Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Excellent active noise cancellation, rivaling more expensive models and effectively blocking out external noise
- Good overall sound quality with a customizable EQ, allowing users to adjust the sound profile to personal preferences
- Comfortable and secure fit for most users, with multiple eartip and stabilizer fin sizes for customization
- Improved microphone quality offers clearer calls compared to previous Bose models
- Significantly improved software and app experience compared to older Bose earbuds, with a simpler and more reliable connection
Product Considerations
- Connectivity issues, including occasional dropouts and stutters, particularly in busy environments or when switching between devices
- The charging case is bulky and made of a plastic material that feels cheap
- The stabilizer fins are prone to moving around, potentially disrupting the fit and preventing charging
- Only IPX4 water resistance rating
- Lack of support for spatial audio
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bose QuietComfort Ultras: QC Earbuds offer similar active noise cancellation and sound quality at a lower price
- Vs Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: QC Earbuds provide superior noise cancellation
Takeaway: The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds deliver impressive noise cancellation and enjoyable sound quality at a competitive price. They are a solid choice for everyday use and travel, if connectivity issues can be overlooked.
All
QuietComfort Earbuds
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Manufacturer details
- Headphone Fit: In Ear
- Microphones: Built-in Microphone
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Water Resistant: IPX4
- Bud Dimensions: 1.14" H x 0.99" W x 0.83" D (0.024 lb)
- Case Dimensions: 1.38" H x 2.76" W x 1.9" D (0.104 lb)
- Product Material: Plastic (PC-ABS), Silicone, Metal
- Battery Life: 8.5 hours
- Battery Charge Time: 1.5 hours
- Charging Interface: USB C PORT
- Wireless Connectivity: A2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth, AVRCP Bluetooth
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Bose products prioritize unparalleled comfort, allowing for extended wear, a hallmark of the QuietComfort series.
- They feature effective and customizable active noise cancellation (ANC), with granular control to adapt to various environments, setting a benchmark in the industry.
- The brand's companion app enables user customization through EQ settings and various listening modes like customizable active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and a transparency mode.
Select products
Ultra Open Earbuds
- Positioning: The entry-level, open-design earbud focused on portability and environmental awareness.
- Description: Uses an open-ear architecture that keeps ambient sound in play and suits active or outdoor use. Compared to other Bose products, these earbuds provide fewer advanced noise cancellation features than the QuietComfort models while emphasizing light weight and lower cost for casual listening.
QuietComfort Headphones (in-ear)
- Positioning: A standard in-ear solution aimed at delivering balanced active noise cancellation and clear audio.
- Description: Features active noise cancellation and crisp sound quality in a compact design that fits everyday use. When compared with the ultra in-ear and over-ear offerings, they offer a moderate noise cancellation level and soundstage that is suitable for small to medium rooms.
QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Positioning: A premium in-ear option built for enhanced noise cancellation and refined sound clarity.
- Description: Incorporates more sophisticated noise cancellation and improved acoustic tuning for clearer audio in bustling urban environments. In contrast to the regular in-ear model, they bring advanced connectivity and battery performance, while differing from over-ear headphones by prioritizing portability and a less enclosed listening experience.
QuietComfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Positioning: A mainstream over-ear model delivering effective noise cancellation and a comfortable fit.
- Description: Combines solid active noise cancellation and an immersive sound profile suited for extended listening in quieter settings. When held against the ultra over-ear series, they deliver balanced performance without the premium build and extra features, and they offer a more enveloping sound compared to the earbud lineup with reduced portability.
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
- Positioning: A high-end over-ear flagship distinguished by next-generation noise cancellation and advanced audio performance.
- Description: Integrates enhanced noise cancellation and upgraded drivers that provide a more expansive soundstage designed for focused listening in larger spaces. Relative to the standard over-ear model, they offer superior build quality, connectivity, and refined audio tuning, making them distinct from both the basic in-ear and ultra in-ear options.
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Used
Bose
What if you spend more?
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent passive noise isolation, better than many headphones with ANC enabled, creating a quiet noise floor.
