When it comes to wireless earbuds in 2024, we're seeing some fascinating innovations in how we can listen to our audio. I've spent extensive time with both the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189) and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($229), and they represent two distinctly different approaches to personal audio. Let's dive into how these options compare and who they might work best for.
Wireless earbuds have evolved far beyond simple music playback. They're now sophisticated mini-computers that handle everything from phone calls to spatial audio processing (which creates a 3D sound experience, making audio feel like it's coming from all around you). While traditional sealed earbuds have dominated the market, we're seeing exciting new open-ear designs that prioritize environmental awareness.
The key aspects buyers should consider are:
The AirPods Pro 2, released in late 2022, represents Apple's refined take on traditional sealed earbuds. They use silicone tips to create a seal in your ear canal, which helps block outside noise. Inside, they pack Apple's H2 chip, which processes audio and handles noise cancellation faster than previous models.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, released in early 2024, take a completely different approach. Instead of sealing your ear canal, they rest outside it, using directional speakers to send audio into your ears while leaving them unobstructed. This design choice has significant implications for how and where each device works best.
The AirPods Pro 2 deliver exceptional audio quality, with rich bass and clear highs. Their sealed design and active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out external noise) create an immersive listening experience. I've found them particularly impressive for classical music, where you can clearly hear the separation between instruments.
The Bose Ultra Open take a hit in pure audio quality, especially in bass response, due to their open design. However, they still deliver surprisingly good sound, especially in the mid-ranges where human voices sit. For podcast listening or casual music enjoyment, they're more than adequate.
Here's where things get interesting. The AirPods Pro 2 are comfortable for many people, but some users (myself included) experience fatigue after a few hours of use. This is common with in-ear designs that create a seal.
The Bose Ultra Open excel in comfort. Their cuff-like design means nothing goes into your ear canal, and many users report forgetting they're wearing them. They're especially good for glasses wearers, as they don't compete for space behind your ears like some other designs.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer:
The Bose Ultra Open feature:
For home theater use, the AirPods Pro 2 have a clear advantage. Their sealed design and active noise cancellation create a more cinema-like experience. They also have lower audio latency (the delay between video and sound), especially when used with Apple devices.
The Bose Ultra Open, while usable for home theater, aren't ideal in this scenario. Their open design means other people can hear some audio leakage, and you'll hear more environmental noise.
Both options work well for office use, but for different reasons. The AirPods Pro 2 excel at blocking out office noise, while the Bose Ultra Open let you stay aware of your surroundings - perfect for hearing when a colleague needs your attention.
For running or cycling, the Bose Ultra Open have a significant advantage. Their design allows you to hear traffic and maintain situational awareness while still enjoying your audio. The AirPods Pro 2, even in transparency mode, can't match this natural awareness.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer about 6 hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled, while the Bose Ultra Open provide around 7.5 hours of standard use. Both come with charging cases that extend total use time to over 24 hours.
At $189, the AirPods Pro 2 represent solid value for their feature set, especially for Apple users. They're more versatile across different use cases and offer premium features like noise cancellation and spatial audio.
The Bose Ultra Open, at $229, are pricier but offer unique benefits for specific users. If you prioritize awareness and comfort over pure audio quality, they could be worth the premium.
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if you:
Choose the Bose Ultra Open if you:
After extensive use of both devices, I've found they excel in different situations. The AirPods Pro 2 are my go-to for travel and focused work, while the Bose Ultra Open have become my preferred choice for running and office use where I need to interact with colleagues.
The choice between the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose Ultra Open isn't about which is better overall, but rather which better suits your specific needs. Consider your primary use cases, comfort preferences, and whether you prioritize audio quality or environmental awareness when making your decision.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189) |
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($229) |
|---|---|
| Design Type - Determines isolation and awareness level | |
| Traditional in-ear sealed design | Open-ear cuff design that sits outside ear canal |
| Sound Quality - Critical for music enjoyment and detail | |
| Full range with strong bass, excellent clarity | Good mids but limited bass, some audio leakage |
| Active Noise Cancellation - Important for noisy environments | |
| Yes, industry-leading ANC | No, relies on natural hearing |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use | |
| 6 hours (5.5 with spatial audio) | 7.5 hours (4 with immersive audio) |
| Water/Sweat Resistance - Important for exercise | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX4 (splash resistant) |
| Use Case Strengths - Helps determine best fit for your needs | |
| Travel, commuting, focused work, gym | Running, cycling, office communication, all-day wear |
| Device Ecosystem - Affects features and ease of use | |
| Best with Apple devices, limited Android features | Platform agnostic, full features on all devices |
| Comfort Duration - Critical for extended wear | |
| Good for 2-3 hours, may cause fatigue | Excellent for 6+ hours, minimal fatigue |
| Special Features - Value-add capabilities | |
| Spatial audio, Find My tracking, auto device switching | Natural awareness, Immersive audio, multi-point connection |
The AirPods Pro 2 ($189) are significantly better for movie watching, offering better bass response and active noise cancellation. They also have lower latency, meaning better audio-video sync, especially with Apple devices. The Bose Ultra Open ($229) have more sound leakage and don't isolate you from environmental noise, making them less ideal for home theater use.
Yes, both can connect to smart TVs via Bluetooth. However, the AirPods Pro 2 offer lower latency and better sound isolation for an improved viewing experience. The Bose Ultra Open might be better if you need to hear others in the room while watching.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer slightly longer battery life at 7.5 hours compared to the AirPods Pro 2 at 6 hours. However, both provide enough power for most movies or binge-watching sessions.
While the AirPods Pro 2 work with any Bluetooth device, you'll miss out on some key features like instant pairing and spatial audio. The Bose Ultra Open might be a better choice for non-Apple users as they offer consistent features across all platforms.
The Bose Ultra Open generally offer better long-term comfort since they don't sit inside your ear canal. The AirPods Pro 2 can cause fatigue after several hours, though this varies by user.
The AirPods Pro 2 have minimal sound leakage due to their sealed design. The Bose Ultra Open have noticeable sound leakage, which might disturb others in quiet environments.
The Bose Ultra Open offer standard multi-point Bluetooth connection. The AirPods Pro 2 excel at switching between Apple devices but aren't as flexible with other brands.
The AirPods Pro 2 are better for gaming due to lower latency and better directional audio. The Bose Ultra Open aren't ideal for gaming due to higher latency and less precise spatial audio.
At $189, the AirPods Pro 2 offer better overall value with more features and versatility. The Bose Ultra Open at $229 are more specialized and might be worth it if open-ear design is a priority.
Both handle calls well, but the AirPods Pro 2 offer better call quality and noise cancellation. The Bose Ultra Open are better if you need to hear your surroundings during calls.
The AirPods Pro 2 deliver superior movie sound with better bass and spatial audio support. The Bose Ultra Open sacrifice some audio quality for their open design.
It depends on your environment. The AirPods Pro 2's noise cancellation is excellent for immersive viewing in noisy homes. The Bose Ultra Open might be better if you need to remain aware of your surroundings, like watching kids while viewing.
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: recordingnow.com - apple.com - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.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
