Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: 55% of 130 owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

55%of 130 owners recommend
55% recommend · 13% neutral · 32% don't
Owners praise
  • Class-leading noise cancellation, widely called the best in earbuds
  • Rich, immersive sound quality
  • Comfortable, secure fit for gym, cycling, and running
Owners complain about
  • Static, crackling, and buzzing noises in the earbuds
  • Bluetooth disconnects and connectivity issues
  • Bass-heavy stock tuning can sound harsh
Full owner report →

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

34%of 50 owners recommend
34% recommend · 14% neutral · 52% don't
Owners praise
  • Noise cancellation is best-in-class, making flights, gyms, vacuums, and noisy stores go nearly silent
  • Fit is extremely comfortable for all-day wear and the eartips/wings stay locked in during workouts
  • Sound quality is rich with punchy, deep bass that owners rate above AirPods Pro and similar Sony models
Owners complain about
  • Bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7
  • A faint static, hiss, or high-pitched "mosquito" sound shows up in the left earbud, especially with ANC on
  • Call and mic quality can be muffled or noisy, with people on the other end struggling to hear the caller clearly
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if
  • ✓Travelers wanting the strongest ANC on flights
  • ✓Gym and cycling users needing secure wingtip fit
  • ✓Commuters craving a silent bubble on transit
  • ✓Bass lovers who value immersive spatial audio
Skip it if
  • Anyone needing flawless connectivity without static or dropouts
  • People taking calls in noisy environments
Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
  • ✓Frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation
  • ✓Gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit
  • ✓Bass fans who like an immersive, punchy sound
  • ✓Commuters silencing crowds, restaurants and offices
Skip it if
  • People needing rock-solid Bluetooth after firmware updates
  • Listeners bothered by faint hiss they can't fully disable

What Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds owners say

“They’re my instant new favorite. I’ve never had ear buds that fit more securely without discomfort, the ANC really is amazing, and the sound quality is top-shelf.”
— @Thegonagle on YouTube
“These Gen 2s hit a home run. They are phenomenal for ANC. Music quality is superb.”
— @TormentedTantalus on YouTube
“I wish Bose would fix the microphone during calls most people tell me they hear excessive noise when I am on a call if I am in a noisy environment”
— @ait0317 on YouTube

What Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) owners say

“I will be returning my AP3 and just sticking with the Bose gen 2.”
— @triniflyer8685 on YouTube
“They’re my instant new favorite.”
— @Thegonagle on YouTube
“I wish Bose would fix the microphone during calls most people tell me they hear excessive noise when I am on a call if I am in a noisy environment”
— @ait0317 on YouTube

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) better?

Real owners lean toward the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: 55% of 130 owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Who should get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at travelers wanting the strongest ANC on flights, and gym and cycling users needing secure wingtip fit.

Who should get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation, and gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is static, crackling, and buzzing noises in the earbuds. For the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), it's bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7.