- Worse: sound reduction WIRED says Sony may sound slightly better, but Bose bests it on noise reduction.
- Worse: low-end response Business Insider says Bose offers a more expansive low end than Sony WF-1000XM5 under default settings.
- Better: natural sound and codec support PCMag says Sony's WF-1000XM5 sound more natural and support more hi-res codecs, while Bose wins ANC.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Review
Bottom Line
Choose these if you want class-leading ANC, rich sound, secure comfort, and improved calls in premium earbuds. Skip them if you need longer battery life, a smaller fit/case, stronger EQ tools, or a cheap Gen 1 upgrade.
Best for
Best for travelers, commuters, office workers, and runners who value elite ANC, rich bass-forward sound, secure fit, and improved call clarity. They also suit buyers who want premium Bose earbuds without owning the first generation.
Not for
Not for people with very small ears, users who need class-leading battery life, detailed EQ control, or the smallest case. First-generation owners may find the improvements too incremental unless wireless charging and call upgrades matter.
Verdict
Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds earn their praise by pairing exceptional noise cancellation with rich, energetic sound and a secure, comfortable fit. Reviewers repeatedly describe the ANC as the class benchmark, especially for flights, commutes, offices, and gyms, while many also praise the bass-forward audio, separation, and improved call noise reduction. The tradeoff is that this is not a major reinvention: battery life is average, the case is bulky, the EQ is too basic for a premium model, and the large buds may not suit smaller ears. For owners of the first generation, the upgrade case is weaker than the first-time buyer case.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: battery life Business Insider says Technics EAH-AZ100 can last longer with ANC than Bose.
- Better: dynamic range and clarity Gizmodo says the Bose kept pace with premium buds but lacked the Technics' dynamic range and clarity.
- Similar: bass reproduction PCMag says the Bose can match the Technics EAH-AZ100 on one bass test track.
AirPods Pro 2
- Better: transparency mode Mark Ellis says Bose's passthrough is not as good as AirPods Pro 2.
- Worse: sound and ANC Run Testers says Bose beats AirPods Pro 2 on sound and ANC but AirPods are smaller and cheaper.
- Worse: default bass response Business Insider says Bose delivers beefier low frequencies than AirPods Pro 2 by default.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
50 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 18% 9 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 56% 28 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 20% 10 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 6% 3 features
- Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features
Pros
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Reviewers strongly agree that ANC is the standout feature: it removes airplane, subway, traffic, keyboard, cafe, and other ambient noise better than most or all earbuds they tested, with only minor caveats about hiss or sudden spikes.
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Volume output is strong in the one direct measurement-style review, which says Bose makes loud earbuds.
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Integrated microphones are praised in stronger call-focused reviews for clear voice pickup and background rejection.
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Soundstage width is praised for an open, wide, detailed presentation that helps mixes feel bigger than typical earbuds.
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Cross-platform use is positive, with reviewers recommending Bose for both Android and iPhone users and reporting smooth use on both platforms.
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Codec support is praised as premium because the earbuds support high-quality Bluetooth codecs.
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Included fit accessories are appreciated when they help tailor the fit, though other reviews still wanted more size options.
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Maximum-volume clarity is strong in the running review, which heard clarity and no distortion even when volume was raised.
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Sound quality is broadly strong, with rich, detailed, bass-forward playback praised by most reviewers, though a few disliked the stock tuning.
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Comfort is a major strength for many reviewers over long sessions, flights, runs, and daily use, though very small ears may struggle.
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Instrument separation is widely praised, with reviewers hearing open mixes, distinct sections, and easy-to-pick-out track elements.
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Fit is generally secure and seal-friendly, helped by the ovoid nozzle, ear tips, and stability bands, though individual ear shape still matters.
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Passive isolation benefits from a tight seal and secure nozzle shape, with reviewers noting strong sealing and little noise bleed.
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Sound leakage is rated positively in the one direct test, with the reviewer reporting little outside noise bleed.
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Soundstage depth is praised in orchestral and spacious listening comments, though evidence is less extensive than for overall sound quality.
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Build quality is described as premium for the earbuds themselves, even when the case does not always feel equally high-end.
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Voice assistant integration gets limited but positive evidence, with reviewers saying Google Assistant or assistant shortcuts worked without hassle.
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Stability is mostly excellent, especially for running and workouts, but one reviewer still disliked the running feel and movement.
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Weight comfort is positive despite the buds being chunky or slightly heavier; reviewers said the weight was not annoying and still felt fine.
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Bluetooth reliability is mostly positive, with several reviewers reporting no dropouts, though one reviewer wished Bose had moved beyond Bluetooth 5.3.
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Multipoint is a welcome and often seamless upgrade, though one reviewer noted setup/custom tune trouble when audio was already playing.
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Charging is a notable upgrade thanks to wireless charging and case improvements, although one running-focused review found quick charging slower than ideal.
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Bass is generally rich, punchy, and deep, but some reviewers think Bose overboosts the low end or gives it too much emphasis for neutral listening.
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Water and sweat resistance is considered sufficient for workouts and light rain, though not fully waterproof.
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Android users are treated as a strong audience because the earbuds support advanced options and Snapdragon-related features, though some phone compatibility limits remain.
