Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Immersive Audio Open Ear Earbuds, Clip on Earbuds for Comfort, Running Earbuds with OpenAudio for Awareness, Up to 48 Hours of Battery Life, White Smoke
Product information
Model Name Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, White
Connectivity Technology Wireless
Wireless Communication Technology Bluetooth
Special Feature Lightweight, Open Ear
Included Components Charging Case, USB-C® (A to C) cable (12″), 2 Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Safety sheet
Age Range (Description) Adult
Charging Time 1 Hours
Recommended Uses For Product Walking, Cycling, Running, Calling, Exercising
Compatible Devices Phone,Laptop
Control Type App Control
Cable Feature Without Cable
Item Weight 1.99 ounces
Water Resistance Level Water Resistant
Control Method Touch
Number of Items 1
Controller Type Button
Battery Life 7 Hours
Earpiece Shape Circle
Is Autographed No
Is Electric No
UPC 017817846912
Manufacturer Bose
Product Dimensions 1.04 x 2.56 x 1.65 inches
ASIN B0CPFVB5VN
Item model number 881046-0020
Batteries 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No
Date First Available February 15, 2024
OPEN YOUR EARS TO THE WORLD: Hear all of what’s around you while enjoying rich, private sound; the wireless earbuds’ open ear design says, “I can still hear you” while OpenAudio technology provides you with high-quality, private sound
BE IN THE MUSIC, ANYWHERE EVERYWHERE: With Bose Immersive Audio spatialized sound, these Bluetooth earbuds feel, look good, and bring you closer to your music, so you’re not only listening, you’re in it
FEELS GOOD, STAYS PUT: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature a flexible joint and a light-as-air-grip, simply hook it gently around the back of your ear and you’ll stay open to the world around you with these comfortable earbuds
WATER RESISTANCE WITH IPX4: Get splashed on, dripped on, sprayed on. No worries here. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can handle it. Acoustic mesh keeps out moisture and debris, so you can keep on listening NEVER MISS A BEAT: With up to 7 hours of play time (up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio)*, up to 48 hours of standby***, and the included charging case provides up to an extra 2.5 full charges of power**, you’re equipped with long-lasting battery life
MULTIPOINT BLUETOOTH EARBUDS: Bluetooth multipoint offers seamless, uninterrupted listening. Switch between your phone, your laptop, and other devices with ease — all without missing a moment PRESS, PLAY, ENJOY: Simple button controls on these earbuds with microphone make it easy to switch between stereo and immersive modes, giving you instant command; with just a press, effortlessly control your music and answer calls
PLAYS NICELY WITH OTHER BOSE PRODUCTS: Thanks to Bose SimpleSync technology, you can pair your wireless earbuds with Bose smart soundbars and speakers for a personal TV listening experience with independent volume control BOSE APP: Download the Bose app to receive the latest software updates for your Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Ensure optimal functionality and get access to all the latest features and cutting-edge tech Show more › See more product details
To the music lovers with a playlist for every mood and moment, meet your new obsession. Bose reinvented earbuds with OpenAudio technology that combines complete awareness of your surroundings with rich, private sound only you can hear. And with Bose Immersive Audio, the Bluetooth earbuds with microphone don’t just feel good and look good, they bring you closer to your music. Bose Immersive Audio spatializes music so you’re not only listening to the music. You’re in it. Designed for all-day wear you’ll never want to take off these comfortable earbuds.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature a flexible joint and a light-as-air-grip; you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. With up to 7.5 hours of play time (up to 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio)* or up to 48 hours of standby***, you’re equipped with the power of long-lasting battery life. Plus, the included charging case provides up to an extra 19.5 hours of play time, making it perfect for on-the-go charging**.
Simple button controls make it easy to manage your music and switch between stereo and immersive modes. Get splashed on, dripped on, sprayed on. No worries here. With an IPX4 environmental rating for water resistance, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can handle it. Acoustic mesh keeps out moisture and debris, so you can keep on listening.
Thanks to Bose SimpleSync technology, you can pair your wireless open ear headphones with Bose soundbars and speakers for personal TV listening with independent volume control.
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Romeo985Romeo985 –
5.0 out of 5 stars
What I Needed All Along! Lightweight too!
It is exactly as the title of my review implies…this is what I needed all along. I much prefer earbuds to over-the-ear headphones or any other headsets. I’ve owned other earbuds before but they were never as enabling as these. One of my main focuses was an audio device that provided great sound but still allowed me to be aware of my surroundings. I wanted to be able to hear and respond to someone if they were calling for me or be aware of any important sounds/alerts while I was commuting. These Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are just that. I’ve always been predisposed to think that Bose was a high-end brand specializing in audio equipment and delivering quality sound. After testing, I feel like my opinion was validated. Firstly, I must reinstate these Open Earbuds so the sound won’t be as immersive and the base and treble won’t be as strong as earbuds designed to isolate and block out external sounds. You have to acknowledge this and know what you’re buying. You will and are meant to hear your surroundings when you put on these earbuds. Despite all this, I don’t feel like I am missing out. If I were to put the volume high enough, it feels immersive to me when I want it to and it sounds like the outside environment is drowned out. But most times I will have it at a volume where I can hear everything happening. As mentioned, this is the main reason I opted for this product. I sometimes work on inventory and stock-keeping tasks in an open space where people can come and go. I am also working with the rest of my colleagues. I want to be able to listen to music/podcast while I work but at the same time, not be too immersed to block out all sounds, where I can’t hear someone walk up behind me. Or even not hear my colleagues call out for me. After testing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, I can confidently say it accomplished its purpose! I felt so reassured as I was listening to the beautiful audio that was coming out of my earbuds, that I could also pay attention to my environment if necessary. Even better, these are the most comfortable and lightweight feel earbuds I’ve owned. I will say I can wear them all day and not have an issue. The battery life is also good enough for me. After a full charge, I use them for 2-3 hours a day for about 5 days now and still don’t need recharging. I recommend downloading the app for updates and to adjust settings such as the immersive sound feature.
Randi LeeRandi Lee –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Little Buds
I am a person who NEEDS music in their daily life to function. Music helps me stay focused, especially at work, but I also need to be able to hear my surroundings at work. These fill that need perfectly. They’re also great when I have to call a customer to take their info because it leaves my hands free to type.I originally was using the Shokz Open Fit, but after switching to these, I haven’t touched them since. I have had these for 6 months now and the sound quality is still amazing as ever. The bass is pretty awesome for bluetooth buds, as well. I have no problem hearing my surroundings and engaging in conversations with music playing at low volume, though I will still pause my music out of courtesy. The battery life is great and lasts me the whole work day (9a-6p) and charge time feels like no time at all. They’re also very comfortable and I can barely feel them there. There’s been quite a few occasions where I’ve had my music paused and forgot they were there lolOverall, I am very happy with this purchase and I hope these buds last me for many more months to come.
2 people found this helpful
AlaznePearl –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Forget I’m wearing them
These I so comfortable that if I wasn’t hearing voices that no one else could hear, I’d probably forget I was wearing them.
S. Huesman –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing for Hearing Aid Wearers
I am a hearing aid wearer and have battled finding headphones that are comfortable for me. I used AirPods before but the problem was that I had to remove my hearing aids to use them. I love to listen to music when I’m out in public so a bulky pair of over the head earphones wouldn’t work either. These are amazing and worth every penny. Now when I’m out in public or on a plane I can just slip these on and don’t have to remove my hearing aids. If you like noise cancellation you are not going to like these, but I like hearing my surroundings especially when I’m walking my dog. Also the Spatial Audio is amazing!
One person found this helpful
Female –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love them but had an allergic reaction and had to return
I felt these were super comfortable on my ears. I have a very hard time with earbuds staying in. But I’ve also had an allergic reaction to the Samsung buds in the past. I hear it’s the waterproof coating. I was excited when I heard about the Bose headphones since I love their sound stage, but every time I wore it I got a rash right on the back of my left ear (only) where it sits. I triedI have bone conduction shocks that I really like, but the band behind the ear or not the greatest and I felt the sound is a little hollow, but that’s granted it’s bone conduction. I was hoping this would be a nice in between since my AirPods can’t stay in. For me these were perfection. I was able to get good sound quality but not drown out other noises so it’s safe for when I ride my bike or walk my dog. I could wear them for long period of time and they were comfortable. They feel cool and futuristic, and I love the settings of still and immersive. But if you had a reaction to other earbuds in the past like I have, these may have the same problem for you as it did with me. This is my saddest return.
One person found this helpful
ScottScott –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hearing is definitely believing!!!
When I first saw a picture of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, I thought a piece was missing and would be included in the packaging once you received it. I thought, surely these don’t fit into your ear, how could they, they don’t come with any additional fittings?! On the contrary, what you see is what you get. Unlike other earbuds you’ve owned, these don’t settle directly into your ear canal. Instead, they sit just outside of it, along your ear lobe. The beauty of them is that not only do you get a deep, rich sound but you are also fully aware of your surroundings at all times.I am a cancer patient and receive IV therapy treatments three times a week at my local hospital. I own a set of top-of-the-line Bose headphones that I use each and every day but they can be a nuisance, especially when I’m having to talk with my nurses or the staff at the clinic. I have to pause what I’m listening to so I can lift the headphones off my head so I can hear. I had these on all day today and I found that I didn’t have to stop the music I was listening to so I could answer questions being asked of me…this is a huge win!I was quickly able to get the earbuds paired with my phone and in no time, I was listening to the mellow sound of The Eagles sing many of my favorite tunes. The sound is absolutely perfect. You feel like the music is coming from all around you due to the way they sit in your ear. It’s quite remarkable to get such amazing sound of such a tiny pair of earbuds.I especially like the controls. I’ll be honest, it took a little getting used to but the fact that a nice diagram is included that shows which buttons to press and how exactly to press them to get the results you want is greatly appreciated.These earbuds are very comfortable, which is another amazing feature. You can leave them on for many hours without having to take them off to adjust them. Once you get them into position, they stay put! Another thing I really love about them is unlike traditional earbuds, you won’t have to worry about them getting dirty from wax in your ear. Think about it…how many times have you taken your earbuds off and looked at them with a wrinkled-up face because you have to clean them after having them in even for a short period? That is not an issue at all with these earbuds.I have never seen this concept before and frankly, it was long overdue! Finally, a pair of earbuds that are both comfortable and sanitary
18 people found this helpful
Jeff VerryJeff Verry –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful for small ears
I have been searching for Bluetooth earbuds/headphones/anything that fit my ears, stayed in, and didn’t hurt.It became a joke with how many different brands, styles, and colors I tried. I finally bit the bullet, and paid the hefty price to give these a try.They are wonderful. Plain and simple. You can slide them up or down on your ear to accommodate your ear size. These are the first open ear earbuds I’ve tried, and I find it rather nice to be able to fully hear my surroundings while still listening to my audiobooks or music.And they stay put! They don’t fall out. They are a bit bulky as far as appearance, but they don’t feel bulky/heavy on the ear.All in all – worth the investment to finally have earbuds that work, sound great, and stay put with causing that awful ache.
