Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Quick take: The Shokz OpenSwim Pro costs $19 less; the Shokz OpenSwim Pro lasts longer per charge (9 hrs).
Which one to buy
This one comes down to a single question: do you swim laps?
If you do, the OpenSwim Pro is the answer and the Bose isn't a candidate. Bluetooth doesn't work underwater, so the Shokz carries a 32GB MP3 player for the pool, and it's rated IP68, which is genuine swim-grade. Its wraparound band stays on through flip turns, and owners say bone conduction sounds better submerged than in air. The Bose Ultra Open is IPX4, which covers sweat and splashes but is the weakest water rating in this category.
If you don't swim, the comparison flips. On land the Shokz becomes a normal bone-conduction headset with thin bass, fine for podcasts and less satisfying for music. The Bose is the best-sounding open-ear option, with real bass from a cuff that clips to the edge of your ear, and its Immersive Audio mode adds width. It also leaks less than other open designs, so it works in an office.
The rest of the differences are about how you use them. The Shokz has physical buttons that work with gloves, multipoint over Bluetooth 5.4, and 9 hours per charge, with 10 minutes giving 3 hours. Loading music is old-fashioned, though: you drag files you own over a proprietary cable, because streaming downloads are DRM-locked. The Bose gets 7.5 hours per charge (about 4.5 with Immersive Audio) and a case with 27 hours in total. Its calls are weak in wind or crowds, and its sprung cuff can launch a bud across the room if you fumble it.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
If you never put your head underwater and want open-ear sound that's good enough for music, not just podcasts.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Best if you swim laps or do triathlons and have music files you own to load onto it. On land it's a capable running headset as well.
| Spec | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | Shokz OpenSwim Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$199 | ~$180 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Open-Ear & Bone Conduction | Open-Ear & Bone Conduction |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 7.5 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 27 hrs | — |
| Quick Charge | 10 min → 2 hrs | 10 min = 3 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | Bluetooth + 32GB MP3 mode (plays MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, M4A files) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | — | — |
| Weight | 6.4 g | 27 g |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP68 |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | No |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
- ✓Best sound of any open-ear product, period
- ✓6.4g cuffs clip on like jewelry — canal stays empty
- ✓aptX Adaptive and Snapdragon Sound for Android
- ✓Multipoint added via firmware after rocky launch
- ✓Lowest leakage in the open-ear category
- ✓$100 cheaper than its $299 launch price
- ✗Immersive Audio drops battery from 7.5 to 4.5 hours
- ✗IPX4 is the weakest rating among sports rivals
- ✗Cuff turns pinchy on some ears after hours
- ✗Fit takes a day or two to learn
- ✗No wireless charging case at $199
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
- ✓True swim-rated IP68 build, tested to about 2 meters
- ✓32GB MP3 mode holds ~8,000 songs for underwater listening
- ✓Wraparound fit stays secure through flip turns, with or without a cap
- ✓9-hour Bluetooth battery; 10-min quick charge adds 3 hours
- ✓Multipoint pairing across phone and watch
- ✓Bone conduction sounds clearer underwater than most swim earbuds
- ✓Doubles as a regular open-ear sport headphone on land
- ✗Bluetooth is useless underwater — you must pre-load files over USB, no streaming apps
- ✗MP3 mode drops battery to 6 hours
- ✗Physical buttons take real learning; owners call them fiddly
- ✗Thin bass on dry land, like all bone conduction
- ✗Proprietary magnetic charging cable
- ✗$180 is a lot if you only swim occasionally
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Shokz OpenSwim Pro: common questions
Can I swim with the Bose Ultra Open?▾
No. They're IPX4, which covers sweat and rain, not submersion. Bluetooth wouldn't reach them underwater anyway. The OpenSwim Pro is IP68 and plays from its own storage in the pool.
Does the Bose Ultra Open or the OpenSwim Pro sound better for music on a run?▾
The Bose, clearly. It's the best-sounding open-ear option, with real bass. On land the OpenSwim Pro has the typical thin bass of bone conduction.
Can I use Spotify with the OpenSwim Pro in the pool?▾
No. Streaming-service downloads are DRM-locked and won't copy over, so pool listening needs files you own, such as MP3 or FLAC, dragged across with the USB cable. Out of the water, you can stream over Bluetooth as normal.