Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have some of the best noise cancellation and comfort we've tested, but sound quality is mediocre and Bluetooth connectivity is unreliable for many owners. At USD 130 renewed, they're a steal for commuters. At full price, the flaws are harder to swallow.

The ANC is the star. At the 90th percentile, it's among the best we've tested, and the CustomTune calibration actually does something. Comfort is even better, sitting at the 95th percentile, which is rare for true wireless buds. Battery life is solid at 6 hours per charge with 24 total from the case, and the 20-minute quick charge giving 2 hours is handy. Mic quality is strong too, at the 92nd percentile. But sound quality is where things fall apart. At the 30th percentile, it's clear and bass-rich but lacks excitement. Owners describe it as balanced but a bit boring. Connectivity sits at the 87th percentile in our data, but real-world reports tell a different story, with frequent pairing drops and one-side connection failures.

Against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Bose win on comfort and ANC, but Sony's sound quality and app stability are better. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the obvious choice if you're in the Apple ecosystem, with more reliable connectivity and better overall polish, though Bose's ANC still edges them out. The Technics EAH-AZ100 offer better sound quality and a more premium build, but cost more and don't match Bose's comfort. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ are budget picks that beat the Bose on value, but their ANC doesn't come close. If sound quality matters more than silence, look at Sony or Technics. If you want the best ANC and comfort, Bose is still the one to beat.

Pricing is all over the place. We're seeing USD 130 to USD 299 across 7 listings, with renewed units on Amazon at the low end. At USD 130, these are a steal for the ANC alone. At USD 299, you're paying flagship money for earbuds with sound quality that doesn't match the price. The best deal we're seeing is on Amazon's renewed listings, where you get the same buds for less than half the top price. If you can snag them under USD 150, the noise cancellation and comfort make them worth it. Above that, the connectivity issues and mediocre sound start to sting.

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a weird mix. The noise cancellation is genuinely top-tier, the fit is stupidly comfortable, and calls sound crisp. But the sound quality lands in the bottom third of our database, and owners have a lot to say about flaky Bluetooth and a buggy app.

Bose clearly poured everything into ANC and comfort here. If that's your priority, these deliver. If you want reliable connectivity or exciting audio, keep scrolling.

Skip these if you need reliable multi-device connectivity or if sound quality is your top priority. The lack of multi-point and the flaky Bluetooth will annoy anyone who switches between a phone and laptop. Audiophiles should look at Sony or Technics instead, because the Bose sound is clear but lacks the excitement and detail you'd expect at this price.

Buy these if you commute on loud trains, fly often, or work in a noisy office and want to disappear into silence. The ANC and comfort are genuinely best-in-class, and call quality is excellent. But if you're an audiophile or someone who gets frustrated by Bluetooth hiccups, these will drive you nuts. The sound is fine but not exciting, and the connectivity issues are real. At the right price, they're a great buy for the right person.