3 people found this helpful
Shannon Rubio –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sound Quality
I purchased these months ago. I have a tendency to lose things, so when I went on vacation, I left them behind in fear of losing them. I missed them terribly. I used to be a Shokz STAN. I still use the ones I have, but I typically use them when I’m afraid to lose these. The sound quality can’t compete. The only downside is they are easy to misplace and the price point.
S.J.One –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Color matters! Please read before buying.
I ordered these in white and they had issues straight away. I retuned them for a replacement set, again in white. The second set, the microphones didn’t work. Called Bose for support and they said that in fact the headphones were defective.Now to the good part. I didn’t want to give up on these because I genuinely loved them. So I ordered them in black, straight out of the box perfect, no issues at all.The design on these are unlike any earbuds/headphones I’ve ever seen. The controls are so simple to use, one button on each earbud. The setup is literally putting them on, letting them pair and you’re good to go. Read the instructions on how to put them on, it makes a difference. They are super simple once you get the hang of it. The controls are in picture form, it makes it so much easier. They stay on very well, the only time they’ve ever fallen off is if the bud is bumped/hit directly on it. They are very comfortable once you find your position. Sound quality is really nice, these are not noise canceling, which is what I needed. The case gets charged and charges the buds. The case fits perfect in my hand and fits nicely in my pocket as well. I would definitely recommend these, in black only though.I will update my review if any issues arise.UPDATE: CON, once you get out of range and lose connection, you have to manually reconnect them every time. I’m still testing them.
22 people found this helpful
Timmy –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sounds great but kinda loose on smaller ears.
The Bose sound system offers excellent audio quality, with the ability to control both bass and treble through a convenient app. The music playback is impressive, delivering a rich bass and clear treble that enhance the listening experience.However, I encountered an issue when receiving phone calls. The sound quality during calls was problematic, as it often felt like I was in a large, echoing room. This could potentially be related to the acoustics of my living environment or the height of my building, but it’s something that users should be aware of and test for themselves.Additionally, my partner, who is of a smaller stature, found the earpiece to be too large and loose. This resulted in a suboptimal listening experience, as the earpiece needed to be manually adjusted to achieve the desired bass sound. This suggests that the earpiece design may not be suitable for individuals with smaller ears.Overall, while the Bose sound system excels in music playback with its adjustable bass and treble, there are notable issues with the phone call functionality and the fit of the earpiece for some users. Prospective buyers should consider these factors and test the product thoroughly to ensure it meets their specific needs.
Russell –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some connection issues, otherwise amazing earbuds
TL;DR – Great earbuds that suffer from software problems causing desyncs and the rare disconnectionL;R – I bought these earbuds wanting something I could wear to work and wouldn’t have to take out due to ear fatigue and also be able to hear others. They did a perfect job at that, the fit felt loose enough to where it didn’t feel like much was there but secure enough to where i was pretty sure they wouldn’t fall off. If they’re placed right, they sound amazing, and while small movement can sometimes cause fairly big changes, most comfortable positions should lead to good sound quality. Last, it seems Bose may be slightly underselling the battery life on these, I can listen through an entire work day without taking them out once and still find them to have 30 percent remainingThese earbuds aren’t without their cons, however. The charging case, while having strong magnets to hold the buds in place, otherwise feels very flimsy, especially at the hinge which has a fair bit of play, something that should definitely be improved at this price point. Additionally, there is a persisting connection issue i’ve had where the two earbuds will fall in and out of sync with each other for a few minutes, with no way to fix it other than waiting it out. Maybe this would be alleviated through using the AptX capabilities, but I do not currently use a device that supports those codecs.
2 people found this helpful
TJ –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loved them but returned them
I really wanted these earbuds to work out but returned them. These open earbuds are so comfortable, I loved how they sat on the ear and not shoved into the ear canal. No slipping or bouncing during runs and they don’t pinch your ear. Sound quality was great, clear and crisp. I returned them because they are not meant to be paired with a smart watch, just a phone. This does not work on my runs because I do not carry my phone. The earbuds would disconnect typically within 1 mile into my run. When I contacted Bose they said that the Bluetooth technology in a smart watch is “too complicated”. It is unfortunate that the big headphone companies don’t want to create an earbud that stays connected to a smart watch Bluetooth.
Sevgi Gokce Kafali –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Goodbye ear fatigue (but I’m still returning)
When I made the decision on spending 300$ on ultra open earbuds (I call them Hearrings) my reasoning was that I listen to very long podcasts and youtube videos, and my ears get fatigued after these sessions. Therefore I could justify the high price tag. And I must say that the r&d that went into this product really delivers on that end. I never thought I’d be returning these because I thought the elimination of the ear fatigue was the only important thing about any earbuds for me and other features or shortcomings are unimportant. I was wrong. Below I’ll try to list my reasons for returning and I hope it helps prospect buyers (I have iPhone 15 pro):1) I do most of my listening on YouTube and for some reason the single press for play and pause functionality is very unstable. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t and I couldn’t figure out a pattern. More complex button press combinations like volume adjustments etc. always work but play/pause just don’t work some times. And its really annoying when my phone is in another room and I can’t pause something.2) there’s always this hissing sound in the background when I’m playing videos. It’s usually not very noticeable but I notice it in quieter periods and it is annoying. It stops 1 or 2 seconds after I stopped the video, so I know it’s not coming from the video I’m watching.3) when I resume a video, even though the playback starts immediately on my phone, the sound starts coming to my ears after a second and I miss a word or two. Very annoying.4) I realized I switched very often between my phone, ipad and MacBook. And I realized how convenient my earpods were when they automatically connect to the device I’m using. Which is not the case for these earbuds and I have to manually change every time I switch. Annoying.I hope some of these issues are just defects on my unit and/or are fixed soon with software updates. I might’ve kept these as my second pair of earbuds where I only use for long term listening if I have paid something around 100-150$ range. But after paying 300$ I feel a bit ripped off and therefore I decided to return.I will buy these again in a year to see if the issues are fixed and I can finally have my dream earbuds. But until then I’ll try other things like bone conduction etc.I’m still giving 4 stars despite the shortcomings because of all the r&d that must’ve went into coming up with this amazing design and functionality.
13 people found this helpful
Fay E. TeplitskyFay E. Teplitsky –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honest review based on several months of use (
Reason for my Purchase: I misplaced my Apple Airpods Pro and lately have been annoyed with them constantly slipping and sliding when I would go for jogs after work in the hot Florida heat. Constantly adjusting my Airpods. I decided to try something different outside of Apple for once.The Review: After reading many many reviews I was hesitant but curious because I have never heard of open-ear earbuds before. I thought why not, worse to worse I can always return if they suck. Right off the bat they connect seamlessly to my iphone 15 pro max and so far after using them for a several months I have not had any connection issues at all. The sound is very different than normal earbuds. Imagine you are at a concert standing in the crowd listing to the sounds of the music waves around you. I never experienced this type of immersiveness with normal earbuds. Apple Airpods are amazing for noise cancellation but thats not the target market/approach for this product and you need to understand that when purchasing it. When you wear these earbuds, you forget they are even on you. The first week it takes time getting used to putting them on but later it becomes second nature. I jog weekly with them I have never had them fall out even when I felt one ear was loose when it in fact is not. I did discover that as you sweat there is more friction to the earbuds which I like. At first they may feel loose at times but as you run and sweat I feel the earbuds stick to the sweat and hold even better if that makes sense. I do listen to music at home or talkshows/podcasts and people around me have said they do not hear what I am listening too at all even I feel the noise is being broadcasted but it isn’t in reality. Price is comparable to other new and popular earbuds so to me it was a bit more that I prefer but very innovative imo. They are very light and well made. You can hear wind and other around you at times if you volume is low or if you have certain modes on like workout or stereo. I prefer the Immersion the best.Conclusion: If you are a person who jogs normally and wants headphones that don’t fall out/move from sweat, you wear headphones all day and don’t want them to give you a headache/make your ears sore or hurt after long wear, and want a more immersive relaxing audio experience then this is the perfect product for you!Product Suggestions: There could be improvements on the design in terms of maybe offering different sizes of these or a way to make the strap that goes around your ear a bit tighter but otherwise this is a great product.
44 people found this helpful
Alvin A. Santos –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Expensive Niche product that is exactly what I want
I’ve been looking for earbuds that give me awareness while engaging in sports. Most of the open earbuds or bone conduction headphones have some kind of ear hook. I wear glasses or goggles and helmets and having something around the top of the ear is uncomfortable. They fit underneath my ski helmet ear pads – I do have ear pads that accept speakers so there is a small void. The key to the whole thing is that they sit and connect around the middle or lower part of your ear so as not to interfere with anything above your ear.The second thing I was looking for was a pair of earbuds that doesn’t go into the ear canal. I have some irritation inside my ear and wearing most earbuds causes my ear to itch after awhile. These sit outside the ear so the canal is still open so you can hear around you.I docked one star for a few reasons.1 – cost – at $300 these are very expensive.1a – you need to pay another $50 to get wireless charging – and the case becomes larger with the sleeve2 – battery life – immersive audio is very nice but really kills the battery life.3 – no multipoint connection. You have to use a shortcut to switch devicesTaken together I think that it worth a 1 star loss – but overall I am pleased with them and I can wear them all day (unfortunately the battery doesn’t last that long)Summary of what I was looking for in open earbuds:1 – Spatial awareness2 – non-irritating to the ear3 – non-interference with eyeglasses or goggles or helmet
3 people found this helpful
Bambos Charalambous –
5.0 out of 5 stars
No regrets! These earbuds are the best.
