Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: which is best?

Eyeing up Bose’s new QuietComfort Earbuds (2024)? Not sure if it’s worth spending a bit more cash on the company’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? Fear not, for you’re in the right place. We’re pitting both pairs of wireless earbuds against each other below, to help you decide which one’s worthy of your ears.

Both are five-star pairs, but they are quite different propositions, with wildly different price tags. So which is right for you will depend on your needs.

Which is where we come in. We've pitted the pairs against each other in a Bose vs Bose head to head. It's a bit like that bit in Superman III where Clark Kent fights evil Superman. But which pair is the bespectacled reporter, and which the stubbled Kryptonian menace? And more to the point, which is worth your hard-earned? That's what we're here to decide...

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: price

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) are priced at £179 / $179 / AU$289, positioning them as a more affordable option compared to the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which cost £300 / $299 / AU$450.

On the face of it, this price difference is rather substantial, making the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) a more attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. However, you might find some key differences below which might justify the Ultra's higher price tag.

Also, the Ultra have been on sale for a while now, and we have seen them dip as low as £209. So the price gulf between them might not be as vast as you think...

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: design and build

The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) represent a departure from the stem-style look of the Ultra model. Instead, they opt for a more rounded shape, which could appeal to those who prefer a less conspicuous look. The new design comes in three colour options: black, white, and a rather fetching chilled lilac.

Both models offer a choice of ear tips and stability bands to ensure a secure fit, which is crucial for both comfort and sound quality. And so they prove – both pairs are comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions, and stay firmly in place.

In terms of durability, both earbuds feature an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to splashes and sweat – ideal for workouts or rainy days.

One notable difference between them is in the charging cases. The Ultra's case doesn't support wireless charging out of the box (requiring an additional case accessory to unlock this feature), while the QuietComfort Earbuds case includes wireless charging as standard.

** Winner: Draw **

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: features

Both models are packed with features, but there are some key differences. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) introduce a rather novel Remote Selfie feature, allowing the earbuds to act as a remote shutter for your phone's camera. Whether or not there’s a high demand for such a feature we highly doubt, but we’re certainly not ones to stifle companies trying something new. The new QuietComfort Earbuds also support voice control via a "Hey Headphones" wake word, which will appeal to fans familiar with hands-free assistants.

The Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, boast Bose's Immersive Audio technology, which aims to create a more spatial sound experience. This feature is notably lacking in its more affordable sibling (though it is slated to arrive sometime in 2025). The Immersive Audio feature has two modes – Still and Motion – with the latter incorporating head tracking, in a similar way to other implementations such as Apple Spatial Audio. We found the feature to be hit and miss during our testing of the Ultra model so we don't think it's going to be a huge loss.

Both pairs offer active noise-cancelling (ANC) – you can read how they compare in the relevant section below. And in terms of connectivity, both models support Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously.

Lastly, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) use a new companion app, which includes an upgraded 5-band EQ for more precise sound customisation. The Ultra Earbuds use the standard Bose Music app with a 3-band EQ, which, like the lack of wireless charging, is another feature that’s oddly missing from the more expensive product – though one which we hope can be added with a future software update.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: battery life and charging

On paper, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) have a slight edge in battery life, offering up to 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge. The Ultra Earbuds, in our testing, managed six hours and 11 minutes.

Both models' cases provide additional charges, with the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offering a total of 29 hours, compared to the Ultra's 24 hours. As mentioned earlier, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) case supports wireless charging without needing an additional accessory.

It's worth noting that using features like Immersive Audio on the Ultra Earbuds can significantly reduce battery life, dropping it to around four hours per charge.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) **

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: active noise cancellation

Bose is still the reigning champ when it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC). So how do its two pairs compare?

In our testing of the Ultra Earbuds, we found Bose’s formidable noise cancellation at work, effectively reducing the impact of noisy environments in a manner that few rivals can match. They work well when tasked with a number of different sounds to compete with, too. "They’re able to take the noisiest environments, whether it's the rumble of heavy machinery as you walk past a building site or the loud chatter and sound system of a crowded pub, and reduce their impact quite dramatically," we wrote in our review.

The Ultra allow you to preset different levels of noise-cancelling for different situations, and cycle through them. But the ANC on the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) is less advanced – it's just on or off, though it does have the same Aware mode (which lets in some ambient sound) as the Ultra.

They do a good job of eliminating mid- and low-frequencies, but you really feel the lesser signal processing and lack of CustomTune calibration (which adjusts the ANC to your hearing profile). But the Ultra are just a cut above, especially higher up the frequency range: "The Ultra's ANC delivers a stronger sensation of things being cancelled, making background noise that bit quieter," we wrote in our review.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: sound

In our review, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds impressed us with their punchy, musical sound and solid bass response. They offer a rich, full-bodied presentation that we found engaging across various genres. We also noted their ability to deliver a good sense of openness and spaciousness, with clearly defined edges to drum thwacks and a real sense of dynamism.

The Ultra also support aptX Adaptive, which provides better audio quality when paired with compatible devices. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) lack support for this codec, which affects the audio quality.

But this aside, they do sound very good indeed, full of drive and musicality. As we put it in our review: "They’re powerful and punchy performers that build an entertaining sound on the foundations of robust low frequencies, an expressive midrange and controlled highs."

The bass is rich and solid with great levels of insight. But they can't match their pricier siblings in terms of sound – the Ultra have "a greater sense of spaciousness and even greater detail and dynamic differentiation," we noted. Which is expected, given the higher price.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds **

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: verdict

Unsurprisingly, the Ultra are the more accomplished performers. But what is surprising is just how much the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer for the price. They have a better battery life, more EQ options, voice controls and wireless charging – all features which the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lack. True, they lack Bose’s Immersive Audio feature, but it will arrive at some point, and anyway, it's far from a dealbreaker in our view.

The Ultra have the better sound quality and noise cancellation, but if you can't – or don't want to – stretch to the higher price, the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer a lot of what makes the Ultra so great for a lot less money.

MORE:

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) review

And our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

Our pick of the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy right now

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Ultra Open Earbuds: which Bose buds are right for you?