Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Review 2026: Listeners who want Bose's Immersive Audio and noise-cancellation heritage in a cross-platform earbud.
Our verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) suit listeners who want Bose's Immersive Audio and its long noise-cancellation heritage, and they work across both iOS and Android. Bose's official product page lists a $299 price, manufacturer-rated up to 6 hours of battery per earbud (dropping to up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio enabled), a case that holds up to three additional charges, and support for wireless charging with a compatible third-party charger (as of 2026-07-12). The honest trade-offs are battery and price: the up to 6 hours per earbud — and only up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio on — is the shortest in this comparison, well behind the up to 8 hours rated for the AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Pixel Buds Pro 2, and at $299 it costs more than three of the four rivals here. A wireless charger is not included. All figures are manufacturer-rated and cited to Bose, not independently tested.
Score breakdown
- Performance (30%)8.0/10
- Value (25%)7.0/10
- Reliability (20%)8.0/10
- Ease of Use (15%)9.0/10
- Support (10%)8.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Listeners who want Bose's Immersive Audio and noise-cancellation heritage in a cross-platform earbud..
Pricing
$299 (as of 2026-07-12)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | $299 (as of 2026-07-12) | Bose official list price; USB-C charging case (wireless charging requires a compatible third-party charger). |
What the evidence says
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are $299, manufacturer-rated up to 6 hours (up to 4 with Immersive Audio), with a case holding up to three charges and third-party wireless charging support (as of 2026-07-12). (Bose — QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (official))
Pros & cons
Pros
- Bose's Immersive Audio spatialized-sound feature, a signature capability of the QuietComfort Ultra line, per Bose's official product page
- Cross-platform: pairs over standard Bluetooth with both iOS and Android, avoiding single-vendor lock-in
- Case supports wireless charging with a compatible third-party charger, per Bose (as of 2026-07-12)
- Well-established noise-cancellation heritage from Bose's QuietComfort line
Cons & red flags
- Shortest battery life in this comparison: manufacturer-rated up to 6 hours per earbud, dropping to up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio enabled, per Bose (as of 2026-07-12)
- At $299 it is more expensive than the AirPods Pro 3 ($249), Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($249), and Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229)
- A wireless charger is not included; Bose notes you must supply a compatible third-party charger
How it compares
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores 8.0/10 in our headphones & audio evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 review — 9.0/10, iphone owners who want the most seamless setup, strong anc, and workout heart-rate sensing.
- Sony WF-1000XM6 review — 8.6/10, listeners who want sony's newest flagship noise-canceling earbuds and platform flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
How long do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds last?
Bose's official product page rates the earbuds at up to 6 hours per charge, dropping to up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio enabled, with the case holding up to three additional charges (as of 2026-07-12). These are manufacturer-rated figures, not lab-measured.
Do they support wireless charging?
The case supports wireless charging, but Bose notes you must use a compatible third-party wireless charger, which is not included (as of 2026-07-12).
Do they work with both iPhone and Android?
Yes. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds connect over standard Bluetooth to both iOS and Android, so they are not locked to one vendor's ecosystem.
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