I have been using several products from BOSE (i.e. a pair of the Frames Tempo, Radio/CD, earbuds older version) and I have always been pleased with the quality of sound each devise is able to deliver. I would expect nothing else from this company. Well, my latest purchase of the BOSE open ear buds Ultra are no exception. I was able to start listening to music right out the box. I did not have to do any set-up at all. The quality of music is superb (considering these are ear buds and not headphones). This is my first day using them and I am not disappointed thus far. I know, it is too soon but I am that confident with these open-air earbuds. I never liked having anything inside my ear canal so this product by BOSE is fantastic. Very light and very easy to adjust to my ears. I have been using my FramesTempo for outdoor and indoor workouts. Now I can use the open-air earbuds exclusively for my gym workouts. I would buy them again. Also, based on my past experience with BOSE, they stand behind all their product line so you know you will have reliable support. I know the price for some may be too high, but there is no substitute for a quality sound, so I was not willing to compromise. Of course, that is me.
One person found this helpful
HHHH –
4.0 out of 5 stars
The future of audio is here!
When Bose first announced these earbuds, I was very skeptical on how these open style earbuds would perform in terms of audio clarity in which Bose is known for. My previous earbuds, I always set them to noise cancellation especially when in a loud noisy environment such as the gym and hear through when I’m at work. These earbuds has eliminated both of these features so you’re able to hear outside noise at all times. This takes some getting use to but after a few hours I had gotten use to it.Another thing that took some getting use to was putting these earbuds on but it didn’t take very long to get accustomed to. These look like a pair of earrings that are put on awkwardly but I find that they do stay on very well compared to my in-ear buds. I was able to lay on one side while in bed and always shook my head and they managed to stay on where was the in ear fly out with the slightest shake. After awhile, I don’t even feel anything in my ear at all and that I can wear these all day and won’t ache my ear like those in-ear earbuds. With the fitment of these buds out the way, let’s talk about the audio aspect.These sound pretty well but you’re giving up noise cancellation. Can hear my laundry machine yet able to hear the audio pretty well. Not sure how well these would work if you’re on airplane. You’re not getting high bass but Bose isn’t known for their bass. The treble/voice sounds great. Almost sounds acoustic in a way which I like vs bass. You’re giving up noise cancellation and hear through features but a nifty feature these Ultra Open Earbuds offer is the Immersive Audio feature. This basically puts the audio in front of you so no matter where you turn your head, the audio will always be played in front of you. So if your turn your head left or right, the side that is in front will be played and the the side furthest way will be silent. Basically you have the option for audio to stay in one place or audio to follow you around this enchancing your audio experience.The charging case is very compact in which I prefer. Fits in your pocket nicely.Comfort factor I give 10/10. Overall I give the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds a 8/10. Takes some getting use to (in putting them on and people will mistake the and awkward looking earrings) but the sound experience with the Immersive Audio feature is a great feature to have.
2 people found this helpful
Jay –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Love these headphones, but durability and warranty service aren’t great
I do a lot of biking/running outside, and also don’t do well with objects lodged in my ear canal. These headphones were a godsend for me, despite the inflated price. I use them for anything that doesn’t require sound isolation (i.e. Airplane) and they’re super comfortable.The pros….- Super comfortable- Sound quality is pretty good- Battery life is pretty good, although not best in class- Physical buttons are reliable- Aesthetics….. I think they look awesomeThe cons…- Case feels pretty cheap/loose, especially for the price- Mics aren’t great. They seem to go in and out on calls. May be due to my defective unit- Could be louder, but honestly not a requirement- Durability/quality control/warranty (read below)I’m knocking them down 3 stars because after a few months of use, I started to run into issues charging them, and audio in the right bud will simply stop working for hours at a time. No combination of factory reset/repairing helps. After talking to support they agreed to send me a warranty replacement, but they don’t do advanced replacements, so i need to send these in first. They also told me that due to warranty centers moving (or maintenance?), it may take up to 8-10 weeks after they receive the buds before I receive the replacements.I’ll likely give the Soundcore C30i’s a shot since i’ll be without this style of headphones for a while and can’t afford to drop another 299 for another pair. If i could go back, i would probably have simply got the Soundcore’s. I knew 299 was steep, but assumed there would be a good warranty process in place. Only myself to blame. Very unhappy with this turn of events.I love this style of bud, and hope we see more in the future at reasonable prices. ANC would also be an awesome addition, but i know most rely pretty heavily on physical sound isolation, so I wouldn’t expect much there.
4 people found this helpful
Dani –
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love these!!!
I have weird little ears, really small ear canals. I’ve had so many ear buds that just didn’t fit and would not stay in or really hurt. These Boze earbuds are AMAZING! They are very secure in my ears even at the gym (which was the purpose of this purchase) you can barely feel them and there is no ear fatigue. They sound great and you can still hear what’s going on around you which is important at the gym. The controls are easy and intuitive and setting them up was a breeze (I’m not an electronics person and like things easy) I would definitely buy them again and would recommend them to a friend. If you have hard to fit ears these should be your next purchase.
TWM –
5.0 out of 5 stars
If Sound Quality & Comfort Are Most Important, These Are a Best Buy
The headline says the important things. These “ear buds” are not meant to be champion noise cancellers. They cannot be since they do not in any way block your ear canals or pinnae. But if your primary concern is the sound quality you hear from your selected sources and wearing comfort, these are a true bargain.The fact that they can do this without disturbing those nearby with what you are listening to, mussing your hair, sticking into your ear canals, or cutting you off totally from your surrounding environment is a plus in my book. I use them to listen to the sound tracks of movies and TV in my home, so I’m not at all concerned with how effective they are at blocking extraneous sound for phone calls or music listening when out and about.i find that the most natural tonal balance with my ears on most TV and movies is with the EQ set to boost the bass by one or two dB. With that done, the tonal balance, clarity, and freedom from apparent distortion is top notch for the price.No, the deepest bass is not there at the level of headphones which make a great seal with your ear canals or with your head, but the amount of such bass is totally adequate for such listening. These are a better compromise, to my ears, than what I’ve heard from many far pricier audiophile headphones which don’t pretend to make a seal with your ears or head. Many such audiophile products try too hard to give you the bottom bass and in the effort muddy up the entire bass and even midrange through excessive driver excursions.Wearing comfort is high. Rotate the little under-ear cuff until there is minimal pressure or pinching of your pinnae. Once so adjusted, I hardly know they are there.The immersive audio feature works very well indeed to my ears to further dimensionalize the playback and applies to all stereo programs. There is minimal audible “phasey-ness” and maximal solidity and three-dimensionality of the presentation. It gets the presentation out of your head and in front of your eyes and around you in a way you quickly regard and natural an immediately miss when you turn it off.Before you listen seriously to these, much less pass judgment on them, even when bought brand new, be sure to first go into the Settings tab of the Bose Music App and update the software. My new ones bought from Amazon were several generations behind on updates. Updating both improved the overall sound and eliminated some intermittent connectivity problems I had at the first. Do this for any other Bose headphones you have as well. You will be pleased.Over the years I’ve owned many of the top audiophile headphones out there and have auditioned many more in stores and at audio shows. In addition to these Ultra Open Earbuds, I also own the Bose QC 45 and QC Ultra headphones. I currently also own NAD Viso HP-35, Apple AirPods, Max, and two different vintage Stax electrostatic headphones. Sure, the Stax are better sounding to me than these Bose Ultra Open, but the Stax together with the best amplification for them can cost $10,000, not $300.
16 people found this helpful
BVBV –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Sound, Not Comfortable
I placed my order on Amazon and received my Bose Open Earbuds the next day. Set-up was very easy. I already had the Bose app, however if you do not, you would need to download the app. On the app there is a tutorial of what to do as well as settings to make changes to your liking. You can change modes, adjust equalizer settings, shortcuts, and your Bluetooth source. It displays the battery life of each earbud and what you’re listening to. Another feature is that you can pick your shortcut and which earbud to use said shortcut. One issue with the app is that it does not always connect immediately even though the case is nearby, and I am using the earbuds. I usually must leave the app, press the button on the case and go back in the app for the connection to work. I usually use only one earbud at a time. However, when using both earbuds, you can still hear your surroundings, which is why I only wear one. However, there are times when I only want to hear what’s coming from the buds and not my surroundings and because of the open buds I cannot. I like that there in nothing going inside my ear canal. However, the big barrel behind my ear and the way it must clip onto the ear, starts to hurt within the hour. So, comfortability is very short lived, which is unfortunate since I wear my buds for hours. Aesthetically, they are a little bulky looking, but they look nice. The earbuds sound great. Listening to audible books and when talking on the phone, the sound is clear and quality great. Others can hear what you are listening to if they are nearby, which I do not like. Background noises are very amplified in comparison to my voice when I am talking on the phone. When I am in a quiet environment, my callers can hear me clearly. The earbuds tell you when you connect them, when the battery life is running low, and the phone number calling you. There is a little bit of a lag when using the play/pause feature. Sometimes the play/pause feature does not work at all, and I must use the app of the program I am listening to to get started. The longevity of the battery life for the case and ear buds are great. Within 1 week, I’ve only had to charge the case twice. The case took me approximately two hours to charge. The buds also charge quickly.
