Bose Sport Open Earbuds (2021), Black review

The original Bose Sport Open Earbuds are an earlier, discontinued open-ear wireless model, sold from 2021 to 2023 according to Bose support. They should not be confused with the current 2026 Sport Open product, which has a soft silicone cuff and wireless charging case. This 2021 assessment concerns the Black, contoured-earhook design with a stationary charging base and protective carry case. Bose listed Bluetooth 5.1, an IPX4 rating and up to eight hours of battery life.

This is a source-based review, not a personal ownership or training report. No fit, sound, call, connection or battery measurements were made here. Because the model is earlier, any offer's condition, completeness, seller and return rights matter as much as its published feature set.

An unusual open hook rather than a cuff

Bose's 2021 design places each enclosure above the ear canal using a contoured hook. There is no silicone tip inside the canal, and Bose marketed the format for workouts where ambient awareness matters. That distinguishes it from a sealed ANC earbud, but also means it cannot provide the same physical seal. It should not be treated as hearing protection or as a substitute for an in-ear model in a noisy environment. Bose's launch material described the product as resisting sweat, heat, rain and snow, and its support table lists IPX4; still, inspect the original manual's care guidance and avoid assuming the separate charging base or protective case is water-rated.

The old hook should not be collapsed into the 2026 Sport Open. The newer product uses a flexible silicone C-arm, has physical buttons, carries an IP54 product rating and comes with a wireless-charging case. The 2021 package instead listed a stationary charging base and protective carrying case. These are functional accessories, not finish differences. If a retailer's headline only says “Sport Open,” compare the photographs: the 2021 earhook curls above and behind the ear; the current cuff wraps around the ear in a different shape.

Battery and charging limitations

Bose's support specification says up to eight hours at full charge and lists a two-hour charging time. The box contents specify a stationary base. This is not the portable wireless-charging case from the later model. A buyer should verify the base is actually included, is in working condition and is compatible with the exact earbuds; a missing base can leave the product unusable. The support record does not establish USB-C cable charging for this base, so it is not marked as a USB-C case arrangement in the finder.

Eight hours is a manufacturer maximum. It is not evidence of runtime on a now-aging battery or an assurance for an individual used unit. A product sold years ago may have spent time stored, and its battery condition cannot be inferred from a clean product photo. If you are considering secondhand stock, ask about battery function, charger/base, reset and pairing state, return policy, and whether the original protective case accompanies it. Do not pay a premium on the assumption that the new model's warranty or battery applies.

Connection and feature expectations

Bose specifies Bluetooth 5.1 and shows Bluetooth profiles including A2DP and AVRCP. The available official sources reviewed here do not establish a supported codec list, so SBC/AAC support is not filled in by guesswork. Bose's indexed 2021 help material describes pairing and connection controls but does not establish two-device multipoint for this generation; the product should be treated as a one-source design unless a current model-specific source proves otherwise. A buyer who relies on modern app features, multipoint switching or a particular codec should not assume that current Bose products' software capabilities apply to this older headset.

On paper, the 2021 Sport Open may suit someone who specifically wants an open hook form and is comfortable dealing with an earlier product's condition and missing-accessory risks. It is a poor choice if you require ANC, sealed isolation, a wireless charging case, a documented USB-C case, or current availability and support. The nominal eight-hour claim should be weighed against the battery's age. Newer open designs may solve some charging and fit preferences, but each still needs its own fit assessment.

Used-product checklist

Confirm Bose Sport Open Earbuds (2021), Black, rather than the 2026 cuff. Request clear photos of both earhooks, the charging base and the protective carry case. Check that both sides power and charge, that the base matches, and that the seller states the battery condition instead of repeating the original eight-hour claim as measured fact. Confirm how the base receives power before purchase; the item isn't the current wireless USB-C case. Ask about firmware/app access, included paperwork and warranty, and ensure you can return it if the open hook doesn't sit comfortably. For any water exposure, follow Bose's instructions for the buds and keep charging accessories dry.

Sources: Bose's 2021 announcement, its official support specification record (sold 2021–2023), model-specific owner's guide, and the separate 2026 launch announcement.