The AirPods Pro and especially the AirPods Pro 2 are my favorite wireless earbuds But they are not the only wireless earbuds I use regularly, another pair that recently joined my rotation is the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Both are among the best wireless earbuds, but the AirPods Pro and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are quite different: the AirPods Pro is smaller, sportier, and has a much better sound quality They can be worn anywhere and can easily switch between transparent and noise-canceling modes

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, on the other hand, use an open ear concept This means that they can be worn for extended periods of time and still be aware of their surroundings The flexible silicone-coated arms support a fairly firm grip

Having spent the last few months with Apple's AirPods, I figured it was time to ditch them for a week and see what would happen if I used the Ultra Open Earbuds

Whenever I switch from in-ear to open-ear style buds, the sound quality is at least somewhat compromised; the AirPods Pro are sealed, so you get a balanced listening experience across the entire frequency range, and noise isolation ensures that outside noise does not interfere with the sound reaching your ears Noise isolation prevents outside noise from interfering with the sound reaching your ears To reduce interference without being sealed, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds use a small transducer that adapts to the direction of sound and aims it precisely But are they effective?

I used the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds in a variety of environments, from commuting on the subway to wearing them on a short flight The biggest takeaway is that they are the most comfortable earbuds I have ever worn I have no problem keeping them clipped to my ears for hours at a time without issue, whereas I usually have to take several breaks with the AirPods Pro

Needless to say, the AirPods Pro's battery life is 6 hours of continuous playback, so I have to put them back in the case to recharge before I finish putting on my shirt; the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are 75 hours of continuous playback, but when there is no playback, the battery does not drain I was able to spend most of the day with these earbuds [The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are slightly better than the AirPods Pro in terms of comfort and battery life However, I missed the AirPods Pro in terms of sound quality and features; the AirPods Pro has high-end audio prowess that few earbuds in the same $249 price range have The number of customizations, adaptations, and accommodations make Apple's earbuds well worth it

Don't get me wrong, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds sound solid However, when listening to music, bass and mids are not as distinct; the Immersive Audio (aka spatial audio) feature is a big step up in the open-ear category, but not as impactful as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Effectiveness The lack of a wireless charging case and the lack of multipoint pairing are also odd inconveniences for the Bose buds

That said, I think there is room for both styles of earbuds in my everyday life For me, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a smart choice, as I like to keep my ears free when I'm out in public Whether I'm taking a walk in the park or collaborating in a busy office, it's nice to have an unobstructed view of my surroundings Comfort and battery life mean they can keep up with my day, no matter how busy I am

But when I'm more active and listening to music, I want the best sound possible In those situations, I still turn to my trusty AirPods Pro Whether I'm traveling on an airplane or even watching a show at home with Spatial Audio, the acoustic immersion reminds me why Apple earbuds are one of the most popular choices on the market