Bose has expanded its open-ear lineup with two new clip-on earbuds. The $199 Sport Open Earbuds focus on workouts and durability, while the $299 Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) add Bose’s more advanced audio features.
That extra $100 mainly buys longer single-charge battery life, Immersive Audio, Cinema Mode, and aptX Adaptive. Sport Open counters with an IP54 rating and a design built specifically for running and exercise.
According to Bose, preorders open Sept. 19, with both models going on sale Oct. 1.
Bose Sport Open vs Ultra Open 2 at a glance
| Bose Sport Open | Bose Ultra Open 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $299 |
| Best fit | Workouts and outdoor activity | Everyday listening and media |
| IP rating | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Battery | Up to 7 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Case battery | Up to 22 additional hours | Up to 19.5 additional hours |
| aptX Adaptive | No | Yes |
| Immersive Audio / Cinema Mode | No | Yes |
| ANC | No | No |
How we compared the Bose Sport Open and Ultra Open 2
Our recommendations are based on Bose’s current US pricing and official specifications, with fit, durability, battery life, audio features, codecs, calls, and connectivity carrying the most weight.
Neither 2026 model has received enough independent testing yet for a reliable comparison of sound quality, microphones, fit, or real-world battery life. Reviews of the original Ultra Open are used only as context where relevant.
Sport Open is built more clearly around workouts
Both models use Bose OpenAudio technology, which directs sound toward the ear without sealing the ear canal. That keeps surrounding sounds audible instead of relying on a transparency mode.
The category has become more competitive, with products such as Sony’s clip-on LinkBuds taking a similar approach.
Sport Open uses a thinner C-arm cuff wrapped in soft silicone. Bose says the fit is designed to remain stable during running and other high-motion activity, while textured physical buttons make controls easier to locate during workouts.
Its IP54 rating also gives it an advantage over the Ultra Open 2’s IPX4 rating. Both offer level-4 water protection against splashes, but Sport Open adds tested dust protection.
Bose has reused the Sport Open Earbuds name. An earlier, substantially different version was sold from 2021 to 2023, so older reviews and specification pages do not describe this model.
Ultra Open 2 keeps the cuff-style design of the original but gets a new driver, a redesigned charging case, and more listening features.
Bose says the new driver delivers deeper bass and higher volume than the first-generation Ultra Open. That claim has not yet been independently tested against either the previous model or the new Sport Open.
Ultra Open 2 also includes Bose Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode. Bose says Cinema Mode widens the presentation for video and podcasts while keeping dialogue centered.
Both earbuds support SBC and AAC, but Ultra Open 2 adds Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive for compatible Android phones. That can provide higher-quality audio and lower latency, but only on devices that support the codec.
Neither model includes active noise cancellation. Buyers who want isolation as well as open-fit options can compare how AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3 handle that tradeoff.
Battery life is almost even overall
Ultra Open 2 lasts longer between charges, with Bose rating it for up to nine hours compared with seven hours for Sport Open.
The cases flip that advantage. Sport Open gets up to 22 additional hours from its case, while Ultra Open 2 gets 19.5.
Using Bose’s maximum figures, that works out to about 29 hours total for Sport Open and 28.5 hours for Ultra Open 2.
Both cases support wireless charging.
Calls and connectivity are largely the same
Both models use Bluetooth 5.4, support Bluetooth multipoint, and offer Google Fast Pair on Android.
Bose also includes SpeechClarity on both. The company says the system uses a dedicated microphone and voice-pickup unit in each earbud to separate the wearer’s voice from background noise.
Call performance has not yet been independently tested on either new model. Buyers prioritizing meetings and calls may also want to compare more conventional options such as the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
The Bose app provides a three-band EQ, Auto Volume controls, Bluetooth device management, firmware updates, and shortcut settings.
Bose also plans to add Google Find Hub, Alexa+, and an Apple Music shortcut to both models through a future firmware update. No release date has been announced.
Earlier Ultra Open testing shows where questions remain
Independent reviews of the first-generation Ultra Open show why fresh testing of the new models will matter.
WIRED found the original comfortable and praised its sound for an open-ear design, but loud streets and airports could overpower playback.
SoundGuys found limited bass response and weak wind-noise rejection during microphone testing. Its battery test was more positive, reaching 8 hours and 53 minutes and beating Bose’s advertised figure.
Those results apply to the previous Ultra Open, not the 2026 models. Bose says Ultra Open 2 gets a new driver, while both new pairs add SpeechClarity.
Which Bose open earbuds should you buy?
The $100 premium gets Ultra Open 2 more listening features and two extra hours of battery life between charges. Sport Open gives up those extras but costs less and adds dust protection.
- Best for workouts: Bose Sport Open. Its IP54 rating, silicone cuff, and textured controls are designed around exercise.
- Best for movies and spatial audio: Ultra Open 2. Cinema Mode and Immersive Audio are exclusive to the flagship model.
- Best for compatible Android phones: Ultra Open 2. It adds aptX Adaptive.
- Best battery per charge: Ultra Open 2. Bose rates it for nine hours versus seven.
- Best overall value: Bose Sport Open. Its total claimed battery life is almost identical for $100 less.
Sport Open makes the stronger case for buyers who mainly want open-ear earbuds for running, workouts, and everyday listening. Ultra Open 2 makes more sense if Immersive Audio, Cinema Mode, aptX Adaptive, or longer uninterrupted playback justify the extra $100.
Independent reviews after the Oct. 1 release will better show whether Ultra Open 2’s redesigned driver and Bose’s new SpeechClarity system deliver meaningful improvements in practice.
Also read: Our best wireless earbuds for work calls compares five options for microphone quality, battery life, comfort, and everyday business use.
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