Say goodbye to tangled wires and muffled surroundings—Bose Ultra Open Earbuds redefine personal audio with a newly released open-ear design

Words Mika Reyes
Photos courtesy of Bose
February 10, 2025

Once upon a time, headphones were either in your ears, over your ears, or—let’s be real—tangled in your bag like a nest of chaotic life choices. Enter the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, a paradigm shift in personal audio and, dare we say, the single most stylish revelation in sound technology since the boombox. If you’re a creative type who needs to stay connected to the world while indulging in an immersive sound experience, this is your official cue to listen up (literally).

A Symphony Without Isolation

Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and neither should your sound. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds use OpenAudio™ technology, which means you get crisp, dynamic audio without sealing yourself off from reality. Whether you’re sketching at a café, brainstorming in a co-working space, or people-watching for "research purposes," these earbuds ensure you stay tuned in without tuning out.

Even better? Bose Immersive Audio gives you that 360-degree listening experience, making it feel like the sound is everywhere rather than just projected into your ears. It’s like stepping into your personal concert hall—minus the overpriced drinks and the guy recording the whole show on his iPad.

Fashion Meets Function

Let’s be honest, tech is an accessory, and Bose understands that. With seven sleek colors and a luxury collaboration with Kristine Dee, these earbuds look less like a gadget and more like an intentional fashion choice. Think of them as the perfect crossover between high-end jewelry and cutting-edge sound engineering. Central Cee, Lisa from BLACKPINK, Tyla, and Laufey have already been spotted wearing them—so yes, these are celeb-approved.

Comfort, But Read the Fine Print

For those of us who find in-ear headphones to be a medieval form of torture, the cuff-like design of the Ultra Open Earbuds is a breath of fresh air. Unlike traditional earbuds, they sit around your ear, offering all-day comfort without the feeling of being plugged into a submarine. However, if your ears fall into the “larger than life” category, you might experience some pinching after a couple of hours. Consider this your friendly PSA—try before you buy.

Seamless (Mostly) Connection

We love a seamless experience—except when it’s not. Initial setup with these earbuds might require a bit of patience due to the in-app configurations, but once you’re in, the connection is mostly smooth sailing. One caveat, an occasional white noise hissing and a glitch when switching between music and YouTube. Not a dealbreaker, but also not a feature Bose is advertising.

Features Worth Mentioning (And Some That Could Use an Encore)

If you’re worried about sound leakage, don’t be. These earbuds keep your guilty pleasure playlists safely private. While immersive audio is a fun feature, it can sometimes overwhelm certain tracks—great for action movies, less so for an acoustic ballad. There’s also no wireless charging unless you purchase a separate case (because of course there’s an upsell).

Final Verdict

For those who live in the overlap between style, functionality, and creative chaos, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a revelation. They offer top-tier sound, an open-ear experience that keeps you connected to your surroundings, and a design chic enough to be an accessory. While they have a few quirks, the pros far outweigh the cons, making them an essential tool for artists, writers, designers, and anyone whose workflow thrives on staying both inspired and aware.

In short, if you’re a creative powerhouse with places to be and ideas to capture, these earbuds just might be your new favorite sidekick.

This Is Why Open-Ear Headphones Are a Gamechanger for Creatives