Bose has refreshed its clip-on, open-ear earbuds, and it added a cheaper sport model too.
On September 17, 2026, Bose announced the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) at $299 and the new Sport Open Earbuds at $199. Pre-orders opened on September 19 at Bose.com and select stores. Both went on general sale on October 1, 2026.
Open-ear earbuds clip onto the edge of your ear instead of sitting inside it. You hear your music and the world around you at the same time. None of these models has active noise cancellation, and that is by design.
Here is what changed, and how the two new pairs compare with the first Ultra Open Earbuds that you can still buy.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First Ultra Open Earbuds launch | 2024, at $299 |
| Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sport Open Earbuds announced | September 17, 2026 |
| U.S. pre-orders open | September 19, 2026 |
| General availability | October 1, 2026 |
| Firmware update with Google Find Hub, Alexa+ and Apple Music shortcut | After October 1 (no exact date) |
Specs compared
| Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Sport Open Earbuds | Ultra Open Earbuds (1st Gen) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. price at launch | $299 | $199 | $299 |
| Battery (earbuds) | Up to 9 hours | Up to 7 hours | Up to 7 hours (Bose spec page) |
| With Immersive Audio on | Up to 5 hours | Not offered | Up to 4 hours |
| Extra battery in case | Up to 19.5 hours | Up to 22 hours | Up to 19.5 hours |
| Wireless charging case | Yes | Yes | No (USB-C) |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2 hours | Not stated | 10 min = 2 hours |
| Water and dust rating | IPX4 | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, two-device multipoint | 5.4, two-device multipoint | Multipoint |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (Snapdragon Sound) | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, Snapdragon Sound |
| Immersive Audio (spatial) | Yes, with head tracking | No | Yes |
| Cinema Mode | Yes (new) | No | No |
| Active noise cancellation | No | No | No |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, plus limited Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green, Sky Pink | Black, White Smoke, plus limited Eucalyptus Green | Varies by store |
A note on battery: some reports say the first Ultra Open Earbuds were rated at 7.5 hours. Bose's own spec page and Amazon listing say up to 7 hours. We used Bose's number. AudioXpress also reports that turning on Auto Volume cuts the Ultra (2nd Gen) to about 5 hours, and the Sport to about 3.9 hours.
What's new in the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)
The design looks almost the same. It is still a cuff that wraps around the edge of your ear. Bose changed a few key things:
Check Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) price on Amazon
- A new driver. Bose says it gives deeper bass and higher volume than the first generation. Open-ear earbuds are often weak on bass, so this is the most useful change.
- Longer battery. Up to 9 hours, up from 7 hours on Bose's spec sheet for the first pair.
- Wireless charging. The case now charges on a wireless charging pad. The first case charged only over USB-C.
- Cinema Mode. This uses Bose TrueSpatial to widen the sound and keep dialogue in the center. It is meant for watching videos on your phone.
- Clearer calls. Bose SpeechClarity uses one microphone and one voice pickup in each earbud, with AI voice isolation. Reviews of the first pair said calls outdoors and in loud places were a weak spot.
- Bluetooth 5.4 with two-device multipoint, Google Fast Pair and aptX Adaptive on compatible Android phones.
The price did not change. It is still $299.
What the Sport Open Earbuds are for
The new Sport Open Earbuds are not a cheaper copy of the Ultra. They are a different tool.
They share the clip-on shape of the Ultra line, but with a soft, matte silicone finish and textured physical buttons. Bose says that makes them easier to use with sweaty hands. The case has a translucent, textured lid for the same reason.
They are rated IP54, so they resist sweat, splashes and dust. The Ultra is only IPX4, which covers splashes and sweat but has no dust rating. The Sport case also holds more battery: up to 22 extra hours versus 19.5.
What you give up for $100 less: no Immersive Audio, no Cinema Mode and no aptX. You still get Auto Volume, SpeechClarity, multipoint and wireless charging.
Do not confuse these with the older Bose Sport Open Earbuds from 2021. That model used large earhooks and charged on a separate base with no battery inside. The new one is a full redesign.
Which should you buy?
- Buy the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) if you wear open earbuds all day, at the office, on walks and on calls. You get the best sound Bose offers in this style, longer battery, Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode.
- Buy the Sport Open Earbuds if most of your listening happens at the gym, on runs or outdoors. They are tougher, have easier buttons and cost $100 less.
- Buy the first Ultra Open Earbuds only if you find them at a clear discount and you do not need wireless charging. They still have Immersive Audio and aptX-class Snapdragon Sound.
- Keep what you have if you own the first Ultra Open Earbuds and they work fine. The upgrade is real but small: more bass, 2 more hours and a wireless case.
- Wait if you want Google Find Hub or Alexa+ support. Bose says these come in a firmware update after launch, but it has not given a date. Holiday sales may also lower the price.
- Look elsewhere if you want to block out noise on a plane or train. None of these have noise cancellation. Bose's QuietComfort line or our Bose wired noise cancelling earbuds article is a better place to start.
Check Bose Sport Open Earbuds price on Amazon
If you are also shopping for over-ear headphones, see our Beats 360 vs Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony XM6 comparison, or line up gadgets side by side in our compare tool.
Other tech news this week
- Apple holds its home launch on October 13. Reports say its HomeView smart home hub ships in mid-November in four colors. See our Apple October 13 event preview.
- Apple's new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are reported to ship on October 30, per MacRumors.
- Samsung's Galaxy S27 series could cost more, according to another report this week. Read our article on Samsung's phone prices.
Sources
- Bose Pressroom: Bose Sport Open Earbuds and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- AudioXpress: Bose Expands Open-Ear Audio with New Sport Open and Second-Generation Ultra Open Earbuds
- Bose NZ: Ultra Open Earbuds (1st Gen) specs
- MacRumors: New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
- GSMArena: Galaxy S27 series could cost more
Image: Bose Sport Open Earbuds (left) and Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) (right), via Bose.
