Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) Review
CustomTune · ANC · 6hr
Specdex verdict Bose's Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) is a solid premium pick — strongly recommended, even if it doesn't unseat the category leaders.
Bose's second-gen QC Earbuds bring CustomTune calibration to ANC earbuds — best noise cancellation in the category, even if comfort and codecs trail Sony WF-1000XM6.
Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) versus its closest rivals
- +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
Who's the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) for?
Quick verdicts for the most common buyer profiles, derived from the sub-scores above.
Compute scores trail current top-tier — look at our step-up alternatives below if performance is the priority.
Battery sub-score of 80 is solid but not class-leading — fine for typical days, charging top-up likely on heavy days.
At $229 this is a genuine value play — Specdex score of 89 far exceeds the typical sub-$500 baseline.
In the box
What you get when you unbox the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen).
- Earbuds
- Wireless charging case
- USB-C cable
- 3 sizes of ear tips (S/M/L)
Standard contents — region/SKU may vary; confirm at retailer.
Sources & benchmarks
Cited, not generatedSpecdex does not run benchmarks in-house. We're rolling out cited public benchmark data category by category — PassMark for CPUs and GPUs is wired today; DXOMark, RTINGS, Geekbench, and NotebookCheck will follow.
Sources we use when available: PassMark for CPU/GPU, Geekbench Browser for synthetic, DXOMark for camera scores, RTINGS for TVs, monitors, and headphones. See methodology.
Specifications
Editorial · awaiting verification| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Driver | Custom dynamic |
| Codecs | aptX Adaptive + AAC + SBC |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery | 6 hr (24 hr with case) |
| Charging | USB-C / Qi |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.2 g per bud |
| IP rating | IP54 |
Cheaper alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.
Step up from the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Higher-scoring earbuds if you've got more to spend.
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Also consider
Where the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) appears on Specdex
Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.