On paper, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) tech specs may seem painfully incremental, but there's more to them than meets the eye. It's impressive how seemingly innocuous updates from one generation to the next can significantly enhance the user experience, and Bose is a masterful player in this regard.
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
They add essential features that were missing from the 1st-gen product, and do something better while retaining the same price tag. However, they also retain some signature Bose quirks that I wish didn't bother me as much as they do.
I traveled with the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 on two trips, and while they haven't replaced my Pixel Buds Pro 2 completely -- for reasons I'll explain later -- there's a lot to like here. Here's how it went.
Built for comfort
The new Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 prioritize function over aesthetics. They are designed for outdoor use and provide all-day comfort in a familiar style. The earbuds themselves feature a guard to manage earwax buildup, which Bose says helps make it "easier to capture and remove earwax after prolonged use." I haven't faced any earwax issues with the new Bose product, but this design also gives them a snug fit.
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 aren't the most aesthetically pleasing earbuds and are larger than the competition. Based on their appearance, I was skeptical of the fit based on the earbuds, but during my few weeks of usage, I haven't had them accidentally fall out of my ears once.
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I've worn them on airplanes, during commutes, and even on walks (IPX4 rating for sweat resistance) with Transparency mode on, and encountered no accidental earbud drops at all. I love the comfortable fit of these earbuds, thanks to their soft eartips with support bands. I'd rate them above Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds and Apple's AirPods Pro 3 in terms of comfort.
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