Head-to-head · Best Open-ear Headphones

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Nothing Ear (Open)

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

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds comes out ahead by a narrow margin (3.7 vs 3.6). The gap is mostly about fitness enthusiasts prioritizing secure fit — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Open-ear Headphones

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

3.7

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 Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Open-ear Headphones

Nothing Ear (Open)

3.6

7 sources$89as of Sep 27

SoundGuys called the Nothing Ear (Open) 'the new front runners in the open-ear market,' praising its more ergonomic design and improved driver placement that enhances sound quality compared to other open-ear models. The earbuds feature an IP54 rating and multipoint connectivity, making them suitable for active users who want to stay aware while listening. However, reviewers noted a slight rattle when stored in the case and the absence of wireless charging. The Nothing Ear (Open) is ideal for outdoor cardio enthusiasts and those wanting to maintain awareness during use. TechRadar reported similar concerns about the pinch controls requiring significant force and noted the lack of wireless charging as a drawback. These features make it a solid choice for fitness-focused users but may not suit everyone.

Strengths

— IP54 waterproof rating for both earbuds and case
— Ergonomic design with driver placement closer to ear canal than competitors
— Multipoint connectivity allows connection to two devices

Watch-outs

— Slight rattle from earbuds when stored in charging case
— No wireless charging support

$89 · Check Price on Amazon 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.

Nothing Ear (Open)

The Nothing Ear (Open) distinguishes itself with ergonomic design and improved driver placement that enhances sound quality over the Sony LinkBuds Clip and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. While the Shokz models offer better battery life and bone conduction technology, the Nothing earbuds provide multipoint connectivity and a more stylish case design.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bose Ultra Open Earbuds	Nothing Ear (Open)
Water Resistance	IPX4	IP54
Weight	Earbuds: 6g each	Earbud: 8.1 g
Battery Life	Up to 7 hours of play time	8 hours
Driver Size	0.46 in	—
Design	Open-Ear	Open-ear clip-on
Technology	—	Open Sound Technology
Bluetooth Version	—	5.3

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