You may be looking to enjoy immersive music or block out noisy environments—whether it’s commuting, working, or simply finding quiet in a busy day. With the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, there’s the promise of premium sound, top-tier noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. However, hesitation can arise from two concerns: the premium price tag and reports of connectivity or battery-life limitations. To address these questions, we took a close look at what Japanese users—who tend to be very detail-oriented—are saying about this model.
What’s Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, released in October 2023, are premium true wireless earbuds designed to deliver best-in-class noise cancellation and spatial audio performance. They build on the previous QuietComfort Earbuds II with refined hardware, improved ergonomics, and Bose’s proprietary Immersive Audio mode.
Features
Design & Comfort
Each earbud weighs approximately 6.24 g, and the charging case is 59.8 g. The design uses soft silicone eartips and stability bands to ensure a secure fit for extended wear. With an IPX4 water-resistance rating, the earbuds withstand sweat and light rain. The matte finish gives them a refined and premium appearance, offered in Black and White Smoke colors.
Sound & Immersive Audio
Bose’s Immersive Audio technology provides spatial sound processing that adapts to head movement, creating a wider and more natural soundstage. The earbuds support SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs, allowing high-resolution Bluetooth playback on compatible devices. Users can customize EQ, ANC strength, and sound profiles via the Bose Music App.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver exceptional ANC performance. Independent testing by Rtings.com confirms strong low- and mid-frequency suppression, outperforming many competitors in isolating engine and crowd noise. Transparency mode (“Aware Mode”) is also available, letting outside sound in when needed.
Battery & Connectivity
According to Bose, the earbuds offer up to 6 hours of playback with ANC on and around 24 hours total with the charging case. A 20-minute quick charge provides roughly 2 hours of playback. Charging is via USB-C only — wireless charging is not supported on this generation. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection, though multipoint pairing is unavailable.
Positive Reviews
- Class-leading noise cancelling. Multiple users said train and bus rumbles dropped to near silence; others mentioned office HVAC and café chatter fading the moment the buds powered on.
- Comfortable, shallow fit. Reviewers noted the ear tips sit lightly “like an earbud on the outer ear,” staying secure during commutes and runs without pressure pain even after hours.
- Enjoyable at low volume. Several users reported the bass and fullness remain intact at modest levels; some said they stopped turning the volume up on subways.
- Impactful immersive audio. Many praised the “theater-like” stage for movies and live videos; head tracking made sound stay in front when turning the head; some kept it on all day.
- Balanced tuning with satisfying bass. Feedback described deep, weighty lows that don’t smother vocals; cymbals extend without harshness; some felt it’s more natural than previous Bose.
- Strong seal with low leakage. People playing louder than average said family or coworkers didn’t notice spill; several called it “safe for late-night listening.”
- All core controls on the buds. Users liked accurate taps and the swipe volume slider; switching modes and toggling immersive directly on-ear was considered convenient.
- Practical transparency mode. Commenters felt it’s clearer than the previous model and “usable on the street,” even if less natural than AirPods; quick conversations at registers were easy.
- Secure “stability band” design. Many found the updated band resists shifting; mixed-size left/right fits kept the buds rock-steady during workouts and biking.
- Less fit sensitivity than rivals. Some who struggled to seal Sony earbuds said ANC stayed strong even with imperfect insertion, making daily use more predictable.
- App fit test helps dialing in size. Users mentioned the fit check guided them to better tip/band combos and improved isolation without pushing deep.
- Subtle clarity lift versus the last model. Several heard cleaner highs and slightly tighter bass; female vocals and synths came through with better definition.
- AptX Adaptive can sound cleaner and feel snappier. Android owners reported clearer transients and lower perceived latency in rhythm games and video.
- Connection speed improved for some. Owners of the prior model said opening the case now auto-connects reliably; fewer manual re-selections on phones.
