There’s no cruising in the wireless earbud market—not when Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser are all gunning for the same slice of premium territory. Incremental updates aren’t optional anymore; they’re survival. Bose clearly got the memo. The new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Generation take over as the brand’s flagship and arrive with just enough refinements to keep them in the conversation.
You still get the signature Bose comfort, stability, and industry-leading noise cancellation, but the upgrades are aimed squarely at what matters in 2025: smarter ANC, sharper voice pickup, and—finally—wireless charging.
In a category where everyone is chasing perfection at 30,000 feet and in crowded gyms, Bose is trying to keep its crown by polishing the essentials.
Smarter Sound and Noise Cancellation: Bose Leans Into AI to Stay Competitive
Like the first-gen Ultra, the new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Generation stick with Bose’s CustomTune calibration technology, which personalizes both the sound and ANC to the shape of your ear—and adjusts dynamically as your surroundings shift. That feature isn’t going anywhere, but Bose is layering in AI where it counts.
The biggest update? A new AI algorithm now works with the noise cancellation system to deliver a more fluid Aware Mode experience. Instead of jarring jumps when the environment suddenly gets louder—think trains, sirens, or that guy on his phone at full volume—ActiveSense now reacts more smoothly, keeping your music or podcast front and center.
Bose is also bringing AI into voice calls. The second-gen Ultra Earbuds use a combination of eight mics, dynamic mixing, and adaptive filters, but it’s the AI-powered noise suppression—borrowed from Bose’s work in hearing aids—that really makes the difference. Wind, office noise, and general chaos get pushed into the background, leaving your voice clean and clear whether you’re using one earbud or both.
Improved Fit and Hygiene: Subtle Tweaks That Make a Daily Difference
Bose didn’t reinvent the form factor, but they did make a few small, smart changes to improve long-term comfort and reliability. The 2nd Gen QC Ultra Earbuds now come with redesigned eartips that include a built-in guard to help prevent earwax buildup—something most brands pretend isn’t an issue.
This simple addition makes it easier to clean the buds and helps maintain consistent audio performance over time. It’s not flashy, but for anyone wearing earbuds all day, it’s a meaningful upgrade that keeps the sound cleaner and the fit more secure.
Wireless Charging and Smarter Controls: Quality-of-Life Updates That Matter
Bose finally adds wireless charging to the 2nd Gen QC Ultra Earbuds—no extra case, no awkward accessories. Just drop the case onto any Qi-compatible charger (line up the back button with the center), and you’re good to go. It’s the kind of convenience that should’ve been there from the start, and now it is.
Battery life holds steady with up to six hours of playtime per charge, or four with Immersive Audio on. The case packs three full recharges, and if you’re in a rush, a 20-minute quick charge gives you two hours of listening (with Immersive Audio off).
And in a quiet nod to people who don’t want their music skipping every time they adjust an earbud or fix their hair, Bose now lets you disable the capacitive touch controls entirely through the app. It’s one of those options that won’t get headlines, but for real-world use? It’s a win.
App Control, Bluetooth 5.3, and Codec Support: Familiar Foundations with a Few Extras
The Bose Music app (iOS and Android) remains the control center for the 2nd Gen QC Ultra Earbuds. It handles everything from EQ tweaking and Custom Modes to managing Bluetooth connections and customizing shortcuts. Firmware updates roll out automatically through the app, so the earbuds stay current without any extra effort.
On the connectivity side, Bluetooth 5.3 is on board with multipoint support, letting you stay connected to two devices at once. Codec support covers the usual suspects—SBC and AAC for broad compatibility across iOS and Android—but aptX Adaptive is also in the mix. If you’re using a Snapdragon Sound-certified device, you get higher-quality audio and lower latency without touching a setting.
Android users also get Google Fast Pair for quicker setup. It’s not a groundbreaking change, but for earbuds living in a world dominated by Apple’s H2 chip and Sony’s LDAC, the connectivity spec sheet here checks most of the right boxes.
