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Bose QuietComfort 20 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

BoseQuietComfort 20BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Overview
Released2013October 2023
Sound
TypeIn-earIn-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Spatial audio with head tracking–Yes
Bluetooth codecsNone (wired)SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Noise cancelling detailA microphone inside and outside each earbud feeds the noise-cancelling processor in the in-line module; Aware mode lets more surrounding sound through without stopping musicQuiet 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 featuresBose TriPort acoustic ports and Active EQ processing when poweredBose 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)Up to 16 hoursUp to 6 hours
With the case–Up to 24 hours
Wireless charging–No
Battery life detailBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the in-line module; around 16 hours from a two-hour USB charge; wired audio remains available with the power offUp 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–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–20 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback
Design
Weight (each earbud)–7.7 g
Water and sweat resistance–IPX4
Bluetooth–5.3
Two devices at once–Yes
Headphone cableYes–
ControlsPower switch and status lights on the battery module; Aware mode and call controls on the cable remoteTouch 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)
MicrophonesTwo microphones per earbud for noise cancellation; an in-line microphone for callsAdaptive microphone system with adjustable self-voice; TechRadar counts four microphones per earbud
Fit and ear tipsStayHear+ tips rest at the entrance to the ear canal and come in three sizesSilicone 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–0.132 lb (about 60 g)
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 with3.5 mm wired connection; QC20 has a single-button remote for most Android and other smartphones, while the contemporaneous QC20i has an Apple-compatible three-button remoteBose 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
ColoursGrey at launch; Black and White variants followed in 2015Black and White Smoke at launch; Bose UK now sells Lunar Blue
In the boxEarbuds, three sizes of StayHear+ tips, clothing clip, USB charging cable and carrying caseEarbuds, charging case, eartips (small and large; medium fitted), stability bands (sizes 2 and 3; size 1 fitted), USB-C to USB-A cable

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