- Excellent for commuting and flights. Reports included subway screech and airplane cabin noise dropping to a hush, enabling quieter listening.
- Ear-friendly for sensitive skin/ears. People prone to canal discomfort liked the shallow insertion; several mentioned “no itch” compared with deep-canal tips.
- Design looks refined. The metallic faceplate and new colors drew compliments; the buds feel “premium yet light” in hand.
- Good value for movie/streaming fans. Users highlighted Amazon/Netflix sessions feeling wider and more immersive without special app formats.
- Stable during exercise. Joggers and gym-goers said they don’t budge once set; sweat wipes occasionally triggered a touch, but the buds themselves stayed put.
- Reliable isolation even at modest volume. Multiple reviewers said they could listen around 20–40% volume on trains while keeping detail and punch.
- Soundstage feels bigger than typical TWS. With immersive on, strings and crowd ambience “open up,” making small venues sound more like mid-size halls.
- Thoughtful usability touches. People liked quick mode cycles (Quiet/Aware/Immersive), on-bud switching, and that single-bud listening now works.
- Works well for bass-driven music. EDM and hip-hop listeners praised the “grounded” sub-bass that remains controlled; kick drums stay defined.
- Durable in everyday accidents. A few anecdotes mentioned drops—and even a wash—without functional damage afterward.
- Consistent “Bose sound” enjoyment. Even those who own other brands keep these for fun, fuller listening that doesn’t fatigue over long sessions.
Negative Reviews
- Left-ear irregular noise for some units. Several heard faint “buzz/pepper” or “mosquito” tones with ANC on in quiet rooms; it vanished when music played but annoyed in silence.
- Noticeable white noise in silence. Users compared it to a gentle “AC hiss”; fine in transit, distracting at night or in libraries.
- Connection stability can waver. Reports of dropouts in busy downtown areas and stations; some said audio resumed only after reseating in the case.
- AptX Adaptive reliability issues. A number of Android users described frequent stutters at 96 kHz and occasional audio halts requiring reconnection.
- Device switching feels clunky. People noted inconsistent handoffs between phone and PC; some said they had to forget/re-pair more often than with AirPods.
- Case is bulky and slippery. Multiple users found it large for pockets and said the buds are hard to pinch out due to smooth surfaces.
- No native wireless charging. Owners disliked needing a separate charging case accessory just to add Qi charging.
- Call quality underwhelms. Callers complained about clarity on subway platforms and windy sidewalks; several ranked it below AirPods/Sony.
- Transparency less natural than Apple. External voices can sound quieter or “microphoney”; self-voice feels a bit distant to some.
- Touch sensors can be too sensitive. Wiping sweat or adjusting hair triggered unintended pauses/skips; some wished for per-gesture disable.
- Occasional phase/doubling on speech. A few noticed a “layered” effect on spoken videos and shorts that wasn’t obvious on music.
- ANC “ear pressure” for sensitive users. A minority reported a plugged sensation during sudden noise changes (e.g., passing trains).
- Immersive audio not always ideal for music. Some found vocals shift forward oddly or detail softens, choosing to keep it off for critical listening.
- Battery life feels short with immersive. Users cited ~4 hours in immersive vs longer in standard modes; long flights required case top-ups.
- Treble resolution trails class leaders. Critical listeners felt Sony/Technics render micro-detail more sharply; highs can seem less airy.
- App feels limited. Only a simple 3-band EQ, shallow settings, and an interface that buries common toggles; tablet UI quirks mentioned.
- Hard to gauge case battery. Owners wanted a clearer percentage readout or more granular indicator for the charging case.
- ANC sometimes doesn’t engage on pickup. A few said one ear started “Awareness-like” until reinserting or toggling modes.
- Price/performance debate. Several felt sonic gains over the previous model are modest and questioned the premium without built-in Qi.
- Stability band preference split. Some miss the older one-piece wing for ultimate lock; the new two-part setup feels slightly less anchored to them.
