Bose Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbuds, True Wireless Review
Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds have best-in-class noise cancellation and a brilliant mic, but you'll pay for it with mediocre battery life and just-okay sound.
The 30-Second Version
Great for calls and noise cancellation, but the battery life is poor and the sound is just okay. The mic and ANC are top-tier. Worth it only if those are your non-negotiable needs.
Overview
Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds are a solid, comfortable pair of true wireless buds with a famous name. They're built for blocking out the world with top-tier ANC and a mic that's genuinely great for calls.
But there's a catch. For a product with 'QuietComfort' in the name, the sound quality score in our database is surprisingly average. And the battery life? It's in the 6th percentile. You're buying these for the comfort, the noise cancellation, and the brand, not for marathon listening sessions or audiophile-grade tunes.
Performance
The performance story here is a split decision. The ANC is fantastic, landing in the 87th percentile, and the mic is even better at the 96th. Calls sound crystal clear. Build and comfort scores are also high, so they feel premium and stay put. But the sound quality score is just okay at the 47th percentile. It's not bad, but it's not the rich, powerful audio the marketing hints at. The real letdown is battery life. At 8.5 hours, it's well behind the pack, and our data puts it near the bottom of the barrel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Noise cancellation is among the best you can get. 84th
- The microphone is exceptional for calls. 80th
- Extremely comfortable and secure fit. 76th
- Build quality feels premium and durable. 75th
Cons
- Battery life is significantly below average.
- Sound quality is merely decent, not exceptional.
- The case is a bit bulky.
- Lacks high-end codecs like LDAC for audiophiles.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | True Wireless |
| Wearing Style | Rounded tips |
| Ear Tips | s |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.2 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Sensitivity | 95 |
| Codecs | Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbuds, True Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation and Mic, Deep Bass, IPX4 Rating, Up to 8.5 Hours of Playtime, Chilled Lilac |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Wired Connector | USB Type C |
| Range | 9.1 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 8.5 |
| Charge Time | 1.5 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
Value & Pricing
At $179, you're paying a Bose tax. You get what you pay for in ANC, comfort, and call quality. But you're also paying for a brand name while accepting subpar battery life and mid-tier sound. If those top-tier features are your absolute priority, the price might be justified. If you want a more balanced package, your money goes further elsewhere.
vs Competition
Stacked up, the Sony WF-1000XM5 beats these in sound and battery life, but costs more. The Anker Soundcore P3i offers similar ANC performance for a lot less money, though with less brand prestige. The Nothing Ear (a) is a direct budget alternative with a flashier design. The Bose win on comfort and mic quality is clear, but you sacrifice a lot in battery to get it. It's a trade-off.
| Spec | Bose Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbuds, True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ100 Reference-Class True Wireless | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Apple - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-C MS Earbuds with USB-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 8.5 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 11 | 16 | 25 | 18 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IPX4 | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: How is the call quality in noisy places?
Excellent. The mic is in the 96th percentile in our tests, meaning it's one of the best at isolating your voice from background noise.
Q: Is the 8.5-hour battery life real?
It's possible under ideal conditions, but our data ranks battery life in the 6th percentile, meaning most competitors last longer in real-world use.
Q: Can you use them for working out?
Yes, the IPX4 rating means they're sweat and water-resistant, and the secure fit with stability bands is great for fitness.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need all-day battery. With a score in the 6th percentile, you'll be charging these more than anything else in this price range. Also, look elsewhere if sound quality is your top priority. There are better-sounding buds at this price, like the Sony XM5s.
Verdict
Buy these if you take a lot of calls on the go and need world-class noise cancellation in a comfy package. They're perfect for commuters, open-office workers, or travelers who prioritize blocking out noise and being heard clearly. Just keep a charger handy.