Choose Noise’s Master Buds Open if its final local price and app features matter most; choose Bose’s original Ultra Open if you want Bose’s open-audio features and can get it at a worthwhile price. Consider the newer Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) separately: it adds features including wireless charging and has a higher listed US price. These are open-ear clip-on earbuds, not noise-cancelling alternatives to sealed earbuds. The right choice depends on price, fit and which features you value—not on a proven sound-quality winner: there is no independent head-to-head test in the available evidence.
At a glance: Noise vs Bose
| Product | Price and availability | Battery claim | Standout features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise Master Buds Open | TechRadar reported an expected launch price of about €119 (around $140/£100), based on advance guidance from Noise; this was not confirmed final retail pricing. Noise’s product page showed a prebooking promotion, but did not establish final price or stock for every market. | Up to 28 hours, as claimed by Noise. The product page does not provide a breakdown that makes this directly comparable with Bose’s per-charge figure. | Noise advertises Sound by Bose tuning, app EQ and touch customisation, spatial audio, dual pairing, AI assistant and transcription features, IPX4 and 4-mic ENC with DNN. |
| Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (original) | The Bose US page showed $199, reduced from $299, on October 7, 2026, with the offer ending October 11, 2026. This is a temporary US price, not a global or ongoing price. | Up to seven hours on Bose’s product page. Bose’s test note gives up to 7.5 hours with Immersive Audio off or 4.5 hours with it on under specified company test conditions. | OpenAudio, Immersive Audio, Bluetooth multipoint, button controls and IPX4. It has no ANC. |
| Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Bose announced a US price of $299 and availability from October 1, 2026. | Up to nine hours, according to Bose’s 2nd Gen product page. | Wireless charging, Cinema Mode, Bluetooth 5.4 and IPX4. Bose says it has no ANC. |
Prices, feature availability and stock can change, particularly by country. Check the relevant product page before buying: Noise Master Buds Open, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (original) and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen).
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First, make sure you are comparing the right Bose generation
Bose’s original Ultra Open Earbuds and Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) are separate products. Bose announced the second generation on September 17, 2026, with availability from October 1. Its listed features include up to nine hours of battery life, wireless charging, Cinema Mode and Bluetooth 5.4. The original’s page lists up to seven hours and does not list a wireless charging case. A listing or sale described simply as “Ultra Open” may not make the generation obvious, so confirm the full product name before comparing prices or accessories.
The second generation is not a like-for-like price substitute for the original: Bose announced it at $299 in the US, while the original was temporarily listed at $199 on October 7, 2026. The original’s promotion was due to end October 11, 2026. Neither price establishes what you will pay in another country or after the offer expires. Bose’s announcement dates the second-generation launch and its US price.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Fit and awareness: both leave the ear canal open
Noise describes Master Buds Open as clipping onto the curve of the ear; Bose describes the original Ultra Open as a cuff-like design. Both are intended to let you hear your surroundings while listening. They do not seal the ear canal, and neither should be treated as an active-noise-cancelling (ANC) earbud. Bose explicitly says the second generation has no ANC because it is designed to preserve awareness. Noise’s and Bose’s product descriptions explain their respective designs: Noise and Bose.
Clip and cuff styles can feel different from one person to another. A TechRadar hands-on account said a Master Buds Open prototype felt secure and comfortable, but that is one reviewer’s impression of a prototype—not proof of all-day comfort for every ear or confirmation about retail units. Try the shape if you can, and check the seller’s return policy if fit is uncertain.
Sound: the evidence does not establish a winner
Noise advertises Sound by Bose tuning and a 10.8 mm custom dynamic driver. A TechRadar reviewer listening to a prototype described clear vocals, fairly prominent bass for an open-ear design, separated midrange guitars and somewhat forward treble on one track. The reviewer also cautioned that the prototype could differ from the launch product. These impressions are useful context, but they are not retail-unit testing or a direct comparison against Bose.
Rank #2
- OPEN YOUR EARS TO THE WORLD: Hear all of what’s around you while enjoying rich, private sound; the wireless earbuds' open ear 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 Bluetooth 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: The Bose Ultra Open 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
- WATER RESISTANCE WITH IPX4: Get splashed on, dripped on, sprayed on. No worries here. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can handle it. Acoustic mesh keeps out moisture and debris, so you can keep on listening
- NEVER MISS A BEAT: With up to 7 hours of play time (up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio)*, up to 48 hours of standby***, and the included charging case provides up to an extra 2.5 full charges of power**, you’re equipped with long-lasting battery life
Bose’s original model offers OpenAudio and Immersive Audio, but those feature names alone do not prove it sounds better than Noise. The available evidence supports choosing based on the listening features you want, not declaring a sound-quality winner. See the TechRadar prototype hands-on and the Bose original product listing for their respective descriptions.
