I swapped my favorite $300 Bose earbuds for a $50 pair. Here’s how the two compared

Open earbuds have become my recent audio obsession because of how magical the technology feels. You can simultaneously listen to your music while also listening to the sounds and environment you’re in. Open earbuds feel different than bone conduction headphones, which offer aware listening but compromise audio quality and volume. The cool thing about open earbuds is that they offer both great audio quality and awareness. 

My favorite open-ear earbuds are the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, which I consider a great alternative to bone-conduction headphones. They’re ideal for outdoor runners looking to enjoy amazing music while staying aware of their environment. 

Also: Why I run with these Bose earbuds instead of bone-conduction headphones

The Ultra Open are great, but they cost $300 — a bit pricey for open earbuds. I decided to try the JLab Flex open earbuds, which are $250 cheaper and have an almost identical style and form factor. I wanted to put both buds to the test. I exercised in each pair to evaluate comfort, sound, special features, and more. 

Both earbuds cling to the ear like clip-on earrings, wrapping just above your ear lobe and positioning the speaker near your ear canal. Even though the design of the earbuds is different from product to product, they both do an amazing job of staying around your ears comfortably while exercising or moving. Shake your head as you might — these earbuds are staying put. 

Are the Ultra Open worth the splurge, or can you get away with the more affordable option? Keep reading to find out. 

Specifications

You should buy the Bose Ultra Open if…

You’re willing to splurge on your earbuds

At $300, these earbuds are expensive but worth it for those who care about rich and bold audio quality while they’re out and about. Every design decision of the Ultra Open, from the way these hang on your ears to the button controls, is intentional and pays off while you wear them. Because of the Ultra Open’s comfortable, light, and open design, you could wear these while cooking in the kitchen, buying groceries at the store, or training for a marathon.

Audio quality is a non-negotiable  

I can see these earbuds being perfect for people who care a lot about how their music sounds, whether they’re chilling on the couch or going on a morning run. To compare sound quality, I listened to the same song using each pair of earbuds; I found the sound on the Ultra Open to be rich and full and significantly clearer in the mid-range than the JLab Flex. 

Also: I biked with these photochromic glasses, and the heads-up display was game-changing

I’ve tested a few open-ear earbuds and bone-conduction headphones and found that they sacrifice volume strength and clarity for environmental awareness. That’s why Bose accomplishing both simultaneously is so impressive. 

Listening to anything out of these earbuds is a joy because the Ultra Open delivers robust sound with lots of bass. If you are willing to spend a good chunk of money on masterful, loud, and aware sound, the Ultra Open is for you. 

You want around-the-clock comfort

The Ultra Open is far more comfortable to wear for hours on end than the JLab Flex, which tends to pinch my ear and stir up discomfort after longer periods of wear. 

You should buy the JLab Flex earbuds if… 

You want a great value at a great price

These earbuds may not be as luxurious or comfortable as the Bose Ultra Open. but that might not matter as much if you’re looking for a pair of open earbuds to exercise in. I ran in these many times and can say they deliver my songs and playlists clearly and loud enough. What they lack in refinements and embellishments, they make up for with a longer battery life and a price tag that’s less than a quarter of the price of the Ultra Open. 

Also: I replaced my Shokz with these bone conduction headphones – and can’t go back

Sound quality isn’t a priority

Sometimes you just want to hear your favorite songs while you’re out and about and don’t need the best audio quality. While the sound quality isn’t bad on the JLab Flex, it’s nowhere near the sound quality on the Ultra Open. When I listened to the same song on both devices, the Flex buds delivered good sound, albeit with a little less balance and a more tinny vibe.

You’ll be controlling audio settings from your phone, not the earbuds

My biggest gripe with the JLab Flex was the fact that the earbud controls were too finicky. The touch controls on the Ultra Open are located on the button behind the ear, while the touch controls on the Flex are located near the ear canal and rely on touch sensors instead of button controls. 

Also: Why I ditched my bone conduction headphones for these ‘wired’ earbuds – and don’t regret it

The buttons on the Ultra Open make it easy to change songs quickly or pause and play music while running, while the sensors on the Flex are more difficult to activate. It took me a few times to pause and play music with the Flex buds;, plus, when the music would pause, somehow — a few moments later — it would resume without a touch control activating it.

If you control your earbuds through your phone’s music or podcast app, not through the earbuds’ touch controls, then this issue won’t apply to you, and you can save yourself $250. 

Alternatives to consider

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