Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 Review: ANC Leaders Reign Again

Experience superior noise cancellation and clear calls with Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, the top-tier ANC earbuds for true audiophiles.

If You Own Gen 1, Should You Upgrade?

Let’s start with a little heart-to-heart. If you already have the first-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and they’re serving you well, there’s honestly no rush to jump to Gen 2. The upgrades are subtle — a bit comfier, slightly improved ANC — but not enough to justify shelling out for a new pair right away. I say this from experience: if your current buds work great, stick with them.

Now, for those who’ve passed the Gen 1 mark, I can confidently say Bose has cemented its crown atop the best ANC earbuds with this second generation. They’ve added some welcome extras like wireless charging and refined both noise cancellation and call quality.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2: Features & Specs

Here’s the lowdown on what you’re getting:

• Price: $299
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC): Yes
• Battery Life: 6 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (charging case)
• Weight: Around 60 grams
• Dimensions: 6.4 x 5.8 x 2.5 cm
• Colors: White, Black, Plum
• Compatibility: iOS and Android
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 22 kHz

Quick Overview: Who Are These For?

• What are they? A refined update to the top-tier ANC earbuds on the market.
• Who should get them? Anyone craving the best in-ear noise cancellation available.
• Price point? $299
• Likes: Stellar ANC, sharp call quality, great sound, comfy fit.
• Dislikes: Could use better battery life; design feels stuck in the past.

Price & Availability

Bose earbuds have never been budget-friendly, and the Gen 2 Ultra QuietComforts hold the line at $299 — the same as the original generation. It’s refreshing to see a brand maintain price stability while many competitors hike costs.

That said, some rivals do undercut Bose: AirPods Pro 2 come in at $249, and Sony WF-1000XM5 can be snagged for as low as $210 during sales. So, Bose remains the priciest option in that trio, but you pay for ANC that truly raises the bar.

Higher-end earbuds like Bowers and Wilkins Pi8 cost even more, but if you’re hunting for a more affordable ANC upgrade, there are plenty of options. Still, if noise cancellation is your obsession, Bose justifies the premium.

Design & Build: Familiar Comfort with a Twist

• Improved comfort with redesigned ear wings and silicone tips
• Classic, somewhat dated look
• Finally, wireless charging support!

At first glance, you might swear you’ve seen this model before—because you have. The design echoes the original with only modest tweaks: new wing attachments and reshaped silicone ear tips for a better, more secure fit.

The large touch-sensitive panels on the earbuds and the quirky little stem that screams “I am not an AirPod” are back in full force. The charging case fits nicely in a pocket but feels a bit cheap compared to the competition.

It's a bit of a déjà vu moment — Bose chose to invest in what’s inside rather than a flashy exterior facelift this time around.

The new ear wings and tips are a major win. Finding your perfect fit is straightforward, especially with the handy fit-check feature in Bose’s app. It took me a few tries, but once dialed in, these buds are a dream for long listening sessions.

And speaking of goodies inside: wireless charging is finally here. It’s long overdue, but better late than never.

Features: What’s New & What’s Familiar

• Immersive Audio returns
• A handy, albeit limited, equalizer
• User-friendly Bose app makes setup a breeze

The first-gen’s feature set was already robust, and Gen 2 maintains the tradition with a few fresh twists via the Bose app. The interface is a breeze compared to some complicated rivals — everything important is front and center, from ANC modes to the EQ and Immersive Audio toggle.

While the equalizer only offers three bands (Sony provides seven), it’s a neat tool to tweak the sound. Plus, you can create custom ANC + immersive audio presets alongside the presets Bose provides.

An exciting new addition is the “Cinema” preset, designed to deliver a more spacious soundstage and clearer dialogue for movies. Not quite Dolby Atmos quality, but a fun bonus for watching films on the go.

Switching between devices is flawless thanks to “Source” multi-point connectivity. I seamlessly toggled between my MacBook Pro and Google Pixel fold without missing a beat.

Plus, customizable touch controls let you assign long presses to functions like ANC toggles or even launch Spotify — a nice touch, even if I rarely used it.

Noise Cancelling: The Real Star

• Better ANC than ever before
• Exceptionally effective noise blocking
• Natural-sounding transparency mode

Bose's original QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds were already the ANC champs, but Gen 2 raises the bar noticeably. Over the last month of testing, I found these earbuds utterly transformative for blocking out everyday distractions.

The secret? A smart AI-powered algorithm that learns and adapts. Suddenly, the screech of subway brakes and the clack of a mechanical keyboard (yes, even mine!) are muted into near silence.

