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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 wishlist: All the features I want to see
June 5, 2025
Let’s cut to the chase — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are some of the most compelling TWS buds on the market. Equipped with industry-leading noise canceling, superior battery life, and next-level comfort, they represent one of the company’s best releases to date. However, even the most seemingly perfect products have their pitfalls. For example, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds emphasize bass frequencies more than we like in the office and have a heftier price tag than equally capable rivals. Consequently, the door remains ajar for a feature-rich Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 follow-up.
Bose has made no mention of its next-gen earbuds yet. While we wait, here are all the features I want the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 to have at launch.
Improved sound quality
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As mentioned, the QC Ultra Earbuds accentuate bass frequencies by roughly 10dB more than our target preference curve. While this may appease bass heads, many listeners will find the midrange sounds comparatively quiet. This is problematic, as many fundamentals, like vocals, guitars, and pianos, will be harder to hear. The earbuds also exhibit strong over-emphasis in the treble region. This can make cymbal crashes and synth lines more grating and often requires some rather aggressive EQing.
Despite this, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds score 4.4 out of 5 when assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD Acoustics. Simply put, most people should enjoy the earbuds’ sound out of the box. However, with a Distortion score of 2.2, listeners may notice the earbuds do not have as much clarity as competing audio products like the Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi. Likewise, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds do not score as high in Immersion compared to other available earbuds. Bose should improve the sound quality of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2.
A cheaper price tag
The true wireless earbuds market is more vibrant than it has ever been. With increased competition among manufacturers, companies are rushing to bundle flagship features into affordable earbuds. Unfortunately, the original Bose QC Ultra Earbuds cost $299 at launch. While this matches other big-name brands like the Sony WF-1000XM5, price-savvy consumers may question whether they are worth it.
For example, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC cost a third of the price of the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds and provide excellent noise canceling, superior battery life, and the LDAC Bluetooth codec. Likewise, the EarFun Air Pro 4 cost $89 and enjoy pleasing sound quality, nearly nine hours of battery life, and Bluetooth 5.4 with the aptX codec. With brands offering more for less, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 must have a cheaper price tag at launch.
Better companion app features
Companion apps are critical for keeping wireless earbuds up to date. However, they also unlock handy features that cannot usually be accessed directly from the buds. These often include spatial audio with head tracking, an ear tip fit test, Find My, and a custom EQ. The last is vital for tuning earbud sound profiles to your liking. For example, podcast enthusiasts can boost midrange frequencies, while EDM fans can boost the bass.
Downloading the Bose Music app provides Immersive Audio, control customizations, a custom EQ, and more. Unfortunately, the company’s spatial audio feature suffers from lag when you move your head. Similarly, the custom EQ only features three bands for adjusting bass, mids, and treble. The included presets also border the extreme, with the default profile providing the most pleasing frequency response. The Bose Music app must have better features if the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 are to compete with their rivals.
Improved microphone quality
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Our lives are busier than ever, so it makes sense that we take calls on the move. Thankfully, earbuds and headphones come equipped with sophisticated microphone arrays for capturing our voices. Some perform better than others, employing noise-rejection algorithms to block out unwanted environmental sounds. The Sony WF-1000XM5 are among the best earbuds for phone calls. These use a six-microphone array with dual feedback mics to deliver clear voice transmission even in loud settings.
Like all true wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ microphone cannot hold a candle to dedicated microphones. However, even compared to other earbuds, the QC Ultra Earbuds have mediocre call quality. In particular, they do worse at reproducing lower-pitched voices than buds like the Sony WF-1000XM5. The buds’ noise-rejection algorithm also poorly attenuates environmental noises, like wind, traffic, and keyboard clicks. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 should feature improved microphone quality to appease frequent Zoom callers.
A smaller and smarter charging case
Nowadays, earbud charging cases do more than boost our audio devices. For example, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro case features a display. This allows you to check the earbuds’ battery life, ANC mode, switch between spatial audio modes, and more. Similarly, the JBL Tour Pro 3 case can be used as a transmitter when connected to devices with a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also supports Auracast to share audio with your friends wirelessly.
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds case is a comparatively barebones affair. While it supports USB-C charging and features a multifunction button, the case lacks the bells and whistles of competing buds. At 66 x 59 x 27mm, it is also on the chunky side, protruding from trouser pockets more than rival brands. The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 should use a smaller and smarter charging case when they come to market.
