What you can expect from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) day to day
Battery life with noise cancelling6 h
Weight7.3 g
Our score8.7 Rank 23 of 28
Ratings4.5 56 reviews
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
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Which robot is right for your home? Find out in 7 questions →Who it suits
Good for
- Traveling and commuting: noise cancelling
- Sport and running: rated IPX4 against sweat and rain
- Calls: 8 microphones for your voice
- Traffic and voices: a transparency mode lets sound in
- A phone and a laptop together: connects to two devices at once
From the facts the maker states, by the rules of our advisor.
Before you buy, compare it with 2 recommended alternatives ?
Green is the best of these 3, also when they share the lead.
| This model Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Cheapest of the top 10 Soundcore P40i Best on 3 facts | Highest score here Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Best on 2 facts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most important facts | |||
| The lowest price today at a store that ships to you, shipping included. A price with an asterisk comes from a store abroad, and its shipping cost is our own estimate. Lowest price | – | $79Soundcore (brand store) best | $99Soundcore (brand store) |
| Our own score out of 10: 60% the maker’s facts and 40% store ratings. Price does not count. Score | best | ||
| The average of the stars buyers give at the stores, with the number of reviews behind it. We only compare it from 20 reviews. Customer rating | – | – | ★ 4.3 · 217 reviews |
| How the headphones cancel outside noise with microphones. Hybrid uses microphones outside and inside the cup, adaptive also adjusts to the sound around you. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| Adaptive | Adaptive | Adaptive |
| How long the headphones or the earbuds play on one charge with noise cancelling on, as the maker states it. In this comparisonWhen it matters
When it matters less
Source
| 6 h | 10 h best | 8 h |
| What the headphones or one earbud weigh. Lighter is more comfortable for hours at a time. In this comparisonWhen it matters
When it matters less
Source
| 7.3 g | – | 5.2 g best |
| The Bluetooth version. A newer one connects more steadily and uses less power, if the phone has it too. In this comparisonSource
| 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| How well they resist water and dust, as the IP code states. IPX4 survives sweat and rain, IPX7 a short dip in water. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| IPX4 | IPX5 best | IPX4 |
| How the sound is packed for Bluetooth. AAC suits iPhones, aptX and LDAC carry more detail from Android phones that support them. When it matters
When it matters less
Source | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | – | LDAC |
| Connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop, and switching by itself to the one that plays. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| yes | yes | yes |
Prices per store
Shipping included, sales tax added at checkout. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. How we read and order prices
Also at Amazon, price not shown yet: Amazon.com (red).
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) specifications ?
Product on the market since June 2025
Build and fit 11 facts
- Form factor
How the headphones sit: over the ear, on the ear, in the ear canal, in the outer ear, beside the ear or on the cheekbone.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- In-ear
- True wireless
Two separate earbuds with no wire between them, charged in a case.
96 of the 184 models we track have this.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Wireless
They play over Bluetooth, without a cable to the phone.
153 of the 184 models we track have this.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Wired connection
The plug for a cable, so you can also listen wired, for instance on a plane or with a battery that has run out.
Source: derived, no source of its own · checked on Nov 1
- None
- Ear tip sizes in the box
How many sizes of ear tips come in the box. More sizes make it likelier that one seals your ear, which decides both comfort and how much noise is kept out.
Among the models we track
3 on this model
Lowest
3 Highest
7 Middle
4Lower than 16 of the 26 models we track.
When it matters
- Ears that most tips do not fit, very small or very large.
- Noise cancelling, which only works well once the tip seals.
When it matters less
- Over-ear headphones, which have no tips.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 3
- Weight
What the headphones or one earbud weigh. Lighter is more comfortable for hours at a time.
Among the models we track
7.3 g on this model
Lowest
3.1 g Highest
451 g Middle
8.6 gLower than 87 of the 168 models we track.
When it matters
- Wearing them for hours at a desk or on a flight.
- Running or the gym, where a heavy earbud works loose.