- Good build quality with quality materials like anodized aluminum, Alcantara headband, and protein leather pads.
- Supports a wide variety of Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and SBC, offering versatility in device compatibility.
- Strong battery life, rated up to 80 hours without ANC and 60 hours with ANC, making it suitable for travel and extended use.
- Powerful, textured, and nuanced bass is a standout feature.
Product Considerations
- The included carrying case is bulky and may not be ideal for travel, taking up significant space in a bag.
- Comfort is not great for everyone, with some users experiencing hotspots on the headband during extended use.
- With ANC on, some users have noted the bass can become boomy with a reduction in sub bass.
- Treble transparency mode is not as good as other models.
- The headphone may clip the sound when ANC is on and the user hits bumpy roads or takes a harder step.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audeze Maxwell: The Apollo has a latency issue.
- Vs Focal Bathys: The Apollo has a more engaging, punchy, and emotional sound, also it has more features and tech, but the Transparency mode of the Bathys is better.
- Vs Apple AirPods Max: The Apollo offers superior sound quality with better clarity, speed, separation, and refined dynamics compared to the AirPods Max.
Takeaway: The Noble FoKus Apollo is a well-built wireless headphone with a strong battery life and great bass performance, making it an enjoyable choice for those who prioritize powerful sound and noise isolation. It offers a versatile listening experience with a range of connectivity options and a comfortable design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Luxury design and premium build quality with aluminum accents.
- Balanced and detailed sound with customizable EQ settings via the Bang & Olufsen app.
- Good active noise cancellation and transparency mode for immersive listening, and awareness.
- Bluetooth 5.2 ensures fast and stable pairing.
Product Considerations
- Expensive compared to other premium earbuds, like AirPods Pro.
- ANC is good, but not best-in-class compared to Sony or other brands.
- Fit might not be perfect for everyone, as the earbuds are slightly on the larger side.
- Touch controls can be sensitive, and may require getting used to.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs AirPods Pro: Beoplay 11 has a bigger case.
- Vs Sony WF-1000XM4/XM5: Holds its own in terms of sound quality and ANC, but the Sony models might be a slightly lower price.
Takeaway: The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay 11 earbuds are a stylish and luxurious option that provide great sound and noise cancelling. Those who value design and quality may find these earbuds to be a very good pick.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Most captivating soundscape with exceptional sound quality, especially in immersive mode.
- Best-in-class noise cancellation that effectively blocks out distractions.
- An expansive and immersive soundstage enhances the listening experience.
- Enhanced spatialized audio and multiple configurations ensure a solid fit.
Product Considerations
- Connectivity issues can occur, particularly with iPhones.
- The battery life is shorter than average, lasting around 6 hours.
- Levels can be inconsistent between tracks.
- The earbuds are large, and some testers found their ears got tired after wearing them for an hour or more.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds provide superior noise cancellation and surround-sound audio quality, while the AirPods excel in phone call clarity and longer battery life.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds offer top-notch noise cancellation, outperforming competitors like the Sony XM5.
