When it comes to premium wireless earbuds, 2024 has brought us two fascinating but very different approaches. The Apple AirPods 4 ($179) represents the evolution of traditional sealed earbuds, while the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299) introduces a completely new way to experience personal audio. Let's dive into how these two options compare and who they might be best for.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's market splits into two main philosophies: traditional in-ear designs that seal your ear canal, and newer open designs that leave your ears unblocked. This distinction matters more than you might think.
The AirPods 4 launched in early 2024, bringing active noise cancellation (ANC) to Apple's standard earbud line for the first time. Meanwhile, the Bose Ultra, released in February 2024, takes a radical departure from conventional designs with its innovative ear-cuff approach.
The AirPods 4 follows the familiar sealed-ear approach but with refined comfort. The tips create a physical barrier in your ear canal, which serves two purposes: blocking outside noise naturally and ensuring better bass response. This design works exceptionally well for:
Bose's approach is entirely different. Instead of sealing your ear, the Ultra clips around the outside, using directional speakers to send sound into your ear canal while leaving it unblocked. This design excels at:
The AirPods 4 delivers impressive audio for its price point. The sealed design allows for:
However, some users find the sealed design fatiguing over long periods, and the fit must be perfect to maintain good sound quality.
The Bose Ultra takes a different approach to sound delivery. While it can't match the bass response of sealed earbuds (physics simply won't allow it), it offers:
For home theater use, the AirPods 4 generally works better due to its noise isolation and stronger bass response, which helps with movie soundtracks. However, the Bose Ultra might be preferable if you need to hear others in the room or want to wear them for extended viewing sessions.
Both offer similar water resistance ratings suitable for workouts and light rain, but not swimming or submersion.
The AirPods 4 shines in the Apple ecosystem with:
The Bose Ultra works equally well with all devices but lacks the deep ecosystem integration. However, it offers more customization through its app.
Choose the AirPods 4 if:
Go for the Bose Ultra if:
At $179, the AirPods 4 represents solid value for a premium earbud with ANC. The Bose Ultra's $299 price point reflects its innovative design and specialized use case. Consider how you'll primarily use them - if you need environmental awareness, the Bose's premium might be worth it. For general use, the AirPods 4 offers better value.
Remember that both products excel in their intended use cases. The AirPods 4 is a more versatile, general-purpose choice, while the Bose Ultra is specialized for specific scenarios where awareness matters most. Your daily activities and preferences should guide your choice more than the technical specs alone.
| Apple AirPods 4 ($179) | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299) |
|---|---|
| Design Philosophy - Determines core functionality and use cases | |
| Traditional in-ear sealed design | Open-ear cuff design that doesn't block ear canal |
| Noise Isolation - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| Active noise cancellation with sealed tips | No isolation by design (lets in all ambient sound) |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use | |
| 5 hours (ANC on), 20+ hours with case | 7.5 hours (4.5 with spatial), 19.5 hours with case |
| Comfort Style - Major factor in long-term satisfaction | |
| In-ear seal (can cause fatigue for some users) | No ear canal contact (better for extended wear) |
| Sound Quality - Bass response and overall balance | |
| Full range with strong bass response | Limited bass, excellent mids and clarity |
| Use Case Optimization - Where each performs best | |
| Travel, commuting, general entertainment | Sports, running, office work requiring awareness |
| Ecosystem Integration - Affects convenience | |
| Deep Apple integration with automatic switching | Universal compatibility, basic Bluetooth features |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise | |
| IPX4 (splash and sweat resistant) | IPX4 (splash and sweat resistant) |
| Controls - Ease of daily operation | |
| Force sensor with multiple functions | Single button per side with limited options |
| Spatial Audio - Creates immersive soundstage | |
| Full support with head tracking | Basic spatial audio without tracking |
The Apple AirPods 4 ($179) is better for movie watching due to its sealed design and stronger bass response. The active noise cancellation and spatial audio features create a more immersive home theater experience than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299).
The Bose Ultra naturally lets you hear your surroundings since it doesn't seal your ears. The AirPods 4 has a transparency mode that lets you hear ambient sounds, but it's not as natural as the Bose's open design.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offers longer single-charge battery life at 7.5 hours compared to the AirPods 4 at 5 hours with ANC enabled. Both provide additional charges through their cases.
The AirPods 4 is ideal for late-night viewing since its sealed design prevents sound leakage that might disturb others. The Bose Ultra leaks more sound, making it less suitable for quiet environments.
The AirPods 4 delivers fuller sound with better bass, while the Bose Ultra excels in mid-range clarity. For home theater use, AirPods 4's fuller sound profile generally provides a better experience.
Both connect via Bluetooth, but the AirPods 4 offers easier pairing with Apple TV. The Bose Ultra works universally with any Bluetooth-enabled TV but may require manual pairing.
The Bose Ultra typically offers better long-term comfort since it doesn't seal the ear canal. The AirPods 4 might cause fatigue during extended viewing sessions for some users.
The AirPods 4 has lower latency with Apple devices and better spatial audio for gaming. The Bose Ultra may experience more noticeable audio delay in gaming scenarios.
At $179, the AirPods 4 offers better value for general use and home theater applications. The Bose Ultra at $299 is more expensive but unique in its open-ear design benefits.
Neither product is ideal for sharing. Both the AirPods 4 and Bose Ultra are designed for individual use and sync as a pair.
The AirPods 4 offers more sophisticated spatial audio with head tracking, creating a better virtual surround experience than the Bose Ultra's more basic spatial implementation.
Neither requires an app for basic TV use, but both have companion apps for customization. The AirPods 4 integrates more seamlessly with Apple TV, while the Bose Ultra needs standard Bluetooth pairing.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: tomsguide.com - apple.com - youtube.com - apple.com - staples.com - support.apple.com - connection.com - support.apple.com - pcrichard.com - adorama.com - zones.com - cdw.com - rtings.com - techradar.com - consumerreports.org - runnersworld.com - soundguys.com - bose.com - nfm.com - bose.com - youtube.com - bose.com - bose.com - colorware.com
