Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) Review: Better Sound, Limited Value

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) improve the most important part of the original experience: sound. Music feels more engaging, while the open-ear design lets you hear conversations, traffic, and activity around you.

The main problem is price. Bose charges a premium for a specialized listening format that cannot replace conventional sealed earbuds in every situation. If you want strong isolation, maximum bass, or the best sound-per-dollar ratio, other wireless earbuds may be a better choice.

What Are the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Bose’s Open-Ear Concept

Traditional wireless earbuds sit inside the ear canal and usually create a seal. That can improve bass, isolation, and immersion, but it can also make users feel disconnected from their surroundings.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds take a different approach. They sit outside the ear canal, allowing users to listen to music, podcasts, or calls while remaining aware of nearby sounds. The result is more socially convenient and less isolating than a conventional in-ear design.

These earbuds are not intended to replace every pair of noise-canceling earbuds. They are designed for listeners who want audio throughout the day without feeling completely disconnected from the room or street.

What Has Changed?

The most important reported improvement is better sound. That matters because open-ear products face several acoustic challenges. Without a sealed ear canal, music competes directly with environmental noise, and bass can feel less forceful.

The second-generation model refines the existing concept rather than transforming it. It remains an open-ear product, but the improved tuning makes the format more appealing to listeners who previously found open-ear sound too thin or uninvolving.

Available coverage identifies upgraded sound as the key appeal while highlighting the difficult pricing Source 1.

Design and Wearing Experience

Why Choose Open-Ear Earbuds?

The main benefit is awareness. You can listen while hearing what is happening around you without repeatedly removing an earbud to speak with someone or check your surroundings.

They can work well for:

• Walking in busy areas
• Working in an office
• Completing household tasks
• Listening at home while monitoring the room
• Exercising where awareness matters
• Taking calls or listening to podcasts during casual routines

The design also avoids the plugged-in sensation that some users dislike. However, external sound remains part of the listening experience. A quiet room may produce better results than a crowded street, busy office, or windy route.

Comfort and Stability

Fit is especially important. The earbuds must sit securely without creating excessive pressure, and the ideal fit can vary by ear shape, glasses, movement, and personal sensitivity.

A comfortable open-ear design can support long listening sessions because it does not create the same sealed feeling as conventional in-ear models. Buyers planning to walk or exercise with them should assess stability during movement. Weather and sweat resistance should be verified against Bose’s current documentation.

Small position changes can also affect perceived volume, bass, and clarity more noticeably than with some sealed earbuds.

Who Should Buy Them?

They should appeal to:

• People who dislike the plugged-in feeling of in-ear earbuds
• Listeners who prioritize environmental awareness
• Bose fans seeking a premium open-ear option
• Users who want music available throughout the day
• People who frequently move between listening and conversation

They are less suitable for frequent travelers, listeners who demand maximum bass, budget-focused buyers, and anyone seeking one pair that performs perfectly in every environment.

Sound Quality

The strongest reason to consider the second-generation model is improved sound. Review coverage praises the upgraded audio while treating the price as a major concern Source 1.

The improvement matters because music must remain enjoyable even without the isolation and acoustic reinforcement of a sealed earbud. The Ultra Open Earbuds make that compromise easier to accept, with a more engaging presentation that suits regular music listening rather than only background audio.

The format still limits bass pressure, isolation, and immersion. Buyers should not expect the same low-end impact as they would receive from a high-quality sealed earbud.

Music: Songs should sound more energetic and complete, with a pleasant, spacious presentation. Bass expectations should remain realistic.

Podcasts: Spoken audio is a natural fit. Users can follow conversations while remaining aware of the room, although clarity depends on volume, background noise, and fit.

Video: Dialogue can remain easy to follow in quiet or moderately active environments. Louder surroundings may compete with speech.

Calls: Microphone performance should be judged through hands-on testing because wind, traffic, voices, and device compatibility can affect results.

Everyday Features and Use

The Ultra Open Earbuds make the most sense when listening is part of another activity. They can provide music during work without completely disconnecting you from colleagues, support podcasts during walks, and make household tasks more enjoyable.

Their limitation appears in loud environments. Ambient noise can compete directly with playback. Raising the volume may improve clarity but can affect comfort and safety. The earbuds work best when awareness is valuable and background noise is manageable.

