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The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) keep the original cuff-style, open-ear design and add longer rated battery life, wireless charging, a new Cinema Mode, and updated audio, call, and connectivity features. The clearest spec gain is up to 9 hours of playback per charge, versus up to 7 hours for the original. Bose announced the new model at $299 in the US; whether it is worth the premium depends on current prices and whether its additions match how you listen.
What changed between the generations?
The second generation is an update to the same open-ear concept, not a new fit category. Bose says it refined the design and upgraded several features. The comparison below reflects Bose’s published specifications and claims; it is not an independent test of the two models.
| Area | Original Ultra Open Earbuds | Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playback battery | Up to 7 hours per charge, according to Bose’s product comparison. | Up to 9 hours per charge under standard listening, according to Bose. | The clearest rated endurance improvement. Gen 2 runtime is lower when certain features are enabled. |
| Charging case | Original case. | Updated case can stand upright and supports wireless charging. Bose also lists USB-C charging and a 10-minute quick charge for up to 2 hours of playback under its stated conditions. | Wireless charging is a practical addition if you already use a compatible charging pad. |
| Listening modes | Stereo and Immersion. | Stereo, Immersion, and Cinema Mode. | Cinema Mode is intended for video, with a wider, centered presentation; Bose does not describe it as actual surround sound. |
| Sound | OpenAudio with the original cuff design. | Bose says a newly engineered driver supports higher volume capability and deeper, more refined bass. | This is a manufacturer-described audio improvement, not an independently established listening result. |
| Calls | Original product call features. | Updated voice pickup with Bose SpeechClarity. | Bose says calls should sound clearer, including in noisy environments; no quantified call test is established here. |
| Connectivity | Original product connectivity. | Bose lists Bluetooth Core 5.4 and multipoint for two devices, and says platform-level updates improve stability. | These are listed updates, not proof of better range or reliability in every setting. |
| Design | Cuff-style open-ear earbuds. | Familiar cuff silhouette with a refined metallic cap and beveled finish; updated case. | The wearing concept remains the same; the changes are refinements rather than a redesign. |
| Active noise cancellation | No ANC. | No ANC. | Neither generation is designed to isolate you from surrounding sound. |
| US price | Bose’s US comparison page displayed $199, with $299 shown as the original price, when accessed October 7, 2026. | Bose announced a $299 US launch price. | The $199 figure is a dated page snapshot, not a guaranteed or permanent price. Check current prices before comparing value. |
Bose announced the second generation on September 17, 2026, with preorders planned to open September 19 and availability planned for October 1. See Bose’s launch announcement and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) product page for the manufacturer’s current listing and details.
Is the battery improvement meaningful?
Bose rates Gen 2 for up to 9 hours of playback per charge under standard listening, compared with up to 7 hours for the original. Those are manufacturer ratings, not results from a controlled, independent battery test.
#1 Best Overall
- ASTONISHING SOUND QUALITY: Updated audio drivers deliver deeper bass and true-to-source sound. Spatialized audio utilizes TrueSpatial Tech and head tracking for a 3D listening experience. New Cinema Mode offers theater-like sound for your mobile content.
- OPENAUDIO TECHNOLOGY: Welcome to an improved OpenAudio experience. A cuffed, open-ear design makes it so you can privately tune into your music while letting in the world around you during coffee runs, daily commutes and everything in between.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: A simplified flexible joint with silicone material gently curves around your ear for a soft, secure fit. A non-occluding design means the earbuds sit just outside of your ear rather than in — so you can listen with long-term comfort.
- FASHION MEETS FUNCTION: An improved metallic finish and a more robust case to show your open ear earbuds off. Simply cuff them around your ear for a sleek look that is just as fashionable as it is functional.
- CONTROL WITH EASE: Simple, satisfying button controls make it super easy to switch between modes, giving you instant command over your listening experience. With just a press, effortlessly control your music and answer calls.
Gen 2’s rated playback time depends on enabled features: Bose lists up to 5 hours with Immersive Audio or Auto Volume on, and up to 4 hours with both on. The charging case is rated to provide up to 19.5 additional hours under standard listening; Bose lists up to 11 additional hours with either Immersive Audio or Auto Volume enabled, or up to 8.5 hours with both enabled. Consider your typical settings rather than treating the highest figures as an all-day guarantee.
What do the new modes and audio claims offer?
Cinema Mode
Cinema Mode is the new option for video, intended to give the sound a wider, more centered presentation. It may be useful for watching videos on a phone or tablet, but it should not be confused with a home-theater system or a promise of true surround sound.
Rank #2
- ASTONISHING SOUND QUALITY: Updated audio drivers deliver deeper bass and true-to-source sound. Spatialized audio utilizes TrueSpatial Tech and head tracking for a 3D listening experience. New Cinema Mode offers theater-like sound for your mobile content.
- OPENAUDIO TECHNOLOGY: Welcome to an improved OpenAudio experience. A cuffed, open-ear design makes it so you can privately tune into your music while letting in the world around you during coffee runs, daily commutes and everything in between.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: A simplified flexible joint with silicone material gently curves around your ear for a soft, secure fit. A non-occluding design means the earbuds sit just outside of your ear rather than in — so you can listen with long-term comfort.
- FASHION MEETS FUNCTION: An improved metallic finish and a more robust case to show your open ear earbuds off. Simply cuff them around your ear for a sleek look that is just as fashionable as it is functional.
- CONTROL WITH EASE: Simple, satisfying button controls make it super easy to switch between modes, giving you instant command over your listening experience. With just a press, effortlessly control your music and answer calls.
