Gadget / Earbuds / Review
【Hardcore Gadget Geek's Review】Bose Sport Open Earbuds Review: Out Oct 1, JPY 29,700, C-Arm Open-Ear Earbuds With IP54 and Up to 7 Hours Per Charge
The Bose Sport Open Earbuds are open-ear earbuds built for sports. They went on sale Oct 1, 2026 at JPY 29,700. A soft silicone C-arm cuff holds them on your ears, they are IP54 dust and splash resistant, and they play up to 7 hours per charge. They cost JPY 9,900 less than the 2nd-generation Ultra Open Earbuds, and they are made for people who move.
Key points
- Release date: Oct 1, 2026 (announced Sep 18). JPY 29,700. Black, White Smoke and limited Eucalyptus Green
- Up to 7 hours per charge, plus up to 22 hours of charge from the case. IP54 dust and splash resistance
- Bluetooth 5.4, up to 2 devices at once, Google Fast Pair. Volume adjusts automatically to surrounding noise
[Released Oct 1, 2026] Bose Sport Open Earbuds
The Sport Open Earbuds stay put when you move, and leave your ears open
Bose announced the Sport Open Earbuds on Sep 18, 2026 and put them on sale Oct 1. They are open-ear earbuds that leave the ear canal free and hang on a C-arm cuff.
As the name says, they are for sports, and the soft silicone cuff keeps them in place as you move. The 2nd-generation Ultra Open Earbuds that came out the same day are the ear-cuff flagship.
As an IT consultant (SE), I read two models from one maker starting from the difference. This article is built around the subtraction from the Ultra.
How I judged it
First, stability while moving. The silicone C-arm and the raised physical buttons work with sweaty hands. IP54 dust and splash resistance covers rain and sweat. IP54 is a splash rating, though, and is not meant for rinsing.
Next, battery. Up to 7 hours per charge, and the case can add up to 22 more hours. That is up to 29 hours in all (7 + 22).
There is also a feature that adjusts volume automatically to surrounding noise, so you do not have to touch the volume each time the road changes.
If you can't decide, take the Sport Open. The reason: IP54, the C-arm and JPY 29,700 give you a build made for moving.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Bose Sport Open Earbuds
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
When did the Sport Open Earbuds come out? Price and specs
| Item | Sport Open Earbuds |
|---|---|
| Release date | Oct 1, 2026 (announced Sep 18) |
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 29,700 |
| Type | Open-ear, silicone C-arm cuff |
| Playback | Up to 7 hours per charge |
| Case | Up to 22 more hours of charge, wireless charging, stands upright |
| Dust and splash resistance | IP54 |
| Connection | Bluetooth 5.4, 2-device multipoint, Google Fast Pair |
| Controls | Raised physical buttons |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Eucalyptus Green (limited) |
Sound comes from a purpose-built dynamic driver. The case stands upright, so you can leave it standing on a desk.
How does it differ from the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd gen)?
| Item | Sport Open | Ultra Open (2nd gen) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | JPY 29,700 | JPY 39,600 | -JPY 9,900 (-25%) |
| Type | C-arm cuff | Ear cuff | ― |
| Per charge | Up to 7 hours | Up to 9 hours | -2 hours (about -22%) |
| Extra charge from case | Up to 22 hours | Up to 19.5 hours | +2.5 hours |
| Sound features | Purpose-built driver | New driver, Cinema mode, aptX Adaptive | Ultra only |
The JPY 9,900 gap splits the choice: take the Ultra for its sound features (Cinema mode, aptX Adaptive), or the Sport for the extra case charge (+2.5 hours) and the C-arm's stability.
Strengths and things to note
Strengths
Stable in motion. The silicone C-arm cuff hangs on the ear and holds its position.
Pressable with wet hands. Raised physical buttons are easy to use with sweaty fingers.
A handy case. It supports wireless charging and stands upright.
Things to note
Playback is up to 7 hours per charge, 2 hours short of the Ultra's 9. IP54 is a splash rating, so rinsing is not intended. Cinema mode and aptX Adaptive are Ultra-only features.
Who is it for?
People who want to hear their surroundings while running, working out at the gym or cycling. People who sweat and want earbuds that leave the ear open.
If sound features come first, the Ultra Open Earbuds is another way to choose.
Price and where to buy
JPY 29,700, sold at the Rakuten Ichiba stores of retailers such as Kojima. Over a year, that is about JPY 81 a day (29,700 / 365).
If you can't decide, take the Sport Open. The reason: IP54, the C-arm and up to 29 hours of battery for JPY 29,700.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Bose Sport Open Earbuds
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
For comparisons across open-ear models, see the best open-ear and bone-conduction earphones. For a 12-hour ear-hook model read the Shokz OpenFit Pro review, and for a rinsable bone-conduction set the Shokz OpenRun Air 2 review.
FAQ
When did the Bose Sport Open Earbuds come out?
They went on sale Oct 1, 2026. They were announced Sep 18 at JPY 29,700.
How is it different from the Ultra Open Earbuds?
The Sport costs JPY 9,900 less, uses a C-arm cuff and plays 7 hours per charge. The Ultra is an ear-cuff model with 9 hours and supports Cinema mode and aptX Adaptive.
Can I rinse it?
It is IP54 dust and splash resistant, so sweat and splashes are covered. IP54 is not a rating meant for rinsing.
About the writer and sources
Written by a gadget nerd who works as an IT consultant (SE). At work I read two models from one maker starting from the difference table, and I built this article's numbers as a subtraction from the Ultra first.
Release date and price were re-checked on Oct 27 against press coverage and the maker's announcement. Last updated Oct 27. Sources are listed below.
