When Bose released two new premium earbuds in late 2023, they took distinctly different approaches to personal audio. The traditional Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($229) and innovative Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($229) serve different needs while sharing some exciting new technology. Let's explore how to choose between them.
The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically in recent years. While early models struggled with battery life and connection stability, today's premium earbuds offer incredible features like spatial audio (which makes music sound like it's coming from all around you) and adaptive noise cancellation (which automatically adjusts to your environment).
The key consideration has shifted from "Do they work well?" to "How do they fit into my lifestyle?" This is exactly where Bose's two new models take different paths.
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds follow the familiar in-ear design we've come to expect, with silicone tips that seal in your ear canal. They're the spiritual successor to Bose's highly regarded QuietComfort Earbuds II, adding new features while maintaining the isolation-focused approach.
The Ultra Open Earbuds take a completely different route. Instead of sealing your ear canal, they rest outside it using a clever cuff design that hooks around your outer ear. This keeps your ear canal completely open while still delivering surprisingly good sound quality.
These earbuds deliver what many consider best-in-class sound quality. The sealed design allows for full-range audio reproduction, with particularly impressive bass response. Bose's CustomTune technology measures your ear canal's shape each time you put them in, adjusting the sound profile for optimal performance.
The active noise cancellation is outstanding, making them perfect for noisy environments like planes, trains, or busy offices. The addition of Immersive Audio (Bose's spatial audio technology) creates a more speaker-like experience, though it does reduce battery life from 6 hours to 4 hours.
These take a different approach to sound. Because they don't seal your ear canal, bass response is naturally limited. However, the mids and highs are remarkably clear, and the open design creates a more natural soundstage. They also feature Immersive Audio, though the effect is somewhat different due to the open design.
Battery life is slightly better at 7.5 hours (4.5 with Immersive Audio), likely due to not having to power noise cancellation circuits.
These excel in situations where you want to focus on your audio content:
These shine in scenarios where awareness matters:
Both models incorporate Bose's latest audio technology, including:
The QuietComfort Ultra adds:
The Ultra Open offers:
Both models are priced identically at $229, down from their initial $299 launch price. The value proposition depends entirely on your needs:
The QuietComfort Ultra offers more traditional versatility. They work well in more situations and provide superior noise isolation. If you're looking for a do-everything earbud, these are probably the better choice.
The Ultra Open are more specialized but excel in their niche. If you prioritize awareness and comfort over isolation, or if you've never liked how traditional earbuds feel, these could be perfect despite their limitations.
For home theater use, the QuietComfort Ultra has a clear advantage. Their sealed design and support for low-latency audio codecs make them excellent for watching movies without audio sync issues. The noise cancellation can help block out household distractions, and the full-range sound reproduction delivers better impact for movie soundtracks.
The Ultra Open can certainly be used for home theater, but they're less ideal. Background noise will be more noticeable, and bass-heavy movie effects won't have the same impact.
Choose the QuietComfort Ultra if:
Choose the Ultra Open if:
The real decision comes down to isolation versus awareness. Both products excel at what they're designed to do, but they serve different needs. Consider your primary use case carefully - that should guide your choice more than any other factor.
For most users seeking traditional premium earbud features, the QuietComfort Ultra will be the better choice. However, if you've always wished for earbuds that don't isolate you from your surroundings, the Ultra Open offers a compelling alternative that might be exactly what you've been waiting for.
Both products represent significant advances in their respective approaches to personal audio, and both deserve serious consideration depending on your specific needs and preferences.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds |
|---|---|
| Design Style - Determines isolation vs awareness | |
| Traditional in-ear sealed design | Open-ear cuff design that doesn't block ear canal |
| Battery Life - Critical for daily use without recharging | |
| 6 hours (4 with Immersive Audio), 24 total with case | 7.5 hours (4.5 with Immersive Audio), 27 total with case |
| Noise Cancellation - Essential for commuting or office use | |
| Advanced ANC with CustomTune adaptation | None (by design) |
| Environmental Awareness - Important for safety during outdoor activities | |
| Limited to pass-through mode | Complete natural awareness at all times |
| Bass Performance - Critical for full music enjoyment | |
| Full range with deep bass response | Limited bass due to open design |
| Comfort for Extended Wear - Crucial for all-day use | |
| Good but can cause fatigue after hours | Excellent for long sessions, especially with glasses |
| Use While Active - Important for exercise compatibility | |
| Secure with stability bands but may need adjustment | Very stable, ideal for running/cycling |
| Price - Consider value based on your primary use case | |
| $229 (better value if isolation needed) | $229 (better value if awareness needed) |
| Water Resistance - Essential for exercise use | |
| IPX4 (splash and sweat resistant) | IPX4 (splash and sweat resistant) |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Excellent with noise reduction | Good but affected by background noise |
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are significantly better for movie watching due to their sealed design and full bass response. They also offer noise cancellation to block distractions and support low-latency audio codecs for better video sync. The Ultra Open Earbuds lack the bass response needed for impactful movie sound effects.
Yes, both the Ultra Open Earbuds and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are completely wireless, using Bluetooth 5.3 for connection to your devices. Both come with charging cases for extended use.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have slightly better battery life at 7.5 hours (4.5 with Immersive Audio) compared to the QuietComfort Ultra's 6 hours (4 with Immersive Audio). Both provide additional charges through their cases.
Both models work well for calls, but the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds perform better in noisy environments due to their noise cancellation and superior microphone system. The Ultra Open Earbuds are better if you need to hear your surroundings during calls.
Yes, both the QuietComfort Ultra and Ultra Open Earbuds are compatible with any Bluetooth device, including iPhones and Android phones. They both support standard Bluetooth audio codecs.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are significantly better for glasses wearers since they don't create a seal that can be broken by glasses temples. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds may need readjustment when worn with glasses.
Both models can work with TVs that support Bluetooth audio. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the better choice for TV watching due to their superior sound quality and noise isolation. However, you may need a Bluetooth transmitter if your TV doesn't support Bluetooth.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer better overall sound quality with fuller bass and better isolation. The Ultra Open Earbuds have good mids and highs but limited bass due to their open design.
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are better for gaming due to their low-latency support and better sound isolation. The Ultra Open Earbuds aren't ideal for gaming due to their open design and potential audio delay.
Only the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have active noise cancellation. The Ultra Open Earbuds are specifically designed to let in environmental sound and don't offer any noise cancellation.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are generally more comfortable for extended use since they don't create pressure in the ear canal. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are also comfortable but may cause fatigue after several hours.
At $229 each, both models offer good value for different users. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are worth it if you need noise cancellation and superior sound quality. The Ultra Open Earbuds are worth it if you prioritize awareness and comfort during active use.
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: rtings.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - community.spotify.com - soundguys.com - runnersworld.com - youtube.com - bose.com - boselatam.com - bose.com - bose.com - bose.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