Battery life: do not read 28 hours and seven hours as equivalent tests
Noise advertises up to 28 hours of total battery life for Master Buds Open. Its product page does not give enough visible detail to establish a more granular breakdown. Bose lists up to seven hours for the original Ultra Open; its detailed note reports up to 7.5 hours with Immersive Audio off and up to 4.5 hours with it on, under Bose’s specified company test conditions. Actual battery life varies with settings and use. Because Noise’s total claim and Bose’s per-charge test figures are not presented on a directly equivalent basis, the numbers do not establish which set will last longer in your routine.
Bose lists up to nine hours for the 2nd Gen. That is a separate model’s manufacturer claim, not a revision to the original’s battery figure. Check the Noise specifications, original Bose listing and 2nd Gen listing for the claims attached to each product.
Rank #3
- Open Ear Earbuds Over Ear for Running & Gym: Clip-on design sits comfortably over your ear without blocking the ear canal. Perfect for running, workouts, and sports—stay aware of surroundings. More comfortable than in-ear, better sound than bone conduction.
- FlexiClip Design, Secure Fit: Memory titanium FlexiClip adapts to any ear shape for all-day comfort. Ultra-lightweight and stable—won't fall off during intense workouts or running. Designed for active lifestyles.
- Powerful Bass, 12mm Drivers: Custom 12mm drivers deliver deep bass and 86dB max output. Clear, loud sound for gym workouts and running—superior audio quality compared to bone conduction headphones.
- AI Clear Calls: Advanced AI filters background noise for crystal-clear calls during outdoor running, gym workouts, or commutes. Perfect for work calls on the go.
- 28H Playtime : 7 hours single charge, 28 hours with case. IP55 waterproof protects against sweat and rain during outdoor running and gym sessions. Bluetooth 6.0 for ultra-stable connection.
Features, calls and durability
Noise Master Buds Open
Noise advertises customisable EQ and touch controls through its app, spatial audio, dual pairing, AI assistant and transcription features, plus four-microphone ENC with DNN. Treat these as manufacturer-listed features; availability can depend on the app and market. Noise also lists IPX4 water resistance and a weight of 5.5 g per earbud. The product page does not establish an independent call-quality result.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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 minuteBose Ultra Open Earbuds (original)
Bose lists Immersive Audio, button controls, Bluetooth multipoint and IPX4 for the original. Do not attribute the second generation’s SpeechClarity call technology to this model; Bose lists SpeechClarity for the newer generation, not the original. The original model’s feature and battery details are on Bose’s product page.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose lists SpeechClarity, wireless charging, Cinema Mode, Bluetooth 5.4, up to nine hours of battery life and IPX4 for the 2nd Gen. These are model-specific claims; they should not be assumed to apply to the original Ultra Open. See the 2nd Gen product page.
Rank #4
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
IPX4 is listed for both Noise and Bose models. For any earbuds, that rating should not be read as a promise that they are waterproof or suitable for submersion.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Noise if
- Its confirmed price in your market is meaningfully lower than the Bose option you are considering.
- You want the advertised app controls, EQ, spatial audio, dual pairing or AI and transcription features, and have confirmed those features are available for your device and region.
- You prefer a clip-on fit and are comfortable buying without a direct, independent sound comparison against Bose.
Choose the original Bose Ultra Open if
- You specifically want Bose’s OpenAudio and Immersive Audio feature set, alongside multipoint and button controls.
- The price you can actually get is attractive to you; the $199 US price observed October 7, 2026 was a temporary promotion, not a lasting or worldwide price.
- You have checked that the listing is for the original generation rather than the 2nd Gen.
Consider Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
- You value its listed wireless charging, Cinema Mode, Bluetooth 5.4, SpeechClarity and up-to-nine-hour battery claim.
- You are willing to pay more than for the original at its observed promotional price; Bose announced the 2nd Gen at $299 in the US.
For any of the three, first check the local retail price, exact generation, stock and return terms. The available listening evidence does not justify choosing one over another solely on sound quality.
What about a replacement Bose charging case?
Bose’s US page listed a replacement charging case for the original Ultra Open at $99 and a wireless charging case cover at $49. These were prices shown on that page, not guaranteed current prices elsewhere. Confirm the exact model compatibility and current price before ordering an accessory.
Quick Recap
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.
