Electronics › Headphones
QuietComfort Earbuds II
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds
Mid-range · middle third of headphones
Should you buy it??
Check closely
based on 3 of 5 signals
Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI · critics · buyers · brand claims — each opened up in full further down ↓
Cited for noise cancellation strength and fit customization through ear-tip sizing; both models ranked it third or fourth.
Reviewers agree these deliver exceptional active noise cancellation and a significantly improved, more compact design over the previous model, but the removal of wireless charging and lack of independent single-earbud use frustrate at this tier.
The juries are split — worth a closer look before you commit.
Main competitors
Top rivals in Headphones.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
Bose makes the QuietComfort Earbuds II. Wireless earbuds. Released in 2023. Designed in America. They block noise with active cancellation technology. Eight hours of battery per charge. People who travel or work in offices buy them. They need silence. AI assistants rank these second among AirPods alternatives.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
ChatGPT ranks this product at #24.5 on average Averaging across the AI panel, QuietComfort Earbuds II sits around #24.5 this snapshot.
Gemini
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Didn’t rank QuietComfort Earbuds II this snapshot.
Perplexity
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Didn’t rank QuietComfort Earbuds II this snapshot.
Claude
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Didn’t rank QuietComfort Earbuds II this snapshot.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 3 reviews · as of May 2026
Reviewers agree these deliver exceptional active noise cancellation and a significantly improved, more compact design over the previous model, but the removal of wireless charging and lack of independent single-earbud use frustrate at this tier.
Where reviewers disagree: One reviewer found the fit stable enough for running while another experienced the left earbud working loose during runs
What they praise
- Active noise cancellation ranks among the strongest available in earbuds, blocking substantial environmental sound
- Case and earbuds are noticeably smaller and more comfortable than the previous model
- Separate ear tips and stability bands allow customized fit combinations for different ear shapes
- Transparency mode sounds natural and clear, with ActiveSense feature that tamps down sudden loud noises
- Full onboard controls including volume swipe gestures and in-ear detection for auto-pause
What they knock
- No wireless charging despite the feature existing on the previous model
- Right earbud must remain active—left earbud cannot function independently when right is cased
- No multipoint Bluetooth connection to switch between two devices
- Codec support limited to basic SBC and AAC with no aptX or LDAC
Synthesised from: This is Tech Today · Mike O'Brien · CEONTHEMAKING
Audio Engineer Tries the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
This is Tech Today
Best ANC Earbuds 2022? (Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II)
Mike O'Brien
Huge DISAPPOINTMENT: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review!
CEONTHEMAKING
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #24 pick in Headphones — and owners back it at 3.7 / 5. Reviewers are a touch more measured than the AI — worth a closer look before you commit.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Beoplay EX
by Bang & Olufsen
Dead even, 1–1
Across 2 shared questions
- WF-C510
by Sony
Dead even, 1–1
Across 2 shared questions
- Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed 2
by Razer
QuietComfort Earbuds II leads 1–0
Across 2 shared questions · 1 tied
- Pi8
by Bowers & Wilkins
Dead even, 1–1
Across 2 shared questions
- Melomania M100
by Cambridge Audio
Dead even, 1–1
Across 2 shared questions
- Powerbeats Pro 2
by Beats
Powerbeats Pro 2 leads 2–0
Across 2 shared questions
- QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
by Bose
QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leads 2–0
Across 2 shared questions
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same money, different answer.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What are the common problems with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?
The right earbud must stay active—you cannot use the left earbud alone when the right is in the case. Wireless charging was removed even though the previous model had it. There is no multipoint Bluetooth to connect to two devices at once, and codec support is limited to basic options without aptX or LDAC.
What is the difference between Bose QuietComfort and QuietComfort II?
The newer model has a significantly smaller and more compact design that reviewers say is more comfortable. It adds customizable fit options with separate ear tips and stability bands. However, it removed wireless charging and the ability to use a single earbud independently, features the previous model had.
Is Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II worth it?
Reviewers say these deliver exceptional active noise cancellation and a notably improved, more compact design. They are best for someone who prioritizes class-leading noise cancellation and comfortable fit for commuting, travel, or focused work. The trade-off is losing wireless charging and the option to use one earbu…
How stable are these earbuds for running?
Reviewers are split on stability during running. One reviewer found the fit stable enough for running while another experienced the left earbud working loose during runs. The customizable ear tips and stability bands allow you to dial in a fit suited to your ear shape.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #24 across 2 intents tracked (slipped 21 this week).
- Reviewer verdict★Check closely — 3.7 / 5 across 3 videos, mixed sentiment. Reviewers are more measured than the AI.
- FootprintStrongest in Best AirPods Alternatives (#24). Weakest in Best Wireless Earbuds (#25).
- TraitsMost often described as “comfort” (2 mentions).
- Closest rivalBeoplay EX (1–1 across 2 shared intents).
- MakerBy Bose — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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