What would you like to see Bose bring to the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2?
Will there be a Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2?
Bose remains invested in its earbuds and headphones category. For example, it released its latest Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) in September last year. These update the original 2020 version and bring improved sound quality, Bluetooth Multipoint, and a cheaper price tag. Unfortunately, the buds are also prone to connectivity issues, the case is bulky, and the ear fins can occasionally move around.
As it stands, there is no concrete news about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2. Rumors are also sparse, although we can surmise a likely release date from Bose’s previous product launches.
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II — September 15, 2022
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — September 14, 2023
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) — September 18, 2024
Bose refreshes its earbuds annually in the fall. For example, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II launched on September 15, 2022. These were updated one year later by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in September 2023. The company’s latest Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) launched one year later on September 18, 2024. By that metric, we should expect the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 to launch this fall. However, we must wait for an official statement from Bose.
Should you wait for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2?
The original Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds remain available from major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy. However, there are cheaper options that offer a similar feature set. Likewise, Bose fans may wish to hold on a few more months for the updated QC Ultra Earbuds 2.
Bose’s current QC Ultra Earbuds ($299 at Amazon) are excellent, provided you can afford them. Music fans receive Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless support. This provides Hi-Res audio with 420kbps, 24-bit/ 48kHz sampling using aptX Adaptive. The buds support Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth Multipoint, and the company’s Immersive Audio feature. Battery life lasts over six hours, and the case should yield enough charge to last a week’s worth of commute. Unfortunately, the buds cannot be charged wirelessly, and there’s currently no support for Auracast or LE Audio. Nevertheless, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds have excellent ANC, making sounds roughly 90% quieter with over 38dB of noise canceling above 1kHz. The attached ear fins help to achieve a comfortable fit and a tight seal.
There is no better companion to your iPhone than the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99 at Amazon). Fitted with the company’s latest H2 chip, the earbuds have some of the best sound quality on the market. They also enjoy excellent noise canceling that’s capable of dampening environmental sounds by over 35dB. Those needing passthrough mode can take advantage of Apple’s Adaptive Transparency Mode. This protects your hearing from sudden incidental noises such as roadworks and clattering crockery. The earbuds and charging case are IP54-rated, and the battery lasts nearly six hours with noise canceling enabled. Their ergonomic fit is comfortable for long listening sessions, and the earbuds ship with extra-small ear tips to help those with smaller ears achieve a good fit. As of September 9, 2024, the AirPods Pro 2 can be used as a hearing aid with the iOS 18 software update.
Bose fans wanting the best bang for their buck should consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) ($179 at Amazon). For significantly less than the QC Ultra Earbuds, listeners receive impressive noise canceling that quiets most sounds by 80%. The buds also enjoy pleasing sound quality, although the over-emphasized bass response may not be to everyone’s taste. Bose claims the buds should last over eight hours on a single charge, with the case delivering an additional two and a half charge cycles. The earbuds connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.3 with the SBC and AAC codecs. Similarly, those with multiple devices can use Bluetooth Multipoint. Downloading the Bose QC Earbuds app unlocks five EQ presets, a five-band custom EQ, and Voice ID. The last trains the earbuds to better detect your voice when conducting voice controls.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 ($298 at Amazon) consistently receive our recommendation here at SoundGuys. For starters, they offer some of the best noise canceling functionality on the market. Set to maximum strength, the Sony WF-1000XM5 attenuate high-end content by nearly 50dB. Their microphone quality is also excellent, with the earbuds doing a stellar job rejecting wind noise. Music fans will appreciate the earbuds’ default frequency response, and the Sony Sound Connect app has a five-band custom EQ. Other notable features include Sony’s Ambient Sound mode, customizable controls, and regular firmware updates. The Sony Headphones Connect app unlocks Sony 360 Reality Audio, Speak-to-Chat, and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Battery life lasts nearly 10 hours, and the buds can be charged atop a Qi wireless charging mat.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 FAQs
While you can save some cash by buying the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, they are generally considered less premium than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. With a price difference of $20, we recommend purchasing Bose's newer earbuds.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have longer battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and a lightweight design. On the contrary, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds last five and a half hours, connect with Bluetooth 5.1, and weigh 8.5g per bud.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II launched on September 15, 2022.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the better option for iPhone users. They also have better sound quality out of the box and support many of Apple's best features. However, if you own an Android smartphone and want Snapdragon Sound, grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra.