When Bose introduced the Ultra Open Earbuds in early 2024, the cuff-clip silhouette turned heads for all the right reasons. A pair of earbuds that clipped to your ear rather than sitting inside it felt like a genuine alternative to the in-ear dominance of AirPods Pro and Sony WF-series. Now the Massachusetts audio pioneer is doubling down on that form factor with two new models: the Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen and the all-new Sport Open Earbuds, both arriving on October 1 with preorders opening September 19.
The Flagship Evolves
The second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds retain the distinctive cuff shape that made the original such a conversation starter, but everything underneath has been refined. A newly engineered driver delivers deeper bass and higher volume than its predecessor, addressing the most common critique of the first generation: that the sound, while clean, lacked bottom-end punch. Bose has also introduced Cinema Mode, powered by its TrueSpatial technology, which creates a wider, more immersive soundstage for films, television and video podcasts while keeping dialogue centred and sharp. The metallic cap on each earbud now features a beveled finish, and the redesigned pocket-ready charging case can stand upright on a wireless charger.
Battery life has been meaningfully upgraded too. The buds themselves now deliver up to nine hours of playback, up from seven and a half on the first generation, with an additional nineteen and a half hours stored in the wireless charging case. SpeechClarity, Bose's AI-enhanced voice isolation technology, uses a dedicated microphone and voice pickup unit in each earbud to filter out background noise while preserving natural tone and warmth. The 2nd Gen supports multipoint connectivity with two devices over Bluetooth 5.4 and will receive a firmware update on launch day enabling Google Find Hub, Alexa+, and an Apple Music shortcut.
Built to Move
The Sport Open Earbuds represent something different entirely. Where the Ultra model is designed for all-day listening, from the morning commute to the evening wind-down, the Sport version is engineered for running, fitness and outdoor adventure. The same Bose OpenAudio technology sits at its core, delivering rich, personal sound through an open design that keeps you aware of traffic, announcements and the people around you. But the Sport model wraps that technology in a soft silicone matte finish with a slimmer C-arm cuff that anchors gently around the ear, staying secure through headshakes and even, Bose claims, cartwheels.
Physical controls with textured buttons make it easy to adjust volume, skip tracks or take calls with sweaty mid-workout fingers. Auto Volume adapts playback loudness to ambient noise levels, keeping your playlist audible as you move from a quiet park path to a busy high street. The Sport Open Earbuds are rated IP54 for sweat, splash and dust resistance, and the upright wireless charging case provides seven hours of playback plus twenty-two additional hours. The limited-edition Eucalyptus Green colourway, alongside Black and White Smoke, signals that Bose is thinking about style as much as substance.
The Open-Ear Conversation
Both models share a philosophical commitment: that premium audio should not require you to seal yourself off from the world. Unlike noise-cancelling earbuds that create a cocoon, the open-ear approach lets ambient sound flow naturally, making these products safer for outdoor running and more socially appropriate for office wear. Bose's OpenAudio technology uses a tightly controlled acoustic structure to direct sound precisely into the ear canal with minimal leakage, meaning the person sitting next to you on the train will not hear your podcast. The transducer approach also differs from bone conduction, delivering fuller, more natural sound through the air rather than through bone vibrations.
At $299 for the Ultra Open 2nd Gen and $199 for the Sport Open, Bose is positioning these products at distinct points in the premium audio market. The Ultra competes with Sony's LinkBuds and Shokz's OpenDots, while the Sport undercuts most serious fitness audio at its price point. With Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green and Sky Pink joining the Ultra colour options, and Eucalyptus Green for the Sport, these are earbuds you are genuinely meant to be seen wearing. Preorders open September 19, shipping begins October 1.