16 people found this helpful
rguiserguise –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unique but Enjoyable
These were a drastic change from any other earbuds that I have used or, even seen, before. I had not heard of “open earbuds” before seeing these come out, and now will use them as my daily pair. The design of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds is unique insofar as they sort of softly clamp onto the ear itself, and have a well-designed, pointed speaker that projects the audio into your, otherwise open, ear canal.These really DO work well with balancing out a noisy environment while listening to something more personally enjoyable, like a podcast. I have a young son and for years have worn just one ear bud, so that I could hear him and interact with him, but also listen to things that might be entertaining to me, at the same time. These bring that “use case” to life and almost perfectly allow the two audio worlds, to blend together nicely.However, I can very easily see myself losing one in the future if I am not constantly checking that it is still in and/or trying to avoid anything that would touch my head and could knock it loose. I have already had them fall off once, and very easily could have lost it forever. I really wish Bose would provide some sort of auditory “ping” that you could use if one were to, say, almost get eaten by the couch cushion.They also perform extremely well, with regards to easily connecting via Bluetooth or pairing to your devices, as you’d expect. Some other earbuds can make that process nightmarish the longer you have to do things in a very specific order to connect them. These have been near flawless with regard to ease of connectivity between my phone, tablet, and other Bluetooth devices.The sound quality is “top-tier”, which is what you would expect from a reputable company such as Bose. The design of them is wonderful if you have needs that these would help out with. However, I don’t know if I would truly pay top dollar for a pair if I did not. There are other pairs with stronger bass and richer sound, due to having more of the driver closer to your ear. But, if you want something that allows you to be more “there” with those around you, while still enjoying a podcast or listening to a show, these are a phenomenal choice.
7 people found this helpful
FahadFahad –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic new earbud technology held back by years-old issues
What I wanted out of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds was a product I: (1) would not have to take out when I talk to people, (2) could rely on to drown out subway and street noise, and (3) could listen to loudly at times without worrying about significant noise bleed irritating the people around me.The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sound fantastic. It took a few hours, but I found a sweet spot for volume that allowed me to listen to music and treat it as “background noise” while I could also talk to people I see throughout the day (e.g., people at the gym check-in, familiar coffee shop faces). But there is just no way to even mildly drown out the street noise without having the volume on its highest, and even then, I could still hear it. And the subway? Phew, even worse.I had a friend walk around the city with me to see if he could hear my music clearly at different volume levels. Indoors, he could hear at 40% volume. Outdoors, at 60% volume. This is understandably a product that other people will hear, given the “open” part of it, but I was hoping that Bose somehow found a way to push the envelope forward a bit more.Regarding comfort, I love the first hour every time I put these on. But after an hour, there is pain/fatigue in the cartilage/earlobe area that these are clasped around, and when I eventually take them off, these areas feel very tender/sore.The biggest issue, though, is a connectivity problem not unique to “open” earbuds. For every song I listen to (~ three minutes each), the earbuds lose audio connection for approximately two seconds at least twice. I often find myself taking them off and putting them away and going back to other headphones I have because of how frustrating it is to experience audio loss that often (~35 instances/hour). The frequency of the audio drop will likely cause me to return these. $300 earbuds should not experience issues like this, especially when every other Bose product does not. I am not sure why this one is any different, yet here we are.Overall, this is a fantastic product held back by old issues. The other “issues” I faced represent the consequences of city living. I guess the connection issues will be resolved via software update, but I do not intend to wait around with them to find out.3.5/5
2 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sensory dream come true
I have ASD and somewhat frequent panic attacks. Most types of headphones, be it over-the-ear or earbuds, are either uncomfortable, or I have to take my headphones off/use only one earbud if I want to hear someone. That said, having only one side in drives me nuts, too.This is by far the best pair of headphones I’ve ever owned. I mean, if you’re a hardcore audiophile looking for heavy bass and noise reduction/noise canceling, no, these are definitely not for you. But if you feel like you want to listen to something while still hearing everything else around you without bothering anyone else, it’s bliss. It’s like having mini speakers attached to your ear!Sound quality is great, I like the immersion modes, some reviews said there were issues with people hearing you clearly but I have yet to run into that with anyone (and I use them for work calls so I’m certain I’d have been called out by someone by now. Really if I had to pick a gripe, it’s occasional connectivity issues with the app. I will say the most recent update seems to have almost eliminated that (I’m pixel 8 pro user). Had them on overnight last night when I was having severe anxiety about work problems and didn’t notice them ever disconnect despite a few hours of use. It helped me sleep without bothering my wife during a time when I needed something to keep me grounded.. I didn’t know I could love headphones this much.
2 people found this helpful
ian Chaffardet –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best earbuds ever!
Here’s my review of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. I’ll start with the good things and then discuss the bad, to give you a balanced view of these earbuds. I hope this helps you make an informed decision!The Good Things • Spatial Audio: As an Apple user, I was skeptical about the lack of Spatial Audio, but I was wrong. These earbuds provide an immersive experience where you can hear everything around you while enjoying the music. • Sound Quality: The audio quality is perfect. You can actually hear the bass and every single instrument clearly. It’s Bose, after all. • No Sound Leakage: Many people worry about sound leaking, but it doesn’t. The sound stays within the earbuds, providing a great experience without disturbing others. • Long Battery Life: These earbuds last a whole workday, nearly 8 hours, though I probably use them for 6 hours in total. • Comfort: You can’t feel them. I always forget I have them on. They are a huge improvement over AirPods and AirPods Pro. • Fast Charging: They charge super fast. A 10-minute charge can give you around 2 hours of use. • Durability: I use these to connect to my Mac while I’m on Zoom meetings all day, and they hold up well.The Bad Things • Controls: The controls are rough. There’s a button on each earbud, and you have to manually press them. They aren’t touch-sensitive. To change the volume, you hold the right one for more volume and the left one for less. Click to stop or play music, double-click to skip to the next song, and click and hold for Siri or Hey Google. • Mic and Voice Assistant Access: The mics aren’t on by default, probably to save battery, but this means no automatic access to Siri, though it’s still an option with click and hold. • Spatial Audio Glitches: Sometimes the Spatial Audio gets glitchy. It happened probably 3 to 5 times in a month. It’s not a big issue as it fixes itself, but the software could use some improvements. • No Wireless Charging: These don’t come with wireless charging. You have to buy an extra case that goes outside your current case. There’s no built-in wireless charging case.ConclusionI actually recommend these earbuds. I bought two pairs for my parents, and they really like them. My dad tends to watch YouTube on what seems to be an AM radio, and it drives us crazy… NOT ANYMORE. I think my mom loves these earbuds the most.
36 people found this helpful
JYKJYK –
4.0 out of 5 stars
I personally like it but…
I personally like it (mainly by its look and how comfortable it feels at my ears) but this is indeed baffling and somewhat self-defeating product.By its designed nature, its major point is to NOT block other sounds surrouding you rather than noise cancelling. The idea seemed appealing to me cause I almost never use my noice-cancelling earbuds when walking outside and only use them when I’m riding bus or subway. I just don’t feel safe and comfortable about noise-cancelling when walking on the roads. However, not-noise-cancelling means whatever sound coming out of earbuds naturally degrades for its sound quality. It’s intended trade-off. So at the point, sounds quality kinda doesn’t really matter. And if sounds quality kinda doesn’t matter, is this price level worth it? Maybe not unless you are really attracted to the product for whatever random reason, like me.As a someone who doesn’t really have sophisticated ears, sound quality seemed pretty well WHEN using these inside of the building. They somehow weirdly even provide somewhat unintended noice-cancelling effect IF inside the building.Although it may not look like it, it remains attached at my ears very comfortably and stable. I even tried running with it and had no problems. However, I can even say it’s too comfortable. I used this earbuds during my long-lasting walking trip (6-8hrs of walking everyday for 3 weeks) and there were few occassions where I accidently dropped one piece of the earbuds while rearranging my hat however way. The hat hit a pair of the earbuds but I don’t get to really recognize it dropped because the earbuds are so light, so losing it doesn’t make me feel sufficiently different. Moreover, if it happens where cars are actively riding on their roads, just one remainder earbud playing music makes me have no doubt and concern even though the other one is kissing with dirt on random part of pedestrian road.
7 people found this helpful
Nick Papyan –
4.0 out of 5 stars
First time Open Ear bud user.
Let me preface this by saying these Bose Open Earbuds are a bit niche. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’ve been loving them so far.Sound that surprised me:Honestly, I figured the open design would mean weak sound. But wow, was I wrong! The sound is actually really unique and immersive, kind of like having a speaker next to you with surround sound on. It’s clear and full, even without completely blocking out everything around you.Comfort is king:These are seriously the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever worn. They’re so light you barely notice them, which is perfect for long listening sessions.Motorcycle test (because why not?):I figured I’d see how they handled some wind noise. To my surprise, they held up pretty well on my motorcycle up to about 60mph on a windy day. The sound stayed clear, and I even had to turn it down sometimes because it was a little too loud and blocked out traffic noise.Not for everyone:Now, these aren’t noise-cancelling headphones. Don’t even try to compare them. They’re more like a compliment to your existing noise-cancelling headphones. Perfect for when you want something light and airy that lets you hear what’s going on around you.Other cool stuff: Pairing is a breeze. You can use the Bose app (similar to AirPods connecting to iPhones) or just regular Bluetooth. I had no problems connecting them to multiple devices. Super easy to use. Just pop them in your ears, and they turn on and connect to your latest device. Switching connections is simple too, with a button right on the earbuds. Battery life seems accurate based on what they advertise. Just remember, the fancy immersive mode drains the battery faster. Charging the buds in the case is super quick, though.My only gripe? The price:At $300, they’re a bit on the expensive side. The case feels kinda cheap too, like flimsy plastic. Not exactly AirPods case quality.Overall:If you’re sick of bulky headphones and ear fatigue (looking at you, gym sessions), and want something that lets you hear what’s around you, the Bose Open Earbuds are a great choice. Just keep in mind the price and the case quality before you pull the trigger.
14 people found this helpful
mamajenn –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comfortable and decent sound
I work with newborn babies overnight and like to listen to music and audiobooks while I work. My other ear buds were noise cancelling and I couldn’t hear the baby when they started to stir. I really appreciate these open earbuds because it does not block out the background noise. So it’s perfect for what I need it for. With that being said, I tried to listen to an audiobook on an airplane and the plane engine noise was too loud and I couldn’t hear the audio, even when turned all the way up. So it’s great in places without a lot of background noise or when you need to hear the background noise. But not great on flights due to the noise.
