisfactory sound quality across most genres, providing a balanced and pleasant listening experience.

Due to their open-fit design, they allow you to remain fully aware of your surroundings, making them perfect for activities like running or navigating busy city streets. The speakers feature a smart port system at the top that helps to reduce the amount of sound that escapes from your ears. This system works effectively, ensuring that only those in close proximity and when the volume is high will be able to hear your earbuds.

The earbuds include Bose’s immersive or spatial audio mode from its latest noise-canceling models, which creates the illusion of speakers positioned in front of you, providing certain tracks with a broader and less compressed sound. They also support higher-quality audio with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound certified devices, which currently include a limited selection of Android phones. Otherwise, they function as standard Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds. Each earbud can be used individually, but they can only connect to one device at a time. A Bluetooth multipoint update is in development.

Call quality is good, with clear audio on both ends, although my voice sounded slightly distant compared to top performers such as the QC Ultra earbuds and Apple’s AirPods Pro.

In my testing, the battery lasted for seven hours of continuous playback, which is quite impressive for earbuds but falls slightly short of Bose’s estimates. The case can charge the earbuds approximately 2.5 times, providing a total playback time of over 24 hours. Additionally, they have an extended standby time of 48 hours, allowing you to wear them throughout the day for intermittent calls or audio without needing to recharge.

Sustainability

Bose anticipates the batteries will endure over 500 full-charge cycles, but they are not user-replaceable, and the earbuds are not designed for repair, indicating a disposable nature.

While some replacement parts will be offered, the earbuds do not incorporate recycled materials. Bose provides discounts for returning broken products but does not publish individual product environmental impact reports, opting instead for annual sustainability reports.

Price

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are priced at £299.95 (€349/$299) and come in black or white.

In comparison, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are priced at £270, the Sony LinkBuds at £149, the Shokz OpenFit at £179, and the Apple AirPods at £169.

Verdict

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds offer a unique open-ear listening experience without sacrificing comfort or sound quality. Their behind-the-ear fit ensures they stay clear of glasses and other headwear, remaining secure and lightweight for extended wear.

They excel in sound quality compared to other open earbuds and have minimal sound leakage, making them suitable for various environments. However, they come at a premium price, double that of some competitors. Additionally, like most earbuds, their batteries are not replaceable, making them disposable in the long run.

While not suitable for everyone, those looking for earbuds that allow all-day wear while maintaining awareness of their surroundings will find the Bose Ultra Open to be the top choice.