Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
The best noise-canceling earbuds — Bose's ANC is still the gold standard for silencing your surroundings.
Our Review
When pure noise cancellation is the priority, Bose still wears the crown. The QC Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 block more ambient noise than any other earbud tested — subway rumble, airplane engines, open-office chatter all virtually disappear. Sound quality has improved significantly with Bose Immersive Audio, adding spatial depth to music and podcasts. The new wireless charging case is a welcome addition, and 6 hours of battery with ANC on (24 total) gets through a full workday. Aware mode with ActiveSense lets through voices while still blocking background noise — perfect for office use.
✅ What We Like
- Best noise cancellation available in earbuds
- Immersive Audio adds real spatial depth
- ActiveSense is the best transparency mode tested
- Wireless charging case is a welcome upgrade
⚠️ Worth Noting
- Sound quality still trails Sony for music purists
- $249 for earbuds is premium
- Ear tips are proprietary — no third-party options
- Bulkier than competitors
Key Features
- Industry-leading active noise cancellation
- Bose Immersive Audio for spatial sound
- ActiveSense aware mode filters voices vs noise
- Wireless charging case (new for Gen 2)
- CustomTune auto-calibrates to your ear shape
Specifications
| anc | True |
|---|---|
| battery_hours_buds | 6 |
| battery_hours_total | 24 |
| bluetooth | 5.4 |
| codec | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| driver_mm | 9.3 |
| warranty_years | 1 |
| water_resistance | IPX4 |
| weight_g_per_bud | 6.2 |
| wireless_charging | True |
Best For
- Noise Canceling
- Premium
- Travel