Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose's second-generation clip-on cuff earbud, announced on September 17, 2026 and on sale from October 1. Instead of a hook, each bud clips around the outer ear with a flexible silicone joint, which Gizmodo found gives a tighter fit than the original. Bose updated the drivers for deeper bass, kept TrueSpatial immersive audio with head tracking, added a Cinema mode, SpeechClarity call processing, physical buttons and wireless charging. Battery rises to 9 hours per charge (5 with Immersive Audio) and 28 hours with the case, and it supports Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint and aptX Adaptive on Snapdragon Sound phones. Gizmodo called it a clear step up from the original and SoundGuys called it the most refined take on the cuff design, both flagging the price. For running, it is the least suited here: it is rated only IPX4 and Bose markets it for travel, school and office rather than training. Bose's separate Sport Open Earbuds target workouts.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links.
Our Verdict
The newest pick (on sale October 1, 2026) and the best for sound away from the run: Gizmodo called it a clear step up from the original, with deeper bass, TrueSpatial head-tracked audio and a tighter clip. It ranks last for running because its IPX4 rating is the lowest here (every other pick is IP55), Bose markets it for travel and office rather than training, and a clip-on cuff is less locked-in than the Shokz hooks or the OpenRun band. It is also the most expensive pick. Choose it over the AeroFit 2 only if your runs are easy and sound quality comes first.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •Updated drivers for deeper bass plus TrueSpatial head-tracked audio; Gizmodo praised the sound and extra volume
- •Clip-on cuff sits outside the ear canal and is comfortable for all-day wear
- •9 hours per charge and 28 hours with a wireless charging case
- •Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint plus aptX Adaptive on Snapdragon Sound phones
Cons
- •Rated only IPX4, below the IP55 of every other pick here
- •The most expensive pick, and a clip rather than a hook, so it is less locked-in for hard running
Specifications
| Design | Clip-on cuff |
| Audio | Updated transducer with TrueSpatial immersive audio and head tracking |
| Battery (Buds) | Up to 9 hours (5 with Immersive Audio) |
| Battery (Total) | Up to 28 hours with case |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint | Yes, 2 devices |
| Charging | Wireless charging case; 10-minute charge for about 2 hours |
Quick Answers
What is the design of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) design: Clip-on cuff.
What is the audio of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) audio: Updated transducer with TrueSpatial immersive audio and head tracking.
What is the battery (buds) of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) battery (buds): Up to 9 hours (5 with Immersive Audio).
What is the battery (total) of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) battery (total): Up to 28 hours with case.
What is the water resistance of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) water resistance: IPX4.
What is the bluetooth of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) bluetooth: 5.4, aptX Adaptive.
What is the multipoint of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) multipoint: Yes, 2 devices.
What is the charging of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) charging: Wireless charging case; 10-minute charge for about 2 hours.
Who is the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) for?
It suits easy runs and walks by listeners who prize sound quality, one pair for commuting, office and light exercise, listeners who want spatial audio for video. It is not the right pick for heavy sweaters and rain runners, runners doing intervals or trail running.
Is the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth buying?