Gabriel A. MartinezGabriel A. Martinez –
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Conversation Starting Beauty
Be prepared to have conversations with everyone. The unique design of the Bose Ultra Open-Earbuds is not only super comfortable but also a head turner. Several conversations were sparked at work and the gym while wearing these. Having worn these for 5 hours straight at work, my ears hardly knew they the earbuds were on. I could have worn them longer had the battery not died. A 5-hour battery life is pretty good and a quick 45 min return to the charging case, they were at 100% battery power again without even plugging them into the wall (the case holds 3-4 charges). I only wish the case supported wireless charging but a very minor inconvenience considering how many charges it holds.Bose premium sound is as expected on these as well. Very deep rich bass is prominent and appreciated at lower volumes but evens out at higher volumes. The open ear design is made to continue naturally hearing the ambient sound around you. Meaning it is very easy to have a conversation at work or for safety reasons, enjoy music while still being aware of your surroundings. Keep in mind that this ambient sound is always present, there is no way to make these headphones block out the ambient noise. If that is a feature you are looking for, then these headphones may not be right for you. The immersive audio function is very creative and fun to use, especially while watching a movie. It simulates the sound source staying still while you might move about.Adjustments are easy through the Bose app. Unfortunately, this is where some minor frustrations come into play. The earbuds frequently disconnect from the app and require being put back into the case for 5-10 minutes in order to “fully reset” and reconnect again. The headphones do remain connected to the sound source when this happens, and most adjustments can be made using the simple button presses on the earbuds themselves which do not require the app which is why I mention a “minor inconvenience”. Speaking of button presses. It was very refreshing to have actual “click” buttons as opposed to the touch pads that I have had on other earbuds. The touchpads would frequently register incorrect inputs but having real buttons again has been great.
4 people found this helpful
Daniel Brazier –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely comfortable and great quality
This is my first set of earbuds that clip on the ear like this. By far the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever work, no shifting around my ear canal or falling out, they are STURDY. The sound quality is excellent for both music and movies/videos. Easy to connect via Bluetooth, having the small physical buttons is great so there is no accidental skipping tracks or pausing. Still testing out battery life but so far so good after a few hours of constant use. The price is high, and I have high expectations coming from Bose.
Dee –
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wanted to like them but the price updated
Usually I say they are good for what it’s worth. In this case, for what I paid for them, they are not worth it.Pro’s: the ear clip/cuff design is different and good, the fit is pretty secure and won’t fall off, comfortable, immersive sound is a plus, turning off the immersive sound and they last longer between charges. When running I hardly noticed I had them on my ears. The sound was good when I was running. I noticed as I was running that the music got louder. I think it was because they settled onto my ear lobes and also I turned the automatic volume control.Cons: too expensive, can’t adjust to being closer to ear canal, left me wanting and expecting more from the ear cuff buds. They seem limited when turning them up to 7 or 8 on the flat setting. Should be priced around the sound core and shokz open fit buds price, maybe even pricing them lower like $125-$150 on the high end. For $300 they should have wireless charging, multi point connectivity. Most of all a larger and louder volume level. I’m returning them. My aftershockz aeropex bone conduction headphones do a better job and lasts my whole 10 hour workday without needing to be charged.Maybe another software update with automatic multipoint switching, adjust the eq curve to have more low end and not cap the bass when playing at a higher volume, and drop the price and they would an awesome product.Update 3/12/2024So I returned my first pair of ultra earbuds, and got a set of Shokz open fit earbuds. I tried those on for some time and really like how they performed overall. But somehow I started to miss the bose earbuds, and wanted to compare how they went up against the Shokz offering. The price is still steep, but I had an amazon gift card balance of $157 so I went ahead and bought the Bose to do the comparison.The fit was excellent as before, the sound is excellent, I registered them to get the two year nose warranty as I can see these being replaced sometime in September the future. The Shokz are really good and probably rank them as one of the best hook buds in the market. For me and my ears, the Bose and the Shokz are an excellent buy. They both are light and fitment is excellent, the sound is superb, the call quality I give to Shokz, the update happened to both and somehow the call quality on the bose really improved. I still prefer the physical button over the touch sensitive approach that Shokz went with. I still like the Bose ear cuff design vs the earhook. So which do I prefer. Running and exercising-Bose without a doubt, mountain biking and any sport with a lot of wind noise-Shokz hands down.3/19/2024I started noticing the Bose ultra open buds starting to lose connection when putting them on. The right ear would get the connected prompts, but the left would not connect and when it does connect, it loses drops connection a couple of time more than connects and syncs up with the right ear. I’m going to request for a replacement pair. Overall, these are excellent buys if you have a gift card balance to buy down these buds. The Shokz were on sale so I returned my black pair and got the white pair. I had some Amazon credits and used those credits to buy the Shokz at much lower price.3/29/2024Bose pushed an update to the open ultras (version 1.10.4). The audio sounded clearer, the connection issue seems to have been resolved, I noticed while doing yard work that my Bose lasted approximately 5 hours on the immersion setting. No multipoint connectivity like the Shokz open fits have. Also, I saw that Bose released a wireless charging case on their website for $50. I decided to not get the wireless charging case because I was already used to the usb-c plug approach.
909 people found this helpful
Tak Auyeung –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sound, doubles as an unintentional fashion item
Let’s get the fashion piece out of the way, first. I am *not* one for fashion. Black T-shirt and olive shorts is my daily “uniform”. It is interesting, and surprising, that many people thought that these ear buds were a fashion statement. Not me.Now on to the actual good stuff. Compared to the Shokz OpenRun Pro, these Bose ear buds are expensive. Oh, yeah, no denying that. However, at the same time the fit, comfort, and sound quality are also much better, at least for me.I wear glasses, the OpenRun Pro will fit, but there is always the constant adjustment because both the OpenRun Pro and the glasses want to rest on the same place. The Bose Ultra Open does not interfere, at all. The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are more comfortable and convenient.In terms of sound quality, there is no comparison. When I first got the OpenRun Pro, it was a vast improvement over the much older Shokz. The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are something else. One problem that I had with the OpenRun Pro is the placement of the sound emitters. A very slight shift in position caused left-right imbalance. The Ultra Open earbuds do not have this issue, at least on my ears. Also, at higher volumes, the OpenRun Pro had some scratching sounds, probably because the transducers were mechanically rubbing or contacting the casing.In comparison, the *one* thing that the OpenRun Pro is superior is battery life. I can wear it all day, and it does not run out of battery. The Ultra Open earbuds, however, will need a little charging break during the day. However, carrying the case with me makes a quick recharge a breeze.How good is the sound? I am no HiFi aficionado, and definitely not a purist. I can say this: in a quiet office, I now prefer the Ultra Open to a pair of wired IEMs that connect to a dedicated amp. I did not even have to tweak the equalizer in the Bose app.For an open earbud that just hangs on to the ear lobes, the Ultra Open is impressive in terms of sound quality and battery life.
16 people found this helpful
QuixQuix –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Clean lines, great sound
I’ve been using Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for about a week now. Given that they are an open style, these are not my go-to for all purposes but my usage of them has been fairly regular and all in all, a good experience. I’ve usually had trouble finding good earbuds for my ears (small, differently shaped) but these fit snugly. Below are the highlights based on my observation: Pros: – Very light, lighter than I expected – Fit really well, quite snug and didn’t pop out even after persistent and harsh movement (this may differ from ear to ear though) – Decent sound quality (these are Bose after all), although the openness may take away from it a bit since part of the experience is to be open to outside sounds – Long run time, didn’t need to charge it much over the one week of use – Good, clean, aesthetic of the earbuds and the charging case – Ease of use Cons: – Can not be used for everything (I’ve used these for open air workouts, runs, calls in empty spaces but the sound can carry through so haven’t been able to use these in shared / crowded spaces) – High price point given the functionality I’ll update the review based on continued usage, but initial thoughts are inclined towards a solid audio device.
54 people found this helpful
Jonathon –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Quite There, Yet… Not Worth The Price – Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Pros:• Excellent Sound – Given they’re open-ear headphones, they have excellent sound quality. They didn’t sound like open-ear headphones at all.• Light – I barely felt them on my ears, I tested them for 5+ hours and they didn’t bother my ears like others (Airpods/Pro’s) do.•Cons:• Price – Not worth $300. With connection issues and lacking features such as auto pause/play when putting them on and taking them off, clunky volume adjustments.• Connectivity – Each time I put them on, it took a few tries for them to recognize they should be synced and playing music together. Most of the time I had one playing music, then the other wouldn’t ever catch up. So I had to put them back in their case and start over.• Battery Life Indicator – You’ll NEVER know the actual battery life of the case. You can look in the manual to see what the colored lights mean, but those are just an approximation. Unless they do some an update, there was no way to tell the case battery life. I believe they speak the battery % when you first put the headphones on, I’m not 100% sure about that.I REALLY wanted to love these, and I did, but I couldn’t justify the cost for what I was getting. First off, the sound quality was excellent. These were my first Bose headphones, and I expected the sound quality to be subpar, (I’ve used other open-ear headphones, 3 versions of SHOKZ) being they’re open-ear, but the sound was the BEST thing about these. I tested the “spatial/immersive audio,” it was trippy at first – cool use of technology, but I don’t think I’d ever need/want that. I continued playing around in the app for a bit to learn the features and the button presses, which aren’t inherent, so you’ll have to look them up to find out what they are. More times than not, I would have connection issues. I’d put them on and they wouldn’t sync together and play music, only one would be playing. I had to fully remove both of them, drop them in the case, and start over to get them to work again, or open the app, disconnect them, and reconnect them. It was a hassle and shouldn’t be happening with a $300 product, especially from Bose. Also, the audio would intermittently pop or disconnect for a second on one or both of the earbuds. I don’t feel like a $300 product should be doing this.That said, if these earbuds were in the $200 range, I would’ve considered keeping them. I think they’re an excellent proof-of-concept product, but they still need more refinements to be charging $300 for them.
