Read our full review of Bose Ultra Open earbuds.
If you want to use open earbuds but don’t want to sacrifice the best sound quality, the Bose Ultra can easily compare to the in-ear option. You will just take the shell out.
When you first try the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, it’s hard to at least get some flooring – they sound better than any pair of open earbuds. Of course, depending on the angle (easy to adjust), they may be farther away (easy to adjust) than some in-ear designs (some people’s plus signs) and thrives, but despite their quirks, they are not just passing on in terms of sound. Mashable contributor RJ Andersen wrote in the comments: “The sound is well balanced, and even if my ears are completely uncovered, I didn’t notice the audio that sounds distant or muddy. Instead, the super-opened ears sound clear, natural, and lush.”
Although they sound great, Bose gives you the option between stereo and immersive audio (aka Bose’s spatial audio settings) after connecting it to the Companion app. Of course, you also have access to four equalizer presets and a custom equalizer settings. For only $300 we expect to be impressed and based on the sound alone, we can do it.
But Bose didn’t stop there. Although the Ultra’s open cuff-like design is the same as our top-notch earbuds, we didn’t find any uncomfortable pinching or squeezing even after hours of wear and tear. They are the most comfortable pair of open earbuds we’ve ever tested. The thoughtful design extends to the in-ear controls, with the button on the top of the battery bucket located outside the outside of the ear. The result is that a control of a control is as easy as using touch control, but the possibility of accidental triggering is less.
Despite this, the oversized earbuds are not perfect. Their battery life is at the lower end, the microphone quality is poor on call, and the IP rating makes them the least suitable for outdoor workouts. (As IPX4 earbuds, they have an unknown amount of dust and splash resistance, which means they handle sweat well, but may not be great if you go out in the bigger rain). Still, while they are not the strongest pair, they are the best sounds – if you are mostly working out indoors and don’t often find yourself running regularly, these disadvantages are feasible.