High-frequency sounds like voices, crying babies, and noisy neighbors dissolve like distant echoes. Imagine street construction noise vanishing while you’re deep in focus—pure bliss.

You can dial down ANC levels if needed, but I found myself maxing it out most of the time. The transparency mode is impressively natural too, great for moments when you want to grab a snack without removing your buds.

Controls: Simple and Effective

• Responsive touch controls on big panels
• Occasional need for firmer taps

Touch controls have become standard, and Bose’s implementation is solid. Tap once to pause, swipe up or down to adjust volume, double tap to skip tracks, and hold for your custom shortcut.

Sometimes they require a bit more pressure than other buds, and I occasionally hit the wrong command, like pausing when I meant to play. But overall, they work well. Honestly, I’m old-school and often just reach for my phone to tweak settings.

Call Quality: Crystal Clear Conversations

• Remarkably clear voice transmission
• Opponent sounds great too
• Best-in-class call performance

Call quality? Simply outstanding. I tested it by calling my sister while walking on a noisy street, and my voice came through clear as day despite background chaos.

Bose’s AI-driven noise reduction makes talking through these earbuds a genuine pleasure. My sister’s voice sounded clear on my end, too (though the weak link was her phone speaker).

If you prize call clarity, these are the earbuds to beat.

Sound Quality: Punchy but Not Perfect

• Strong bass presence
• Slightly lacking in treble sparkle
• Immersive Audio still divisive

Sound has long been the QuietComfort series' mild drawback. They sound great but don’t quite match Sony’s spatial depth and detail.

Bass is thick and punchy, but highs lack some sparkle and clarity. That said, with a quick EQ tweak — boosting highs by +2 — the sound opens up nicely, adding crispness to cymbals and guitar solos.

The track “A Ghost Of Lost Delight” by Hate was a thrilling test. The bass growled menacingly; distorted guitars and roaring vocals filled the soundscape with energy, though some finer drum details were muted.

EDM fans will love “Full Send” by 1999 for its dance-floor-ready bass synth and punchy beats. The earbuds don’t overdo the bass, keeping it tight and controlled — perfect for shaking a room or your head.

Aphex Twin’s quirky and complex “Windowlicker” demands dynamic range, and these earbuds deliver well, though the upper frequencies dip somewhat, leaving a slight gap in hi-hat crispness.

Podcasts and audiobooks? Crystal clear — voices come through with excellent clarity and the superb ANC helps you focus on the story, even in noisy environments.

That said, the “Immersive Audio” mode remains a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it feature. It spreads your music into a wider, more artificial soundstage, which some find distracting.

For movies, however, the Immersive Audio Cinema mode shines, offering a sense of space and clearer dialogue — great for watching on a plane or train.

Battery Life: Solid but Could Improve

• 6 hours per charge in earbuds
• 24 hours total with charging case
• Faster charging but not the longest-lasting

Battery life matches AirPods Pro 2 at about six hours, shorter than Sony's 7.5. Turn on Immersive Audio, and you’re down to a mere three hours — not ideal.

The charging case extends that to 24 hours total, which is about four full charges. That’s standard fare but leaves room for improvement.

A quick 20-minute charge gives you two hours of playback, which is handy, but overall, I wish Bose boosted battery endurance more.

Verdict: ANC Champions with Room to Grow

The Gen 2 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds improve on an already fantastic formula. They’re comfier, boast better noise cancellation, and deliver the clearest calls around.

They’re the new kings of ANC earbuds.

But—and here’s the kicker—these improvements aren’t quite enough to tempt those with Gen 1 buds to upgrade just yet. Newcomers replacing old or worn-out earbuds will be thrilled, but if your Gen 1s are still rocking, save your cash and wait for the next leap forward.

“They’re so good, they not only dethroned their predecessor but obliterated the competition.”

FAQ

• How does the ANC of Gen 2 compare to the first generation? Gen 2 features noticeable ANC improvements thanks to AI algorithms that better block engine noise, voices, and high frequencies.
• Is the wireless charging feature new? Yes, Bose added wireless charging with Gen 2, a welcome upgrade from the wired-only case of the first gen.
• Can you customize sound settings? The earbuds have a basic 3-band equalizer and preset modes, including a new Cinema mode for a wider soundstage.
• How long does the battery last? Earbuds last about 6 hours per charge, with an additional 24 hours from the case. Immersive Audio mode reduces playback time.
• Are the earbuds comfortable for long use? Yes, redesigned ear wings and silicone tips improve fit and comfort, especially with the app’s fit-check feature.

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