The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) arrive as an iteration, not a revolution, according to a detailed review. Priced at £299 / $299, they position themselves among the more expensive wireless earbuds currently available.
Changes from the original model are subtle. The design remains consistent, though a visible guard has been added to the ear tips to prevent earwax from entering the housing.
One area of marked improvement is fit and comfort. The stability bands secure the buds, and the reviewer highly rated them, calling them the most comfortable Bose headphones tested to date.
The earbuds carry an IPX4 rating, suitable for sweat and splashes. However, this rating is weaker compared to the IP54 rating of the Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 or the IP57 rating of the AirPods Pro 3.
Functionality includes touch controls, which work generally well but can occasionally misread a tap as a volume swipe. The charging case remains the same size and is offered in black, white, and plum.
Battery life is cited as a weakness. While Bose rates the buds at six hours, that drops to four hours when Immersive Audio is active. In a real-world two-hour Spotify test with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on, the charge fell to 60%, suggesting closer to five hours of playback time.
This duration falls behind competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5, AirPods Pro 3, and JBL Tour Pro 3, which offer eight to ten hours of usage.
The feature set leverages Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint support and supports SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive via Snapdragon Sound. Connectivity performance was reported as superb, handling busy environments like London stations effectively.
The Bose app provides several tools, including a three-band EQ, custom noise-cancelling modes, shortcuts, and an ear-tip seal test. While Immersive Audio adds depth and widens the soundstage, the reviewer noted it reduces clarity and makes vocals sound thinner.
Noise cancellation remains the product’s primary strength. The second-generation model suppressed more noise in pink-noise testing than the original Ultra Earbuds, and it outperformed the Technics AZ100. The experience was described as almost dead silent outdoors and on public transport. Only the Sony WF-1000XM6 was judged superior for ANC.
Aware mode is natural, giving the feel of wearing nothing, and the ActiveSense system smooths out sudden background spikes so they do not disrupt music.
Call quality showed significant improvement. Earlier Bose models captured the user’s voice well but let in excess background noise. The second-generation model isolates the voice effectively, minimizing background intrusion, and the reviewer rated the quality as excellent.
Sound quality adjustments were described as refining rather than overhauling the sound profile. Bass is slightly less booming, while the midrange is clearer. The highs are detailed and natural, although less bright.
Despite the quality of the sound, competitors like the Technics EAH-AZ100 offer more forceful bass and greater dynamism. The Sony WF-1000XM6, meanwhile, provide more overall balance and precision.
Overall, the small improvements across ANC, call quality, Bluetooth performance, and audio quality combine to make the second-generation model superior. The combination with excellent comfort marks it as one of the leading noise-cancelling options.
However, consumers should weigh the premium cost and the relatively short battery life against the competitive models on the market. Owners of the original Ultra Earbuds are advised against an immediate upgrade, but those with older Bose models seeking top-tier ANC and comfort should consider the new version.
