Bose Ultra Open Bluetooth Earbuds with OpenAudio Technology, Open Ear Wireless Earbuds, Up to 48 Hours of Battery Life, Chilled Lilac - Limited Edition

These are a game changer! I find in-ear buds painful, and over-the-ear headphones are bulky and awkward (plus get really sweaty in hot weather), but these curl around the shell of your ear, so they are super comfortable. I've often forgotten I'm wearing them until I go to bed! They can be worn on any part of the ear, so you can slide them up and down to avoid piercings, which is another huge plus for me. The Bluetooth connection works with multiple devices at a time, which makes it much easier to switch between my phone and laptop when working.The sound quality is good, but I'm not a techie so honestly can't say if it differs to my old skullcandy headphones. Because the earbuds don't go into your ear canal it means you can still hear the noise going on around you. This is either a plus or a negative depending on your outlook. On the plus side: it's safer when walking at night, you can listen to a podcast or music while doing something else, you don't have to pause your music to hear people in shops etc. The drawbacks mean that there is zero noise cancellation and if you want to focus solely on what you're doing then you're still going to hear people chatting, roadworks, music in shops etc.I've only had them a week so can't attest to their longevity but they seem durable enough. I've not needed to recharge them since I first opened them so that's good. The controls are quite intuitive once you learn them. Click to stop/start, double click to skip track, long press to increase or lower volume. But there is also an option to change them if you would prefer.Overall I am really enjoying these earbuds and I'm glad I made the switch.

I purchased these wonderful open earbuds for my daughter 5 weeks ago as a gift and I'll paste in below what she has to say about them.Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: A Game-Changer for Comfort and AwarenessAs someone who loves to immerse themselves in music but struggles with ear sensitivity due to Pulsatile Tinnitus, finding comfortable earbuds has been a frustrating journey. That's why the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have been a revelation. Finally, I can enjoy incredible audio without the discomfort of traditional in-ear designs.These earbuds have seamlessly integrated into my daily routine. Whether I'm unwinding at home with a book, tackling emails, or even whipping up a cake in the kitchen, they provide a delightful audio experience without isolating me from my surroundings. This open design is a major win, allowing me to stay connected to what's happening around me – a crucial feature that doesn't compromise on sound quality.Speaking of sound, the audio from these earbuds is simply mind-blowing. Bose has truly delivered an immersive and rich soundscape that rivals my over-ear headphones. It's hard to believe such incredible audio can come from earbuds that don't even enter your ear canal. In my opinion, this conductive technology feels like the future of audio.Comfort is paramount, and the Ultra Open Earbuds excel here. I can wear them for hours on end without any irritation or discomfort. They feel secure and stay put throughout the day, even during walks. While I can't comment on their suitability for running or jogging, they've been perfect for my everyday activities.I also appreciate the fantastic battery life. For my typical usage – listening in chunks throughout the day – they last incredibly well. The inclusion of Auto Volume, which intelligently adjusts the audio to my environment, is another standout feature that enhances the overall experience.The build quality of the earbuds themselves feels premium and robust, exactly what you'd expect from a Bose product. However, if I had one minor critique, it would be the strength of the magnet on the charging case. While it's not weak enough to cause the earbuds to fall out, a stronger closure would provide a more reassuring feel.While the price point might be a barrier for some, the exceptional audio quality, unparalleled comfort for sensitive ears, and the crucial ability to remain aware of your surroundings make the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds a worthwhile investment for the right person.Who would benefit most from these earbuds? Anyone who loves high-quality audio but struggles with the discomfort of traditional earbuds, or those who need to remain aware of their environment while enjoying their favorite sounds. If you have sensitive ears or simply value situational awareness, I wholeheartedly recommend giving the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds a try – they've been a game-changer for me.

When I saw these open earphones, I was intrigued by the idea because my worst gripe about my AirPods is that I have to pause the music or remove the earphone to be able to hear people talking to me.Yes, these are expensive - so I tried a cheap brand, just to see if the concept worked. It did, but the sound quality wasn’t good. So I decided to give these a try, and I’m glad I did. Their performance is light years ahead of others.They’re very easy to put on, the flexible earpiece clips around your earlobe gently and they are comfortable for many hours of use - I’ve worn them all day and night without issues, only removing them to charge them via the case, which is nice & quick. They don’t interfere with my glasses at all, I can put them on and remove them without touching the earphones. And, best of all, they don’t fall off or out of your ear, even if you’re headbanging! I’m mobility impaired so don’t go running but I reckon they’ll be great for runners.Because they’re Bose, you have an expectation of great audio quality… and they don’t disappoint, especially in immersion mode, where the sound is amazing and really does seem to be positioned very slightly in front of you. There are 2 immersion mode settings, one where the positioning changes with your head movements, and one static where it doesn’t. Although the earphones don’t go in your ear like traditional earphones, the OpenAudio technology sounds just as good as if they were, without making the music audible to other people.The sound is fantastic for all kinds of audio and music, I have very eclectic tastes and the only type of music they don’t excel for is bass music where very low frequencies are the norm, but I’ve never come across earphones that are great at this, it’s their size. I have larger over ear headphones and a stereo with a big subwoofer for that type of music! They’re as good for listening to ambient music and soundscapes eg Sigur Ros, electronic music like Ladytron and classical music as they are for listening to the latest rock, pop and dance music. They sound great with Spatial Audio/3D audio too. I also find them great for laying in bed listening to audiobooks, they don’t hurt like other earphones can when you turn on your side and they’re pressed against the pillow.How do they get on in a noisy environment? Great. They have an auto volume function that can increase/decrease the volume based on the sounds around you, and maximum volume is loud - you wouldn’t have them turned up to the top for normal usage, I have them set at less than half volume pretty much all the time.You can control volume, playback, sound mode and even your voice assistant using the buttons on each earpiece, a click, double/triple click or long hold allows several controls to be used with just one button. I found the button to actually be better to use than the touch sensitive stalk controls on other earphones mainly because you don’t accidentally activate it so easily if you adjust the position of the earpiece.If you’re intrigued by these earphones but the price concerns you, give them a try… I realised what a good investment they are once I tried them, and use them far more than I have any other earphones ever, because they’re comfortable, don’t fall out of my ear, the sound quality is amazing and they let me hear as much of my environment as I want/need to. They’ve replaced my over ear headphones as my day to day listening buddies.They’re pricey, but they’re worth it.A definite two thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