Did you know that listening to music has been proven to significantly enhance performance? If you’re eyeing up your next max lift, then plug in your workout headphones and the sky is the limit. Which headphones should you go for? Here we pit two winning earbuds against each other, both brilliant in their own right, to find out.
If you’re interested in refreshing your workout earbuds but want to know which features are worth the spend, we tested two of the most popular headphones for athletes on the market today. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 need no introduction. From their impressive noise cancellation to their well-balanced audio, the AirPods are one of the few earbuds on the market that can also track your effort in real time – some seriously impressive stuff.
Meanwhile, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer some of the best open-ear sound our tester has experienced. From the innovative and versatile design, to the immersive audio that allows you to remain aware of your surroundings while enjoying your tunes, there’s lots to like in the Ultra.
At the time of writing, both earbuds can be bagged for around £200 a pair. Not the cheapest, but we’re testing a quality duo here. So let’s get into it…
How we tested the workout headphones
In our independent reviews of both of these workout earbuds, we found that price doesn’t always equal performance. The two pairs both scored impressively high in testing. Scoring five stars out of five, experienced tester Mike Sawh found it hard not to be impressed by the AirPods. Meanwhile, tester Lee Bell’s glowing comments on the 4.5-star Ultra make it clear innovation is a play here. Both testers reviewed the earbuds over a period of several weeks, using them for workouts and everyday use over a range of gym and outdoor sessions, to bring you their verdicts. Find out more about how we test products.
Design and first impressions
The AirPods keep Apple’s familiar all-white design, complete with the signature stem. Once mocked for resembling electric toothbrush heads, the look is now widely accepted, and the stem continues to deliver intuitive controls without adding bulk.
Apple has focused on making this version more workout-ready. A durability boost gives them an IP57 rating for dust, water, and sweat resistance. In testing, they handled sweaty interval bike sessions and rain-soaked morning runs without issue.
Meanwhile, the Ultra are instantly different. Unlike traditional in-ear models, these Bose buds wrap around the ear’s outer rim, resting lightly near the concha, while a slim battery cylinder sits behind the ear. It’s a bold, first-of-its-kind design for Bose.
They feel unusual at first, but comfort improves quickly. Each bud weighs just 6.4g and blends soft silicone with sturdy plastic for a lightweight yet premium feel. A flexible silicone spring and rigid speaker arm hold everything in place for use across different sports.
Physical buttons on the battery module handle volume, tracks, and modes without fuss. Overall, they’re eye-catching, well-built, and surprisingly comfortable once you adjust to the unconventional fit.
Performance and fit
That unconventional design is bound to turn some heads at first, but hear us out. Rather than sealing your ear canal, they rest lightly around the outer ear, keeping you fully aware of your surroundings. For cycling in traffic or running in busy areas, that natural awareness is a major advantage.
Audio gently lowers as environmental noise increases, making the experience feel smooth and intuitive. Comfort is also impressive once you adjust to the unusual fit. They’re lightweight and secure for steady efforts, though the rear battery can cause a slight wobble during more explosive movements.
The AirPods, by contrast, stick with a traditional in-ear seal. With five ear tip sizes, achieving a secure fit is easier than before, and they stay firmly in place during runs and gym sessions. While they can shift slightly when pulling on layers, they rarely budge during a workout.
Instead of relying on physical openness, Apple uses enhanced Transparency mode to let outside sound in — and strong active noise cancellation when you want full focus. This makes them more adaptable across noisy commutes, offices and gyms.
Sound quality is excellent on both, but delivered differently. The Ultra produces a wide, surprisingly rich soundstage for an open design, with clear mids and satisfying bass that rivals some in-ear models. The AirPods, however, offer deeper isolation and more powerful ANC, giving them the edge in loud environments and for bass-heavy listening.
Battery life is comparable at around 8h, though the Ultra lacks wireless charging, disappointingly. Apple also boasts extra tech: hearing protection, AI-powered Workout Buddy coaching, language translation, and built-in heart rate tracking that integrates seamlessly with fitness apps.
In short, while the Ultra prioritises comfort and real-world awareness, the AirPods deliver on versatility, smarter features, and stronger isolation. Here we’ve essentially got two earbuds with vastly different MOs, both nonetheless executed brilliantly.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Specs
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Bose Ultra Open Ear | |
| Price | £219/$249 | £199.95/$299 |
| Weight | 5.5g per earbud | 6.4g per earbud |
| Weatherproofing | Dust, sweat and water resistant (IP57) | Water resistance, splashes, sweat (IPX4) |
| Battery | 10h without noise cancelling, 8h with | 7.5h |
| Key features | Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive EQ with spatial audio and dynamic head tracking Built-in heart rate sensor for workouts Skin-detect sensors, H2 chip, Bluetooth 5.3 | Open-ear cuff design Bose OpenAudio / Immersive Audio Bluetooth 5.3 wireless with multipoint connectivity Simple button controls |
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Verdict
These two premium earbuds both offer outstanding performance in their own rights, but which one is the best? The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds prioritise comfort and awareness, using an open-ear design that lets you hear your surroundings while still enjoying rich, detailed audio. “If you prioritise exceptional sound quality and need to stay aware of your surroundings, the Ultra Open Earbuds are definitely worth the investment. They’re not only comfortable, but performance is mostly excellent, making them ideal for most types of workouts as well as commutes and general everyday use.” For runners, cyclists, or commuters whose top priorities are comfortable listening that keeps you connected to the world around you, then the Ultra is for you.
The AirPods Pro 3 take the opposite approach, focusing on immersion and digital connectivity. With stronger active noise cancellation and refined Transparency mode, they adapt seamlessly to your environment. “Whether you crave clarity for podcasts or intercepting a phone call from your phone the Pro 3 are more than up to the task. Need something to do justice to your bassiest playlists? They don’t falter on that front either. If you thought the Pro 2 were great at blocking out noise, the Pro 3 does it even better. It’s the same for letting sound back in when you switch on the Transparency mode.” For those who do less outside sport and favour the gym, plus want to use their workout earbuds for day-to-day listening and work, then the versatile AirPods are your top choice.