134 people found this helpful
Steve –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Fantastic
I received the Bose Open Earbuds a week ago after ordering from Amazon, delivery was quick and the next morning I was opening my new buds and preparing to put them through their paces, I own many other brands of earbuds from all over the world, even open earbuds from other brands.Unboxing was pretty straightforward. The only things in the box were the earbuds, the case, and a USB-A to USB-C cable. The case feels premium, along the line of other cases I have from other premium earbuds. The case feels comfortable to hold, easy to carry in my pocket. What stands out to me with the case is the lights, I’m not exactly sure why, but when you place the buds in the case and the lights are lit up I really like how that looks. I also like there were no ear tips included, there were none of those here. No fitting the different ear tips then unsure if I have the right ones selected.I was not used to just setting something into my ear and not worrying trying to completely seal up my ear canal. Once I got used to setting these in my ears, it was well worth it. I really didn’t even feel them on my ear. No feeling the pressure that builds up with a sealed ear canal, no popping them out to hear someone talking to me, no uncomfortable feelings at all. According to the website it shows most people wearing them high up on their ears, but for me they fit, feel and sound better down lower on my ears. You just set the earbud into your ear, wrap the elastic part around the bottom of my ear and away you go. I enjoy the best of both worlds, I have my music or my audio books with me wherever I want to go without worrying about the what I cannot hear while crossing the parking lot. I wear these in the park for my morning walk, and don’t get that paranoid feeling that someone is walking up behind me like I do with noise cancelling ear sealing headphones. I can still hear the important things going on around me.The sound is fantastic! I really like music on these. The charge lasts a good portion of the day, I haven’t had any problems yet with them running out of battery. They’re IPX4 rated, so I’m not worried about wearing them while I work out. And I’m surely not worried about having them fall out, I tried my best and couldn’t shake them out. They’re not multi-point capable yet, supposed to come as a software update. But I’m happy with that, I have had enough run ins where I’m listening to a book on my phone then start playing a game on my tablet and having to fight to make sure the sound is coming from the device I want it to come from.Overall these are great earbuds, flew right to the top of my list and are my favorite now. And I have the top of the line earbuds from several different manufacturers. The let me have music and stay connected to the world, something I have come to really appreciate.
36 people found this helpful
Joshua J. SallesJoshua J. Salles –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great “in-earbuds” that aren’t in-ear 🤔
I really prefer in-earbuds to headphones, but even after I got some foam tips for better comfort – my ears still get “swamp ear” and get irritated after long use. I finally decided to see if there was a better solution and stumbled upon these Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which seemed like they could be the answer.After about a week or so of using them, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well they perform. They are by far the weirdest pair of earbuds I have ever owned, and I was considering buying the Sony LinkBuds but I was really hoping for something different like bone conduction rather than in the ear (which seem to be my main problem).I also was hoping that I’d be able to wear them for longer than my in-ear pair, which definitely is the case. Comparatively I’d have to take my in-ears out every so often to clean my ears as with these the only issue is my ear tends to get a tad irritated after long-use but it also could just be my ears getting used to something being there, hard to say right now until I’ve had them for longer but I just adjust them slightly up or down when I feel discomfort.I actually got these as my “gaming” earbuds, which after turning off “Immersion Mode” and using “Stereo Mode” I feel it’s best unless you’re listening to music it’s just too bassy for regular stuff in my humble opinion (still sounds great, YMMV). Battery life has been a lot better than my other pair of earbuds which would die after ~4-6 hours, so far the lowest I’ve gotten these have been around 40%. I’m also not too sure how fast they charge, since they live on my desk and I charge them overnight but when I first charged them it took about half hour to fully charge from ~60%.It’s a bit difficult to figure out what the optimal spot is for these earbuds to perform their best, I believe for me at least when they’re at their lowest on/in your ear it seems to be the best. I’ll randomly check that they’re evenly pushed into my ears and not falling out from time to time, but generally they’re pretty snug fit that don’t move much once on.As far as “noise cancellation” or “passive hearing” goes, they do a pretty good job at blocking out sound when turned up I generally have mine around 60% at that’s loud enough for me – I can still hear around me, if need be which I like not having to take off my earbuds in between sessions to multitask. There was a recent firmware update that adds auto-volume, which increases the volume in louder environments which is kind of “noise cancellation” in its simplest form. You’re also able to control the earbuds pretty well with just the button on either earbud, play, pause, skip track, reverse track, toggle immersive mode or you can customize the shortcut which is nice. I have left as cycle thru still/motion/off immersion, and right as toggle immersion but there’s also “switch devices” and “access your voice assistant” as options.I look forward to future updates and possibly v2 of this product if it performs well, a great niche product for an oversaturated market. I would recommend trying these out if you’re at all interested, the price is a bit hard to swallow but they may become your favorite pair of earbuds 🫠
66 people found this helpful
Isaac –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Incredibly Cool byt Ultamitly Disappointing
I chose these after really really disliking the update to the Jaybird Vistas (the newest version did not hold up to the originals), and I’ve got to say they are a work of genius. Somebody at Bose has a brain that’s too big for their skull, because these are a truly incredible concept… That almost work.It was very obvious from the time that I played the first song that something wasn’t quite right with the sound quality. Going in, I thought the bass was going to be an issue because that was a topic that came up in a lot of the reviews I read. The bass was pretty good, but the range a snare sits in (not a audio tech) was really really bad. The sound is just overall lacking a wholeness and life that in the ear headphones just don’t have an issue with. I don’t know if this is an issue with the headphones though, as it might just be an inhering flaw with with this style. I would say it feels like Bose really knocked it out of the park with the engineer and design here, but the ceiling for sound quality here is too low for them to be excellent.I think I didn’t pay enough attention to the reviews that essitially said “for $300, no,” because that’s pretty much the conclusion I came to after less than an hour.It’s tough, because the incredible engineering and design behind them make me want to like it, but ultimately I don’t think I could ever enjoy my music with these.A side note: people can hear what you’re listening to while you have these in, which I don’t think I saw anyone talk about. If you’re thinking of also using these in like a quite office setting, do not get this. Unless you don’t like your coworkers… Then these might be a good investment. These basically turn you into a very soft a quite speaker, which is really cool, but also kind of annoying.
7 people found this helpful
B. Lee –
4.0 out of 5 stars
And I thought my AirPods Pro sounded good
I’ve been interested in open-ear buds for some time and did actually try a few options, none of them worked out and returned. So when I saw this I was like “Wow this is different, and may actually work” and ordered right away.At first try it sounded thin and hollow but it didn’t take long for me to realize that I’ve put it on backwards – the barrels stay outside, not inside. The comfort factor is 100%, you REALLY forget you have them on especially when you turn off music and forget about it until you touch your ears and realized you forgot to take them off – did happen to me once.Now it does not have all the bells and whistles like AirPods Pro – no ANC (obviously) no integration with your Macs and iPhones, no mute shortcuts, and bass is limited – but I don’t mind it so much, I do use it with Bass boost EQ on. But the sound these put out is so balanced and musical, I just love them so much. Microphones seem to work fine, I haven’t heard any complaints yet from Zoom callers though I haven’t done any specific testing. I did try the spatial feature and I guess I liked it that you can “convert” any songs into surround but meh, haven’t used the feature since.There was one night the buds were connected to my Mac and I was listening to music and I knew it was past bedtime but I just wanted to stay at my desk and keep listening… It never happened to me before. It sounds so natural and comforting that I can listen to it all day and more. Luckily it has enough battery life to literally last all day, esp. with immersion off. Makes me want to try other buds from Bose but I have spent enough on earbuds for a while so I’ll have to wait.Which leads to the gripes. Yes I love the sound and fit but really wish it was $50-100 less, like others have mentioned, I’d gladly trade immersion feature for $50. Also sometimes I’ve noticed that one side loses connection and you have to reset it before getting it back. I’m monitoring it and make sure that it’s not defective.And the case… I like it that it’s small and discreet and can live with it not having wireless charging but it’s cheap plastic case that does not look like there’s $300 buds inside. Can’t wait for a decent cover to pop up in Amazon.But so far to me, it’s worth the price. Since I’ve gotten these, my AirPods pros are just collecting dust now, but I don’t really use ANC that much anyway working from home. I like the uniqueness, comfort, and SQ. This is one of the products that makes you feel like an early adapter.Update: Microphone sucks – After a week I’ve noticed people go silent when I’m talking during conference calls, and stay silent for moments after. Finally when I was talking to my friend on the phone call I’ve asked if he has hard time hearing and he says yes, it sounds like I’m in a cave 10 yards away. So looks like I’ll have to keep my AirPods for calls…
55 people found this helpful
Dᴇʟᴏʀis WᴀsHᴇʀᴇ –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
BLUF | RECOMMEND – 4.5 StarsCONTEXT | I got these to listen to my podcasts and for hands free dog walking. I had gotten a less expensive pair of open ear buds on Amazon that were hella comfortable and had a good mic, but the sound quality, volume, and connectivity reliability were unsat, so I reluctantly spent some money; so far no regrets. Not even one letter. 🤭LIKES | Comfortable to wear // allows ambient noise // sound quality is way better than some reviews would have you think – the quality is what you’d expect from Bose and for the higher price tag // volume performs sufficiently in most of my circumstances (e.g. vs a leaf blower = no; vs traffic = most of the time yes; vs F-35 conducting flights overhead = no; vs chatter and the beach = yes) …these are open ear, there is going to be some interference // safety because I can hear what’s going on around me // they stay on during cardio // one charge lasts me at least a week, but I haven’t let them die yet so uncertain how long a charge actually lasts – I do not use them for hours and hours though // calls are clear on both ends // quality, removable skins can be found on Amazon if you’d like to customize them a bit, and there are protective cases for attaching them to bags and whatnot.DISLIKES: I have had these for a couple of months now, and while they were easy to set up and get to know, there was one day when they lost BT connectivity and then wouldn’t show up on the device list (this is the -.5 star): I restarted my phone and reconnected with BT and there have been no issues since (a few days ago) // comfort-wise, these may take some getting used to: they are not uncomfortable but I did have to find that sweet spot on my ears // if you are waving your arms like a maniac, you may easily knock them off – or in my case, putting on a sun hat, which is easily rectified by putting the hat on first… I know, I know… they stay on pretty well while running, but I would not wear them on a rollercoaster.I will update back to 5 stars at some point if there are no further connectivity issues. I will also update if anything causes me to rethink their quality.
