Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Shokz OpenDots 2: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Sep 14, 2026 02:45 PM

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Sep 17, 2026 03:07 PM

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Picture

Shokz OpenDots 2 Picture

TypeEarbuds

Noise CancellingNo

EnclosureOpen-Back

Bass Amount Very Underemphasized (-18 dB)

WirelessTruly Wireless

Treble Amount Balanced (-1 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Bright

TypeEarbuds

Noise CancellingNo

EnclosureOpen-Back

Bass Amount Very Underemphasized (-18 dB)

WirelessTruly Wireless

Treble Amount Emphasized (3 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Bright

Our Verdict

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Shokz OpenDots 2

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenDots 2 are both clip/cuff earbuds that don't block your ear canals. Both are solid for sports and fitness, though there are some differences that may pull you in either direction. The Shokz supports multi-device pairing, which can be convenient if you're using them outside the gym for work, but they have a shorter battery life (8 hours vs the Bose's 9) and don't support aptX-Adaptive, a codec that allows the Bose to hit sub-100 ms latencies, making them better for mobile gaming on your commute home from the gym. That said, the Shokz have an IP57 rating compared to the Bose's IPX4, so they're more resistant to the elements.

Variants

Ultra Open Earbuds (Black)
Ultra Open Earbuds (Carbon Blue)

OpenDots 2 (Black)
OpenDots 2 (Grey)

Review

See Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review

See Shokz OpenDots 2 Review

Check Price

Black

Ultra Open Earbuds

Black

OpenDots 2

Carbon Blue

Ultra Open Earbuds

Grey

OpenDots 2

Chilled Lilac

Ultra Open Earbuds

Pearl White

OpenDots 2

Diamond 60th Edition

Ultra Open Earbuds

Lunar Blue

Ultra Open Earbuds

Moonstone Blue

Ultra Open Earbuds

Sandstone

Ultra Open Earbuds

Steve Lacy

Ultra Open Earbuds

Sunset Iridescent

Ultra Open Earbuds

White Smoke

Ultra Open Earbuds

Main Differences for

Sports And Fitness

Threshold

0.10

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

Travel

0.0

0.0

Office Work

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Audio Reproduction Accuracy

0.0

0.0

Noise Isolation

0.0

0.0

Microphone (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Frequency Response Consistency

0.0

0.0

Sound

Sound Profile

Sound Profile

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Normalization Frequency

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Bass Amount

Locked

Locked

Treble Amount

Locked

Locked

Sound Signature

Locked

Locked

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Mismatch

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock°

Lock°

PRTF

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Harmonics Levels

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

THD Ratio

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 94 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

Electrical Aspects

Impedance

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL

Lock dB

Lock dB

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

Test Instrument

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Airplane Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio

Office Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio

Street Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling

Female Voice 1

Male Voice 1

Female Voice 2

Male Voice 2

ANC Wind Handling

ANC Wind Handling Graph

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

ANC Wind Noise

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

N/A

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Connectivity

Wired Connection

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Shokz OpenDots 2 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

N/A

N/A

Connector

Locked

Locked

Latency - Analog

N/A

N/A

Latency - USB

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Connection

Locked

Locked

Bluetooth Connection

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (Android)

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS)

Locked

Locked

Latency - SBC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)

Lock ms

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)

Lock ms

N/A

Latency - LDAC

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Codec

Locked

Locked

AAC Support

Locked

Locked

Wireless Connection (Dongle)

N/A

N/A

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Latency - Dongle

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

Ultra Open Earbuds

Black

OpenDots 2

Carbon Blue

Ultra Open Earbuds

Grey

OpenDots 2

Chilled Lilac

Ultra Open Earbuds

Pearl White

OpenDots 2

Diamond 60th Edition

Ultra Open Earbuds

Lunar Blue

Ultra Open Earbuds

Moonstone Blue

Ultra Open Earbuds

Sandstone

Ultra Open Earbuds

Steve Lacy

Ultra Open Earbuds

Sunset Iridescent

Ultra Open Earbuds

White Smoke

Ultra Open Earbuds

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Shokz OpenDots 2

Comments

Comparison

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