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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

No. 2 of 10 in our wireless earbuds ranking · Updated · How we rank

Our verdict: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ranks 2nd of the 10 wireless earbuds we compare, with 9.0 out of 10.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

9.0/10

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are noise-canceling true wireless earbuds with a wireless charging case. They suit commuters and office workers who want strong noise canceling and a secure fit more than long battery life.

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Why it's here

  • Class-leading noise canceling with an adjustable awareness mode
  • Three eartip sizes and three stability bands for a secure fit
  • Multipoint, wireless charging case and AI noise suppression on calls
  • Works the same on iPhone and Android, with aptX Adaptive for supported phones

Keep in mind

  • About 6 hours per charge, shorter than most rivals here
  • Only IPX4 water resistance
  • Immersive Audio cuts battery to about 4 hours

What the review sites say

Named in all 4 best-of lists we read: Android Central, ZDNET, The Verge, CNET.

Why the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds scores 9.0

Each bar shows where it places among the 10 wireless earbuds in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.

  • What review sites say2nd of 10
  • How happy owners are8th of 10
  • How new it is5th of 10

Level with the Sony WF-1000XM6

The Sony WF-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) score the same, so either is a safe pick. The Sony WF-1000XM6 goes first because it does a little better with the review sites. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leaves owners a little happier.

About the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

These are in-ear earbuds with three modes: Quiet (full noise canceling), Aware (lets your surroundings in) and Immersion (noise canceling plus Immersive Audio, which places sound in front of and to the sides of you). ActiveSense softens sudden loud noises such as passing vehicles while Aware mode is on. You can build custom modes in the Bose app for iOS and Android, which also has an adjustable EQ and shows case battery.

Fit comes from nine combinations: the box has small, medium and large eartips and three sizes of stability band, plus a Bose Fit Kit. Extra small and extra large tips are sold separately. CustomTune calibrates the sound to your ears when you put the buds in, and a seal test in the app checks the fit. Controls are touch: swipe for volume, tap to play, pause or skip, press and hold to change mode. You can switch touch controls off in the app.

For calls, SpeechClarity uses AI to filter background noise and wind. Engadget found that it removed a fan completely, though voices can sound slightly staticky while it works. Bluetooth is version 5.3 and the earbuds pair with more than one device at once. The case charges by USB-C or on a wireless charging pad, which is not included. The box also holds a 12-inch USB-C cable and a safety sheet. A power adapter is not included.

What owners report about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

We found little direct owner feedback we could open for this exact model, so this page does not report owner patterns.

Who the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds suits

Buy these if noise canceling is the priority. Reviewers rank the canceling at the top of this category, and the fit is comfortable and stable at a desk, on a walk and in workouts. They work well for commuting, flights and open offices, and the call mics suit people who take a lot of calls. Nothing in the setup favors one phone brand: they run through the Bose app on iPhone and Android.

Look elsewhere if you need long sessions between charges. Six hours is short, and Immersive Audio drops it to about four. The buds and case are large, and IPX4 only covers light sweat and splashes, so Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is the better pick for hard workouts. SoundGuys also reports loud wind noise with canceling on, so windy outdoor use is a weak spot. If you want a smaller pair for iPhone, Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the alternative, and Sony WF-1000XM6 is the one to compare for noise canceling.

Questions about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

What is the difference between the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds gen 1 and gen 2?

The 2nd Gen adds a built-in wireless charging case, better noise canceling and call quality, refined tuning, and the option to turn off touch controls. Battery life is unchanged at up to 6 hours, according to Engadget. The new eartip guard also makes them more comfortable, per The Shortcut.

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth it?

Yes, if you want the strongest noise canceling and a comfortable fit. The weak points are the battery, which lasts up to 6 hours, and the large size. Wind noise with canceling on is also a known complaint.

Are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) good for working out?

They are usable. The Shortcut found they stayed in place during workouts, but they are only rated IPX4 and are bulky, so they handle sweat and light splashes but not heavy exposure.

How long does the battery last on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Up to 6 hours per charge, or up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio on. The case holds up to three full charges, and 20 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback.

Other wireless earbud picks

The other badge winners in our wireless earbuds ranking.

All 10 wireless earbuds, compared

  1. 1 Sony WF-1000XM6Best Choice 9.0 Check Price
  2. 2 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)This review 9.0 Check Price
  3. 3 Apple AirPods Pro 3 8.9 Check Price
  4. 4 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 8.7 Check Price
  5. 5 Google Pixel Buds Pro 2Value for Money 8.6 Check Price
  6. 6 Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro 8.6 Check Price
  7. 7 Technics EAH-AZ100 8.4 Check Price
  8. 8 Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro 8.2 Check Price
  9. 9 Nothing CMF Buds 2 Plus 8.0 Check Price
  10. 10 Soundcore P30i by AnkerBest Budget 8.0 Check Price
See the full wireless earbuds ranking

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are noise-canceling true wireless earbuds with a wireless charging case. 9.0 out of 10.

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How we score it

Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Most of each score is what the review sites say: the scores their own reviews give each model, and whether their best-of lists name it. For this guide we read Android Central, CNET, Mashable, PCMag, SoundGuys, The Verge, Tom's Guide, Wired and ZDNET. The rest is how happy owners are, held back where few owners have rated a product, and how new it is. Value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 18 models for this guide before settling on these ten.

Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.

How we rank, in full

Where these facts come from