When it matters less
- Short listens, where comfort hardly has time to matter.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 7.3 g
- Case weight
What the charging case weighs, without the earbuds.
Among the models we track
59.9 g on this model
Lowest
22 g Highest
134.5 g Middle
46 gHigher than 64 of the 78 models we track.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 59.9 g
- Water and dust resistance
How well they resist water and dust, as the IP code states. IPX4 survives sweat and rain, IPX7 a short dip in water.
When it matters
- Running and the gym, where sweat gets in.
- Cycling or walking in the rain.
When it matters less
- Listening indoors only.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- IPX4
- Controls
How you play, pause and change the volume on the headphones themselves.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- Touch, Swipe for volume
- Remappable controls
Whether the app lets you choose what each button, tap or swipe does. With some controls, only part of them can be changed.
When it matters
- Touch controls you keep setting off by accident.
- Using the controls for the voice assistant or noise cancelling instead of the volume.
When it matters less
- If you control everything from your phone, it hardly matters.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 2
- Some controls
- Microphones
How many microphones the maker counts, for calls and noise cancelling together.
Among the models we track
8 on this model
Lowest
0 Highest
10 Middle
6Higher than 76 of the 90 models we track.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- 8
Sound 2 facts
- Equaliser in the app
You can adjust bass and treble in the maker’s app.
105 of the 106 models we track have this.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Spatial audio
Sound that seems to come from around you rather than from inside your head.
83 of the 88 models we track have this.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- yes
Noise cancelling 4 facts
- Active noise cancelling
How the headphones cancel outside noise with microphones. Hybrid uses microphones outside and inside the cup, adaptive also adjusts to the sound around you.
When it matters
- Flights, trains and open-plan offices.
- A daily commute in traffic.
When it matters less
- Listening at home in a quiet room.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- Adaptive
- Noise cancelling control
How much say you have over noise cancelling: only on or off, a few set levels, a slider, or left to the headphones alone.
When it matters
- Outside, where you want to hear some traffic but not all of it.
- Feeling pressure in your ears with full noise cancelling.
When it matters less
- If you always leave it at full, it decides nothing.
Source: techradar.com · checked on Nov 2
- Slider
- Transparency mode
Lets outside sound through on purpose, so you hear traffic or a colleague without taking them off.
109 of the 119 models we track have this.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Passive isolation stated
The maker says the ear cups or tips block outside sound by themselves, without noise cancelling.
18 of the 18 models we track have this.
When it matters
- Headphones without noise cancelling, or with it switched off to save the battery.
- A noisy office or train where you want to keep the volume low.
When it matters less
- Open-back headphones for listening at home, which are meant to let sound in.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- yes
Wireless 6 facts
- Bluetooth version
The Bluetooth version. A newer one connects more steadily and uses less power, if the phone has it too.
Among the models we track
5.3 on this model
Lowest
5 Highest
6.1 Middle
5.3Lower than 43 of the 141 models we track.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 5.3
- Bluetooth codecs
How the sound is packed for Bluetooth. AAC suits iPhones, aptX and LDAC carry more detail from Android phones that support them.
When it matters
- Lossless or high-resolution music from an Android phone that supports aptX or LDAC.
- An iPhone, where AAC is the codec that counts.
When it matters less
- Podcasts, calls and streaming at normal quality.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- Multipoint
Connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop, and switching by itself to the one that plays.
115 of the 117 models we track have this.
When it matters
- Switching between a laptop for calls and a phone for music.
- Working from home with two devices on the desk.
When it matters less
- Using them with one phone only.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Devices connected at once
How many devices they stay connected to at once.
Among the models we track
2 on this model
Lowest
2 Highest
3 Middle
2Lower than 5 of the 64 models we track.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- 2
- Google Fast Pair
Pairs in one tap with an Android phone.
54 of the 55 models we track have this.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Wireless range
How far from the phone the maker says the connection holds, without walls in between.
