Bose
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
$299
Released 2024-02
Best Open Ear Earbuds · head-to-head
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs JBL Soundgear Sense
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. JBL Soundgear Sense is cheaper at $149.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
JBL
JBL Soundgear Sense
$149.95Cheaper
Released 2023
Which is better: the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or JBL Soundgear Sense?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The JBL Soundgear Sense is the cheaper at $149.95.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | JBL Soundgear Sense |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 | $149.95 |
| Brand | Bose | JBL |
| Released | 2024-02 | 2023 |
| Msrp usd | 299 | 149.95 |
| Fit style | cuff | hook |
| Driver size (mm) | — | 16.2 |
| Battery buds hours | 7 | 6 |
| Battery total hours | 27 | 24 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| IP rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Weight per bud grams | — | 13.1 |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Multipoint connect | Yes | Yes |
Sources — Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: bose.com (verified 2026-06-27). JBL Soundgear Sense: jbl.com (verified 2026-06-27).
What's the difference between the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and JBL Soundgear Sense?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Msrp usd: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 299 vs JBL Soundgear Sense 149.95
- Fit style: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds cuff vs JBL Soundgear Sense hook
- Battery buds hours: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 7 vs JBL Soundgear Sense 6
- Battery total hours: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 27 vs JBL Soundgear Sense 24
- IP rating: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds IPX4 vs JBL Soundgear Sense IP54
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
All four whitelisted outlets (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar, Engadget) reviewed this exact model hands-on. All four praise the comfortable clip-on open fit that stays put during workouts and all-day wear. Three (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar) explicitly flag the $299 / £299 price as high. They split sharply on sound: TechRadar and What Hi-Fi call the bass impressively full, while SoundGuys and Engadget find it subdued and the open design a genuine compromise. (4 sourced reviews, 4 lab-tested.)
Praised: Comfortable, secure clip-on open fit that stays put during workouts and all-day wear; Situational awareness suits running, cycling and office use; Very little sound leakage for an open design.
Flagged: Expensive at $299 / £299, on par with Bose's flagship in-ear ANC buds; Subdued bass and sound quality compromised versus sealed in-ear buds; Mediocre microphone / call quality in wind or ambient noise.
JBL Soundgear Sense
No sourced tester review yet.