Bose's second-generation clip-on cuff earbud, announced on September 17, 2026 and on sale from October 1. Instead of a hook, each bud clips around the outer ear with a flexible silicone joint, which Gizmodo found gives a tighter fit than the original. Bose updated the drivers for deeper bass, kept TrueSpatial immersive audio with head tracking, added a Cinema mode, SpeechClarity call processing, physical buttons and wireless charging. Battery rises to 9 hours per charge (5 with Immersive Audio) and 28 hours with the case, and it supports Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint and aptX Adaptive on Snapdragon Sound phones. Gizmodo called it a clear step up from the original and SoundGuys called it the most refined take on the cuff design, both flagging the price. For running, it is the least suited here: it is rated only IPX4 and Bose markets it for travel, school and office rather than training. Bose's separate Sport Open Earbuds target workouts. It ranks #5 in our Top 5 Open-Ear Earbuds for Running. The newest pick (on sale October 1, 2026) and the best for sound away from the run: Gizmodo called it a clear step up from the original, with deeper bass, TrueSpatial head-tracked audio and a tighter clip. It ranks last for running because its IPX4 rating is the lowest here (every other pick is IP55), Bose markets it for travel and office rather than training, and a clip-on cuff is less locked-in than the Shokz hooks or the OpenRun band. It is also the most expensive pick. Choose it over the AeroFit 2 only if your runs are easy and sound quality comes first.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- Easy runs and walks by listeners who prize sound quality
- One pair for commuting, office and light exercise
- Listeners who want spatial audio for video
Not For
- Heavy sweaters and rain runners
- Runners doing intervals or trail running
Where to Buy
Appears In
Compare Head-to-Head
Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Shokz
Shokz's flagship running headphone and the best-selling open-ear model on Amazon US, where it ranks #1 in Open-Ear Headphones with more than 8,900 ratings. It is a one-piece wraparound design: a nickel-titanium memory-wire band links the two pods behind your head, so neither side can fall out mid-stride. Each pod pairs a bone-conduction driver for mids and highs with an air-conduction driver for bass, which Shokz calls DualPitch. It weighs about 30 g, is rated IP55 and runs 12 hours per charge, and a 5-minute USB-C charge adds about 2.5 hours. TechRadar called it the ideal runner's headphone for its comfort, fit and battery; What Hi-Fi? praised the long-wear comfort but found the sound lacked depth and punch, and Tom's Guide judged its price high against cheaper alternatives. A Mini size is sold for smaller heads.
Shokz OpenFit 2+
Shokz
Shokz's true wireless ear-hook earbud, updated from the OpenFit 2 with Dolby Audio and a wireless charging case. Each 9.4 g bud hangs on a soft silicone-covered nickel-titanium hook and aims a 17.3 mm bass driver plus a separate tweeter at the ear canal without sealing it, so you still hear traffic. It is rated IP55, runs 11 hours per charge and 48 hours with the case, and a 10-minute charge gives about 2 hours. Physical buttons replace the touch controls of the first OpenFit, four microphones handle calls, and multipoint connects a phone and a laptop at once. TechRadar's reviewer ran in it and called it a serious contender for the open-ear crown; SoundGuys called the changes from the OpenFit 2 incremental and noted the case is not water resistant. TBreak and CHIP noted the hook is not adjustable and can crowd glasses.
Shokz OpenFit Pro
Shokz
Launched at CES 2026, the OpenFit Pro is the first Shokz earbud with open-ear noise reduction: three microphones and an ear-adaptive algorithm turn down steady background sound while the ear stays open. It uses an 11 x 20 mm dual-diaphragm driver tuned for Dolby Atmos with head tracking, Bluetooth 6.1 with multipoint, and 12.3 g buds on flexible nickel-titanium hooks with optional stability accessories. It is rated IP55 and lasts 12 hours per charge with noise reduction off, 6 hours with it on, and 50 hours in total with the wireless charging case. UltraRunning found it stayed secure on trails and in the gym, and Tom's Guide praised the fit and called the audio top notch for open-ear buds. Both found the noise reduction modest, mainly taking the edge off mid-range hum such as a treadmill, and Tom's Guide suggested the cheaper OpenFit 2+ may be the better buy.
Soundcore AeroFit 2
Soundcore (Anker)
Anker's ear-hook open earbud and the value pick in this list, with more than 3,800 Amazon ratings. Its main running feature is a hook that adjusts to four positions, which Soundcore says fits over 99% of ear shapes; the Shokz OpenFit hooks do not adjust. A 20 x 11.5 mm racetrack driver handles bass, and it supports LDAC over Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint. It is rated IP55, lasts 10 hours per charge and 42 hours with a wireless charging case, and the Soundcore app adds EQ, spatial audio and real-time translation. Headphone Check found the roughly 10 g buds barely noticeable and Serious Insights reported a secure fit while jogging, while Mezha thought the buds were large for hard running. SoundGuys lists 8 g per bud.