Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs. Shokz OpenDots One: Which open-ear clips suit your needs?

      Open-ear earbuds are an excellent choice for those who wish to enjoy music, podcasts, and phone calls while remaining mindful of their environment. Many people also find them more comfortable than traditional wireless earbuds. However, even within the open-ear category, there are decisions to make. One of the most significant choices is whether to go for an earhook design or the newer clip style.

      If you’re leaning towards clip-style open-ear earbuds, two top models are the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which helped popularize this style, and the Shokz OpenDots One, one of the most recent additions to this category. Although they have a similar shape, these open-ear clips differ in several ways. Which one suits you best? We’ve compared them side by side to assist you in your choice.

      **Bose Ultra Open Earbuds**

      **Shokz OpenDots One**

      **Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs. Shokz OpenDots One: Price**

      Bose positions itself as a premium brand, and its pricing reflects that stance. When they launched in February 2024, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds were priced at $299, making them the most expensive open-ear earbuds at the time, and this price has remained mostly unchanged, aside from a few brief discounts.

      Shokz also considers itself a premium brand, with its prices generally higher than those of competitors in similar categories. However, at $200, the OpenDots One are not the priciest clip-style open-ears available, creating a substantial price difference. As we proceed with this comparison, you can determine if Bose's higher price is warranted.

      **Winner: Shokz OpenDots One**

      **Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs. Shokz OpenDots One: Specs comparison**

      | Feature | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | Shokz OpenDots One |

      |-------------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------|

      | Price | $299 | $200 |

      | Colors | Sandstone, Black, Deep Plum, Diamond, White Smoke, Chilled Lilac, Lunar Blue, Carbon Blue, Moonstone Blue, Sunset Irridescent | Black, White |

      | Weight | 0.35 ounces each, 1.76 ounces total with charging case | 0.23 oz each, 1.38 oz total with charging case |

      | Form factor | Open-ear (clip style) | Open-ear (clip style)|

      | Noise cancellation | No | No |

      | Battery Life | 7 hours per charge, 27 hours total playtime | 10 hours per charge, 40 hours total playtime |

      | Charging | USB-C | USB-C, Qi wireless |

      | Voice assistant | Smartphone native assistant | Smartphone native assistant |

      | Multipoint | Yes | Yes |

      | Water/dust resistance | IPX4 | IP54 |

      | Hi-res audio | No | No |

      | Spatial audio | Yes, with head tracking | No |

      | Fast pairing | Google Fast Pair | No |

      | Bluetooth version/codecs | 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.4 with SBC, AAC |

      Specifications do not encompass the entire story of any product but can provide insight into their strengths and weaknesses. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds excel in color variety (offering numerous options), spatial audio, and Bluetooth codec support, while the Shokz OpenDots One are lighter, boast longer battery life, allow for wireless charging, and offer slightly better protection (as indicated by the 5 in IP54 for dust resistance).

      These specifications reveal that although Bose and Shokz are competing in the same market, they have tailored their products to cater to different preferences or needs. Bose has always considered the Ultra Open Earbuds as much a fashion accessory as a personal audio device, evident when they launched the Ultra Open as a limited edition in collaboration with fashion brand Kith before the full release. The current color lineup supports this notion. In contrast, the Shokz OpenDots One come in more subdued dual color options consistent with the rest of the brand’s offerings.

      In terms of sound quality, we will address that shortly, but battery life and wireless charging are crucial factors that will likely influence buyers the most. While the Ultra Open Earbuds can be wirelessly charged, it requires purchasing Bose’s optional $49 wireless charging cover. Battery life often leads to the assumption that "more is always better." While that is generally true, it is essential to assess how much battery life you anticipate needing. The Ultra Open’s 7 hours per charge might suffice for a full day, but utilizing Bose’s Immersive (spatial) Audio feature can reduce battery life to merely 4 hours.

      Overall, when considering the specs that most consumers value