Controls, app features, firmware updates, device switching, battery life, charging, Bluetooth reliability, and compatibility should be assessed through current product documentation and real-world testing. Manufacturer claims do not always reflect everyday performance.

Durability is another value checkpoint. Confirm the official resistance rating and intended use before relying on the earbuds for demanding exercise or wet-weather activities.

Price and Value

Affordability is the biggest weakness of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen). Buyers pay a premium for a specialized form factor that addresses a narrower use case than conventional wireless earbuds.

The improved sound strengthens the product, but it does not remove the central limitation: open-ear audio cannot provide the same isolation and immersion as a sealed design. Buyers who do not specifically need awareness may struggle to justify the cost.

The price reflects Bose tuning, the distinctive design, improved second-generation sound, and the ability to hear surroundings naturally. It does not guarantee stronger bass, superior noise control, or the broadest feature set in the category.

A discount can substantially improve the buying case. Compare the current retail price with promotional pricing, previous-generation models, and competing open-ear earbuds before purchasing.

Competition

Versus Conventional Noise-Canceling Earbuds

The Bose model prioritizes awareness. Conventional noise-canceling earbuds offer stronger isolation, greater immersion, and more control over environmental sound.

Choose Bose for a less sealed-in experience, awareness during walks, easier interaction with people nearby, and a distinctive open-ear design. Choose conventional earbuds for strong noise cancellation, deeper immersion, greater bass impact, travel, and a broader feature set.

Versus Apple AirPods 5

Apple’s AirPods 5 lineup includes two models, with reported updates including improved noise control, swipe-based controls, and lower pricing than earlier models Source 5. CNET also describes two models and updated pricing Source 7.

The fundamental difference is purpose. AirPods 5 offers a more conventional earbud experience, while Bose focuses on open-ear awareness. Choose Bose if the open-ear format is the priority. Choose AirPods 5 for Apple-oriented features, a conventional fit, or noise-control functionality, depending on the model.

Versus Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 represents the conventional premium wireless-earbud category. Coverage positions the Momentum line as a strong high-end contender Source 9.

The comparison is about priorities: Bose provides open-ear listening and environmental awareness, while Sennheiser provides a traditional sealed design and more immersive listening.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Improved sound over the previous generation
• Open-ear design supports environmental awareness
• Distinctive alternative to sealed wireless earbuds
• Comfortable option for listeners who dislike in-ear isolation
• Useful for casual, all-day listening in suitable environments

Cons

• Premium pricing creates a significant value problem
• Open-ear listening cannot provide sealed-earbud isolation
• Performance depends heavily on environment and fit
• Less suitable for maximum immersion or noise cancellation
• Specialized design limits universal appeal

Final Verdict

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) improve the most important part of the experience: sound. Music is more engaging, while the open-ear design preserves the awareness that defines Bose’s approach.

The price remains the main obstacle. These earbuds are not the obvious choice for buyers seeking the lowest price, strongest noise cancellation, or best sound-per-dollar ratio. They are also not ideal as a single pair for every environment.

They make sense for buyers who specifically want open-ear listening, dislike sealed earbuds, value Bose tuning, and are willing to pay for a specialized design. Buying during a sale is the most practical approach.

Treat the open-ear format as the deciding feature, not an incidental bonus. If that experience is what you want, the second-generation sound upgrade makes the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds more compelling. If you do not need open-ear awareness, the premium is difficult to defend.

FAQ

Are the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth buying?

They are worth considering for listeners who specifically want open-ear earbuds and improved Bose sound. The price makes them harder to recommend to buyers who prioritize value, isolation, or maximum bass.

How is the sound?

The second-generation model delivers upgraded sound according to available review coverage. It aims to make open-ear listening more engaging while preserving awareness of surrounding sounds.

Do they block outside noise?

No. Their open-ear design keeps users aware of their surroundings rather than isolating them. Buyers seeking strong noise cancellation should consider sealed wireless earbuds.

Who should buy them?

They suit people who dislike in-ear isolation, want to hear nearby activity, and are willing to pay more for a specialized Bose listening experience.

Are they good for exercise?

The open-ear format can suit outdoor walks and exercise because it supports environmental awareness. Verify fit, stability, weather resistance, and sweat protection before relying on them for demanding workouts.

Should you choose them over the Apple AirPods 5?

Choose Bose for open-ear awareness and a less sealed-in experience. Choose AirPods 5 for a conventional format, Apple-oriented features, or noise-control functionality, depending on the model.