Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review: ANC Great, Connectivity Weak
In the crowded premium earbud market, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II earn praise for "the strongest ANC performance on the market," but the same users calling them “fantastic” often admit connectivity is so unreliable they’ve sent them back. Across Reddit, Trustpilot, and expert panels, satisfaction lives or dies on your tolerance for pairing hassles. Score: 8/10 for audio and noise cancellation, 5/10 for reliability.
Quick Verdict: Conditional
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Class-leading active noise cancellation | Frequent connectivity/app pairing issues |
| Rich, balanced sound with adjustable EQ | No multipoint Bluetooth or spatial audio |
| Comfortable fit for many users with Bose Fit Kit | Fit can feel heavy/uncomfortable after long use |
| Effective ambient “Aware” mode with Activesense | Mediocre 6-hour battery life |
| Strong call quality in quiet settings | Loud footstep “thud” when running; windy call noise |
| IPX4 sweat/water resistance | No wireless charging |
Claims vs Reality
Bose markets the QuietComfort Earbuds II as having "the world’s best noise cancellation" and sound “shaped to you” via CustomTune technology. In real use, many confirm the ANC claim—Reddit user sarahx1121 said, “When everything actually works…the sound quality is great,” but her persistent connection problems made the product “frustrating and awful.”
The promise of a perfect fit through interchangeable tips and stability bands works for medium-to-large ears, but smaller-eared testers on Quora’s expert panel reported that "after one hour…they feel weighty and pressuring." Bose’s IPX4 water resistance protects against sweat and rain, yet the touch controls misfire when wet, triggering unwanted mode switches mid-workout.
Battery life is officially rated at 6 hours per charge and 24 hours with the case. Multiple experts and Verified buyers note there’s no way to disable ANC to extend runtime. Tom’s Guide found, “I got about 2 days of moderate use…before recharging,” less than competitors like Sony’s WF-1000XM4.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Noise cancellation stands out as the defining strength. On Trustpilot, NextPit’s review called ANC “the strongest…when cranked to the maximum.” Quora’s panel noted it “cancels out almost 42 decibels of noise,” removing both low hums and high-pitched whirs. For travelers and commuters, this transforms loud environments: one Reddit user said, “These are my go-to when I travel…when I don’t want outside distractions.”
Sound quality earns high marks from casual and critical listeners. Reddit’s gym-goers praised the bass and clarity for workouts, while expert gear testers on Quora found “clarity allows…hearing the separation between instruments in complex tracks.” Adjustable EQ in the Bose Music app lets audiophiles tweak bass, mids, and treble for genres from orchestral to hip-hop.
Call quality also ranks among the best. Tom’s Guide described it as “a top-tier calling headset,” and Quora data showed clear conversations even in noisy offices or subways, though very high-pitched voices degrade in heavy ambient noise.
Common Complaints
Connectivity issues dominate negative feedback, especially among Redditors. One post warned, “For every one person that claims they haven’t had issues, there are about four that have,” detailing problems like only one earbud connecting, ANC imbalance, or the app failing to detect them. Trustpilot echoed this with “terrible connection…one doesn’t connect” even after pairing.
Fit and comfort divide opinion. Quora’s experts highlighted the buds’ heft, making them unsuitable for long listening or vigorous activity in smaller ears. Runners often report an intrusive “loud thud” with each step unless ambient mode is on. Bose’s touch controls, while comprehensive, misinterpret movements—Tom’s Guide found they worked “50% of the time” and NextPit noted false inputs when wet.
Battery performance lags behind rivals. With no wireless charging and limited quick-charge gains (20 minutes for 2 hours playback), heavy ANC use means midday top-ups. Android users may also feel short-changed by codec support limited to SBC and AAC—aptX and LDAC are absent.
Divisive Features
Aware mode, designed to blend ambient sound seamlessly, impresses some for safety during runs or conversations. Others prefer transparency modes with manual adjustment, finding Bose’s auto-balancing slightly muting environmental cues. Ear tip customization is lauded by those achieving a snug seal but criticized when rotation of stability bands breaks the fit during movement.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term ownership stories are mixed. Some Reddit users report “over 8 years” with Bose products and no major issues with these buds, while others recount months of intermittent pairing, volume imbalance between earbuds, and failing stability bands.
Durability gets a pass for the earbuds themselves—they handle drops and sweat—but cases have been called flimsy, with one Redditor’s “top broke within a week.” The Bose warranty is active, with replacements (sometimes upgraded to QuietComfort Ultras) offered when users contact support.
Alternatives
Several buyers switched to Apple AirPods Pro 2 for more reliable connectivity and spatial audio, despite slightly weaker ANC. Reddit recommendations also mention Samsung Buds 2 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4 for athletes seeking firmer stability during runs. Quora notes that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers marginally better ANC and more features but at a higher price point.
Price & Value
While the MSRP sits at $299, community tips show lower-risk buying options. One Reddit user advised: “Buy directly from Bose using a $20 off coupon…plus 90-day money back guarantee.” eBay listings range widely from $110 open-box to $370 new, reflecting both popularity and second-hand value retention. Buyers on sale report good value if ANC is your primary goal, but resale drops sharply if connectivity issues are disclosed.
FAQ
Q: Can the QuietComfort Earbuds II connect to two devices at once?
A: No, they support connection to only one device at a time. You can store up to seven devices and manually switch in the app.
Q: Is there a way to turn off ANC to save battery?
A: No, ANC is always active in some form. Custom modes can reduce ANC to level 0, but microphones still process sound.
Q: Do they work well for running?
A: Comfort varies. Some runners report a “thud” with each step unless Aware mode is enabled; fit may loosen in smaller ears during vigorous motion.
Q: How is the call quality outdoors?
A: Very good in quiet to moderate environments; high wind or sharp outdoor noises are partially heard by the other party.
Q: Do they have spatial audio?
A: No, they lack spatial audio support, unlike AirPods Pro 2 or some Sony models.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a commuter, traveler, or home listener who values unmatched ANC and rich sound over feature completeness. Avoid if you need rock-solid connectivity, multipoint pairing, or long battery life for everyday calls and workouts. Pro tip from Reddit: purchase through Bose’s site for discount codes and generous return windows—connection reliability can be hit or miss.
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