Comparison
| Bose Model | QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) – (2025) | QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2023) | QuietComfort Earbuds II (2022) | QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) |
| Price | $299 | $299 | $279 | $179 |
| Headphone Fit | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear |
| Microphones | Built-in Microphone | Built-in Microphone | Built-in Microphone | Built-in Microphone |
| Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Control Type | Adaptive Noise Cancelling with AI | Adjustable Noise Cancelling | Adjustable Noise Cancelling | Switchable Noise Cancelling (Quiet or Aware) |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Case | Charging | Charging | Charging | Charging |
| Dimensions/Weight | Bud Single: 0.49” W x 1.18” H x 0.98” D (0.016 lbs) Case: 2.35” W x 2.60” H x 1.06” D (0.132 lbs) | Bud Single 1.23″ H x 0.79″ W x 0.96″ D (0.017 lb) Case 2.61″ H x 2.34″ W x 1.05″ D (0.132 lb) | Bud Single 1.23″ H x 0.79″ W x 0.96″ D (0.017 lb) Case 2.61″ H x 2.34″ W x 1.05″ D (0.132 lb) | Bud Single 1.14″ H x 0.99″ W x 0.83″ D (0.024 lb) Case 1.38″ H x 2.76″ W x 1.9″ D (0.104 lb) |
| Product Material | Not Provided | Plastic (PC-ABS), Silicone, Metal | Plastic (PC-ABS), | Plastic (PC-ABS), Silicone, Metal |
| Product Case Material | Not provided | Plastic (Hard) | Plastic (Hard) | Plastic (Hard) |
| Rechargeable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6 hours | 6 hours | 6 hours | 8.5 hours |
| Battery Charge Time | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 hour | 1.5 hours |
| Charging Accessory included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Charging Interface(s) | USB-C Port and Wireless | USB-C Port | USB-C Port | USB-C Port |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth A2DP, HFP, AVRCP, BLE Spotify Tap Google Fast Pair Bose SimpleSync | A2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth | A2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth, AVRCP Bluetooth | A2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth, AVRCP Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bose Immersive Audio | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke Deep Plum (Limited Edition) | Black, White | Black, Gray, Soapstone | Black, White Smoke, or Chilled Lilac |
| Bose App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bose QCE App |
| What’s in the Box | 2 Bose 2nd Generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Charging Case Fit kit (small, medium and large ear tips and stability bands for each earbud) Safety sheet | 2 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Charging Case Bose Fit Kit:3 pairs of eartips (S, M, L) – 3 pairs of stability bands (1, 2, 3) 12” USB-C (A to C) cable Safety sheet | 2 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Charging case USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, 12″) Fit Kit (Small, Medium, and Large eartips & stability bands for each earbud) Safety sheet | 2 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Charging case USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, 12″) Fit Kit (Small, Medium, and Large eartips & stability bands for each earbud) Safety sheet |
The Bottom Line
Bose isn’t just updating a flagship—they’re reinforcing their position as one of the few serious alternatives to Apple’s AirPods Pro in the premium ANC earbud space. The 2nd Gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds build on the 2023 model with meaningful improvements: smarter noise cancellation, cleaner voice pickup, and long-overdue wireless charging. None of these moves are revolutionary, but together, they show Bose is paying attention.
While they still trail Sony in codec support (LDAC is MIA) and don’t offer the ecosystem integration of Apple, Bose is targeting the middle ground—premium hardware with platform-agnostic convenience. And with updates not just for their own gear but for third-party models like the SkullCandy Method 360, it’s clear Bose is playing a longer, more adaptive game. Whether that’s enough to lure users from the Apple or Sony camps remains to be seen—but at the very least, this is a proper sequel.
Price & Availability:
The Bose 2nd Gen Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds will be available at Bose.com in Black, White Smoke, or limited-edition Deep Plum (available later in summer 2025) for $299
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are available for $299 at Amazon.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds II (LE version) are available for $249 at Amazon.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are available for $179.00 or less at Amazon.
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- Skullcandy Method 360 ANC Earbuds Get a Bose Audio Upgrade—Seriously
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