Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Feature Scores
Explore all 50 feature scores for Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), organized into pros and cons.
Scores by Feature
Summary
50 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.09 (18%)
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Positive 3.5-4.428 (56%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.410 (20%)
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Negative 1.5-2.43 (6%)
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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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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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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Stability is mostly excellent, especially for running and workouts, but one reviewer still disliked the running feel and movement.
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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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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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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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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.
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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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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.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Passive isolation benefits from a tight seal and secure nozzle shape, with reviewers noting strong sealing and little noise bleed.
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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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Water and sweat resistance is considered sufficient for workouts and light rain, though not fully waterproof.
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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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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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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.
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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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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 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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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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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.
Cons
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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.
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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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Several runners or active users noticed footstep thud or earbud movement noise, especially during runs or with sweaty ears.
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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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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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The case is functional and now charges wirelessly, but reviewers repeatedly describe it as bulky, clunky, or less premium than the earbuds.
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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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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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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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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.