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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) · Photo source

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Photo 1 of 16

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) · Photo source

Bose · QuietComfort

QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Released June 2025

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are Bose's flagship noise-cancelling earbuds, suited to commuters and travellers who want strong noise cancelling and a secure fit with stability bands.

Model history · 2 models, 2023–2025
  1. 2023QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsCompare
  2. 2025QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Type
In-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Battery
6 h
With case
24 h
Best codec
aptX Adaptive
Weight
7.3 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the noise cancelling remains among the best and the sound is punchier than the first generation's, with good comfort. TechRadar found the buds still large and conspicuous, What Hi-Fi? wanted more ear tip sizes and notes Immersive Audio cuts battery life, and SoundStage! Solo found the sound less lively than AirPods Pro 3.

From whathifi.com, techradar.com and soundstagesolo.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
In-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Yes
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Noise cancelling detail
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
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)
Up to 6 hours
With the case
Up to 24 hours
Wireless charging
Yes
Battery life detail
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
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
20 minutes in the case gives up to 2 hours of playback

Design

Weight (each earbud)
7.3 g
Water and sweat resistance
IPX4
Bluetooth
5.3
Two devices at once
Yes
Controls
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
Eight microphones in total; AI-based SpeechClarity noise suppression for calls
Fit and ear tips
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
59.9 g (Bose lists 0.132 lb)
Water resistance detail
IPX4 for the earbuds only
Works with
Bose app for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; Google Fast Pair on Android; Spotify Tap
Colours
Black, White Smoke and Deep Plum at launch; Bose UK now also sells Midnight Violet and Desert Gold
In the box
Earbuds, wireless charging case, eartips (S, M, L), stability bands (1, 2, 3), 30 cm USB-C (A to C) cable, safety sheet

Pros and cons

Pros

  • aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices, plus multipoint
  • The charging case now charges wirelessly
  • Ear tips and stability bands each come in three sizes

Cons

  • Up to 6 hours per charge, or 4 hours with Immersive Audio on
  • IPX4 covers the earbuds only, not the charging case

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
BeatsPowerbeats Fit
In-earYes6 h24 hAAC5.78 gOct 2025
NothingEar (3)
In-earYes5.5 h22 hLDAC5.2 gSept 2025
AppleAirPods Pro 3
In-earYes8 h24 hAAC5.55 gSept 2025

Previous model: QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

Sources

  1. bose.co.uk/p/earbuds/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-2nd-gen/QCUE2-HEADPHONEIN.…
  2. assets.bosecreative.com/m/36b7ddda21b6edfd/original/898447_OG_QCUE2-HEADPHONEIN…
  3. bose.com/pressroom/bose-announces-the-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-2nd-gen
  4. whathifi.com/headphones/wireless-earbuds/boses-new-flagship-qc-earbuds-ultra-2n…
  5. whathifi.com/headphones/wireless-earbuds/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-2nd-gen

Photo: assets.bosecreative.com

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