Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review: ANC Wins, Connectivity Lags
"Best noise cancellation in any earbuds" — that’s the claim Bose makes about the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and across Reddit, Trustpilot, and Best Buy, the ANC is indeed described as “the best in the industry”. But strong praise for immersive sound and comfort is repeatedly shadowed by reports of finicky connectivity and mediocre battery life. Across thousands of reviews, the Earbuds II average an 8/10 performance rating, with noise cancellation often called “jaw-dropping” and app reliability called “frustrating.”
Quick Verdict: Conditional — buy for sound and ANC, but be prepared for possible connectivity flaws
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Industry-leading ANC — “blocks out the world completely” | Frequent connectivity problems with iOS/Android |
| Balanced, customizable sound via EQ | No wireless charging |
| Smaller, more comfortable than previous version | Battery life shorter than rivals |
| High call clarity in quiet environments | Microphone struggles in wind/noisy areas |
| IPX4 water resistance for workouts | App is slow, can fail to recognize buds |
| Fits securely with multiple ear tip/stabilizer options | No hi-res codecs (aptX/LDAC) |
Claims vs Reality
Bose markets these as “the world’s best noise cancelling earbuds” using CustomTune calibration technology to personalize sound and ANC for each ear. In practice, users across platforms confirm the ANC claim with startling reactions. A verified Best Buy buyer noted: “There could be bombs going off around you and there is literal silence to your ears.” TechRadar described voices dropping to inaudible levels without music, only faint murmurs detectable.
The six-hour battery life promise is real — but compared to Sony WF-1000XM4’s 8-12 hours and AirPods Pro 2’s 6 hours plus faster quick-charging, this feels dated. On Reddit, multiple buyers lamented recharging during workdays: “Heavy-duty ANC drains them, had to put them in the case by lunch.”
Bose promises “seamless, reliable connectivity”. In reality, numerous buyers — especially iPhone users — have faced random dropouts, one bud failing to connect, or app detection failures. Reddit user reports often read like this: “The app wouldn’t see the earbuds for an hour. I deleted it, and magically the connection issues stopped.” While owners who stay within one device ecosystem sometimes experience flawless pairing, cross-device users report persistent trouble.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Noise cancellation is the core triumph here. For commuters, ANC means a cocoon-like ride. A Trustpilot reviewer wrote: “On a full train, voices three meters away became a mumble — without music playing.” In offices, software testers appreciated focusing: “Silences the HVAC hum completely.” Joggers with IPX4-rated sweat resistance benefit too — the secure fit from interchangeable tips and stabilizers resists dislodging in motion.
Sound quality wins nearly equal praise. Bose’s CustomTune and 9.3mm drivers deliver a balanced mix. Musicians point out clear instrument separation — “Sax, piano, and bass all hold space without drowning each other.” Bass-heavy genres retain punch without muddiness, as one Best Buy buyer noted: “Deep rich bass vocals — perfect charging lasts for days.” For most, the EQ adjustments in-app seal the personalization appeal, letting classical listeners raise treble while EDM fans boost low-end.
Call clarity in quiet spaces ranks high. On Tom’s Guide tests, voices came through “full and crisp” indoors. Office users confirm clients hear them “better than computer mic.”
Common Complaints
Connectivity dominates the complaint space. Reddit threads reveal patterns: the Bose Music app struggles to detect buds, multi-device issues cause random disconnects, and iOS users often need resets mid-day. One Reddit user summarized: “For every one person without issues, four are fighting with blips, ANC imbalance, or one earbud not connecting.”
Battery life — fixed at ~6 hours — leaves travelers and shift workers wanting more. A TechGearLab test hit 6 hours 40 minutes, but still lagged behind rivals. Complaints multiply when combined with no wireless charging: “No cable free topping up is a miss at this price,” a Trustpilot reviewer remarked.
Microphone performance divides opinion. In windy outdoors, callers hear “whisking” sounds or traffic bleed-through despite ANC on calls. Best Buy buyers mention muffled voice reports compared to Bose’s first-gen model. Joggers are additionally irked by running “thud” noises unless ambient mode is on.
Divisive Features
Fit comfort sparks debate. Many praise the smaller, lighter redesign (30% down from Gen 1) as “a revelation,” but some note ear canal pressure after 1-2 hours, especially following Bose’s recommended stem rotation for the “comfort seal.” Smaller-eared users in TechGearLab’s panel experienced looseness during high-impact activity, while larger-eared testers found rock-solid stability.
ANC aggressiveness is also polarizing. While most love total silence, a few liken the residual subtle hiss in quiet mode to a “white noise generator.” Bose’s Activesense aware mode pleases those wanting balanced transparency, but others miss fully adjustable levels like Sony offers.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Reddit threads show Bose standing by customer support with warranty swaps — sometimes offering QuietComfort Ultra upgrades free of charge. Multiple Reddit users claimed speedy resolutions: “Returned my QC II, asked politely for Ultras, got them under warranty.” Yet, the underlying issue — connectivity — has persisted through firmware updates, raising doubts about long-term fixability.
Durability chatter is scattered: shells and IPX4 rating survive gym sweat and drops, but one disgruntled Reddit poster reported “case top broke within a week”. Most long-term owners past six months focused on stable ANC and sound, not structural failures.
Alternatives
The Sony WF-1000XM4 surpasses Bose on battery (8-12h) and codec support (LDAC, aptX), but ANC falls slightly short. AirPods Pro 2 beats Bose on multipoint-like ecosystem integration and call stability but loses in pure noise canceling power. Samsung Buds 2 Pro and Yamaha EP-E70A get honorable mentions on Reddit as stable-connectivity alternatives, though their ANC is weaker.
Price & Value
Current eBay resale listings show brand new sets from $150–$185 USD, well under the $299 launch. Certified refurbished from Bose runs ~$169, often with “like-new” packaging. Community advice leans toward sale hunting; Reddit user tip: “Buy direct from Bose with $20 coupon — $179 plus 90-day guarantee.” Given ANC parity with the more expensive Ultra model, second-hand or discounted QC Earbuds II offer strong value if you can risk potential connectivity quirks.
FAQ
Q: Do these support multipoint pairing?
A: No. They can remember up to seven devices but only connect to one at a time. You must manually switch in the paired device’s Bluetooth menu.
Q: Can you use one earbud alone?
A: Yes, but only after firmware 1.3.26 added “independent single bud use.” Before that, removing one paused playback automatically.
Q: How water-resistant are they?
A: IPX4 — safe against sweat, rain splashes, and drips, but not submersion. The case is water-resistant inside only.
Q: Is the ANC adjustable?
A: Yes — via 10 custom levels and modes. Two defaults (Quiet and Aware) cover full ANC and full transparency.
Q: Do they offer wireless charging?
A: No, charging is via USB-C. Quick charge gives about 2 hours playback from 20 minutes in the case.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re an ANC-focused commuter, remote worker, or audiophile wanting balanced, customizable sound. Avoid if you require flawless multi-device connectivity or long-haul battery power without recharging.
Pro tip from community: Update firmware immediately, and if the app still misbehaves, try removing its Bluetooth access — some owners report rock-solid connections afterward.
