Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Open-ear Headphones

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs SHOKZ OpenMove

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 and SHOKZ OpenMove score essentially the same (3.7 vs 3.7). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

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
SHOKZ OpenMove
Ranked #4 in Best Open-ear Headphones
SHOKZ OpenMove
7 sources2 derived$79.95as of Oct 2

The SHOKZ OpenMove are affordable bone conduction headphones designed for athletes who need to stay aware of their surroundings. SoundGuys called them a 'nice bone conduction headphones that will keep you safe when exercising.' They feature IP55 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.1 with multipoint connectivity, and a durable titanium frame. However, reviewers noted the lack of fast charging and that they're slightly heavier than other models in the line. AlexReviewsTech described them as showing 'cheaper stature' in build quality compared to the newer OpenRun Pro model.

Strengths
  • — Leaves ears unoccluded for safety during exercise
  • — IP55 dust and water-resistant build
  • — Durable titanium frame construction
Watch-outs
  • — No fast charging capability
  • — Heavier than other Shokz headsets at 29g

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.

SHOKZ OpenMove

The SHOKZ OpenMove provides a durable titanium frame and IP55 water resistance, features not found in the Shokz OpenDots 2 or Sony LinkBuds Clip. While the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 offers better battery life and the Nothing Ear (Open) provides multipoint connectivity, the OpenMove delivers affordable bone conduction technology with safety-focused design for active users.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose Ultra Open EarbudsSHOKZ OpenMove
Water ResistanceIPX4IP55
WeightEarbuds: 6g each29g
Battery LifeUp to 7 hours of play time6 hours
Driver Size0.46 in—
DesignOpen-EarOpen-Ear
Technology—7th Generation Bone Conduction Technology
Bluetooth Version—5.1
Charging Port—USB-C
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