Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| BoseQuietComfort 25 | BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 2014 | October 2023 |
| Sound | ||
| Type | Over-ear | In-ear |
| Noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | – | Yes |
| Spatial audio with head tracking | – | Yes |
| Back | Closed | – |
| Bluetooth codecs | None (wired) | SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive |
| Noise cancelling detail | Microphones inside and outside each earcup feed Bose's noise-cancelling processor; the right earcup has a power switch | 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 | Bose Active EQ and TriPort acoustic system; passive wired playback works with noise cancellation off or the battery removed | 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) | Up to 35 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| With the case | – | Up to 24 hours |
| Wireless charging | – | No |
| Battery life detail | Up to 35 hours of powered listening from one replaceable AAA cell | 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 | – | 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 cable | Yes | – |
| Controls | Power switch on the right earcup; inline microphone and remote on the device-specific cable | 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 | – | Adaptive microphone system with adjustable self-voice; TechRadar counts four microphones per earbud |
| Fit and ear tips | Around-ear protein-leather cushions, fabric-padded headband and folding earcups | 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 | – | 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 with | Separate cable versions were sold for Apple devices and for selected Samsung Galaxy and Android devices | 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 | Black or White, both with blue accents at launch | Black and White Smoke at launch; Bose UK now sells Lunar Blue |
| In the box | Headphones, carrying case, audio cable, airline adapter and AAA battery | Earbuds, charging case, eartips (small and large; medium fitted), stability bands (sizes 2 and 3; size 1 fitted), USB-C to USB-A cable |
More comparisons
- Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Anker soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Beats Studio Buds + vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Sony WF-C700N
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

