Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Do you want an open-ear design that leaves your ear canal uncovered, or an in-ear seal with active noise control?
Products compared
ASIN B0HF8PYLWS
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)
You prefer an open-ear design that leaves the ear canal uncovered so ordinary nearby sounds remain audible.
Last observed offer
$299.00
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
ASIN B0F7M3HPBD
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
You want an in-ear seal and the choice of Quiet ANC or Aware mode for different listening settings.
Last observed offer
$229.00
List Price: $299.00
Size: 1.58
Price checked
Observed offer ends
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
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Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-20 · Source checked 2026-10-20 18:17 UTC
The main trade-off
Ultra Open keeps the ear canal uncovered and has no ANC; QuietComfort Ultra uses silicone tips for a seal and offers Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes. Their physical controls and charging routines also differ.
Quick verdict
This is a fit-and-control choice, not a tested sound-quality ranking. Pick Ultra Open for a cuff-style, non-occluding design with physical buttons and no ANC; pick QuietComfort Ultra for a silicone-tip seal, active noise cancellation and touch gestures. Both cases support USB-C and wireless charging, while their published quick-charge claims use different stated conditions.
Choose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
- You prefer an open-ear design that leaves the ear canal uncovered so ordinary nearby sounds remain audible.
- You would rather press physical buttons on each earbud than use tap-and-swipe controls.
Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
- You want an in-ear seal and the choice of Quiet ANC or Aware mode for different listening settings.
- You prefer touch gestures, app-configurable shortcuts and three included sizes each of eartips and stability bands.
When the recommendation changes
- If the priority changes from keeping the ear open to reducing surrounding noise, the feature fit shifts to QuietComfort Ultra; a sealed fit and ANC still depend on an appropriate personal fit.
- If your main preference is physical button input rather than touch gestures, Ultra Open becomes the closer match regardless of listening environment.
The differences that matter
| Decision point | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Ear Design And Listening Context | Open-ear cuff design with speakers just outside the ear canal; no active noise cancelling.[1] | In-ear fit with silicone eartips and a proper acoustic seal; active noise reduction with Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes.[2] |
What this changes: This determines whether the listener prioritizes an uncovered ear canal or an in-ear seal and selectable noise-control modes; it does not establish safety, comfort or measured ANC superiority.[1, 2] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
| Controls And Charging Workflow | Physical earbud buttons control media, calls and shortcuts; case supports USB-C and wireless charging, and a 10-minute quick charge is advertised for up to 2 hours at 75 dBA with Immersive Audio off.[1] | Touch surfaces support taps, swipes and a press-and-hold shortcut; the Bose app can change shortcuts. Case supports USB-C and wireless charging; manual states a 20-minute charge can provide up to 2 hours at 75 dBSPL in Quiet mode with Immersive Audio off.[2, 3] |
What this changes: The buyer can pick the preferred input method and charging routine. Both include USB-C and offer wireless case charging; the quick-charge claims are not a standardized side-by-side test.[1, 2, 3] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
Best for your routine
Listening while deliberately keeping the ear canal uncovered for ordinary nearby sounds
Best fit: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Ultra Open is explicitly open-ear and has no ANC; this recommendation is about fit and openness, not a claim that it makes an activity safer.
Listening with the option of Quiet ANC or Aware mode in an in-ear format
Best fit: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
QuietComfort Ultra combines an in-ear silicone-tip seal with selectable Quiet and Aware modes; actual seal and noise reduction depend on personal fit.
Value and trade-offs
One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.
Compare current offers when shopping and decide whether the in-ear ANC or open-ear physical-button fit is worth any price difference.
There is not enough price history to judge whether now is a good time to buy; compare today's offers and conditions before deciding.
Limitations
- This comparison uses Bose's published product information and owner documentation; no hands-on fit or listening test was performed.
- No matched independent test was used to compare sound quality, real-world noise reduction or call results, so this comparison does not rank the earbuds on those outcomes.
- Fit and comfort vary by ear shape. QuietComfort Ultra's noise-control result depends on getting a suitable seal; Ultra Open's open design does not guarantee a particular listener's comfort.
- The quick-charge figures are manufacturer claims from different stated test conditions and should not be read as a controlled comparison. Battery life varies with settings and use.
- Long-term price history was not available for this comparison. Check each model's current price and availability before buying.
Questions shoppers ask
Does QuietComfort Ultra have an open-ear mode?
No. Aware mode lets outside sound pass through its noise-control system, but the product remains an in-ear earbud with silicone tips. Ultra Open is the open-ear option and does not include ANC.
Can either case charge without a USB cable?
Yes. Bose says both cases support compatible wireless charging as well as USB-C. Ultra Open's official page also describes a 10-minute quick charge for up to 2 hours; QuietComfort Ultra's manual describes a 20-minute quick charge for up to 2 hours under its Quiet-mode test conditions.
Methodology and sources
Compared the exact second-generation product pages and the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen owner guide for fit, noise-control modes, controls and charging. No matched listening or performance test was conducted.
A research assistant checked manufacturer specifications and owner instructions, then organized the supported differences into conditional buying guidance.
View 3 sources
- 1.Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen)Bose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-20 18:17 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Technical Specifications and FAQs: open-ear fit/no ANC, button controls, USB-C/wireless charging, quick charge: Official product page identifies this as Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), states the open-ear design and no ANC, and explains physical button functions, USB-C/wireless charging, and the 10-minute quick-charge claim with usage/settings caveats.
- 2.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)Bose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-20 18:17 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Features/FAQs and Technical Specifications: in-ear seal and ANC modes, fit kit, touch controls, wireless charging case: Official product page identifies the second generation and describes the in-ear fit, silicone-tip seal, Quiet/Aware/Immersion modes, touch gestures, app configuration, and wireless charging case.
- 3.QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Owner's GuideBose · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-20 18:17 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- pp. 24–28 (touch controls and shortcut configuration); pp. 37–41 (USB-C/wireless case charging and charge times): The exact second-generation manual documents touch controls and app-configurable shortcuts, USB-C and compatible wireless charging, plus the stated 20-minute/2-hour quick-charge conditions.