Wireless earbuds · Ranked #5 of 31 · Best noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

87
Highly rated
Average of 12 professional reviews
10 of 12 recommend it · broad agreement
Where the 12 reviews landedRange 77–95
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 86.5 · 7 printed, 5 estimated · printed scores only: 88

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)Image: Bose

10 of 12 reviewers who tested Bose's second-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds recommend them, mostly for the best noise cancelling in any earbud and clear calls. Battery life is only average, and some testers found them bulky in the ear.

Reviewed by TechRadar, Expert Reviews, Android Central and 9 more

The catch: Average battery life, and bulky in the ear.

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What 12 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 95
    TechRadarRated 5/5, counted as 95 · Hands-on review

    An enthusiastic Editor's Choice review calling these the best noise-cancelling earbuds, with lively sound, good calls and a few missing extras like LDAC.

    Read TechRadar review
  2. 95
    Expert ReviewsRated 5/5, counted as 95 · Hands-on review · 2025

    Awarded a Best Buy for peerless noise cancellation, a secure fit and a rich feature set, with no sound upgrade and ordinary battery life.

    Read Expert Reviews review
  3. 90
    Android CentralRated 4.5/5 · Hands-on review

    Called the earbuds to beat for their comfort, fit, bass-rich sound and ANC, tempered by an incremental upgrade, high price and so-so battery.

    Read Android Central review
  4. 90
    Digital TrendsRated 9/10 · Hands-on review

    A strong recommendation with benchmark ANC, leading comfort and entertaining sound; battery life is the only real weak spot.

    Read Digital Trends review
  5. 90
    ZDNETHands-on review · 2026

    An Editors' Choice pick praised for comfort, noise canceling and spatial audio, held back slightly by connectivity bugs and a bulky case.

    Read ZDNET review
  6. 78
    TechGearLabHands-on review · 2025

    Superb noise cancellation and rich sound, but the bulky fit, poor battery life and high price keep the reviewer from a clear recommendation.

    Read TechGearLab review
  7. 77
    SoundGuysHands-on review · 2026

    A modest refresh of Bose's flagship earbuds that keeps strong noise cancelling and a comfortable fit.

    Read SoundGuys review
  8. 89est.
    9to5ToysNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2025

    The reviewer finds the second generation a subtle but welcome improvement, with excellent noise cancellation, fit and call quality; battery life is unchanged and spatial audio is hit or miss.

    Read 9to5Toys review
  9. 89est.
    EngadgetNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2025

    Improved noise cancelling, call handling and built-in wireless charging keep these the best noise-blocking earbuds.

    Read Engadget review
  10. 85est.
    Business InsiderNo printed score · Buying guide · 2025

    Highly recommended for travel thanks to top noise cancellation, good sound and calls, though the upgrade over the first generation is small and fit may not suit small ears.

    Read Business Insider review
  11. 83est.
    Trusted ReviewsNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2026

    Small tweaks add up to the best-sounding Bose earbuds yet, with top-tier noise cancelling and better calls.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  12. 77est.
    CNN UnderscoredNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2025

    The reviewer calls the noise cancellation the best he has tried in earbuds, with great sound and new wireless charging.

    Read CNN Underscored review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

How it compares

Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.

vs Apple AirPods Pro 386

  • What Hi-Fi? picks the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Still choose this one if: you use Android, or want the strongest noise silencing and a fit that suits most ears.
  • Pickr (2025) picks the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Still choose this one if: you use Android or want spatial audio and an app that works across phones.
  • CNET: it depends. Choose this one if: you need buds that stay put, thanks to the stabilizing fins.

vs Sony WF-1000XM685

  • What Hi-Fi? picks the Sony WF-1000XM6. Still choose this one if: you want the most stable, comfortable fit and the most powerful noise silencing.
  • Android Central: it depends. Choose this one if: maximum noise blocking and a locked-in fit matter more than long-wear comfort.

What critics praise most

Noise cancelling11 of 12
Sound quality8 of 12
Comfort8 of 12

What critics dislike most

Battery life10 of 12
Price5 of 12
Fit and comfort3 of 12

Other wireless earbuds critics rate highly

Sony WF-C710NImage: Sony
Top pick, narrowlySony WF-C710N4 reviews · critics agree94
EarFun Air Pro 4+Image: EarFun
Best budget earbud soundEarFun Air Pro 4+4 reviews · broad agreement91
Apple AirPods 5Image: Apple
Best for open-fit comfortApple AirPods 55 reviews · critics agree90
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2Image: Jabra
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 24 reviews · broad agreement88

Also reviewed, not yet scored

Common questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth it?

Most critics think so: 10 of 12 recommend it. Average battery life, and bulky in the ear.

Do critics agree about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Broad agreement: scores range from 77 (SoundGuys) to 95 (TechRadar), a spread of 18 points across 12 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.

What do critics dislike about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Battery life (10 of 12 reviews), Price (5 of 12 reviews), Fit and comfort (3 of 12 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

The Sony WF-C710N (critic score 94), top pick, narrowly.