- Desired “auto-pause music on transparency.” Users wanted an option to pause playback automatically when switching to Aware for conversations.
- Codec limits on iPhone. iOS users noted no AptX family support, so benefits (latency/bitrate) are Android-leaning.
- Certain high, sharp sounds pass through. Metal clinks or sudden brakes can pierce the ANC and feel accentuated.
- Case size vs total runtime. People expected a longer combined battery given the footprint; “30 hours would fit the size” was a common wish.
- Touch over buttons is divisive. Button fans dislike the lack of a physical click and the chance of false touches when adjusting fit.
Product Review Summary
Performance (Sound Quality)
Pros
- Powerful, well-controlled low end with improved clarity; balanced tuning compared to older Bose models.
- Stays engaging at low volumes, reducing the need to crank volume.
- Immersive Audio adds noticeable front-facing stage and depth; fun for movies and live recordings.
Cons
- Some find Immersive Audio slightly unnatural for vocals or certain genres; minor loss of clarity when enabled.
- Resolution still trails top detail-focused rivals (e.g., WF-1000XM5) for treble nuance.
Noise Cancelling / Transparency
Pros
- Class-leading ANC; consistently strong even with a light, shallow fit.
- Effective passive seal plus ANC yields very low ambient noise.
Cons
- A subset report left-ear hiss/whine or irregular “buzz/click” when ANC is on or during silence.
- Transparency (Aware) sounds less natural than AirPods Pro for some users.
Fit & Comfort
Pros
- Shallow, ear-hugging fit with stability bands; secure without deep insertion, low fatigue over long sessions.
- Good leak prevention; fit test in app helps optimize seal.
Cons
- Occasional pressure/ear “pop” feeling on sharp ambient changes; some prefer older one-piece wing design for ultimate stability.
Connectivity & Codec
Pros
- Some users note clear improvements vs. QC Earbuds II; quick wake/connection from case.
- Supports aptX Adaptive on compatible Android devices; later firmware added reliable multipoint for many.
Cons
- Reports of flaky connections in crowded RF areas, brief dropouts, or device handoff issues.
- aptX Adaptive can be unstable (stutters, dropouts) on certain phones; occasional “connected but no sound.”
- Initial setup/app pairing can be finicky on older Android versions.
Controls & App
Pros
- Full on-ear control including volume swipe; generally accurate touch response.
Cons
- Touch is sensitive—accidental triggers (e.g., wiping sweat).
- App is limited (basic EQ only) and sometimes fails to detect the earbuds.
Call Quality
Pros
- Usable in quiet rooms; acceptable for casual calls.
Cons
- Mic intelligibility lags AirPods/Sony, especially in noisy streets or on the move; some VOIP answer/resume glitches.
Design & Build
Pros
- Clean, slightly metallic faceplate; looks and feels solid.
Cons
- Case is larger than many competitors and can be slippery to grip.
Battery & Charging
Pros
- Buds rated around 6 hours (less with Immersive); adequate for daily commuting.
Cons
- Case capacity feels modest for its size; no built-in wireless charging (requires separate case).
Reliability / QC notes
Pros
- Many users report defect-free units; exchanges often resolve faulty-unit noise.
Cons
- Recurrent reports of left-ear noise or unit defects; some needed replacement.
- Tip: several users say a full case/earbud reset eliminated left-ear artifacts.
Summary
This model suits listeners who value top-tier noise cancelling, a comfortable shallow fit, and a rich, cinematic presentation—especially for bass-forward music, movies, and everyday listening at low volumes. Immersive Audio is genuinely engaging for video and live content, and the on-ear controls are convenient. However, those prioritizing pristine call quality, the smallest pocketable case, or rock-solid multipoint/aptX stability may prefer alternatives. Overall, it offers a powerful, crowd-pleasing sound and best-in-class ANC, making it a practical choice for commuters and users sensitive to fit and listening fatigue.
Comments