Bose Doubles Down on Open-Ear Audio With Ultra Open 2nd Gen and Sport Open Earbuds

Bose is expanding its open ear audio lineup with two new models for October 1: the $199 Sport Open Earbuds and $299 Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen. One is aimed squarely at runners, workouts and outdoor use, while the other updates Bose’s flagship cuff-style design with deeper bass, greater output, clearer calls, longer battery life and an expanded Immersive Audio experience.

The timing makes sense. For years, the personal audio industry has worked very hard to convince us that the ideal listening experience involves sticking something into our ear canals and blocking out as much of the outside world as possible. Judging by the enormous popularity of true wireless earbuds and increasingly aggressive noise cancellation, most of us apparently agreed that hearing absolutely nothing around us was a feature.

Open ear audio is gaining traction because there are plenty of situations where that approach makes very little sense. Runners and cyclists need to hear traffic. Commuters standing on subway platforms may want to hear announcements — or notice what is happening three feet behind them. Early morning and dusk walks are another obvious example where situational awareness matters considerably more than squeezing another few decibels of isolation out of your earbuds.

There is also the comfort factor. Open ear designs avoid sealing the ear canal, which can make them easier to wear for extended periods for listeners who dislike the pressure, heat or plugged-up sensation of conventional earbuds. They are not designed to replace noise-cancelling models on a long flight or when your neighbor decides that 7:00 a.m. is prime leaf-blower time, but that increasingly misses the point.

Bose has been working on this concept for years, from SoundWear and Bose Frames to the original Ultra Open Earbuds. With the new Sport Open Earbuds and second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds, Bose is making a much clearer bet that open ear audio is no longer a niche experiment.

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Bose Sport Open Earbuds: Same Name, Completely Different Product

The $199 Bose Sport Open Earbuds revive a name Bose used from 2021 through 2023, but this is not a warmed-over version of the original. The old model used a large contoured ear hook; the 2026 version switches to a soft silicone C-arm cuff that anchors around the ear and is designed specifically for running, workouts and outdoor use. Bose has also moved from IPX4 protection on the original to IP54, adding dust resistance along with protection against sweat and splashes. 

Bose OpenAudio uses custom dynamic drivers to direct sound toward the ear without sealing the canal or relying on bone conduction. Auto Volume automatically compensates as environmental noise changes, while textured physical buttons handle playback, calls and volume. That might sound decidedly old-school until you try operating capacitive touch controls with sweaty fingers halfway through a run. 

The new SpeechClarity system is another important addition. Bose uses a dedicated microphone and voice pickup unit in each earbud with AI-enhanced processing designed to separate speech from surrounding noise. That matters considerably more on a busy street or train platform than it does while taking a call from the sofa. 

Battery life drops slightly from eight hours on the original model to seven hours, but the charging arrangement is dramatically better. The 2021 Sport Open Earbuds came with a protective case and separate stationary charging base; the new case carries additional power and supports wireless charging, with up to 22 additional hours available away from an outlet. 

These are clearly the pair for runners, gym users, cyclists and anyone whose listening happens while moving. Bose skips Immersive Audio, Cinema Mode and aptX Adaptive and focuses instead on fit, durability and straightforward stereo playback.

Bose Sport Open Earbuds Specifications

• Price: $199
• Design: Soft silicone C-arm cuff
• Audio: Bose OpenAudio with custom dynamic drivers
• Listening: Stereo
• ANC: None
• Auto Volume: Yes
• Calls: Bose SpeechClarity
• Protection: IP54
• Controls: Textured physical buttons
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• Multipoint: Two devices
• Codecs: SBC, AAC
• Google Fast Pair: Yes
• Battery: Up to 7 hours
• Case: Up to 22 additional hours; wireless charging
• Quick charge: 10 minutes for up to 1 hour
• EQ: Adjustable three-band EQ through Bose app
• Colors: Black, White Smoke, limited-edition Eucalyptus Green
• Availability: October 1; preorders September 19

Google Find Hub, Alexa+ and an Apple Music shortcut are planned through a post-launch firmware update. 

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen: More Than a Cosmetic Refresh

The $299 Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen retain the cuff architecture of the original, but Bose has concentrated on the areas that mattered most: bass response, maximum output, call quality, battery life and charging.

A newly engineered driver is designed to deliver deeper bass and greater volume, while SpeechClarity tackles one of the more obvious limitations of wearing an open ear design in noisy environments. Auto Volume carries over from the original, and Bose has refined the hardware with a simplified flexible joint and beveled metallic cap. 

The biggest new listening feature is Cinema Mode, which uses Bose TrueSpatial processing to widen the presentation of movies, television and podcasts while keeping dialogue centered. It works with content from any source rather than requiring a particular spatial-audio format. 

Battery life increases to 9 hours, or 5 hours with Immersive Audio enabled. The original Ultra was rated at launch for up to 7.5 hours, or 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio. The redesigned case stores another 19.5 hours and finally includes wireless charging as standard. 

There is one meaningful omission. The original Ultra Open Earbuds can work with compatible Bose Smart Soundbars through Personal Surround, effectively adding individualized side and rear information while the soundbar handles the front of the presentation. 

The Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen do not support Personal Surround.

Cinema Mode does not replace it. Cinema Mode processes content within the earbuds; Personal Surround integrates the original Ultra Open Earbuds with a Bose soundbar. Existing owners who use that setup have a legitimate reason to stick with what they already own.

The new Ultras make more sense for commuters, office users and listeners who want something comfortable enough to wear for long stretches while remaining connected to what is happening around them.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen Specifications

• Price: $299
• Design: Refined open ear cuff
• Audio: Bose OpenAudio with newly engineered driver
• Listening: Stereo, Immersive Audio, Cinema Mode
• Spatial processing: Bose TrueSpatial with head tracking
• ANC: None
• Auto Volume: Yes
• Calls: Bose SpeechClarity
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• Protection: IPX4
• Multipoint: Two devices
• Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound
• Google Fast Pair: Yes
• Battery: Up to 9 hours
• Immersive Audio battery: Up to 5 hours
• Case: Up to 19.5 additional hours; wireless charging
• Total playback: Up to 28.5 hours
• Quick charge: 10 minutes for up to 2 hours
• EQ: Adjustable three-band EQ
• Personal Surround: No
• Colors: Black, White Smoke, limited-edition Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green and Sky Pink
• Availability: October 1, 2026; preorders September 19

Bose Open Earbuds: Old vs. New

The original Sport used Bluetooth 5.1, provided eight hours of battery life and required a stationary charging base. The first-generation Ultra introduced the cuff design, Bose Immersive Audio, Auto Volume, IPX4 protection and aptX Adaptive. 

The Bottom Line

Bose is not offering the same open ear product at two price points. The Sport Open Earbuds ($199) are the purpose-built option for running, workouts and outdoor use, with a more secure design, IP54 protection, physical controls and a much more practical charging system than the original Sport model.

The Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen ($299) are the more ambitious everyday option. Deeper bass, greater output, improved calls, longer battery life, wireless charging and Cinema Mode address most of the obvious areas where Bose could improve the original.

Personal Surround is the odd casualty. Owners who use the original Ultras with a Bose Smart Soundbar should pay attention before upgrading. Everyone else now has a much clearer choice: Sport for moving, Ultra for everything that happens after the workout.

Price & Availability

Both new Open Earbuds will be available for pre-order on Saturday, September 19th and will start shipping on October 1, 2026.

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