Bose has long been a leader in noise-cancelling technology, with its QuietComfort headphones becoming an industry benchmark. But in recent years, the brand has also turned its attention to earbuds – and they’ve been some of the strongest contenders in the premium space. Now, Bose is refreshing its flagship in-ear model with the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), bringing meaningful updates while keeping the winning formula intact.
At first glance, the new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds don’t look radically different from their predecessors. They retain the same compact stem design – shorter and thicker than Apple’s AirPods, making them easy to distinguish – but come in three sleek finishes: White Smoke, Deep Plum (limited edition), and Black. The slightly understated look hides a host of technical upgrades inside.
The biggest advancement comes in the form of improved active noise cancellation (ANC). Bose has integrated a new AI-driven algorithm that helps the earbuds react more quickly and intelligently to sudden changes in sound. While traditional ANC has been highly effective at canceling out steady, droning noises like airplane engines or office hums, it has historically struggled with irregular sounds – like clattering dishes, barking dogs, or unexpected loud conversations. With this upgrade, Bose aims to make everyday listening environments even quieter and more consistent.
Battery life remains strong, with six hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled, which should comfortably cover a workday commute or long-haul flight. The charging case extends that significantly and now includes wireless charging support – a feature that feels standard at this premium level but is a welcome improvement.
While Bose hasn’t drastically reworked the acoustic design, that’s not necessarily a drawback. The first-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds were praised for their rich, balanced sound profile and immersive listening experience. If anything, the incremental refinements to tuning and ANC should only enhance what was already one of the best earbuds for both music and calls. Bose has also kept its Aware Mode for blending ambient sounds with your music, which is particularly useful for city walking or quick conversations.
Priced at $299, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are more expensive than Apple’s AirPods Pro ($249) but go head-to-head with Sony’s acclaimed WF-1000XM5. For listeners who prioritize industry-leading noise cancellation and polished sound quality, Bose’s offering is still one of the most compelling options in the high-end earbud market.
Learn more about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at bose.com.
Photography courtesy of Bose.