Bose Ultra Open Ultra Open True Wireless Review

The Bose Ultra Open True Wireless Earbuds are a niche, premium product for people who want to hear their environment. At $299, they offer good comfort and Bose's spatial audio, but lack noise cancellation and deep bass. They're best for walks and casual use, not for the gym or loud commutes.

If you've been searching for open-ear earbuds that don't look like sci-fi necklaces, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are probably on your radar. At $299, they're a premium option in a niche category, promising private audio without blocking your ears. They're designed for travel, work, and home use, with an open-ear design that keeps you aware of your surroundings. The big question is whether Bose's OpenAudio tech and Immersive Spatial Audio can deliver a rich enough sound to justify the price tag, especially when you're not getting traditional noise cancellation.

Our data shows these earbuds land in the 47th percentile for sound quality, which is about average for all Bluetooth headphones. That's the reality of open-ear audio—you're trading bass impact and isolation for situational awareness. The spatial audio feature is neat for movies or immersive music, but it's not a game-changer for podcasts or calls. The microphone performance is in the 43rd percentile, so call quality is decent but not class-leading. You'll be heard clearly in quiet rooms, but expect some background noise pickup on busy streets.

At $299, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a tough sell unless you absolutely need this specific form factor. You're paying a premium for the Bose brand and a unique design, not for top-tier audio or features. For the same money, you could get flagship noise-cancelling earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or even premium over-ear headphones. The value here is entirely in the open-ear experience—if that's your priority, these are a polished option. If not, there are better ways to spend $300.

Compared directly to other open-ear styles, the Bose Ultra Open stands out for its design and Bose audio processing. However, the Nothing Ear (a) offers a similar open concept with ANC for much less money, though with a different fit. If you're considering these for calls, the Anker Soundcore P31i has a far better microphone system with adaptive noise reduction. And if pure sound quality is your goal, the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Technics Reference Class earbuds will run circles around the Bose in terms of detail, bass, and noise isolation. The JBL Tune Flex is another alternative with a secure fit and ANC at a lower price point.

Skip these if you need serious noise cancellation for flights or busy offices, if you're a bass-heavy music listener, or if you plan to use them primarily for workouts. They're also not ideal if you're on a tight budget. For those use cases, look at the Sony WF-1000XM5 for ANC, the JBL Tune Flex for a secure fit, or the Anker Soundcore P31i for better call quality at a lower price.

Should you buy the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds? Only if you've tried traditional earbuds and truly can't stand the feeling of something in your ear canal, and you have $300 to spend on a situational-audio accessory. They're excellent for walks, casual listening at home, or when you need to hear your surroundings. But for commuting, working in noisy cafes, or serious music listening, they're the wrong tool for the job. We'd recommend them to a very specific user who values awareness over immersion and isn't on a budget.