The clip-on earbuds offer a secure, workout-friendly fit and keep the world audible, but limited features and stiff competition make their $199 price hard to justify.
Bose has broadened its open-ear line-up with the Sport Open Earbuds, a $199 model aimed at runners, gym users and anyone who wants awareness of their surroundings without giving up the feel of an earbud. According to Bose’s launch material, the new model was introduced alongside the upgraded Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) as part of a wider push into one of the fastest-growing segments of the US earbuds market. The company says the Sport model is built around a lighter, more active-friendly fit, while the Ultra version remains the premium option with more advanced features and longer battery life.
In practice, the Sport Open Earbuds use a cuff-style design that clips around the back of the ear and places the driver just outside the ear canal. That open arrangement leaves outside sound unobstructed, which is useful for exercise and commuting. Bose says the earbuds are IP54 rated for dust, sweat and splash resistance, and the product page lists up to seven hours of playback, rising to 29 hours with the charging case. The case itself supports wireless charging, and the earbuds include a physical control button for playback and calls, which is easier to use on the move than touch controls.
Independent testing broadly supports Bose’s pitch on comfort and fit. CNET found the Sport Open Earbuds secure and comfortable, with a slightly more confident hold than the more expensive Ultra Open Earbuds for some users. RTINGS similarly describes the new model as stable enough for running and workouts. Bose also says the attachment design is intended to work with most glasses, hats and piercings, which may make them easier to live with than some competing clip-on models.
Sound is solid for the category, though not class-leading. CNET says the Sport Open Earbuds deliver plenty of bass and decent clarity, with some room for adjustment through Bose’s companion app and its three-band equaliser. Even so, the Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen remain the better-sounding Bose model, with richer bass, cleaner treble and support for spatial audio features that the Sport pair lacks. Bose’s own product information confirms that the Sport model does not include noise cancelling or Bose Immersive Audio, which keeps the focus on open listening rather than isolation.
Call quality is another area where Bose has improved, but not transformed its performance. CNET reported that speech sounded generally clear in noisy outdoor conditions, though it could become slightly recessed or muffled at times. Bose says the earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4, voice-isolation technology and a vibration-sensing system designed to improve voice pickup. SoundGuys reached a similar conclusion, saying calls were usable but not immune to wind and environmental noise. That puts the Sport Open Earbuds in the better half of the clip-on market for calls, but still short of the strongest dedicated voice performers.
The bigger question is value. Bose’s own pricing sets the Sport Open Earbuds at $199, just below the $299 Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen. CNET and SoundGuys both argue that the Sport model feels expensive for what it offers, especially against rivals such as Shokz’s OpenDots 2, which adds features including Bluetooth 6.1, longer quoted battery life and a different durability rating at a similar price. For buyers who prioritise sound over advanced features, Bose’s new model is competitive; for everyone else, it may be most compelling when discounted.
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