Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
Shure SE535-CL
What Buyers Say
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) receive praise for their excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, with many users calling them the best earbuds they've owned. However, a significant number of reviewers report issues with fit, especially for larger ears, and the touch controls are often described as overly sensitive, leading to accidental commands. Battery life and charging inconsistencies, along with occasional connectivity problems, also detract from the overall experience. While many are satisfied, the mixed feedback on comfort and functionality suggests these earbuds may not suit everyone.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Great noise cancellation
- Comfortable for long wear
- Good battery life
- Seamless multi-device pairing
Cons
- Fit issues for larger ears
- Touch controls overly sensitive
- Battery drain when idle
- Connectivity drops
- Charging case flimsy
Shure SE535-CL
The Shure SE425 earphones deliver outstanding sound quality with crystal-clear vocals and a balanced soundstage, making them ideal for pop music and female vocals. However, the included cables are a major letdown—users report flimsy construction, crackling sounds from the wired cable, and a cheap plastic clip that breaks easily. While the audio performance is praised, the build quality of accessories and the stiff behind-ear cable detract from the overall experience.
Pros
- Crystal-clear vocals
- Balanced soundstage
- Excellent for pop music
- Great treble and mids
- Tight solid bass
Cons
- Flimsy included cables
- Crackling sound from wired cable
- Cheap plastic clip breaks easily
- Stiff behind-ear cable
- Overpriced compared to SE425
Scores
Specifications
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen | Shure SE535-CL | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | over-the-ear |
| Ear Tips | Small, Medium, Large | S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.08 kg★ | 0.44 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 | 3★ |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 18 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 20 kHz★ | 19 kHz |
| Impedance | — | 36 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 119 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | aptX Adaptive | Shure SE535 Isolating In-Ear Stereo Headphones with Detachable Cable, Frequency Range 18 Hz - 19 kHz, Clear |
| Surround | Spatial Audio | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | — |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, HFP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Range | 9.100000381469727 m★ | — |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 6 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 20 Minutes for 2 Hours | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 18 hrs★ | — |
| Case Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Wireless Charging | ✓★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 4★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Bose app | — |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | — |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | — |
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong sound (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong mic (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Shure SE535-CL
- Strong sound (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average comfort (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average connectivity (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen offers 5.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 80 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 18 of 38 specs.
