Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review: ANC Strength & Flaws
The shock wasn't about the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II price tag—it was how many users called its noise cancellation "the strongest ANC on the market." Across Reddit, Trustpilot, and expert reviews, the score hovers at 8.8/10 for sound and ANC, but stumbles to around 5–6/10 on comfort and reliability for some buyers. Those chasing pure audio isolation seem ready to pay the premium. Others find the connectivity quirks and missing features hard to accept.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — unmatched ANC for commuters and office workers, but inconsistent connectivity and comfort might frustrate gym-goers and multi-device users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Market-leading noise cancellation — “world went quiet” | Frequent connectivity/app pairing issues |
| Balanced, customizable sound EQ | No multipoint Bluetooth support |
| Improved call quality with clear voice pickup | Comfort issues for small ears during long sessions |
| Smaller, lighter design vs first-gen | Lacks spatial audio and aptX until late firmware updates |
| IPX4 sweat resistance, secure fit kit | No wireless charging, modest 6-hour battery life |
Claims vs Reality
Bose’s marketing proudly announces “world’s best noise cancellation” and “personalized sound,” credits to its CustomTune technology. The claim matches reality more closely here than in most audio products. CNET’s reviewer wrote that walking in New York with ANC felt like “muffled voices by about 60%… startling when switching to aware mode.” Reddit users like u/PixGuy reported, “They still have measurably the best ANC of any earbuds and beat out most over-ear headphones,” backing Bose’s bold statement.
Where the gap widens is connectivity. Bose promises “seamless, reliable Bluetooth 5.3… start connecting as soon as you take them out of the case.” Reddit threads detail the opposite: one poster warned, “Tons of people with connectivity problems… app not seeing the earbuds, only one earbud connecting, random blips.” Trustpilot’s NextPit review echoed this, saying the in-app control “can hardly compensate” for missing multipoint, calling the process more complicated than competitors.
Comfort claims — “all-day fit” through the Bose Fit Kit — also split opinion. While several Trustpilot and Quora testers praised “extremely comfortable in the ear” for commuting or movies, multiple Reddit users returned them over discomfort: “Hurt my ears after half an hour… AirPods Pro have been my best headphones now.” The split hints at ear shape variance more than misleading marketing, but the gap is real for small-eared buyers.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
ANC supremacy emerged across every platform. Quora’s lab testing measured “almost 42 decibels of noise canceled in high and low mid-range,” an extraordinary result in both low rumbles and high whirs. Riders on busy trains described near silence without music playing. One Reddit user noted, “Completely silencing my toddler during work hours… most outdoor distractions gone.” For city commuters and open office workers, this level of ambient muting is unmatched.
Sound quality also earns widespread praise when tuned via the built-in 3-band EQ. Expert listeners lauded its “smooth treble, powerful bass without overwhelming the mix.” Quora’s team pinpointed the clarity in “separation between instruments and complex layers… balance maintained even during dense orchestral tracks.” Gym-goers and travelers benefit from the secure seal’s deep, punchy bass, especially in low-frequency-heavy playlists.
Call performance improved over the original QC earbuds, with beamforming mics reducing background chatter. CNET noted female and male voices sounded “full” in quiet settings, and subway background noise stayed “fairly subdued” without overshadowing speech — useful for remote workers making calls on busy streets.
Common Complaints
Connectivity issues are the most cited frustration. Bose’s app is often reported as “buggy” or slow to pair, and both Reddit and Quora describe cases of one bud failing to connect until reset. “Returned after 60+ days… connectivity issue and hurt my ears,” one Reddit poster said. The lack of multipoint burdens users switching between laptop and phone throughout the day, especially in professional contexts.
Comfort divides the crowd. Despite the fit kit’s multiple tip and stability band sizes, users with smaller ears reported “pressuring after one hour” and difficulty maintaining seal without discomfort. The heft of each bud exacerbates this during running or dynamic workouts. Others, especially those with medium/large ears, found them “stable enough for commuting but not secure for mountain biking.”
