How much do the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) cost?

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) cost $299 in the US and €299.95 in the eurozone. That matches the launch price of the first-generation model. Preorders open on 19 September and the earbuds go on sale on 1 October.

When can I buy the Bose Sport Open Earbuds?

Preorders for the $199 Bose Sport Open Earbuds start on 19 September, and general retail availability begins on 1 October. They come in Black, White Smoke and a limited-edition Eucalyptus Green.

What is the battery life of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen?

The Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) last up to 9 hours per charge, compared with 7.5 hours for the first generation. With head-tracked Immersive Audio on, playback drops to about 5 hours. The wireless charging case extends total listening to roughly 28.5 hours.

Are the Bose Sport Open Earbuds waterproof?

The Sport Open Earbuds are rated IP54, so they resist dust, sweat and splashes, but they are not designed for swimming. The Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) carry a lower IPX4 water-resistance rating.

Do the new Bose open earbuds have noise cancellation?

No. Both the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the Sport Open Earbuds sit outside the ear canal so you can still hear your surroundings, which rules out active noise cancellation. They use Auto Volume to adjust loudness to background noise instead.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen $299, Sport Open $199

Price and release date by region

Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen): $299 in the US and €299.95 in the eurozone.
Sport Open Earbuds: $199 in the US. Pricing for other regions had not been widely published at the time of writing, so check your local Bose store.
Preorders: 19 September. Members of the My Bose programme are reported to be getting early access first.
On sale: 1 October.

The first-generation Ultra Open Earbuds are still on sale and already discounted to around $199 at some US retailers. That puts the old flagship at the same price as the new Sport model, and makes the choice between them a real one.

What the Ultra Open 2nd Gen changes

The outward design barely moves. Bose kept the cuff that clips around the outer ear and added a beveled metallic cap. The real changes are inside.

Battery: up to 9 hours per charge, up from 7.5 hours on the first generation. With head-tracked Immersive Audio switched on, that falls to about 5 hours. The case brings the total to roughly 28.5 hours, and a 10-minute charge gives about 2 hours of playback.
Sound: re-engineered drivers aimed at more bass and volume, a three-band EQ, and a new Cinema Mode that uses head tracking for spatial audio.
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with two-device multipoint, Google Fast Pair and support for SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive through Snapdragon Sound.
Calls and volume: AI-based SpeechClarity voice isolation and Auto Volume, which raises or lowers playback as surrounding noise changes.
Case: wireless charging, plus a stand so the case sits upright.

Colours are Black and White Smoke, with limited-edition Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green and Sky Pink. Limited colours will not be sold everywhere, and one report says Sky Pink is left out of the US.

Sport Open Earbuds: the cheaper option for training

The Sport Open Earbuds use the same clip-on idea with a soft silicone arm and textured physical buttons, which are easier to hit mid-run than touch controls. They are rated IP54 for dust, sweat and splashes, a step above the Ultra's IPX4 water rating.

Battery life is up to 7 hours in the buds and about 29 hours with the wireless charging case, while 10 minutes of charging returns about an hour. Each bud weighs about 10g, the same as the Ultra. Auto Volume, SpeechClarity and multipoint are included. Colours are Black, White Smoke and a limited Eucalyptus Green.

Features arriving after launch

A later firmware update will add Google Find Hub tracking, hands-free Alexa+ and a shortcut for Apple Music. The Ultra is confirmed for all three. None will be there on 1 October, so don't buy for them yet.

Neither model has active noise cancellation, which an open-ear design can't offer. If blocking the outside world matters more than hearing traffic, Bose's QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) or noise-cancelling in-ear buds suit you better. For a cheaper take on the clip-on style, see our report on the CMF Clip Pro.