Fitness Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 64% of 148 Bose Ultra Open Earbuds owners recommend it, vs 66% of 140 for the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

64%of 148 owners recommend
64% recommend · 13% neutral · 23% don't
Owners praise
  • Open design keeps you aware of your surroundings
  • Exceptionally comfortable, barely-there all-day wear
  • Surprisingly good sound for an open-ear bud
Owners complain about
  • Weak or no bass due to the open, sealless fit
  • Poor call and mic quality
  • Expensive for what you get
Full owner report →

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2

66%of 140 owners recommend
66% recommend · 9% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Secure fit that stays put during workouts, runs, and sweat
  • Rugged, waterproof build that handles showers, rain, and sauna
  • Comfortable enough for long wear and even sleeping
Owners complain about
  • Background hiss, white noise, or static, often with ANC on
  • Sound quality good but not best-in-class for some
  • ANC underwhelming next to rivals like Sony and Bose
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds if
  • ✓Runners and cyclists needing to hear their surroundings
  • ✓People who can't tolerate anything inside the ear canal
  • ✓All-day wearers wanting near-weightless clip-on comfort
  • ✓Users with small ears where in-ear buds fall out
Skip it if
  • Bass lovers or anyone wanting noise cancellation
  • People who rely on them for phone calls
Get the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 if
  • ✓Runners and gym-goers needing buds that stay put
  • ✓People who want buds for showers, sweat, and rain
  • ✓Small-eared users who struggle to keep buds in
  • ✓Buyers who prefer tactile buttons over touch controls
Skip it if
  • Audiophiles chasing best-in-class sound quality
  • Bass lovers wanting punchy low-end

What Bose Ultra Open Earbuds owners say

“For me they were worth every penny.”
— @MingRose on YouTube
“Im actually liking the design. A lot of earbuds always fall out when i run or just aren't comfortable”
— @smittyvanjagermanjenson182 on YouTube
“the fact they arent good for calls is killing me”
— @jamesshepherd1860 on YouTube

What Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 owners say

“Best sport buds I have ever used ever. Incredible.”
— @viktorask on YouTube
“A damn shame. Love my Elite 8 Active and may upgrade to the Gen 2 as the headphone jack adapter is very creative.”
— @UlyssesFartknocker on YouTube
“I just received mine today to replace my old Sony wf-sp00n. Im disappointed. Comparing with Sony, the sound it's inferior.”
— @cbnx19 on YouTube

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds vs Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 64% of 148 Bose Ultra Open Earbuds owners recommend it, vs 66% of 140 for the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2.

Who should get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?

Owners point the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at runners and cyclists needing to hear their surroundings, and people who can't tolerate anything inside the ear canal.

Who should get the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2?

Owners point the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 at runners and gym-goers needing buds that stay put, and people who want buds for showers, sweat, and rain.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds is weak or no bass due to the open, sealless fit. For the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2, it's background hiss, white noise, or static, often with ANC on.