Battery life lands in “adequate but underwhelming” territory. Bose advertises 6 hours per charge, matched in lab tests at around 6h40m. That’s fine for typical work shifts but falls short of rivals like Sony’s WF-1000XM4 (8–12 hours). Since ANC can’t be disabled, heavy users will need mid-day charging. The absence of wireless charging drew disappointment across reviewers, especially at a $299 launch price.
Divisive Features
Aware mode — Bose’s transparency setting enhanced by ActiveSense — is praised for softening loud noises like air horns without killing environmental awareness entirely. Some love its comfort in mixed settings, while others prefer adjustable transparency like on Sony models. Touch controls get mixed grades: swipes for volume are smooth, but tap gestures can misfire, pausing music when re-adjusting or laying down.
CustomTune personalization is admired for tweaking ANC and sound to ear canal shape. Yet some feel the effect is subtle, not dramatically different from manual EQ. Noise cancellation on calls also divided opinion; while voices remain clear, certain ambient high-frequency sounds (whisking cars, house noises) still slip through.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot feedback didn’t suggest scams, but concerns on durability surfaced in community posts. Several long-term Reddit users noted their previous QC model “performed better” and that QC II experienced audio imbalance between buds after months. Device casing also received critique: “Case is flimsy… top broke within a week.” Some offsets this with Bose’s warranty program — mentions of replacements with newer Ultra models through warranty claims were scattered.
For others, ownership length hasn’t hurt performance: “Had them since they first came out… connected to multiple devices without issues,” one traveler wrote. The split suggests early-unit variability or usage pattern impact more than universal flaw.
Alternatives
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and Sony WF-1000XM4 are the main benchmarks in user discussions. CNET framed AirPods Pro 2 as “lighter and smaller… $50 less,” with advantages like spatial audio and automatic device switching for iOS users. Sony’s XM4 beat Bose in battery life and app feature richness but couldn’t match ANC strength. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer high-res audio (on Galaxy devices) and smaller form factor, though ANC remains behind Bose’s.
For Android audiophiles, the lack of aptX at launch was a dealbreaker compared to Sony’s support. AptX firmware updates improved value later, but early adopters missed the benefit.
Price & Value
At launch, the QC II retailed for $299, with regular discounts to $199–$249. eBay resale prices show value retention for sealed units around $250–$300, and refurbished models dip to ~$170–$230 depending on condition. Reddit tips suggest buying direct from Bose with coupons to leverage the 90-day guarantee. For budget-conscious listeners who still want Bose ANC, older QC models sometimes sell for half the price but miss smaller size and improved calls.
FAQ
Q: Do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support multipoint connectivity?
A: No. They remember up to 7 devices but can connect to only one at a time. Switching requires manually selecting them on the second device’s Bluetooth menu.
Q: Can ANC be turned off to save battery?
A: No. ANC is always active in some form. Users can choose Aware mode or custom ANC profiles, but microphones stay engaged.
Q: Are they suitable for running or sports?
A: Comfort and stability vary. Medium/large ears generally find them secure for light workouts, but heft and seal re-adjusting make them less ideal for high-impact exercise.
Q: How fast is the quick charge?
A: 20 minutes in the case provides roughly 2 hours of playback — slower than rivals like AirPods Pro 2 offering 1 hour in 5 minutes.
Q: Do they support spatial audio or immersive sound modes?
A: No. Unlike some competitors, QC II lacks spatial audio and adjustable transparency beyond preset modes.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a commuter, traveler, or office worker whose priority is absolute noise isolation and clear sound — you’ll get near-silence even in chaotic environments. Avoid if you often juggle multiple devices, need long battery life, or have small ears sensitive to pressure during extended wear.
Pro tip from community: Purchase during Bose’s sales with direct discount codes for return flexibility and latest firmware, which has slowly fixed some connectivity issues.
