Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Name: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Brand: Bose
SKU: 13283

Manufacturer: Bose

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a pair of true wireless earbuds designed around an open-ear fit, allowing the wearer to remain aware of their surroundings without relying on a traditional in-ear seal. They connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and come with a charging case that extends total listening time to around 19.5 hours combined. A travel bag is included in the box, and the earbuds carry an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat during physical activity.

On the technical side, the earbuds run on Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC codec support and a stated maximum wireless range of 10 meters. They support spatial audio and feature stereo speakers, though active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation are not part of the design given the open-ear format. Each earbud houses a noise-canceling microphone, with two microphones in total, enabling use as a headset with a mute function available. Fast charging is supported, and a full charge from empty takes around 1.5 hours via USB Type-C. Multipoint connectivity allows pairing with up to two devices simultaneously, and a find-device feature is also built in. The product comes with a 2-year warranty.

Pros

Open-ear fit allows full awareness of surrounding sounds while listening
Multipoint connection supports simultaneous pairing with two devices
Combined battery life of 27 hours between the earbuds and charging case
Noise-canceling microphones support clearer voice calls
Fast charging reduces downtime when the battery runs low
Includes a find device feature and a travel bag for everyday practicality

Cons

No active noise cancellation or passive noise isolation, offering no sound blocking in loud environments
Wireless charging is not supported, requiring a cable for every recharge
Bluetooth range is limited to 10 meters
No in/on-ear detection means music will not pause automatically when the earbuds are removed
No support for high-quality codecs such as LDAC, aptX, or LE Audio beyond AAC

Who is this for?

These earbuds are well suited to users who prefer to stay aware of their surroundings while listening — such as those who exercise outdoors, commute on foot, or work in environments where situational awareness matters. The open-ear design combined with IPX4 sweat resistance makes them a practical option for light athletic use, while multipoint connectivity benefits people who regularly switch between two devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone. The included mute function and noise-canceling microphones also make them a reasonable fit for those who take frequent calls throughout the day.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need to block out ambient noise in loud environments — such as on public transport, in open-plan offices, or during travel — will find this product unsuitable, as it offers no active noise cancellation or passive noise isolation by design. Listeners who prioritize high-resolution audio streaming will also be limited, since the earbuds lack support for advanced codecs like LDAC or aptX, with AAC being the ceiling for audio quality. Additionally, the 10-meter Bluetooth range and the absence of wireless charging may frustrate users who value extended cord-free flexibility in their daily setup.

Design:

Fit	Open-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating	IPX4
water resistance	Sweat resistant
has no wires or cables	✓
are neckband earbuds	✕
wingtips included	✕
has RGB lighting	✕
has stereo speakers	✓
has UV light	✕
Has a display	✕

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature an open-ear fit, meaning they sit outside the ear canal rather than sealing inside it, and they operate as a fully true wireless design with no cables or neckband. They carry an IPX4 ingress protection rating, offering resistance to sweat, which makes them suitable for use during physical activity. The earbuds include stereo speakers but do not incorporate RGB lighting, a UV light, a display, or wingtips.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)	✕
has passive noise reduction	✕
lowest frequency	20 Hz
highest frequency	20000 Hz
supports spatial audio	✓
has Dolby Atmos	✕
has Dirac Virtuo	✕
has a neodymium magnet	✕

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20000 Hz and support spatial audio for a more dimensional listening experience. Active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation are not included, which is consistent with the open-ear design. Dolby Atmos, Dirac Virtuo, and a neodymium magnet are also absent from this model.

Power:

Battery life	7.5 hours
Battery life of charging case	19.5 hours
charge time	1.5 hours
has wireless charging	✕
Has a solar power battery	✕
has a battery level indicator	✓
has a rechargeable battery	✓

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer 7.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, with the included charging case providing an additional 19.5 hours for a combined total of 27 hours. A full recharge takes 1.5 hours, and the earbuds feature a battery level indicator so the remaining charge is easy to check. The battery is rechargeable, though wireless charging and solar charging are not supported.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing	✕
Has USB Type-C	✓
Bluetooth version	5.3
has LDAC	✕
has LDHC	✕
has Bluetooth LE Audio	✕
has aptX Adaptive	✕
has aptX Low Latency	✕
has aptX HD	✕
has aptX	✕
has aptX Lossless	✕
has aptX Voice	✕
has Auracast	✕
maximum Bluetooth range	10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC	✕
Can be used wirelessly	✓
has AAC	✓

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds connect wirelessly using Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum range of 10 meters, and support the AAC codec for audio transmission. Charging is handled via USB Type-C, though fast pairing and NFC pairing are not available. On the codec side, the earbuds do not support LDAC, LDHC, aptX in any of its variants, or Bluetooth LE Audio, and Auracast is also absent.

Features:

has ambient sound mode	✕
has in/on-ear detection	✕
has find device feature	✓
Supports fast charging	✓
multipoint count	2
Has a built-in translator	✕
has a mute function	✓
can be used as a headset	✓
control panel placed on a device	✓
warranty period	2 years
Has voice prompts	✓
travel bag is included	✓
Has an in-line control panel	✕
Has a temperature sensor	✕

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds support multipoint connectivity for up to two devices simultaneously and can function as a headset, with a mute function and voice prompts included. Fast charging is available, and a find device feature helps locate the earbuds if misplaced. Controls are handled via a control panel on the device rather than an in-line panel on a cable, and a travel bag is included in the box. The earbuds come with a 2-year warranty but do not offer ambient sound mode, in/on-ear detection, a built-in translator, or a body temperature sensor.

Microphone:

number of microphones	2
has a noise-canceling microphone	✓

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are equipped with two microphones and include noise-canceling microphone technology to help reduce unwanted background sound during calls and voice interactions.

Final Verdict

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds occupy a distinct space in the wireless earbuds category, built specifically around the premise of listening without disconnecting from the world around you. Their open-ear design paired with sweat resistance, multipoint connectivity, and noise-canceling microphones makes them a coherent package for active, on-the-go users who value awareness over isolation. The trade-offs — no noise cancellation, limited codec support, and a modest Bluetooth range — are inherent to the design philosophy rather than oversights, and buyers should approach this product with that context in mind. For the right user, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds deliver a well-rounded experience; for those seeking immersive, noise-blocking audio, a different form factor would serve them better.