Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Review: ANC King?

When it comes to premium wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, the conversation inevitably includes Bose. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds represent Bose's most ambitious attempt yet to claim the ANC crown in the truly wireless space. At $299, these earbuds promise best-in-class noise cancellation, groundbreaking Immersive Audio technology, and the refined sound signature Bose is known for. But do they deliver on these promises? After extensive testing over several weeks, here's our comprehensive review.

The wireless earbuds market has become incredibly competitive, with Apple, Sony, and Samsung all vying for your attention. Bose needed something special to stand out, and they believe they've found it with CustomTune technology and spatial audio capabilities that rival dedicated home theater systems. Let's dive deep into every aspect of these premium earbuds.

Box Contents

Opening the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds box reveals a premium unboxing experience that matches the price tag. Here's everything included:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
• Wireless charging case
• USB-C to USB-A charging cable
• Three sizes of ear tips (S, M, L)
• Three sizes of stability bands (S, M, L)
• Quick start guide
• Safety information

The packaging itself is made from recycled materials, reflecting Bose's commitment to sustainability. Each component has its dedicated compartment, and the premium feel extends from the moment you pick up the box.

Design and Comfort

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds feature a complete redesign from the previous QuietComfort Earbuds II. The new design is slightly more compact while maintaining the signature Bose aesthetic with smooth, curved lines and a matte finish that resists fingerprints admirably.

Build Quality

The earbuds feel substantial without being heavy. The soft-touch coating provides excellent grip and a premium tactile experience. The case, while not the smallest on the market, fits comfortably in a jeans pocket and offers wireless Qi charging capabilities.

Fit System

Bose employs a unique two-component fit system:

1. Silicone ear tips - Create the acoustic seal necessary for noise isolation
2. Stability bands - Wing-like structures that nestle into your ear's contours

With nine possible combinations of tips and bands, most users will find a comfortable, secure fit. During testing, the earbuds remained firmly in place during workouts, commutes, and extended listening sessions. The weight distribution feels balanced, and there's minimal ear fatigue even after 3-4 hours of continuous use.

Comfort Comparison

Sound Quality

Sound quality has always been Bose's forte, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds don't disappoint. These earbuds deliver a warm, balanced sound signature that appeals to a wide range of listeners.

Audio Specifications

The bass response is punchy and well-controlled, never bleeding into the mids. Kick drums have satisfying impact, and bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM sound fantastic. The low end extends deep without becoming boomy or overwhelming.

Mids are clear and forward, making vocals shine. Instruments like guitars and pianos have excellent texture and separation. The slight warmth in the tuning adds musicality without sacrificing detail.

Treble is smooth and refined. There's enough sparkle for cymbals and hi-hats to cut through without becoming harsh or fatiguing. This is particularly important for extended listening sessions.

Sound Profile Breakdown

• Bass: 9/10 - Deep, punchy, and well-controlled
• Mids: 8.5/10 - Clear vocals with excellent instrument separation
• Treble: 8/10 - Smooth with good extension
• Soundstage: 8.5/10 - Impressive width for closed-back earbuds
• Imaging: 9/10 - Precise instrument placement

The Bose Music app offers several EQ presets and a custom EQ option. While the default tuning is excellent for most listeners, audiophiles will appreciate the ability to fine-tune the sound to their preferences. The custom EQ offers five adjustable bands with a wide range of adjustment.

Active Noise Cancellation

This is where the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds truly shine. The ANC performance is nothing short of exceptional, arguably the best in any truly wireless earbuds currently available.

ANC Technology

Bose's noise cancellation system utilizes:

• CustomTune ANC - Personalizes noise cancellation to your ear shape
• External microphones - Four microphones detect ambient noise
• Internal microphones - Monitor sound inside the ear canal
• Advanced algorithms - Real-time processing for optimal cancellation

The result is ANC that adapts continuously to your environment. Low-frequency rumble like airplane engines and train noise is virtually eliminated. The earbuds also do an excellent job with mid-frequency sounds like office chatter and traffic noise.

