Bose is back with the second version of its clip-on earbuds, and the company is promising more bass, more volume, and more battery life. The new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) arrive alongside a cheaper sibling called the Bose Sport Open Earbuds, aimed at people who want a more secure fit during physical activities.
The announcement brings Bose’s open-ear design back into focus after nearly two-and-a-half years. The original Ultra Open Earbuds helped kick off the industry trend of clip-on wireless earbuds, and the 2nd Gen version keeps the same basic shape while adding some upgrades.
What Changed on the Ultra Open Earbuds
The second-gen Ultra Open Earbuds keep the same clip-on design that attaches to the outer ear. A transducer directs audio into the ear canal with “minimal sound leakage,” according to Bose. There is still no ANC because these earbuds are built to let you hear what is happening around you while enjoying music or a podcast.
The redesign includes a new beveled finish on each earbud’s metal cap. The bigger change is inside the earbud itself: a new driver delivers higher volume with automatic adjustments and deeper bass. Bose also added a Cinema Mode that simulates a “wider, more immersive soundstage” using its TrueSpatial technology, while keeping dialogue clear and centered.
Battery life has improved too. The buds alone now last up to nine hours, up from seven hours in the original version. The redesigned case adds 19.5 hours of additional playback and can now stand upright for use on a wireless charger.
The Sport Model’s Design
The Sport Open Earbuds take a similar approach, clipping to your ear to project sounds inward. The difference is the cuff: it is thinner and made of “soft silicone matte finish” to give the earbuds more grip. Bose says the Sport version will stay secure during head shakes, cartwheels, and running.
The Sport model also features automatic volume adjustments that adapt to ambient noise levels. That means what you are listening to is not drowned out by outside noise. The customizable shortcut button on the end of each battery barrel gets an added texture, so it is easier to find while working out.
Battery life on the Sport model is rated at up to seven hours of playback plus an additional 22 hours from the wireless charging case.
Availability and Price
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) will be available for preorder on September 19th for $299, with availability starting on October 1st. The colors include black, white smoke, cherry chocolate, olive green, and sky pink.
The Sport Open Earbuds are priced $100 cheaper at $199. Their preorder and availability schedule matches the main model, but their color lineup is smaller: black, white smoke, and eucalyptus green.
The Numbers at a Glance
- Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen): $299, preorder September 19th, ship October 1st
- Sport Open Earbuds: $199, same preorder and ship dates
- Ultra Open Earbuds battery: up to nine hours (up from seven), plus 19.5 hours from case
- Sport Open Earbuds battery: up to seven hours, plus 22 hours from case
The Cartwheel Detail
Bose’s list of activities the Sport model stays secure through includes head shakes, cartwheels, and running. The inclusion of cartwheels is a playful touch, but it also shows how the company describes a secure fit.
The Sport model is clearly aimed at people who want a more secure fit during physical activities. The extra grip, better noise adaptation, and textured buttons make the Sport model worth considering even if you are not doing high-intensity exercise.
What We Make of It
Bose is not reinventing the wheel here. The clip-on earbud idea came from Bose’s own Ultra Open Earbuds, which kicked off the industry trend nearly two-and-a-half years ago. The 2nd Gen version is a modest upgrade: better sound, more battery, and a few design tweaks.
The price difference between the two models is notable. At $199, the Sport Open Earbuds offer the same clip-on design at a lower cost. The extra grip, better noise adaptation, and textured buttons make the Sport model worth considering even if you are not doing high-intensity exercise.
The improvements here are incremental, but they address the complaints people had about the original version: volume, battery life, and fit during movement. Whether they win over buyers who have already tried other designs remains to be seen.
For now, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the Sport Open Earbuds offer a familiar format with a few meaningful updates. The actual improvements are the ones that matter.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.