Bose Unveils Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sport Open Earbuds

The Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) will be available for preorder on September 19 and go on sale October 1, The Verge reported. ZDNET and Engadget also said the model arrives October 1. TechRadar reported a UK price of £299.95 from October 1. Color availability differs across reports: The Verge listed black, white smoke, cherry chocolate, olive green and sky pink, while ZDNET and Engadget listed Black and White Smoke; Engadget specified Nue Black and White Smoke.

Like the original Ultra Open, the second-generation model clips to the outer ear and uses a transducer to direct audio into the ear canal with minimal sound leakage, Bose claims. It has no active noise cancellation because the open design is intended to let users hear their surroundings. Bose says the redesigned earbuds add a beveled finish on the metal caps, a new driver for higher volume with automatic adjustments and deeper bass, and a Cinema Mode that uses TrueSpatial technology to simulate a wider, more immersive soundstage while keeping dialogue clear and centered. Battery life is rated at up to nine hours on the buds, up from seven, plus 19.5 hours from a redesigned case that can stand upright for wireless charging, Bose says. TechRadar reported an IPX4 rating. The earbuds support multipoint Bluetooth 5.4, aptX codecs for hi-res audio, Google Fast Pair and Google Find Hub, according to ZDNET and Engadget; Engadget added that Alexa+ support is coming in a firmware update at launch, along with an Apple Music shortcut and a three-band EQ in the Bose app.

The Bose Sport Open Earbuds use the same open-audio approach but are designed for exercise. They have a thinner cuff with a soft silicone matte finish for more grip, and Bose says they stay secure during head shakes, cartwheels and running. The Sport model offers automatic volume adjustments that adapt to ambient noise, a textured customizable shortcut button on the end of each battery barrel, and on-device controls, according to The Verge and ZDNET. Bose rates battery life at up to seven hours, plus 22 hours in the wireless charging case. They carry an IP54 dust and water protection rating, ZDNET and Engadget reported, and support Bluetooth multipoint, Google Fast Pair and Google Find Hub. TechRadar said the Sport Open has no mention of TrueSpatial Audio and will not match the Ultra model's bass, and noted it is less durable than the IP57-rated Shokz OpenDots 2.

Availability for the Sport Open is not identical in all reports. The Verge, ZDNET and Engadget said it will launch on October 1 at $199, with The Verge adding that preorders begin September 19. TechRadar reported the Sport Open will start selling October 15 in the UK for £179.95. Color listings also differ: The Verge listed black, white smoke and eucalyptus green, while ZDNET and Engadget listed Black and White Smoke.

Bose was among the earliest mainstream brands in the open-ear clip-on category, and the segment has grown as users seek alternatives to in-ear designs. Android Authority reported that concerns about ear infections and noise-isolation pain have fueled the rise of open-ear earbuds, with phone brands including Nothing entering the category and Samsung exploring it. TechRadar noted that Shokz's OpenDots 2 recently took the top spot in its open-ear rankings from the first-generation Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, and that the new models put Bose into more direct competition at both premium and lower price points.

Editor's Summary

Bose announced the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the Sport Open Earbuds, adding a $299 premium model and a $199 fitness-focused option to its open-ear lineup. The Ultra model brings deeper bass, higher volume, Cinema spatial audio and up to nine hours of battery, while the Sport model adds IP54 protection and a more secure fit. Most reports point to an October 1 launch for both, though TechRadar reported an October 15 UK release for the Sport Open.