They're pricey at $299 -- perhaps too pricey -- but the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the best-sounding open clip-on earbuds out there.
When Bose’s original $299 Ultra Open Earbuds were released more than two years ago, they were among the first clip-on earbuds to hit the US market, and they seemed innovative and different. Since then, this style of open earbuds that resemble clip-on earrings has proliferated, with dozens of new models appearing on Amazon, many of them offering underwhelming sound quality compared to the Ultra Open Earbuds, but at far lower prices.
The new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) look very similar to the originals, but offer improved sound, voice-calling performance and battery life that makes them arguably the best clip-on open earbuds on the market. That said, their $299 list price is $100 more than just about every other set of premium clip-on earbuds, including the company’s completely new $199 Sport Open Earbuds. So while they may be a top option in the category — and have earned a CNET Editors’ Choice for their overall quality — I have some reservations about paying full price for them when several other solid clip-on options are available at a lower price.
As I said, at least as far as the earbuds go, this second-gen model looks very similar to the original, with a slightly upgraded version of the original’s “cuff-clip” design that a lot of people, including me, found quite comfortable. The silicone connecting joint is a little softer and more flexible, and the metallic cap on each bud is shinier and more reflective.
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