Bose QuietComfort 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

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QuietComfort 2 compared with QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

	BoseQuietComfort 2	BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Overview
Released
Released	2003	October 2023
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	In-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	–	Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	–	Yes
Back
Back	Closed	–
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Noise cancellation works with the audio cable detached; the power switch is on the right earcup	Quiet Mode (full noise cancelling), Aware Mode and Immersion Mode, plus custom modes with noise cancelling levels in between; CustomTune tailors sound and noise cancelling to your ears
Audio features
Audio features	–	Bose Immersive Audio (Still keeps the sound in place as you turn your head; Motion lets it follow); three-band EQ in the Bose app; aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices, normally at 44.1 kHz and up to 48 kHz for high-resolution listening, with a low-latency mode
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 35 hours	Up to 6 hours
With the case
With the case	–	Up to 24 hours
Wireless charging
Wireless charging	–	No
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	The 2003 Bose guide states about 35 hours from one AAA alkaline cell; a later Bose guide for a revised QC2 states about 40 hours	Up to 6 hours per charge with Immersive Audio off, 4 hours with it on; the case holds three full charges; tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL in Quiet Mode
Charging case
Charging case	–	USB-C; earbuds charge in up to 2 hours, the case in up to 3 hours; an optional silicone case cover (sold separately) adds wireless charging
Fast charging
Fast charging	–	20 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback
Design
Weight (each earbud)
Weight (each earbud)	–	7.7 g
Water and sweat resistance
Water and sweat resistance	–	IPX4
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	5.3
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	–	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	–
Controls
Controls	Power switch on the right earcup; Hi/Lo level switch on the cable connector	Touch surface on each earbud (tap to play, pause or answer calls; double-tap to skip forward or end calls; triple-tap to skip back; swipe up or down for volume; touch and hold for a shortcut to switch modes or the voice assistant)
Microphones
Microphones	–	Adaptive microphone system with adjustable self-voice; TechRadar counts four microphones per earbud
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Around-ear cushions and rotating earcups that fold flat into a case	Silicone eartips in small, medium and large (medium fitted); stability bands in sizes 1, 2 and 3 (size 1 fitted), with a notch that aligns them on the earbud; extra-small and extra-large sizes available from Bose Support; either earbud can be used on its own
Case weight
Case weight	–	0.132 lb (about 60 g)
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	IPX4 for the earbuds; the inside of the case resists water left on the earbuds, but Bose advises keeping the outside of the case dry
Works with
Works with	Detachable wired audio cable with 3.5 mm source plug; dual 3.5 mm airline adapter and 6.3 mm stereo adapter described in the guide	Bose app (launched with Bose Music) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices since a July 2024 update; Google Fast Pair; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers
Colours
Colours	–	Black and White Smoke at launch; Bose UK now sells Lunar Blue
In the box
In the box	–	Earbuds, charging case, eartips (small and large; medium fitted), stability bands (sizes 2 and 3; size 1 fitted), USB-C to USB-A cable