Bose QuietComfort 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

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QuietComfort 3 compared with QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

	BoseQuietComfort 3	BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Overview
Released
Released	2006	June 2025
Sound
Type
Type	On-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 can run with the audio cable detached; the power switch is on the right earcup	Quiet Mode (full noise cancelling) and Aware Mode with an updated ActiveSense that smooths sudden noise spikes; noise cancelling adjustable in the Bose app; CustomTune tailors sound and noise cancelling to your ears
Audio features
Audio features	–	Bose Immersive Audio (Still keeps the virtual speakers in place as you turn your head; Motion lets them follow) and Cinema Mode; up to seven custom modes; adjustable EQ in the Bose app; aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices, which Bose says adapts to lossless audio and low latency
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 6 hours
With the case
With the case	–	Up to 24 hours
Wireless charging
Wireless charging	–	Yes
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	The 2006 Bose battery instructions state approximately 20 hours per charge; a later Bose owner guide states approximately 25 hours. The battery is removed from the right earcup and charged in a separate mains charger	Up to 4 hours per charge with Immersive Audio on; the case holds three full charges, for 24 hours in total with Immersive Audio off; tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL in Quiet Mode
Charging case
Charging case	–	USB-C (5 V, 1 A) and wireless charging; 680 mAh output capacity; the case charges in up to 3 hours and the earbuds in up to 2 hours
Fast charging
Fast charging	–	20 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback
Design
Weight (each earbud)
Weight (each earbud)	–	7.3 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 and indicator on the right earcup; audio volume is controlled at the source	Touch surface on each earbud (tap to play, pause or answer calls; double-tap to skip forwards; triple-tap to skip back; swipe up or down for volume; touch and hold for a shortcut to modes, Immersive Audio settings, Spotify Tap or the voice assistant); touch controls can be turned off in the app; in-ear detection pauses audio when an earbud is taken out
Microphones
Microphones	–	Eight microphones in total; AI-based SpeechClarity noise suppression for calls
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	On-ear cushions and rotating earcups that fold flat into the carrying case	Silicone eartips in S, M and L (M fitted) with a guard against earwax build-up; stability bands in sizes 1, 2 and 3 (size 1 fitted)
Case weight
Case weight	–	59.9 g (Bose lists 0.132 lb)
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	IPX4 for the earbuds only
Works with
Works with	Detachable audio cable with 3.5 mm source plug; supplied dual-plug airline adapter	Bose app for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; Google Fast Pair on Android; Spotify Tap
Colours
Colours	–	Black, White Smoke and Deep Plum at launch; Bose UK now also sells Midnight Violet and Desert Gold
In the box
In the box	Headphones, removable battery, battery charger, audio cable, airline adapter and carrying case; later packages included an Apple-compatible remote and microphone cable	Earbuds, wireless charging case, eartips (S, M, L), stability bands (1, 2, 3), 30 cm USB-C (A to C) cable, safety sheet