The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) keep the original cuff-style, open-ear design, but add a longer rated battery life, wireless charging and a new Cinema Mode. Bose also claims improved bass, call clarity and connectivity. Those performance claims have not been independently verified in the official materials cited here, so the clearest reasons to consider Gen 2 are its listed feature and endurance changes—not a proven leap in sound or call quality.
What changed between the two generations?
| Feature | Original Ultra Open Earbuds | Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Rated playback time | Up to 7 hours per charge, according to Bose’s product comparison | Up to 9 hours per charge under standard listening, according to Bose |
| Charging case | Wireless charging: not stated in the reviewed Bose comparison | Wireless charging; Bose also lists USB-C and a 10-minute quick charge for up to 2 hours of playback under its stated conditions |
| Listening modes | Stereo and Immersion | Stereo, Immersion and Cinema Mode |
| Sound and calls | OpenAudio and original product design | Bose says a newly engineered driver enables higher volume and deeper, more refined bass; updated voice pickup with SpeechClarity is intended to improve calls |
| Connectivity | Not stated in the reviewed comparison | Bose lists Bluetooth Core 5.4 and multipoint for two devices, and says platform updates improve stability |
| Design | Cuff-style open-ear design | Familiar cuff silhouette with a refined metallic cap and beveled finish, plus an updated case |
| Active noise cancellation | No ANC | No ANC |
| Price | Bose’s US comparison page displayed $199 when accessed October 7, 2026; it also showed $299 as the original price | Bose announced a US launch price of $299 |
Specifications and prices in this table come from Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) product page and FAQs and September 17, 2026 launch announcement. The price shown for the original is a dated page snapshot, not a guaranteed current price or a like-for-like permanent MSRP comparison.
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Is the battery improvement meaningful?
Bose rates the original for up to 7 hours of playback per charge and Gen 2 for up to 9 hours under standard listening: a two-hour increase in the manufacturer’s stated maximum. These are ratings, not independently measured real-world results. Gen 2’s case is rated to provide up to 19.5 additional hours under standard listening.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteOptional features reduce Bose’s stated Gen 2 runtimes. With either Immersive Audio or Auto Volume enabled, Bose lists up to 5 hours from the earbuds and up to 11 additional hours from the case. With both enabled, those figures fall to up to 4 hours and up to 8.5 additional hours, respectively. Bose does not provide comparable feature-on runtime figures for the original in the cited comparison.
#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.
The extra rated time may matter if you regularly wear the earbuds for long stretches without charging. Wireless charging is a separate convenience: it lets you charge the updated case without plugging in a cable. Bose also lists USB-C charging and says a 10-minute quick charge can provide up to 2 hours of playback under its stated conditions.
What do Cinema Mode and the audio updates do?
Cinema Mode is Gen 2’s new listening mode, positioned by Bose for video with a wider, centered presentation. It is a playback effect, not a claim that the earbuds produce actual surround sound. The original offers Stereo and Immersion modes.
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.
Bose says Gen 2’s newly engineered driver allows higher volume capability and deeper, more refined bass. That describes the manufacturer’s claimed change; the official materials do not establish a controlled listening comparison or independently measured sound-quality improvement. If sound is the deciding factor, the specifications alone cannot show how noticeable the difference will be to you.
Are Gen 2 calls clearer?
Bose says updated voice pickup and SpeechClarity are intended to make calls clearer, including in noisy environments. The cited official materials do not provide a quantified call-quality test, so treat that as Bose’s claim rather than a verified result. The original generation does not have this Gen 2-branded update.
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.
Does the design or fit change?
The distinctive cuff-style open-ear format remains. Gen 2 refines the metallic cap with a beveled finish and updates the case, but it is not a new fit category. Because the earbuds sit around the ear rather than sealing the ear canal, fit and comfort are personal considerations; the reviewed sources do not establish that one generation is more comfortable for everyone.
Do either of them have ANC?
No. Bose lists neither generation as having active noise cancellation. Their open-ear construction is meant to let you remain aware of your surroundings, which also means they are not the right choice if your priority is blocking noise or creating an isolated listening environment.
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.
What connectivity and software features are included?
Bose lists Bluetooth Core 5.4 and multipoint for two devices on Gen 2, and says platform-level changes improve stability. Those specifications and claims do not establish a particular range or prove better reliability in everyday use.
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Bose’s September 17, 2026 announcement said a post-release firmware update was planned to add Google Find Hub, Alexa+ and shortcut support for Apple Music. That announcement establishes Bose’s plan at launch, not whether each feature has since rolled out, which firmware version enables it, or whether it is available in every region. Check Bose’s current release notes or support information for availability before relying on these additions.
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
How much does Gen 2 cost, and is it worth upgrading?
Bose announced Gen 2 at $299 in the US. When Bose’s US comparison page was accessed on October 7, 2026, it displayed the original at $199, alongside its $299 original price. That page snapshot made Gen 2 $100 more than the displayed current price of the original at that time; prices and stock can change, so compare live listings before buying.
Gen 2 is the more compelling choice if its longer rated standard runtime, wireless charging or Cinema Mode fits how you listen. Bose’s claimed sound, call and stability improvements may also matter, but the cited materials do not independently establish their real-world size. The original may be better value when it is available for less and its feature set meets your needs. Neither is a sensible substitute for an ANC model if you need noise isolation.
Release timing
Bose announced the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) on September 17, 2026, with preorders scheduled to open September 19 and availability planned for October 1. Those dates are Bose’s announced US launch schedule; check current regional availability and retailer stock before ordering.
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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.