8 people found this helpful
KK –
5.0 out of 5 stars
In love with these
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with noise cancelling headphones. While they do allow you to concentrate on the sound, sometimes people are talking to you and you don’t hear them and then you end up being in your office when the CEO gives an impromptu speech and everyone in the office leaves their desk except you, because you’re in the zone with the noise cancelling headphones in. Then you look around and notice everyone in your office is standing around the CEO except you and you have to awkwardly take out your noise cancelling headphones and look over from your desk because otherwise it’d be too obvious that you weren’t on the same planet when he came in the room and started talking. I also have small ear holes and have to have the headphones that hold themselves in so am using b***s workout buds right now with custom tips because nothing ever seals right.These headphones solve those issues. I can hear everything going on in the room with the buds in. I really don’t even feel them. I’ve been using them for the last 5 hours and barely notice they’re there. Sound-wise they aren’t as good as noise cancelling buds, but I’m not an audiophile so the sound doesn’t bother me. It’s just a little more echoey since the sound isn’t as close to your eardrum. But for my purposes they are perfect. I’m aware of my surroundings while still being able to listen to music. I haven’t tested out the microphone yet but I don’t use it much anyways so I’m sure I won’t be bothered by it. Love these!
JoshuaJoshua –
4.0 out of 5 stars
8/10 overall
TLDR: Good alternative of traditional in-ear headphones get, especially if traditional in-ear make your ear uncomfortable. The look is very stylish. Not a good choice for you if you want to “feel” the music. Bass isn’t received that well. Overall sound quality is good. A bit pricey for the overall experience.Upon getting the buds I felt that the case was a bit bulky. Especially compared to other brands and every other brand trying to slim down their deigns to fit the pocket more comfortably. I personally love that I can have them in-ear without being inside my ear. I have had issues with buds being inside my ear and my ear canals being differently sized that the provided adapters don’t suffice. I do not have this problem with these because they clam shell grip on your ear comfortably. It is a learning period to find out the proper places for yourself but once you find it, it’s great.I personally listen on full blast and you do get a decent sound experience, but it wasn’t “BOSE” amazing. Additionally it isn’t something you can’t get with other brands that are out there with their “aware” or “street” or “transparent” modes. What you are paying for here is for something that is in your ear without being inside your ear. And is something very fashionable.The app is very informative but I feel that there’s a lot that needs to be done and the process can take a minute to be set up or processed. It took me many tries to update the buds and get them for my device to recognize them…but once I was in, it was in.These buds hold a decent charge and I have not had to charge them since opening and charging on day one and I’m about 1 week out. I do use them for short periods of time, SEVERAL times a day.These ear buds win for me with design and functionality while holding onto the ear and not being in the ear.These ear buds loose for me with sound quality and cost.I would still recommend these to others who want a different experience compared to traditional in ear buds.
10 people found this helpful
Carl –
3.0 out of 5 stars
know what you’re buying
first off, these are open earbuds and the point is to be able to hear things going on around you. i’m sure they’re good for jogging, biking and all the stuff they advertise. personally, i got them for work where a lot of things are frequently happening around me and i have to be aware of my surroundings and communicate with coworkers. they work great for this in general even if you have to turn them down a bit or simply click one of the buttons once to pause and hear someone (love the button controls over touch controls 5/5 on that) . for this i give them a 5/5 they live up to what i was expecting.comfort? they don’t move once i put them on. i feel them but they don’t bug me at all (unlike ones that have the thing that wraps around behind your ear). 5/5extra features like wireless charging and “Immersive” audio and all that? i don’t care so i won’t rate those. i only used the app to bass boost these (and i would suggest bass boosting these because they kinda need it).sound? don’t expect much for bass. it’s there. especially at lower volumes in quieter situations but it’s never really strong. but for not being inserted into your ears, these do deliver an overall solid and enjoyable sound. at volumes below 50%, i hear a good amount of dynamics and just enough low end (with bass boost). over 50% it’s pretty much mids and treble but enjoyable mids and treble. considering the design of these, i feel like these deserve about a 3/5 and i find them fun to listen to because it’s different than what i hear with silicone eartip earbuds or over-ear headphones. it’s also the first time i’ve ever purchased a Bose product and although this might not be the ideal showcasing, i do enjoy the sound signature.looks? i think they look coolprice? although i like these and don’t mind them costing a bit more, i think these should probably be around like $150 instead of $300 as they are at this time. i like the fit of these and how they just clip on your earlobe. and if you don’t mind paying a bit more, these are pretty good. if you wanna get the bang for your buck, i’m not the expert on open earbuds but i’ve seen that many other great options are out there for around $150 but they wrap around the back of your ear unfortunately. i’m giving the pricing a 2/5overall, i’m happy with them but i feel they are overpriced. 3/5
11 people found this helpful
PaulPaul –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ultra Open Earbuds – Amazing except for one thing
I recently had the opportunity to experience the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, and they Definitely exceeded expectations. From the moment I unboxed them, the attention to detail and quality were evident, with the earbuds housed in a well-designed plastic charging case that added a touch of sophistication.Seamless Setup:Setting up the earbuds was a straightforward process. A quick download of the app and a few simple steps later, they were ready to be unleashed. The simplicity of the setup adds to the overall user-friendly experience.Comfort and Fit:The comfort level of the Ultra Open Earbuds is truly noteworthy. Once in my ears, they struck a perfect balance between being snug enough to stay in place during movement and not too tight to cause discomfort over time. This makes them an ideal choice for extended wear, whether during intense workouts, daily commutes, or casual listening sessions.Sound Quality Marvel:Bose’s reputation for outstanding sound quality is well-maintained by the Ultra Open Earbuds. The audio spectrum is well-represented, with crisp highs, resonant lows, and a balanced midrange. The immersive audio experience adds a layer of richness to whatever you’re listening to, making them suitable for various scenarios.Privacy in the Open:One standout feature is the open-ear design’s ability to keep the audio experience private. Despite being ‘open,’ the earbuds manage to contain the sound effectively. This means that even at moderate to high volumes, those around you won’t be privy to your musical choices or podcast preferences. It strikes a clever balance between situational awareness and personal audio enjoyment.Wireless Charging Absence:While the plastic charging case is durable and aesthetically pleasing, the notable absence of wireless charging capability might be a consideration for those who prioritize the utmost convenience in their daily lives.In conclusion, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds deliver on the promises of comfort, ease of use, and impressive sound quality. Their ability to keep your audio private even in an open-ear design adds a layer of practicality. Although the lack of wireless charging may be a minor drawback, it doesn’t overshadow the overall positive experience these earbuds offer. For those seeking a harmonious blend of comfort, audio quality, and discreet listening, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are undoubtedly a strong contender in the market.
6 people found this helpful
C. Bjorklund –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good but not worth the premium
They work well but I returned them after trying the Huawei Freeclip. The Freeclip wins in every category, including price. The Bose are good, the Freeclip is just better.
One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
4.0 out of 5 stars
perfect sound, charging case issue
perfect sound, better than all other brands out there, but the charging case has small pins and they tend to go in and will not make charging contact
metalmancpa1metalmancpa1 –
4.0 out of 5 stars
A different concept for an IEM
I have several different IEM’s that I use for different purposes. The one feature none of them have is the natural open ear concept. All my other IEM’s allow me to hear the outside world digitally (app or button). The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are truly open to the world, and to do that, how you wear them is very interesting. The way they wrap around the side of your ear to hold them in place is nothing I had ever seen before. Despite them not being inserted into the the ear to create a seal, they still sound very good, albeit the bass not as deep as a sealed IEM. That brings me to their purpose in my hands.My primary use for these will be exercise. If I’m running outside, they allow me to naturally hear the outside world, and the music sounds like they are coming from speakers outside my head. I think that’s pretty cool. The app is solid, and the buttons on the IEMs are easy to use.There are two factors that led me to a 4/5 rating. One is the sound leakage. Unlike a sealed IEM, if I am sitting next to someone, they can hear the music. It may not be loud, but they can hear it. As such, in indoor instances, that could be an issue. The other reason is an unknown reason. There is the charging barrel attached to an extension that wraps around the ear so the part which emits the sound sits inside the crevice of the ear. The unknown is will the part that wraps around the ear hold up over continued use where you are stretching it each time you put into the ear.I really like the concept of these. I have others that sound better if I was just sitting listening to music, but I feel a lot more comfortable with these if I am outside running, on a bike, or even in a gym. Everything sound just as it is if I didn’t have IEM’s on.
3 people found this helpful
Swapnil RupjiSwapnil Rupji –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Innovative comfort fit with Excellent Sound
The open earbuds design is innovative and the earbuds are extremely light and comfortable.What I liked:1) Very comfortable, light weight, you will not even know that you are wearing it2) Easy to put on and remove and just one clicker on the back of the ear on each earbud to control settings like volume, play next or previous track, take a call or end it or cycle through the modes (default list of modes can be assigned to each earbud so that you can cycle through the shortcuts you use the most).3) 45 degrees angle and pushing it downwards inside the ear gives a higher bass and louder sound. My ears are small so this could be different for different ear sizes. The sound quality is premium and you can move it a bit to find the right spot for best sound.4) Immersive mode works perfectly and immersive still is my favorite while at home and Stereo is my favorite outdoors.5) Call quality is excellent. I did not face any issues during the call while I was walking outside6) You can hear the surroundings while outside, although some level of noise is reduced so that you enjoy the music. Also you can select the automatic sound level settings in the Bose Music App so that the sound is automatically increased in noisy environment so that your listening experience remains.7) Bose Music app enables you to: pair the device with your phone, calibrating the earbuds so that you get good sound quality, selecting the equalizer (bass, mid-range, treble) is available however I liked the default setting, selecting immersive mode, playing a demo song so that you can wear the earbuds in different angles and hear which one gives you the best sound and comfort, pairing with other Bose devices, control volume, control songs (play next, previous etc).8) The charging case is small and pocketable with good battery life. Up to 7.5 hours of play time (up to 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio) and up to an extra 19.5 hours of battery life in the charging case.What can be improved:1) I have never owned a device like this and people who are ok in wearing earrings might appreciate this design. I might be ok with a transparent one or some color combination which doesn’t make it look like an earring.2) There should be some control on the part that goes inside the ear so that your push it down or adjust how deep it should go or rotate a bit to get the best sound position. Or the diameter of the cylindrical part which is behind the ear can be made adjustable. When I hold the earbud little bit downwards the bass is higher but when I remove my finger it comes back to the original position and the bass drops a bit.