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aptX Lossless/Snapdragon Sound support is viewed as a useful premium codec feature for compatible devices.
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Lossless support through aptX Lossless/Snapdragon Sound is treated as a useful premium feature for compatible devices.
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Design impressions are mixed-positive: some like the sleek, subtle, creative look, while others note the chunky or busy shape may divide people.
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Treble is often described as clear, sparkly, or balanced, but measurement-focused reviews say it can be overemphasized or occasionally hard to fix with EQ.
-
Call microphone quality is mixed: some reviewers call it exceptional or much improved, while others say it is merely fine or still affected by noise.
-
Spatial audio is divisive: some reviewers find it natural, cool, or useful, while others prefer standard stereo or dislike the processing.
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Transparency mode is generally good to excellent, especially Aware/ActiveSense, but several reviewers still prefer Apple or note wind, hiss, or manual-adjustment limits.
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Microphone noise reduction ranges from excellent SpeechClarity performance to weaker lab samples, but the overall reviewer consensus is improved and often strong.
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Midrange clarity is usually praised for warm vocals or crisp presentation, but measurement-focused reviewers complain that boosted lows and highs recess the mids.
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Touch controls split reviewers: some find them responsive, intuitive, and complete, while others call them fussy or hard to use precisely during runs.
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Audio-video sync is praised for video editing, but gaming latency is criticized for quick-reaction games, making latency performance mixed by use case.
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The Bose app is useful and sometimes clean, offering modes, controls, sources, EQ, and fit tools, but reviewers also found it mandatory, occasionally daunting, and not especially customizable.
Cons
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Value depends heavily on priorities: reviewers see the premium price as justified for ANC and sound, but weak for Gen 1 owners or bargain-focused buyers.
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Battery life is consistently described as adequate or average rather than class-leading, usually around six hours with ANC and less with immersive audio.
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Portability is mixed because the earbuds and case are pocketable, but the case is often called large or hard to carry while running.
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The case is functional and now charges wirelessly, but reviewers repeatedly describe it as bulky, clunky, or less premium than the earbuds.
-
For running, one reviewer would prefer physical button controls because touch gestures are harder to use precisely during workouts.
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Setup simplicity is imperfect because one reviewer reported trouble with CustomTune when connecting another device during playback.
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Sensor behavior is a weak spot in the few comments available, with reviewers criticizing early CustomTune firing and suggesting in-ear detection be disabled.
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Several runners or active users noticed footstep thud or earbud movement noise, especially during runs or with sweaty ears.
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The included cable drew a minor complaint because PCMag wanted a longer USB-C-to-USB-C cable.
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Ear tip and wing options help fit, but the running-focused review wanted more than three sizes at this price.
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Measurement-focused reviews say the frequency response is heavily shaped, with overemphasized bass and treble and recessed mids.
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EQ customization is the clearest software weakness: many reviewers criticize the basic three-band EQ as too limited for premium earbuds.
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Preset EQ profiles are poorly regarded because they are basic and do not adequately fix the tuning complaints.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbud Headphones, this product is above average in aptX, Active noise cancellation, Sound leakage, below average in Preset EQ profile quality, Equalizer customization, Frequency response accuracy.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 38% 3 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 63% 5 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preset EQ profile quality | 1.8 | 3.7 | -2.0 |
| aptX | 4.0 | 2.1 | +1.9 |
| Equalizer customization | 2.1 | 3.7 | -1.6 |
| Active noise cancellation | 4.9 | 3.6 | +1.2 |
| Frequency response accuracy | 2.3 | 3.8 | -1.5 |
| Ear tip size options | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| Battery | 3.0 | 4.2 | -1.1 |
| Sound leakage | 4.4 | 3.0 | +1.4 |
FAQ
How good is the noise cancellation?
Reviewers strongly describe it as class-leading, with excellent performance against airplane rumble, subway noise, traffic, keyboards, cafes, and other steady ambient sounds.
Do they sound better than typical premium earbuds?
Most reviewers praise the sound as rich, detailed, and energetic, especially for bass and separation. A few measurement-focused reviews say the stock tuning overemphasizes bass and treble.
Are they comfortable for long sessions?
Most reviewers found them comfortable for hours, flights, workouts, and long runs. The main caveat is size, because smaller ears may find the chunky buds less comfortable.
Is battery life a weakness?
Yes, relative to the premium category. Reviewers generally describe about six hours with ANC as decent or average, with immersive audio reducing runtime further.
Are the microphones good for calls?
Call quality is much improved in several reviews, especially when Bose SpeechClarity suppresses background noise. A few tests still found voice processing or wind/noise handling only okay.
Should first-generation owners upgrade?
Most upgrade-focused reviewers say probably not unless wireless charging, improved call handling, and reduced ANC noise floor are important. The core sound, fit, and ANC remain very similar.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Equalizer customization
Choose JBL Tour Pro 3 Earbuds. It scores 4.7 vs 2.1 for Equalizer customization, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Preset EQ profile quality
Choose Denon Perl Pro True Wireless Earbuds. It scores 4.5 vs 1.8 for Preset EQ profile quality, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Battery
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 3.0 for Battery, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Frequency response accuracy
Choose Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds. It scores 4.7 vs 2.3 for Frequency response accuracy, with a 3.9 overall score.
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