Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

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QuietComfort Headphones compared with QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

	BoseQuietComfort Headphones	BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Overview
Released
Released	September 2023	October 2023
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	In-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	–	Yes
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	SBC and AAC	SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Quiet Mode (full noise cancelling) and Aware Mode (full transparency), plus custom modes with adjustable noise cancelling in the Bose app; Wind Block can be added to any mode; microphones inside and outside the ear cups	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	TriPort acoustic structure; three-band EQ (bass, mid-range, treble) with presets in the Bose app	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 24 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	Up to 24 hours with noise cancelling on, tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL; the headphones don't play while charging	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	15 minutes gives up to 4 hours (Bose UK FAQ; Bose UK's comparison table says 2.5 hours); full charge in up to 2.5 hours (owner's guide and spec table; the FAQ says 2 hours)	20 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback
Design
Weight
Weight	236 g	7.7 g (better)
Water and sweat resistance
Water and sweat resistance	–	IPX4
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	5.1	5.3
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	Yes	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	–
Controls
Controls	Physical buttons on the back of the ear cups; on the right, a Power/Bluetooth switch, volume up and down and a multi-function button (play, pause, skip, calls); on the left, an Action button for modes, customisable as a shortcut to Spotify Tap or battery level	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	Built-in microphones for calls; the audio cable has an in-line microphone	Adaptive microphone system with adjustable self-voice; TechRadar counts four microphones per earbud
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Around-ear (circumaural) with removable protein leather cushions; steel in the headband; metal and plastic build; folds for the carry 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	No water resistance rating published	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	Bose app (launched with Bose Music) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers; Spotify Tap	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, White Smoke and limited-edition Cypress Green at launch	Black and White Smoke at launch; Bose UK now sells Lunar Blue
In the box
In the box	Headphones, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable with microphone, USB-C (A to C) cable (30 cm), safety sheet	Earbuds, charging case, eartips (small and large; medium fitted), stability bands (sizes 2 and 3; size 1 fitted), USB-C to USB-A cable