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Head-to-head · Best Open-ear Headphones

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs HUAWEI FreeClip 2

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

HUAWEI FreeClip 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 3.7). The gap is mostly about users wanting clip-on open-ear design — read the strengths below before deciding.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Ranked #3 in Best Open-ear Headphones
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
7 sources1 derived$202.99as of Sep 27

SoundGuys reviewed the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and found their innovative clip-on design offers a secure fit and IPX4 water resistance, making them suitable for outdoor cardio enthusiasts. However, they noted significant sonic compromises that detract from the overall experience. The earbuds lack a traditional earbud seal, allowing ambient sound to penetrate, which may be both a benefit and drawback depending on user needs. The $299 price point is steep, especially when compared to alternatives offering better audio performance.

Strengths
  • — Secure fit during physical activity like cycling
  • — IPX4 water resistance for sweat protection
  • — Firmware update added Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity
Watch-outs
  • — Subpar sound quality compared to traditional earbuds
  • — Expensive
$202.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
HUAWEI FreeClip 2
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Open-ear Headphones
HUAWEI FreeClip 2
10 sources1 derived

The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 earbuds offer a unique clip-on design that keeps ear canals clear while delivering impressive bass output. SoundGuys called them among the best open earbuds on the market, praising their lightweight comfort and convenient features. However, the hefty price tag and lack of noise isolation make them less suitable for environments requiring sound blocking. The earbuds' automatic earbud detection and touch controls are standout features, though the Bluetooth version falls short of the latest standard.

Strengths
  • — Lightweight design at 5.1g per earbud
  • — IP57 water resistance on earbuds and IP54 on case
  • — Intuitive touch controls on either earbud
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive
  • — Bluetooth 5.4 instead of Bluetooth 6
Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer a secure fit and IPX4 water resistance, advantages over the Nothing Ear (Open) and Sony LinkBuds Clip, but suffer from subpar sound quality compared to the Shokz OpenDots 2 and HUAWEI FreeClip 2. Unlike the Shokz models, they lack wireless charging and have a significantly higher price tag of $299.

HUAWEI FreeClip 2

The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 offers a lightweight design and automatic earbud detection, features not available in the Shokz OpenDots 2 or Sony LinkBuds Clip. However, unlike the Shokz models, it lacks wireless charging support and has a less impressive IP rating compared to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, though it provides a unique clip-on design for secure wear.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose Ultra Open EarbudsHUAWEI FreeClip 2
Water ResistanceIPX4IP57 on earbuds, IP54 on case
WeightEarbuds: 6g each5.1g per earbud
Battery LifeUp to 7 hours of play time9 hours music playback
Driver Size0.46 in10.8 mm
DesignOpen-EarClip-on with C-bridge
Bluetooth Version—5.4
Technology—Bone acoustic sensor
Charging Port—USB Type-C
← See the full ranking of best open-ear headphones