Bose is adding two new pairs of earbuds to its open-ear lineup. If you’re shopping for workout earbuds or an everyday upgrade this fall, both are worth knowing about first.
The Bose Sport Open Earbuds and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) go up for preorder on September 19. They ship October 1.
Both use Bose’s open-ear “cuff” design, which hooks around your outer ear instead of plugging into your ear canal. That means you can still hear traffic, coworkers, or your surroundings while listening to music. Neither pair has noise cancellation, since that’s the tradeoff for staying open to the world around you.
Sport Open Earbuds: built for workouts, $199
The Sport Open Earbuds are the new addition to the lineup. They’re built specifically for running and workouts. A soft silicone cuff and textured buttons make them easier to find by feel mid-workout. They’re rated IP54 for sweat, splash, and dust resistance. Battery life runs 7 hours on the earbuds alone, or 22 hours with the wireless charging case. At $199, they’re the cheaper way into Bose’s open-ear lineup.
Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen): the upgrade, $299
The Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) keep the same $299 price as the original model. They add a redesigned driver that Bose says delivers deeper bass and higher volume. There’s also a new Cinema Mode, which widens the soundstage for movies and shows while keeping dialogue clear. Phone calls get AI-powered voice isolation too. Battery life reaches 9 hours on the earbuds, or 28.5 hours total with the case. That drops to 5 hours on the earbuds if you turn on Immersive Audio mode. The charging case now supports wireless charging, something the original Ultra Open Earbuds didn’t have.
Both new models come in Black or White Smoke. Limited-edition Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green, and Sky Pink colorways are also available. One thing to know before you order: a few features aren’t ready at launch. Google’s Find Hub, Alexa+, and an Apple Music shortcut are coming to both models later. Bose says that arrives through a firmware update sometime after the October 1 release, though it hasn’t given an exact date.
If you already own the original Ultra Open Earbuds and mainly use them for music and calls, these upgrades are nice but not urgent. If you want something built specifically for the gym or a run, the $199 Sport Open could be a better option.