Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
CustomTune · ANC · 6hr
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case
True-wireless · 2023
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) lands at 89 and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case at 92. That puts Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- ✓Best-in-class ANC for earbuds
- ✓CustomTune calibrates per ear
- ✓IP54 sweat resistance
Pick Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case if…
- ✓Compact carry
- ✓Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- ✓Quick pair
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testNoise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads on anc (96 vs 89).
Sound
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the sound sub-score
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case leads on sound (91 vs 88).
Comfort
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the comfort sub-score
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case leads on comfort (90 vs 86).
Value for money
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) more score per dollar ($229 vs $299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Custom dynamic | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | — |
| Codecs | aptX Adaptive + AAC + SBC | — |
| Battery | 6 hr (24 hr with case) | — |
| Charging | USB-C / Qi | — |
| Weight | 6.2 g per bud | — |
| IP rating | IP54 | — |
| Type | — | True-wireless |
| Release year | — | 2023 |
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- +Best-in-class ANC for earbuds
- +CustomTune calibrates per ear
- +IP54 sweat resistance
- −No multipoint at launch
- −Bose app slow
- −Bulky compared to AirPods Pro
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case
- +Compact carry
- +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- +Quick pair
- −Battery life limited
- −Fit varies by ear
- −Case bulkier than pod
FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case
Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case? +
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth the price? +
At $229, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in anc.
Is Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case worth the price? +
At $299, Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.
Does Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case? +
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) — leads on anc (96 vs 89). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.
Which is better for sound, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case? +
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case — leads on sound (91 vs 88). Compared on the sound sub-score.