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Bose returns with new open earbuds (and a refreshed favorite)

2026-09-17 | original

read original get Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) → more articles

Why This Matters

Bose is expanding its open-ear earbuds lineup with two new products—the fitness-focused Sport Open and the upgraded Ultra Open (2nd Gen)—reflecting growing consumer demand for earbuds that let users stay aware of their surroundings during workouts or daily use. This move intensifies competition with rivals like Sony, which also offers open-ear designs, pushing the audio industry toward more specialized, lifestyle-driven product categories.

Key Takeaways

Bose is launching two new open-ear earbuds: the Sport Open and the Ultra Open (2nd Gen), both available Oct. 1.
The Ultra Open (2nd Gen) offers upgraded audio with deeper bass, louder volume, clearer calls, a new Cinema spatial audio mode, and support for AptX hi-res codecs, Google Fast Pair, and Find Hub.
The Sport Open targets active users, marking a new product category for Bose as it competes with rivals like Sony's LinkBuds Clip in the open-ear earbud market.

Worth a Look

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) — These are the premium open-ear buds featured in the article, offering Bose's signature open-ear comfort with upgraded audio for deeper bass and clearer sound. Great pick if you want to stay aware of your surroundings while still enjoying rich, immersive audio.

See Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.

Jada Jones/ZDNET

ZDNET’s key takeaways

Bose announces two clip-on open earbuds.

The Sport Open is ideal for exercise, while the Ultra Open (2nd Gen) provides a premium experience.

Both will be available beginning Oct. 1.

Following the release of the second-gen QuietComfort Headphones, Bose returns with two new open-ear options: the Sport Open Earbuds and the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Also: Sony vs. Bose isn’t a draw when it comes to open-style earbuds – here’s how they differ

Bose’s open-ear clip-on earbuds are among our favorites, and the company is expanding its lineup to accommodate different types of open-ear fans. The upgraded second-gen Ultra Open builds on premium Bose audio technologies, signaling that it’ll best suit those seeking an elevated experience in an open-ear form factor.

Meanwhile, the Sport Open Earbuds are a new Bose product category that appeals to those seeking open-ear earbuds for their active lifestyles.

Ultra Open Earbuds

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Explore topics: bose sport open earbuds ultra open earbuds open-ear headphones quietcomfort headphones