When I first started using the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, it didn’t take long for my enjoyment to develop into obsession.
These guys had everything: noise cancellation that made Tube trips into the office infinitely more bearable; excellent sound and a case that could easily be slipped into a pocket and taken on a night out (don’t judge) or on a long-distance journey. In the year since I’ve owned them, I’ve used them pretty much every day.
Call me a Bose stan. Now, two years later, the brand is releasing the next generation of those iconic earbuds, the rather wordily-named QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
The outlook is good: the marketing has promised us a product that is flashier, more powerful and juiced to the gills with the latest in hi-tech innovations.
But how do they actually hold up? Let’s get out the magnifying glass.
Bose QuietComfort II earbuds key specs
- Earbuds: 1.2 cm H x 2 cm W x 2.4 cm
- Wireless charging case: 6.6 cm H x 5.9 cm W x 2.7 cm
- Weight: 7.7 g per earbud, or 78g with the charging case
- Battery life: up to 6 hours
- Charge time: 1 hour for the earbuds, 3 hours for the case
- Charging cable: USB-C
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Colours available: Black, Deep Smoke, White Plum
Design
Bear witness to the epitome of slick. The headphones come with a Bose fit kit, which includes three different ear tips and stability band sizes. These can be swapped in and out so that the earbud fits the ear perfectly: it’s the last word in personalisation.
They’ve also been upgraded from the UltraComfort OGs in small but noticeable ways: the speakers now have earwax guards, which help keep the audio sounding fresh (and save you from having to do any gnarly cleaning work further down the line).
The touchpad controls on the outside of the earbud, which function as a rudimentary button, remain the same: one touch plays or pauses the music, while two will skip to the next track. However, they’ve also been modified so that they’re less sensitive: a blessing, given that merely tucking my hair behind my ear would stop the music sometimes.
The case is also a work of art. Sorcery has been summoned used to render the plastic outside beautifully smooth to the touch. With its curved edges and pleasingly pocket-sized dimensions, it fits in the palm with pleasing ease.
Inside, the case has two small niches with magnetic attachments that allow the earbuds to slide easily into place. It’s simple – there’s one light on the outside of the case, and one on the inside, which flashes white (to indicate full charge) and amber (to indicate low charge).
Oh – and the earbuds now have wireless charging. A welcome improvement.
Audio
Now we’re cooking with gas. Bose has made a name for itself when it comes to delivering high-quality audio, and the QuietComfort II’s are no different.
The sound here is just as good as the last generation, if not better. The bass sounds pleasingly deep and punchy, the range is great, and the music is crisp.
The earbuds’ noise cancellation features are also something to behold. Bose uses CustomTune tech for these, as they do with many of their products. In a nutshell, it offers a sound cancellation experience personalised to your ears.
The QuietComfort II also come with snazzy new hi-tech features: for instance, an updated algorithm means the noise cancellation adjusts more smoothly to loud, unexpected noises (like sirens). There’s also an AI-boosted noise suppression system for the in-built microphones, which has made taking phone calls possible – the previous generation’s microphones let in so much background noise they were practically useless.
Putting them on, it is shocking how effective they are. The earbuds, like their predecessors, come with three settings: immersion, quiet, and aware, each of which offer a different level of sound cancellation.
Needless to say, quiet does the best job at blocking out the outside world, and made my trip into the office on the rattling Tube a breeze. So much so, in fact, that they’ve become a necessity.
Other features
In addition to all of the above, the earbuds offer further customisation via the free Bose app. It’s not essential, but still, it’s fun to be able to adjust the EQ levels to suit your taste, or check on the battery life of the earbuds and charging case.
Cost - is it worth the price?
For £299.95, Bose isn’t playing. But then again, neither are these earphones. If music is your passion, then these earbuds do the job and then some, delivering some of the best noise cancellation you can get from earbuds while also making sure the bass hits hard.
Small but noticeable improvements on the old QuietComfort Ultra earbuds do make these a worthwhile upgrade: consider them an investment in your future happiness.
Verdict
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 299.99
The next generation of Bose’s iconic QuietComfort Ultra earbuds do it all and then some.
There are thoughtful upgrades that make wearing them more of a pleasure - wax guards over the ear tips, for instance, as well as a decreased sensitivity on the touch pads. The microphones are finally usable thanks to an AI-powered noise suppression system, which makes taking calls a possibility rather than a hassle. There’s wireless charging, which is a welcome improvement, and while personalisation options abound, it’s also easy to connect them to your phone within a minute and start listening, pretty much immediately.
In terms of sound, QuietComfort II’s are just as good, if not better, than their predecessors. The bass sounds punchy, and the higher notes clean and crisp. When paired with the truly world-beating noise cancellation technology (which succeeds not only in blocking out most sounds but adapting quickly to unexpected ones like sirens), what you have is an excellent all-rounder.
Buy now £299.95, Amazon
