Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) specifications and in-depth review

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Manufacturer: Bose

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) are true wireless in-ear earbuds designed for everyday listening without the hassle of cables. They include wingtips for a more secure fit and carry an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat during workouts or commutes. A travel bag is included in the box, and active noise cancellation works alongside passive noise isolation to reduce unwanted ambient sound.

On the technical side, these earbuds run on Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum range of 9 meters and support two-device multipoint connectivity. Battery life sits at 8.5 hours per charge, with the charging case extending that to a combined 23 hours; fast charging is supported via USB-C, with a full charge taking around 1.5 hours. A three-microphone array with noise-canceling capability handles calls, while additional features include ambient sound mode, in-ear detection, a find-device function, and touch controls placed directly on the earbuds.

Pros
  • Active noise cancellation is paired with passive noise isolation, offering two layers of sound blocking
  • Supports multipoint connection with up to two devices at the same time
  • Includes in-ear detection that automatically pauses playback when the earbuds are removed
  • A find device feature helps locate misplaced earbuds
  • Fast charging is supported, and the charging case extends total battery life to a combined 31.5 hours
  • A travel bag is included in the box, adding convenience for storage and portability
Cons
  • Wireless charging is not supported; the case can only be charged via USB-C cable
  • Bluetooth range is limited to 9 meters, which may be restrictive in some use cases
  • No support for advanced audio codecs such as LDAC, aptX, or AAC, limiting high-resolution audio streaming options
  • NFC pairing and fast pairing are both absent, making the initial connection process more manual
  • Spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo are not supported
Who is this for?

These earbuds are a practical choice for people who commute or work in noisy environments, thanks to the combination of active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation. The IPX4 sweat-resistance rating and secure wingtip fit make them well-suited for light exercise and active daily use. Users who frequently switch between two devices — such as a phone and a laptop — will also benefit from the built-in multipoint support, and the included travel bag adds convenience for those who carry their gear on the go.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who prioritize high-resolution audio streaming will find this product limiting, as it lacks support for LDAC, aptX, AAC, and other advanced codecs. Those who need a wide wireless range for room-to-room freedom may also be constrained by the 9-meter Bluetooth limit. Additionally, listeners who rely on spatial audio technologies like Dolby Atmos or Dirac Virtuo for an immersive listening experience will not find that capability here, making these earbuds a poor fit for that specific use case.

Design:

Fit In-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IPX4
water resistance Sweat resistant
weight 17 g
has no wires or cables
are neckband earbuds
wingtips included
has RGB lighting
has stereo speakers
has UV light
Has a display

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) use an in-ear fit and come with wingtips included to help keep them in place during use. They are true wireless earbuds, meaning there are no cables or neckband involved. Weighing 17 g, the earbuds carry an IPX4 rating and are sweat resistant, making them suitable for physical activity. Each earbud houses a stereo speaker, while features such as RGB lighting, a UV light, and a display are not part of the design.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)
has passive noise reduction
lowest frequency 20 Hz
highest frequency 20000 Hz
supports spatial audio
has Dolby Atmos
has Dirac Virtuo
has a neodymium magnet

The earbuds support both active noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise reduction, providing two layers of sound isolation during use. The frequency response spans the full audible range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and Dirac Virtuo are not supported, and the drivers do not use a neodymium magnet.

Power:

Battery life 8.5 hours
Battery life of charging case 23 hours
charge time 1.5 hours
has wireless charging
Has a solar power battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The earbuds offer 8.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 23 hours for a combined total of 31.5 hours. A full charge takes 1.5 hours via the wired connection, as wireless charging is not supported. The battery is rechargeable, and a battery level indicator is included, while solar charging is not a feature of this product.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing
Has USB Type-C
Bluetooth version 5.3
has LDAC
has LDHC
has Bluetooth LE Audio
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Low Latency
has aptX HD
has aptX
has aptX Lossless
has aptX Voice
has Auracast
maximum Bluetooth range 9 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC
Can be used wirelessly
has AAC

The earbuds connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3 with a maximum range of 9 meters, and USB Type-C is available for wired charging. Advanced audio codecs including LDAC, LDHC, AAC, and the full aptX family — covering aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, and aptX Voice — are not supported. Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are also absent, and the earbuds do not offer fast pairing or NFC-based pairing.

Features:

has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find device feature
Supports fast charging
multipoint count 2
can read notifications
has a mute function
can be used as a headset
control panel placed on a device
Has voice prompts
travel bag is included
Has an in-line control panel
Has a temperature sensor
Has a built-in camera remote control function

The earbuds include a solid set of practical features, among them ambient sound mode, in-ear detection for automatic music pausing, a mute function, voice prompts, and a find device function for locating misplaced earbuds. They support multipoint connectivity for up to two devices simultaneously and can be used as a headset for calls. Controls are handled via a panel on the earbuds themselves rather than an in-line cable control. Fast charging is supported, and a travel bag is included in the box. Notification reading, a body temperature sensor, and a built-in camera remote are not available on this model.

Microphone:

number of microphones 3
has a noise-canceling microphone

The earbuds feature a three-microphone array with noise-canceling capability, allowing them to reduce unwanted background sound during calls and voice interactions.

Final Verdict

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) present a well-rounded package for everyday wireless listening, anchored by their combined active and passive noise cancellation and a practical feature set that includes multipoint connectivity, in-ear detection, and fast charging. The sweat-resistant build and secure wingtip design make them a reliable daily companion, while the charging case ensures enough battery capacity to last through extended use. Where the earbuds fall short is in advanced audio codec support and spatial audio capabilities, which narrows their appeal for audiophiles or immersive-audio enthusiasts. For users whose primary needs are reliable noise isolation, hands-free calling, and seamless device switching in commuting or active everyday scenarios, this model delivers on what matters most.

Popular Comparisons

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Beats Powerbeats Fit
Beats Powerbeats Fit
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Baseus Inspire XP1
Baseus Inspire XP1
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Beyerdynamic Amiron 300
Beyerdynamic Amiron 300
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS30TW Plus
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS30TW Plus
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Sony LinkBuds Fit
Sony LinkBuds Fit
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Sony WF-C510
Sony WF-C510
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Active
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Active
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Lenovo EA400
Lenovo EA400
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
JBL Live Beam 3
JBL Live Beam 3
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
VS
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6