16 people found this helpful
Shane –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the money.
I love these. The sound quality is pretty good. They are comfortable. The right ear gave me fatigue and irritated after long use, but after using it off and on for a week. They don’t bother me at all and I forget wearing them. The call sound quality has improved I think, because people say they can hear me just fine and I don’t sound like I’m on speaker. These are the one of great products I would buy again if they were lost. 😞 there would be a lot of days eating Ramen noodles but I will buy it again. Please add built-in GPS tracker.
FC –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good concept, however, needs work….
Loved that these rested in the ear cuff. The concept is great! Very comfortable! The problem is that everyone can hear whatever it is you’re listening to, which means they can hear your phone calls as well.The video that Bose uses to give you an idea of sound leakage is not accurate. If you are about 50%, in volume, others can hear. 30% will give leakage, just not as bad but it would be enough to irritate those around you. If you tend to listen to music or whatever at the 30 to 50% level, this is not for you. Depending on the movie you may be watching, you may have to turn up the volume for that movie, which will give sound leakage.These cannot be used in a library but a louder setting, like if you were in a dining hall or where there is outside noise that the sound leakage would be fine, walking to the train!I will say this, if you are not concerned with sound leakage or other’s listening to your calls, these are for you. The sound is incredible! But, I will say that the over the ear canal may be better. I am checking out the Lenovo erazer.I do see others that are similar to these, where they rest over the ear canal. I think if they offered a partial in ear, that would be a huge seller. Returned these for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds, Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Spatial Audio and World-Class Noise Cancellation, Moonstone Blue – Limited Edition Color. We will see later on today!
2 people found this helpful
C A M –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good
I like to use these when I’m working and I want to be aware of my surroundings or if anyone calls my name. I can listen to music just fine while working with these. Only thing I don’t like it that sometimes they don’t connect, so I have to put them back in the case and retry.
Kenneth Welsh –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love the fit, not the price
Pros – This is the most comfortable set of earbuds I have ever owned. The lightweight cuff design instantly melts away and is especially nice considering I wear glasses. The sound quality is amazing, especially considering these are open ear design. Everything comes through clear and crisp. The immersive audio setting is amazing 😍Cons – The price is extremely high considering the product lacks multi-point Bluetooth connectivity (Bose website says it will come in a software update in the future) and no wireless charging. There is also noticeable lag when playing/pausing, which is unacceptable for something so expensive. Bose should lower the price and improve the software ASAP.
bongypoo –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty much perfect except one thing
Love these. Don’t ever hurt my ears. Sounds quality is awesome. Wish they had noise cancellation but I get why they can’t. They are expensive but still love them
One person found this helpful
louie –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Super poor talking microphone
Music:You can use the left and right independently, a huge plus. You have to adjust the speaker in your ear as close as you can to your ear canal to get good sound. They are as advertised open so you can hear the music and surrounds. Not to much to say besides don’t expect super great quality as you would from in ear earbuds but or sounds good enough.Call quality:Iet me put it this way you can get better call quality from earbuds that released 8 years ago. They’re that bad! Bose always seems to come up short in the call quality in the microphone for some reason in earbuds. You sound like you are talking in a tunnel, idk I am going to wait for the gen 2 or until Bose decides to stop buying microphones from the dollar store.Battery:Not much to say besides it depends on if you use both ears and you will get 8 hrs if you use one ear at a time then you can extend the battery even longer.Comfort:These are comfortable for the most part but there is a snug feeling to them that you have to get a custom to. They take a while to get the feel of them. At first I caught myself wearing them maybe 2 to 3 hrs before my outside of my ears got sore from the snug fit. But I feel if I would of been more patient at the same time I could of got longer duration.Overall:I had to return them, I wanted more the complete bundle when I get earbuds.. The call quality was so bad all they are used for is listening to music. For that much you might as well spend another 150 and get the bose Ultra Headphones and get the complete package just my opinion. I am going to wait for the gen 2 to see if bose actually fixes the mic in call quality.
4 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comfortable AF
Almost forgot I had it on when I got in the shower, smh. Too comfortable
Chata AndersonChata Anderson –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not worth the money
Let’s start with the bad:When talking to someone, the volume fades in and out. People your talking to can’t hear you, or they say you sound far away and your going in and out. The music quality is good, however the bass don’t hit like other Bose products. The bass just isn’t there. The connection is like any other Bluetooth , however, when Bose disconnects from my phone, I have to forget the device and pair it over and over.The good:The range of the Bose earbuds are great. The battery life is spot on. I had them on all day listening to music land trying to talk on them. Durability is fantastic. They have a very comfortable fit, barely feel them on your ear. The design is great, I’m overly tired of the buds on my ear all day, so this would have been perfect for me.OverallNot Worth the money. I love Bose and have invested into a lot of their accessories, but they dropped the ball on this one.I received these as a birthday gift on 8/17 and now I’m returning on 8/20.Need to do better
8 people found this helpful
Avid Listener –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comparison to airpods pro gen 3 – a cyclist perspective
The ultra earbuds basically have one primary advantage which is the cuff. If you are worried about your earbud falling out of your ear, this is an innovative solution.- Not very tight, comfortable to wear. They did a good job finding the balance between being secure enough to bike with without turning into one of those paper binder clips. For the airpods, I always have used a cuff tether that runs around my neck. that’s fine for preventing loss but it tends to become tangled in my helmet chinstrap. I’ve also gone running with my airpods only to watch one as it fell from my ear, to my knee and along the ground to a construction site 20 ft below the bridge I was on.- Helps with not turning your ear into a moist cave- You can hear things around you, because your ear canal isn’t blocked, but, honestly, the pass through mode of airpods is just as good. Downside is that you’re missing the sound dampening mode the airpods offers as well as noise cancellation which is non-existent with the Bose- Sound quality is fine – it can’t compete with the air pods due to not covering your canal but it’s good- Engineering is just ok – Apple nailed it with volume control on the side surface and their squeeze haptics are amazing. These have a button which is fine but feels like a weak second place. Want to turn the volume down, that’s two button presses then hold the button down. That’s hold the second button press down…not hold down after the second button press. Remember that when you are trying to catch a flight announcement in a foreign country and you’re in a rush.- Bluetooth recognition is pretty slow and if you happen to screw something up where they lose connection (despite still playing audio the button just ceases to function) and you have to have the case handy to reset. Fine if i can stuff the case in a bike bag but if the battery life is all day, I shouldn’t have to have the case nearby. I managed to break that connection within 15 minutes of playing around with them. So just don’t do that. :)In the end, they are different use cases. Seems like most people have the airpods and, having three generations of them myself, I was struggling to justify an additional cash outlay. I’ve always lacked that exercise option, however, and I would like to not worry about dropping them under my airplane seat, so I might keep these.
4 people found this helpful
Scott Thibeau –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Buds
I’ve had these earbuds for two weeks now and I like them a lot.1) Sound quality is amazing!2) I wear them all day at work and also around the house on the weekends and they are very comfortable which I was worried about. Even though they “grasp” your ear they are super comfy.3) The ear retention is awesome! They WILL NOT fall off or shift around.4) My only gripe is volume. I wear these while riding my zero turn mower and can not make out the words to songs and can barely hear the music.Over all I would definitely recommend these.
One person found this helpful
Rogelio S. Moran Jr –
3.0 out of 5 stars
surprisingly good sound – Update 8/22/24
did not expect these to sound as good as they did. once you put them on you don’t feel that they are there and they don’t slip off or come loose. obviously they are not meant to block out noise but they do go pretty loud. i listen to music while working everyday and so far they are great and really like. i had the first gen Samsung buds and they were amazing.using these for talking on the phone are a downgrade compared to the buds, the other person on the line said i sounded like i was in a tunnel every time i was using them.if you care about sound quality for music then these will disappoint, but for it being open ear they are not bad.these have a weird affect on me like when i switch to the fold. i never wanna use any other phone.i tried going back to my buds but i always ended up missing these and always switch backthese are absolutely not worth the price in my opinion. case is not wireless charging, you have to pay an extra $50 to get that on there website. I’ve never used wireless charging to charge the case but any other earbuds close to this price point has that including noise canceling which these aren’ti used amazon points to get these, so if you happen to find these at a good discount highly recommend but not for $300.Update: these stopped working for phone calls, no one can hear or sound extremely far away. Had someone else try them and they did sound terrible or didn’t work at all.
2 people found this helpful
Helga –
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful sound and very comfortable
But I am disorganized and lost them within a month. Shoot!!!! I listen to classical music so I am very fussy about the quality of the sound. I also listen to rock but I don’t like a lot of bass. So these work well for me because you can adjust the sound to fit very nicely.
B. Funk –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not loud enough in busy environment …. but …
So I boughht ‘ 6 ‘ of these for everyone in my family … that was based on the tremendous fidelity and that is why I am not returning them … but go outside or lets say into a noisy Grocery Store as an example and they are NOT loud enough.I also own the ‘ HUAWEI FreeClip ‘ open air Ear Buds … If Bose Fidelity is a 9 out of 10 the HUAWEI IS AN 8 out of 10 but has the volume to work in noisy environments.You decide … I own both…Also own the Bose QC Ultra Buds and the ‘ Noise Canceling on an Airplane is second to none !!!No one Bud does it all in my opinion
One person found this helpful