Takeaway: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer an incredibly immersive experience for audiophiles, and are great for quieting the world. With their exceptional noise cancellation and spatial audio, the listener is transported into their music like never before.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Premium design and build quality, using materials like aluminum and glass for a luxurious feel
- Sound quality is generally praised as excellent, detailed, and balanced, especially after equalization
- Comfortable and secure fit, particularly for those with smaller ear canals
- App provides an intuitive EQ interface with customizable presets
Product Considerations
- Active noise cancellation (ANC), while solid, is not considered the best on the market compared to brands like Sony or Bose
- Some reviewers experienced connectivity issues, including problems with multipoint pairing and occasional signal dropouts
- Battery life is respectable but not outstanding, with some reviewers noting shorter-than-advertised playback times
- Responsiveness of the touch controls is sometimes too sensitive, leading to accidental pausing or track skipping
- Some users have found the default sound profile (Optimal) to be somewhat flat or boring, requiring EQ adjustments
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, the EX has more clarity, better soundstage and separation, but tonal balance may be preferable on the Airpods Pro
- Compared to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, the Beoplay EX offers a more balanced and detailed presentation with a more luxurious build
- Compared to the Devialet Gemini II, the Gemini II offers a more neutral sound signature with advanced ANC capabilities, but Beoplay EX offers a more balanced and detailed presentation with a more luxurious build
Takeaway: The Beoplay EX offers a luxurious experience with refined sound and a stylish design. It's a good choice for those who prioritize sound quality and aesthetics, and value a premium feel.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Upgraded 8K sound provides a crisper, cleaner, and more detailed sound, especially when enabling the 8K sound feature
- Improved ANC performance compared to the previous generation ZE8000, with a 32% improvement in noise reduction
- Enhanced comfort and a more secure fit due to the new 'Shield Fin' ear tips
- The design minimizes contact between the ear and the plastic parts of the earphones, supposedly improving overall comfort
- Wide soundstage with spatial imaging depth
Product Considerations
- Battery life is not the best, offering only about 5 hours of playtime on a single charge
- The case does not support wireless charging
- Touch controls aren't intuitive
- Some users may find the build quality of the case to be slightly lacking compared to the premium feel of the earphones themselves
- The microphones on these earbuds do a pretty good job at focusing on speech and rejecting some of the noise going on around you, but the ANC and transparency modes are not quite top tier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bose QuietComfort Ultras: Dialogue and landscapers mowing lawns aren't eliminated as effectively
- Vs Sony WF-1000XM5: ANC does not reduce noise as drastically, but the characteristic ‘whoosh’ sound was much more subtle and effective in translating music
Takeaway: The ZE8000 MK2 offers a noticeable step up in sound quality with the upgraded 8K sound, making music feel very large, showcasing a level of scale rarely found on true wireless earbuds. If you want possibly the best sounding wireless earbuds on the market, these are worth at least giving a shot.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Extremely compact and small size makes them very comfortable, especially for people with small ears
- Good active noise cancellation (ANC) performance for the price and size
- The inclusion of Qi wireless charging is a premium feature
- IPX5 water resistance makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor use
- The 1MORE Music app provides customization options, including SoundID for personalized sound
Product Considerations
- Microphone quality is poor, not recommended for frequent phone calls
- ANC can alter the sound signature, sometimes creating a less desirable sound profile
- Limited touch controls, and inconvenient microphone placement
- Some reviewers experienced connection issues, such as random disconnects
- Passive isolation is poor
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The ComfoBuds Mini has better noise cancelling than the Nothing Ear 1, but the Nothing Ear 1 has a much better microphone
- The Mini has better noise cancelling than the 1More ComfoBuds Pro, while the Pro has better microphone quality
- The Anker Soundcore Space A40 has better sound and more reliable operation
- The Lypertek SoundFree S20 and the Moondrop Sparks may sound better and offer better passive isolation
Takeaway: The Comfobuds Mini are very small and comfortable earbuds with many good features, making them worth consideration for those seeking tiny earbuds with noise canceling and wireless charging. They are also suitable for people with small ears.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent sound quality with depth, great soundstage, and crisp, clean elements
- Active noise cancellation is a useful addition and blocks out rumbling and background chatter
- The earbuds themselves are smaller compared to the previous version
- Touch controls are responsive and easier to use than the old version, and customizable
Product Considerations
- Continuous battery life with ANC on is quite short at around 4 hours
- The case is not the smallest and can create a bulge in your pocket
- Microphone sounds muffled
- These do not support multi-connect, meaning that these cannot connect to a phone and a tablet simultaneously
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Momentum 2's do not support multi-connect like the Jabra Elite 75T
- AirPods Pro's transparent hearing quality is better than Momentum 2's
- Sony's noise-cancelling has an edge over the Momentum True Wireless 2
- Galaxy Buds Plus have great clarity, but the bass isn't as good as the Momentum 2's
- The Momentum 2's sound better than AirPods
- Momentum 2 is more comfortable and nicer to use, battery life is better, and noise-cancelling is included
Takeaway: The Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds offer respectable noise cancelation, sound good, and are sweat-resistant. These could be worth buying if sound is the main priority.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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