Among the models we track
9 m on this model
Lowest
9 m Highest
40 m Middle
10 mLower than 60 of the 68 models we track.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 9 m
Battery 6 facts
- Battery life with noise cancelling
How long the headphones or the earbuds play on one charge with noise cancelling on, as the maker states it.
Among the models we track
6 h on this model
Lowest
4 h Highest
75 h Middle
8 hLower than 79 of the 108 models we track.
When it matters
- Long flights or a full working day.
- Traveling where you cannot charge.
When it matters less
- An hour of listening a day, which any model manages for a week.
Source: Manual · checked on Nov 1
- 6 h
- Fast charge time
How many minutes of charging give the playback below.
Among the models we track
20 min on this model
Lowest
3 min Highest
20 min Middle
10 minHigher than 129 of the 132 models we track.
Source: Manual · checked on Nov 1
- 20 min
- Playback from a fast charge
How many hours of playback a short fast charge gives.
Among the models we track
2 h on this model
Lowest
1 h Highest
15 h Middle
3 hLower than 74 of the 132 models we track.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- 2 h
- Full charge time
How long a full charge takes.
Among the models we track
120 min on this model
Lowest
40 min Highest
210 min Middle
120 minHigher than 42 of the 95 models we track.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 120 min
- Wireless charging
The case or the headphones charge on a Qi pad, without a cable.
55 of the 64 models we track have this.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- yes
- Charging port
The plug the headphones or their case charge through.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- USB-C
In use 1 fact
- Wear detection
The music pauses when you take them off and plays on when you put them back.
57 of the 58 models we track have this.
Source: Manual · checked on Nov 1
- yes
Warranty and support 2 facts
- Warranty
The warranty the maker gives in the United States.
Among the models we track
2 years on this model
Lowest
1 year Highest
3 years Middle
2 yearsHigher than 4 of the 30 models we track.
When it matters
- A robot with a dock full of pumps and moving parts, where more can break.
- An expensive robot you plan to keep for years.
When it matters less
- For a cheap robot you would replace rather than repair, the extra years count for less.
Source: bose.co.uk · checked on Nov 1
- 2 years
- Launched
The month the model came out, as far as the maker or a register shows.
Source: bose.com · checked on Nov 1
- 2025-06-12
Sources: bose.co.uk · bose.com · techradar.com · Manual
Our score
Confidence: medium. Fewer than 300 owners’ ratings at the stores. The highest score today is 9.9.
-
Owners’ ratings 40%–
Owners’ ratings, 40%: none yet at the stores that ship to the United States, so this part is left out and the score is the features part alone.
-
Features 60%8.7
80 of 92 points for the maker’s facts, the other 8 counted at the market’s average share of 91%.
- Price never countsA sale can’t lift a model. Today’s lowest price sits beside the score, checked every morning.
- Too few facts, no rankOnly headphones whose type and enough of whose facts are known are ranked. The rest get a provisional score.
- Reviewers beside, not insideReviewers’ picks are shown next to the score and do not count in it.
Frequently asked questions about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
How do buyers rate the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Buyers rate the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) 4.5 out of 5, from 56 reviews at Coolblue (NL). We read the ratings on November 14, 2026.
How long does the battery of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) last?
The maker states up to 6 hours of play on a charge. A 20-minute charge gives 2 hours of play.
Does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have noise cancelling?
Yes, adaptive noise cancelling, which adjusts its strength to the sound around you. It also has a transparency mode that lets the sound around you in when you want to hear it.
Can the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) connect to two devices at once?
Yes, it can stay connected to 2 devices at a time, such as a phone and a laptop.
Which Bluetooth codecs does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) support?
It supports SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive. With a phone that also supports aptX Adaptive, it can play in more detail than over AAC or SBC.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) water resistant?
It is rated IPX4. That protects it against splashing water from any direction, such as rain and sweat.
The maker
Bose
- Reviews on Trustpilot
- Headquarters: United States
- Founded in 1964
Bose Corporation is an American audio company based in Framingham, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar Bose. The company makes speakers, sound systems for cars and noise-canceling headphones and earbuds. Its range includes the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
