Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review: buy or skip?

Buy8.7/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you commute or fly and want the quietest earbuds. Why: class-leading earbud noise cancelling with a comfortable stability-band fit. The catch: large case.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Buy it if: you commute or fly and want the quietest earbuds.
Skip it if: you want small buds or a tiny case.

Best for: Best noise cancelling
Key feature: Class-leading earbud noise cancelling with a comfortable stability-band fit
Typical price: $249–$299

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Noise cancelling	CustomTune ANC
Battery (buds)	Up to 6 hours
Water resistance	IPX4
Charging	USB-C, wireless

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you commute or fly and want the quietest earbuds
value best-in-class noise cancelling
can spend around $249–$299

Skip it if you

you want small buds or a tiny case
mind this: large case
mind this: immersive mode cuts battery

Pros and cons

Pros

Best-in-class noise cancelling
Comfortable fit
Immersive audio
Wireless charging case

Cons

Large case
Immersive mode cuts battery

The verdict in one breath

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is a pair of wireless earbuds we would point most people to. What earns it the buy: class-leading earbud noise cancelling with a comfortable stability-band fit. In our list it is the pick for: best noise cancelling.

Reasons to buy

Best-in-class noise cancelling
Comfortable fit
Immersive audio
Wireless charging case

Reasons to skip

Large case
Immersive mode cuts battery

The specs that matter

Noise cancelling: CustomTune ANC
Battery (buds): Up to 6 hours
Water resistance: IPX4
Charging: USB-C, wireless

Worth knowing

If silence is the priority, these are the earbuds to beat.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you commute or fly and want the quietest earbuds. Skip it if you want small buds or a tiny case; the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best wireless earbuds.

Alternatives worth considering

Sony · Earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM5

Buy it if you want premium sound and ANC with any phone, iPhone or Android.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Sound quality
Typical price: $229–$299

Pros

Excellent sound
Top ANC

Cons

Foam tips not for everyone

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Apple · Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Buy it if you use an iPhone and want the most complete earbuds for it.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: iPhone owners
Typical price: $219–$249

Pros

Excellent ANC
Heart-rate tracking for workouts

Cons

Best features need an iPhone

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Buy it, if you commute or fly and want the quietest earbuds. Why: class-leading earbud noise cancelling with a comfortable stability-band fit. The catch: large case.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want small buds or a tiny case. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the better buy then.

What does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) cost?

Usually $249–$299 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you commute or fly and want the quietest earbuds. This review explains what this Bose model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which pair of wireless earbuds to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does well

The headline: class-leading earbud noise cancelling with a comfortable stability-band fit. Key specs: Noise cancelling: CustomTune ANC; Battery (buds): Up to 6 hours; Water resistance: IPX4; Charging: USB-C, wireless. In our list it is the pick for: best noise cancelling. It usually sells for $249–$299.

If silence is the priority, these are the earbuds to beat.

The trade-offs

Good: best-in-class noise cancelling, comfortable fit, immersive audio, wireless charging case. Not so good: large case, immersive mode cuts battery. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want small buds or a tiny case.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Sony WF-1000XM5 ($229–$299): detailed sound and top noise cancelling in a small shell, on any phone. Better if you want premium sound and ANC with any phone, iPhone or Android.

Instead, consider the Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($219–$249): stronger noise cancelling, heart-rate sensing and hearing health features in a familiar fit. Better if you use an iPhone and want the most complete earbuds for it.

Instead, consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($179–$249): every Galaxy feature, including 24-bit audio and live translate, with strong ANC. Better if you use a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Before you buy

Match your phone: AirPods work best with iPhone, Galaxy Buds with Samsung, Pixel Buds with Pixel; cross-platform models suit everyone else. Fit decides sound: try every ear-tip size; a good seal improves bass and noise cancelling. Battery: 6 hours per charge plus a case with two to three refills covers most days.

US buyer tip

Buy from Amazon.com itself or the brand's storefront: counterfeit earbuds from third-party sellers are common, and they will not get warranty service.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.