Bose Ultra Open Headphones Are Now $100 Off.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds dramatically change the brand’s established concept of noise cancellation . Instead of isolating you from the outside world, they fit outside the ears, allowing ambient sound to pass through while maintaining rich, detailed audio. Priced at $199 (down from $299), they’re currently at their lowest price (according to price trackers ). They’re designed for those who prefer mindfulness over isolation, such as cyclists, runners , and anyone who doesn’t want to miss a car horn while listening to music.
It only takes a minute to find the right fit. The silicone strap provides just the right amount of tension to keep them in place, but how you position them changes the sound more than you might expect. Too high, and the sound becomes tinny; too low, and the stereo balance is lost. However, once you find the right position, they stay securely in place during walks or light workouts, and thanks to the IPX4 rating, they can withstand sweat and drizzle without a problem.
When it comes to sound, Bose generally delivers on something difficult to achieve in open-back speakers: clarity. The Ultra Open avoids the muffled sound typical of similar models, maintaining clear vocals and vibrant highs. The low mids have a pleasant warmth, though the deep bass lacks punch. You’ll notice this mostly with EDM or hip-hop, where the percussive frequencies seem restrained. However, for casual listening, podcasts, and calls, the balanced setup works well. Furthermore, they use Bluetooth 5.3 and support AAC, AptX Adaptive, and SBC codecs , meaning Android users get slightly better sound quality than iPhone users.
The volume remains stable even outdoors, and distortion is minimal at full volume—according to a PCMag review , the headphones sound best at 70% volume, delivering full, detailed sound while still allowing you to be aware of your surroundings. If you prefer a more bass-heavy sound, the adjustable equalizer in the Bose app allows you to fine-tune the sound. Battery life is also good: about 7.5 hours on a single charge and about 27 hours with the case. There’s no wireless charging, but there’s a separate case if you prefer USB-C charging.