ANC Modes

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer three primary modes:

1. Quiet Mode - Maximum noise cancellation for complete isolation
2. Aware Mode - Transparent hearing to stay connected to your surroundings
3. Immersive Mode - Balanced ANC with spatial audio enabled

During extensive testing in various environments—busy cafes, airplanes, subway stations, and open offices—the Bose consistently outperformed both the AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5 in noise reduction. The difference is most noticeable with low-frequency sounds, where Bose has always excelled.

The Aware mode (transparency) is equally impressive. Voices sound natural, not processed or robotic. You can have conversations without removing the earbuds, and the passthrough is quick enough to hear approaching vehicles while walking.

Immersive Audio Feature

The standout feature of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is Bose Immersive Audio, their take on spatial audio. This technology creates a three-dimensional soundstage that makes music feel like it's coming from all around you rather than just inside your head.

How It Works

Immersive Audio uses:

• Head tracking - Motion sensors detect head movement
• Spatial algorithms - Create a stable, external sound image
• Personalized HRTF - Head-related transfer function based on CustomTune data

Unlike Apple's Spatial Audio, Bose's implementation works with any stereo content, not just Dolby Atmos tracks. The processing expands the soundstage and places instruments in virtual space around you.

The effect is genuinely impressive. Listening to live albums, you get a real sense of being in a concert hall. The head tracking maintains a stable sound image—turn your head, and the music stays "in front" of you, like speakers in a room.

There are two Immersive Audio modes:

1. Still - Spatial audio without head tracking (better for movement)
2. Motion - Full head tracking for a fixed sound stage

The processing does have a subtle impact on audio fidelity, but it's minimal. Most listeners will find the enhanced sense of space worth the trade-off.

Call Quality

Modern earbuds need to handle calls as well as music, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver solid performance here.

Call Features

Call recipients reported clear, natural-sounding voice reproduction. The beamforming microphones do an excellent job of isolating your voice from background noise. Even in moderately noisy environments like coffee shops, callers could understand speech clearly.

Wind noise handling is particularly impressive. During outdoor walks, the earbuds maintained call quality where many competitors struggle. The multi-layer wind reduction algorithm works across various wind speeds.

The Self Voice feature (sidetone) lets you hear your own voice while talking, which helps prevent the sensation of talking into a void. The level is adjustable through the app.

Battery Life

Battery life is adequate but not class-leading. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds prioritize features over runtime.

Battery Specifications

The case provides approximately three additional full charges. A quick charge feature gives you 2 hours of playback from just 20 minutes of charging—useful when you've forgotten to charge overnight.

Wireless charging via any Qi-compatible pad is convenient, though charging times are slightly longer than wired USB-C charging.

Compared to competitors:

• Apple AirPods Pro 2: 6 hours (ANC on)
• Sony WF-1000XM5: 8 hours (ANC on)
• Bose QC Ultra: 6 hours (ANC on, no Immersive)

The trade-off for Bose's superior ANC and Immersive Audio is shorter battery life. For most use cases, 6 hours is sufficient for daily commutes and workout sessions, but frequent travelers may need to top up during long flights.

App and Controls

The Bose Music app provides comprehensive control over all earbud features and settings.

App Features

• ANC mode selection - Quick switching between Quiet, Aware, and Immersive
• Custom EQ - Five-band equalizer with presets
• Shortcuts configuration - Customize touch controls
• Find My Earbuds - Locate misplaced earbuds
• Firmware updates - Automatic or manual updates
• Battery status - Individual earbud and case levels
• Activity tracking - (Optional) basic fitness metrics

The app interface is clean and intuitive. First-time setup walks you through fit testing and CustomTune calibration. Subsequent launches show battery status prominently and provide quick access to commonly used features.

Touch Controls

Touch controls are responsive and reliable. The touch surfaces are well-defined, reducing accidental activations. All gestures are customizable through the app, allowing you to assign your preferred functions.

Voice assistant integration supports Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. You can configure the long press gesture to activate your preferred assistant for hands-free control.

Comparison with Competitors

How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds stack up against the competition? Here's a detailed comparison with the main rivals.

