Bose has long been a titan in the world of noise cancellation, and their QuietComfort line is legendary. With the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, Bose aims to pack its world-class active noise cancellation (ANC) and high-fidelity audio into a compact, truly wireless form factor. Facing intense competition, these earbuds arrive with a new killer feature: Immersive Audio, Bose's take on spatial sound. We put them through their paces to see if they can deliver the quiet and the quality the QC name demands.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The new champions of noise cancellation in a true wireless earbud, offering unparalleled quiet, rich audio, and a groundbreaking immersive sound experience.
Design and Fit: Stability and Style
The QC Ultra Earbuds feature a refined version of Bose's classic earbud design. They are slightly sleeker than previous models, with a metallic finish that adds a premium touch. The key to their success is the two-part fit system, which combines soft silicone ear tips with flexible stability bands that tuck into the ridge of your ear. This creates an incredibly secure and comfortable fit that's stable enough for workouts but gentle enough for all-day wear.
The charging case is compact and well-built, though it's slightly larger than that of some competitors. It provides a secure home for the earbuds and is small enough to slip into a pocket easily.
Performance: Unrivaled Silence, Immersive Sound
Let's be clear: the noise cancellation on the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds is the best you can get in a wireless earbud. Period. They create a cone of silence that is simply astonishing, reducing the roar of a subway or the drone of an airplane to a barely perceptible whisper. The "Aware" mode is equally impressive, providing a natural-sounding transparency that lets you stay tuned in to your surroundings.
The new Bose Immersive Audio is a revelation. It creates a wide, spacious soundstage that seems to exist just outside your head, preventing listening fatigue and making music feel more like a live performance. It's a truly remarkable feature that sets these earbuds apart.
The sound quality is rich, deep, and powerful. The bass is punchy and well-defined, and the vocals are clear and forward. It's a fun, energetic sound signature that makes music exciting to listen to, and the adjustable EQ in the Bose Music app allows you to tailor the sound to your exact preferences.
Features and Battery Life
The QC Ultra Earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and support high-quality codecs like aptX Adaptive for low-latency, high-resolution audio streaming. The on-bud touch controls are responsive and intuitive, allowing you to manage playback, calls, and noise cancellation modes with simple taps and swipes.
Battery life is rated at up to 6 hours on a single charge with Immersive Audio off, with the case providing an additional three full charges. While this is competitive, it's not class-leading, especially if you frequently use the power-hungry Immersive Audio mode.
What We Like
- Absolutely best-in-class noise cancellation.
- Stunning Immersive Audio feature.
- Secure, comfortable, and stable fit.
- Rich, powerful, and customizable sound.
What We Don't Like
- No wireless charging for the case.
- Battery life is average, especially with Immersive Audio on.
- No multipoint Bluetooth at launch.
Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a triumph. They set a new, incredibly high standard for active noise cancellation in a wireless earbud, creating a level of quiet that has to be heard to be believed. When you combine that with their rich sound quality and the genuinely innovative Immersive Audio feature, you have a truly top-tier product.
While they have a few minor shortcomings, their core performance is so exceptional that they are easy to recommend. If your top priority is silencing the world around you while enjoying a powerful, immersive audio experience, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds are the new champions to beat.