# TLDR Review: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

*Published: 2025-12-30 | Updated: 2025-12-30 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/bose-ultra-open-earbuds*

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## Product: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
**Brand:** Bose

## Pros
- Consistently praised for good, clear Bose-quality sound with immersive spatial audio options.
- Comfortable open-ear design that avoids in-ear irritation, perfect for extended wear without pressure or “swamp ear.”
- Unique clip-on style stays securely in place during running or vigorous activities.
- Long battery life: up to 7.5 hours per charge, plus 19.5 additional hours from the charging case and up to 48 hours standby.
- OpenAudio technology allows awareness of surroundings, making these great for outdoor exercise, jogging, or cycling.
- Lightweight and barely noticeable after long hours of use.
- Simple and intuitive physical button controls for playback, volume, and mode toggling, preferred over touch controls by some users.
- Firmware updates have improved features, including auto-volume adjustment for noisy environments.
- Compatible with Bose SimpleSync tech to connect to Bose soundbars for personal TV listening.
- IPX4 water resistance designed to handle sweat and light splashes during workouts.

## Cons
- Some users report intermittent connectivity issues, such as dropouts or one earbud not connecting properly (about 10% mention poor connectivity).
- Volume can feel too low or bass limited at higher settings, disappointing users wanting louder, fuller sound.
- No active noise cancellation or meaningful noise isolation, so not suited for loud or noisy environments.
- Call quality is inconsistent, with occasional hissing noise and unclear microphone performance.
- Higher price point compared to many competitors, which may deter buyers looking for more features like multipoint connectivity or wireless charging.
- Small learning curve to find the optimal ear placement for best fit and sound performance.
- Lack of wireless charging and some advanced features expected at this price level.
- Earbuds sometimes need resetting to fix connection drops, which can interrupt use.
- Immersive audio mode reduces battery life significantly, making stereo mode preferable for longer sessions.

## Bottom Line

If you want a pair of earbuds that deliver classic Bose sound with exceptional comfort and ambient awareness, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are an outstanding choice—especially for active users who dislike in-ear buds and prioritize situational awareness. However, if you need louder volume, reliable noise isolation, or premium calling experience, you might want to compare alternatives. Their premium price reflects the unique design and sound quality but comes with some connectivity quirks and feature trade-offs. Overall, for fitness enthusiasts or headphone wearers who want to stay connected to their environment without sacrificing audio enjoyment, these earbuds fit the bill quite nicely.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Consistently praised for good, clear Bose-quality sound with immersive spatial audio options. | Some users report intermittent connectivity issues, such as dropouts or one earbud not connecting properly (about 10% mention poor connectivity). |
| Comfortable open-ear design that avoids in-ear irritation, perfect for extended wear without pressure or “swamp ear.” | Volume can feel too low or bass limited at higher settings, disappointing users wanting louder, fuller sound. |
| Unique clip-on style stays securely in place during running or vigorous activities. | No active noise cancellation or meaningful noise isolation, so not suited for loud or noisy environments. |
| Long battery life: up to 7.5 hours per charge, plus 19.5 additional hours from the charging case and up to 48 hours standby. | Call quality is inconsistent, with occasional hissing noise and unclear microphone performance. |
| OpenAudio technology allows awareness of surroundings, making these great for outdoor exercise, jogging, or cycling. | Higher price point compared to many competitors, which may deter buyers looking for more features like multipoint connectivity or wireless charging. |
| Lightweight and barely noticeable after long hours of use. | Small learning curve to find the optimal ear placement for best fit and sound performance. |
| Simple and intuitive physical button controls for playback, volume, and mode toggling, preferred over touch controls by some users. | Lack of wireless charging and some advanced features expected at this price level. |
| Firmware updates have improved features, including auto-volume adjustment for noisy environments. | Earbuds sometimes need resetting to fix connection drops, which can interrupt use. |
| Compatible with Bose SimpleSync tech to connect to Bose soundbars for personal TV listening. | Immersive audio mode reduces battery life significantly, making stereo mode preferable for longer sessions. |
| IPX4 water resistance designed to handle sweat and light splashes during workouts. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Pawn 1 | Spokane | WA | $159.99  | Check |
| B&H Photo-Video-Audio | $229.00  | Check |
| Crutchfield | $229.00  | Check |
| electronicexpress | $229.00  | Check |
| P.C. Richard & Son | $229.00  | Check |
| Walmart | $229.00  | Check |
| WorldWideStereo | $229.00  | Check |
| Target | $229.99  | Check |
| Abt Electronics | $249.00  | Check |
| Best Buy | $249.00  | Check |
| Musicians Friend | $249.00  | Check |
| Staples | $249.00  | Check |
| Walts TV & Home Theater | $249.00  | Check |
| QVC.com | $249.98  | Check |
| Amazon | $269.99  | Check |
| GameStop | $299.00  | Check |
| Guitar Center | $299.00  | Check |
| Lenovo | $299.00  | Check |
| Macy's | $299.00  | Check |
| RC Willey | $299.99  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*