Full Comparison Table

Key Differentiators

Bose QC Ultra vs. Apple AirPods Pro 2:

• Bose offers superior ANC, especially for low frequencies
• Apple has better ecosystem integration for iPhone users
• Bose's Immersive Audio works with all content; Apple requires Dolby Atmos
• AirPods Pro 2 have longer battery life with case (30+ hours)

Bose QC Ultra vs. Sony WF-1000XM5:

• Bose wins on ANC performance and comfort
• Sony offers better battery life and LDAC support
• Sony's sound signature is more neutral/analytical
• Bose's spatial audio implementation is more impactful

Bose QC Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro:

• Bose dominates in ANC quality
• Samsung offers better water resistance (IPX7)
• Samsung integrates better with Galaxy devices
• Bose provides more premium build quality

Pros and Cons

After weeks of testing, here's our comprehensive assessment of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:

Verdict

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds successfully claim the title of ANC king in the truly wireless space. If noise cancellation is your top priority—whether for travel, open offices, or noisy commutes—these earbuds are the best choice currently available. The difference in ANC quality compared to competitors is noticeable and meaningful in real-world use.

The Immersive Audio feature adds genuine value, creating a spatial listening experience that other manufacturers are still trying to match. The sound quality, while slightly warm of neutral, is excellent and will satisfy most listeners. Build quality and comfort are top-tier.

However, the $299 price tag is steep, and the trade-offs in battery life compared to Sony may matter to some users. The lack of LDAC support is disappointing for Android audiophiles who want the highest possible audio quality.

Final Score: 4.5/5

Who Should Buy

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are perfect for:

• Frequent travelers who need the best possible noise isolation on planes and trains
• Open office workers who want to create a focused work environment
• Audiophiles who appreciate spatial audio and a warm, musical sound signature
• Comfort seekers who wear earbuds for extended periods
• Quality-focused buyers who prioritize performance over price

Consider alternatives if:

• Budget is a concern - The AirPods Pro 2 at $249 offer excellent value
• Battery life is critical - Sony WF-1000XM5 provides 8 hours of ANC playback
• You need Hi-Res LDAC - Sony supports higher quality Bluetooth codecs
• You want workout earbuds - Higher IP ratings are available from Samsung and Jabra
• You're deep in Apple ecosystem - AirPods Pro 2 integrate more seamlessly

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worth the $299 price?

If noise cancellation is your top priority, yes. The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds offer measurably better ANC than any competing truly wireless earbuds. For frequent travelers, commuters, or anyone working in noisy environments, the premium is justified. The Immersive Audio feature adds additional value that competitors don't match. However, if ANC isn't critical for your use case, you can find excellent alternatives for less money.

How do Bose QC Ultra Earbuds compare to AirPods Pro 2 for iPhone users?

For iPhone users, the choice depends on priorities. AirPods Pro 2 offer seamless integration with Apple devices—instant pairing, automatic switching, Find My support, and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos content. However, the Bose earbuds provide noticeably better noise cancellation and work with all stereo content for spatial audio. If you prioritize ANC and sound quality over ecosystem features, the Bose earbuds are worth considering even for iPhone users.

Can I use the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds for working out and running?

Yes, but with caveats. The IPX4 rating protects against sweat and light rain, making them suitable for gym workouts and most running conditions. The stability bands provide a secure fit during movement. However, for intense outdoor activities, heavy rain, or water sports, earbuds with IPX7 or higher ratings (like Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro) would be safer choices. The premium price also makes them a more expensive risk for activities where they might be damaged.

How long do the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds really last on a single charge?

Real-world battery life varies based on usage. With ANC enabled and Immersive Audio off, expect about 5.5-6 hours. Enabling Immersive Audio drops this to approximately 4 hours. With ANC disabled, you can get around 7 hours. The charging case provides three additional full charges for a total of 18-24 hours depending on settings. The 20-minute quick charge for 2 hours of playback is useful for emergencies but won't match competitors like Sony that offer longer total battery life.

Do the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds support multipoint connection?

Yes, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds support simultaneous connection to two devices. You can be connected to your laptop and phone at the same time, with automatic switching when a call comes in or you start playing audio from the other device. The switching is seamless in most cases, though occasionally there's a brief delay. This feature works better than Apple's automatic switching, which is limited to Apple devices only.