Driver and bass
Bose says the Gen 2 driver can play at higher volumes and deliver deeper, more refined bass. The company’s specifications establish what it claims changed; they do not establish how large the audible difference is compared with the original. No controlled independent listening comparison is available in the evidence cited here.
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Do either earbuds have ANC?
No. Bose lists neither generation as having active noise cancellation. The open-ear design leaves your ears uncovered, which can help you remain aware of nearby sounds, but it does not provide the isolation of sealed earbuds. If you need to reduce surrounding noise for commuting, focused listening, or travel, neither model is the right choice on the basis of ANC.
Rank #3
- ASTONISHING SOUND QUALITY: Updated audio drivers deliver deeper bass and true-to-source sound. Spatialized audio utilizes TrueSpatial Tech and head tracking for a 3D listening experience. New Cinema Mode offers theater-like sound for your mobile content.
- OPENAUDIO TECHNOLOGY: Welcome to an improved OpenAudio experience. A cuffed, open-ear design makes it so you can privately tune into your music while letting in the world around you during coffee runs, daily commutes and everything in between.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: A simplified flexible joint with silicone material gently curves around your ear for a soft, secure fit. A non-occluding design means the earbuds sit just outside of your ear rather than in — so you can listen with long-term comfort.
- FASHION MEETS FUNCTION: An improved metallic finish and a more robust case to show your open ear earbuds off. Simply cuff them around your ear for a sleek look that is just as fashionable as it is functional.
- CONTROL WITH EASE: Simple, satisfying button controls make it super easy to switch between modes, giving you instant command over your listening experience. With just a press, effortlessly control your music and answer calls.
Are the second-generation earbuds better for calls?
Bose says its updated voice pickup and SpeechClarity processing are intended to make calls clearer, including in noisy environments. That is a manufacturer claim: no quantified call-quality test or independent head-to-head result is established here. If call performance is your main reason to upgrade, treat it as a promised improvement rather than a proven outcome.
Should you buy the original or upgrade to Gen 2?
Choose the original if
- Its current price is substantially lower and the original’s rated up-to-7-hour playback suits your routine.
- You do not need wireless charging, Cinema Mode, or the Gen 2 updates Bose lists for calls and connectivity.
- You want the open-ear cuff design but do not need to pay for the newer generation’s additions.
Consider Gen 2 if
- You value the higher standard-use battery rating, while accounting for the lower figures Bose gives when Immersive Audio or Auto Volume is enabled.
- Wireless charging or a case that stands upright would be useful in your setup.
- You watch video on your earbuds and want to try Cinema Mode, or you are interested in Bose’s stated driver, call, and connectivity updates.
Before choosing, compare the live prices, return terms, and warranty for both generations. The original’s $199 listing was observed on Bose’s US page on October 7, 2026, while $299 was Gen 2’s announced US launch price; that snapshot does not establish today’s prices or what is available in other regions. The cuff fit is also distinctive, and no independent comfort assessment is established here, so use a retailer’s return policy to judge whether the shape works for you.
Rank #4
- ASTONISHING SOUND QUALITY: Updated audio drivers deliver deeper bass and true-to-source sound. Spatialized audio utilizes TrueSpatial Tech and head tracking for a 3D listening experience. New Cinema Mode offers theater-like sound for your mobile content.
- OPENAUDIO TECHNOLOGY: Welcome to an improved OpenAudio experience. A cuffed, open-ear design makes it so you can privately tune into your music while letting in the world around you during coffee runs, daily commutes and everything in between.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: A simplified flexible joint with silicone material gently curves around your ear for a soft, secure fit. A non-occluding design means the earbuds sit just outside of your ear rather than in — so you can listen with long-term comfort.
- FASHION MEETS FUNCTION: An improved metallic finish and a more robust case to show your open ear earbuds off. Simply cuff them around your ear for a sleek look that is just as fashionable as it is functional.
- CONTROL WITH EASE: Simple, satisfying button controls make it super easy to switch between modes, giving you instant command over your listening experience. With just a press, effortlessly control your music and answer calls.
Which Gen 2 software features are available?
In its September 17, 2026 launch announcement, Bose described Google Find Hub, Alexa+, and Apple Music shortcut support as planned firmware additions after release. That announcement records Bose’s plan, not confirmation that each feature has rolled out, works in every region, or is available on a particular firmware version. Check Bose’s current product information or support release notes before buying for one of those functions.
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Can other people hear your music?
The official product information cited here does not provide a numeric sound-leakage result, so it cannot establish how audible your music will be to someone nearby. With an open-ear design, listening conditions and volume matter; if privacy is important, use a quieter setting or choose earbuds designed to seal the ear.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- OPEN YOUR EARS TO THE WORLD: Hear all of what’s around you while enjoying rich, private sound; these open-ear earbuds' design says, “I can still hear you” while OpenAudio technology provides you with high-quality, private sound
- BE IN THE MUSIC, ANYWHERE EVERYWHERE: With Bose Immersive Audio spatialized sound, these wireless earbuds feel, look good, and bring you closer to your music, so you’re not only listening, you’re in it
- FEELS GOOD, STAYS PUT: These over the ear earbuds feature a flexible joint and a light-as-air-grip, simply hook it gently around the back of your ear and you’ll stay open to the world around you with these comfortable earbuds even while running
- WATER RESISTANCE WITH IPX4: Get splashed on, dripped on, sprayed on. No worries here. These sweatproof open ear headphones can handle it. Acoustic mesh keeps out moisture and debris, so you can keep on listening
- NEVER MISS A BEAT: Up to 7 hours of play time (up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio)* along with up to 48 hours of standby***, via the included charging case providing up to an extra 2.5 full charges of power**. USB-C cable included to charge the case
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
