Bose
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
$299
Released 2024-02
Best Open Ear Earbuds · head-to-head
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Shokz OpenFit Pro
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Shokz OpenFit Pro is cheaper at $249.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Shokz
Shokz OpenFit Pro
$249.95Cheaper
Released 2025
Which is better: the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Shokz OpenFit Pro?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Shokz OpenFit Pro is the cheaper at $249.95.
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 | Shokz OpenFit Pro |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 | $249.95 |
| Brand | Bose | Shokz |
| Released | 2024-02 | 2025 |
| Msrp usd | 299 | 249.95 |
| Fit style | cuff | hook |
| Driver size (mm) | — | — |
| Battery buds hours | 7 | 12 |
| Battery total hours | 27 | 50 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 6.1 |
| IP rating | IPX4 | IP55 |
| Weight per bud grams | — | 12.3 |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Multipoint connect | Yes | Yes |
Sources — Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: bose.com (verified 2026-06-27). Shokz OpenFit Pro: shokz.com (verified 2026-06-27).
What's the difference between the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenFit Pro?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Msrp usd: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 299 vs Shokz OpenFit Pro 249.95
- Fit style: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds cuff vs Shokz OpenFit Pro hook
- Battery buds hours: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 7 vs Shokz OpenFit Pro 12
- Battery total hours: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 27 vs Shokz OpenFit Pro 50
- Bluetooth version: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 5.3 vs Shokz OpenFit Pro 6.1
- IP rating: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds IPX4 vs Shokz OpenFit Pro IP55
- Wireless charging: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds false vs Shokz OpenFit Pro true
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.
Shokz OpenFit Pro
Two whitelisted testers reviewed the Shokz OpenFit Pro: SoundGuys (two weeks hands-on, with measured noise-reduction and battery data) and Engadget (weeks of qualitative testing). Both call it Shokz's best-sounding open-ear earbuds and confirm the new Open-Ear Noise Reduction genuinely dampens midrange noise (office chatter, HVAC hum) while being far weaker than true ANC and useless against low-frequency/travel noise. SoundGuys measured ~13% total reduction and ~13 dB midrange attenuation, and flags an uncomfortable ANC-style pressure sensation plus a hard-to-justify $50 premium; its only call complaint is wind, otherwise rating call quality highly. Engadget separately knocks below-average, muffled call voice quality. (2 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Best sound quality yet for open-ear earbuds, with notably stronger bass; Open-Ear Noise Reduction genuinely works on midrange noise (office chatter, HVAC hum, cafes); Comfortable, secure and more stable fit; suitable for workouts (IP55).
Flagged: Noise reduction is limited: no help against low-frequency/travel noise and far weaker than true ANC; Call voice quality is muffled / below average (Engadget); Wind ruins outdoor calls; mics suffer in strong gusts (SoundGuys).