Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review: ANC Power with Flaws
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have been hailed by many as delivering the most powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) available in a true wireless form — some users even claim they rival top over-ear headphones. Across platforms, the praise for ANC is deafening, yet a shadow of recurring connectivity issues and disappointing comfort reports drags them down. Based on wide-ranging real user feedback, this set earns a solid 8/10: outstanding for quiet and immersive listening, but not free from flaws that could matter depending on how you use them.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Market-leading ANC performance | Frequent connectivity & Bose app pairing issues |
| Strong, well-balanced sound with customizable EQ | Comfort concerns for some, especially during long wear |
| Compact redesign vs. previous gen | Lacks aptX, LDAC, and spatial audio |
| Good call quality in quiet settings | Microphone struggles in wind/noisy environments |
| Secure fit with multiple ear tip & wing options | No wireless charging |
| IPX4 water resistance | Battery life only ~6 hours (no ANC-off mode) |
Claims vs Reality
Bose markets these buds with "the world’s best noise cancellation" and CustomTune technology that adapts sound and ANC to your ear shape. Many agree the ANC claim holds. A Reddit user said: “They still have measurably the best ANC of any earbuds and beat out most over-ear headphones.” Similarly, T3 described them as “noise‑cancelling that’s out of this world… without leaving any hint of how hard they’re working.”
The company also touts “personalized fit” via multiple tips and bands. While some users found “medium tips and wing straight out of the box” to deliver a secure seal, others report discomfort over extended sessions. Tom’s Guide noted, “Comfort remains an issue… discomfort after about two hours of wear.” This clash shows the fit advantages are real for certain ear shapes but not universal.
Finally, Bose promises “seamless, reliable connectivity” with Bluetooth 5.3. Here user feedback diverges sharply: multiple Best Buy reviewers and Reddit posts complain about disconnections, one earbud failing to connect, and Bose app detection problems. As one Redditor summarized: “For every one person that claims they haven’t had issues, there’s about four that have.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Noise cancellation is the crown jewel. In loud environments like welding shops, gyms, or train commutes, users marveled at its effectiveness. A Best Buy customer wrote, “There could be bombs going off around you and there is literal silence to your ears.” Audiophiles appreciated the ANC’s balance with music quality — Quora’s T3 review called it “remarkable… banishing all but the loudest ambient sounds” without hiss or ear pressure.
Sound quality receives high marks, particularly with bass depth and clarity. One Best Buy user declared, “Sound quality and bass is amazing right out of the box!” The simple 3‑band EQ in the Bose Music app lets owners tweak bass and treble; Reddit posters often paired this with ANC customization to build profiles for travel, office, or workouts.
Compact design versus the first-gen model has won approval. Lighter buds and a smaller case make them more pocketable. Trustpilot reviews praised “extremely comfortable in the ear” wear for hours — valuable for frequent travelers and binge listeners alike.
Common Complaints
Connectivity woes dominate negative feedback. On Reddit, one owner lamented, “About ¼ of my time… spent fighting with them to make them work.” Best Buy and Tom's Guide highlight pairing delays with the Bose Music app and the absence of Bluetooth multipoint. These hit hardest for users who regularly swap devices — for work calls on laptops and music on phones, the buds require manual reconnecting.
Microphone quality is another weak point in noisy or windy settings. One Reddit user scored it “2/10” for calls, and Best Buy reviewers repeated complaints about muffled voices. Outdoor call clarity lags behind rivals like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
Aware mode, despite Activesense tech, is divisive. Some found it helpful, but others disliked the audible hiss in quiet rooms. One Reddit review called it “unacceptable hissing/noise floor” and cited YouTube tests measuring ~32dB of hiss versus 25dB on AirPods Pro 2.
Divisive Features
Fit is polarizing. Many secure them perfectly with provided tips and wings — “don’t feel loose once… fit checked” — while others found them shifting during workouts or irritating ear canals. Comfort seems more dependent on ear anatomy here than with some competitors.
Sound warmth versus analytical neutrality also divides opinion. Bose tunes toward slightly warm, engaging audio rather than pure reference sound; T3 noted certain treble sparkle is missing. Fans love the immersive bass-heavy profile, while some audiophiles prefer models like Sony’s WF‑1000XM4 or Bowers & Wilkins PI7 for finer detail.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot users seldom raise scam concerns, but hardware reliability is mixed. Reddit threads document buds needing warranty replacements for sudden malfunctions. Some long-term owners, however, report no deterioration: “Had them since they first came out… connected… without issues” and still delivered great ANC.
Durability under physical stress is promising — welders and gym-goers note the IPX4 design withstanding sweat and dust over months. Yet the charging case draws repeated criticism for feeling cheap or oversized compared to competitors, with fears of hinge wear.
Alternatives
The AirPods Pro 2 rival the QC Earbuds II on transparency comfort, microphone clarity, and add spatial audio — but lose some ANC intensity and bass richness. Several Reddit and Best Buy users switched to AirPods Pro citing “too unreliable” Bose connectivity despite ANC envy.
Sony’s WF‑1000XM4 offer longer battery life (8-12 hours), LDAC hi-res codec, and richer EQ options, appealing to Android users annoyed at Bose’s SBC/AAC-only limit. However, they’re larger and some find their ANC slightly weaker.
High-end niche options like Bowers & Wilkins PI7 or Grado GT220 deliver sharper treble and detail but don’t surpass Bose on ANC.
Price & Value
Community advice suggests hunting sales: Reddit users report snagging them for $179 direct from Bose with coupons. eBay listings show refurbished units between ~NZD 200–370, indicating decent resale demand. Value hinges on whether ANC supremacy outweighs missing features like wireless charging and multipoint. For ANC-first buyers — frequent travelers, commuters, or loud-environment workers — the investment is often deemed “worth every penny.”
FAQ
Q: Can I use just one earbud at a time?
A: Yes, independent single bud use is supported after firmware update, but some early units lacked full support until updated via the Bose Music app.
Q: How’s the battery life in real use?
A: Expect around 6 hours with ANC on; no option to turn ANC off to extend life. Heavy users recharge via case during breaks.
Q: Does it support hi-res audio codecs like aptX or LDAC?
A: No, codec support is limited to SBC and AAC, which is fine for iOS but a drawback for Android users seeking higher bit rates.
Q: Is the Bose Music app required?
A: Not strictly, but it's needed for firmware updates, EQ, and ANC profile customization. Some users removed app access to fix connectivity issues.
Q: How well do the microphones perform on calls?
A: They excel in quiet settings; performance drops in wind or heavy background noise, where voices may sound muffled.
Final Verdict: Buy if ANC dominance and immersive Bose sound outweigh occasional connectivity nuisance — ideal for commuters, travelers, and those in noisy workspaces. Avoid if multipoint, wireless charging, or flawless call quality in chaos are musts. Pro tip from the community: check fit with the app immediately and update firmware to minimize connection headaches.
