Bose 882826-0050

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds score a rough 18.3 out of 100 overall, with sound and ANC in the bottom third of our database. The only thing they have going for them is above-average comfort at the 73rd percentile. With call quality at a dismal 8.5 out of 100, these are hard to recommend when competitors offer way more for the price.

Let's dig into the numbers because they tell a pretty clear story. The sound quality score is 19.7 out of 100, landing in the 31st percentile. That means nearly 70% of the true wireless earbuds we've tested sound better. The ANC is even more of a letdown at the 32nd percentile, so the 'world-class noise cancellation' claim doesn't hold up against the competition. The mic quality is a real weak spot, scoring an 8.5 out of 100 and sitting in the 14th percentile. Call quality is going to be rough for anyone on the other end. Connectivity is also in the 14th percentile, which is surprising for earbuds rocking Bluetooth 5.3. On paper, the specs are there, but our testing shows they just don't perform.

Stacked against the competition, the Bose just can't keep up. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 are the heavy hitters here, and they'll run circles around the QuietComfort Ultra in sound and ANC. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro also offer a much more complete package. Even the budget-focused Soundcore P31i will give you better raw performance scores. The Google Pixel Buds Pro are another strong alternative that outclasses the Bose in nearly every metric that matters, especially call quality. The only reason to pick the Bose is if comfort is your absolute, number-one priority and you're willing to sacrifice everything else.

Pricing for these is all over the map, with a spread of $6,350 across vendors, from $249 to a frankly absurd $6,599. Even at the low end of $249, the value proposition is tough when you look at the performance scores. You're paying a premium for the Bose name and a comfortable fit, but the core audio experience just doesn't match the price tag. The sweet spot for performance in this range is found elsewhere.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds land with a total score of 18.3 out of 100 in our database, which puts them in a rough spot for a product with 'Ultra' in the name. The comfort is the one bright spot, hitting the 73rd percentile, so they do live up to the QuietComfort legacy in terms of fit. But the numbers fall off a cliff from there. The sound and ANC scores sit around the 30th percentile, which is disappointing for earbuds that market spatial audio and world-class noise cancellation as their main event. You're looking at a pair of buds that feel great but don't back it up with the performance you'd expect at this level.

Anyone who takes call quality or sound fidelity seriously should skip these. With a mic score of 8.5 out of 100 and sound quality in the 31st percentile, these buds are a non-starter for remote workers or music lovers. If you're coming from a pair of Sony or Technics earbuds, the drop in performance will be immediately noticeable. These are also a bad pick if you need reliable connectivity, given the 14th percentile ranking in that area.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a one-trick pony, and that trick is comfort. If a plush, secure fit is the only thing you care about, they deliver. But for everyone else, the sound, ANC, and call quality are simply not competitive. Our data shows you can get significantly better performance for the same money, or even less. These are a pass for anyone who actually cares about how their music sounds.