Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds White
The best earbuds for canceling noise — now with spatial audio
I had already crowned Bose's previous-generation in-ears as "the best wireless earbuds for canceling noise." The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds boast the same powerful noise-canceling circuitry as their predecessor, along with Bose Immersive Audio technology. It creates a spacious 3D soundstage in which music and other audio sources come at you from all sides, behind you, and even above your head. And it works with any type of music (or music service).
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds offer noise cancellation powerful enough to silence loud industrial sounds.
Plus, these compact earbuds can silence external distractions as well as the finest over-ear noise-cancelers. Headphones this small — earbuds — simply aren't supposed to cancel noise this well.
Ultra-portable design for traveling light
The QC Ultra Earbuds sit flat in your ears and don't protrude like the older, larger Bose earbuds. They're also sweat-proof and pack up neatly into a pocket-sized charging case, making them a convenient choice for work, exercise, and travel. Music plays wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3 — a newer, reliable version of the popular wireless technology.
And since they are so easy to bring along, I consider them a game changer for travel. I haven't auditioned these earbuds yet, but I'm very familiar with the latest Bose noise-canceling circuitry. I wore their previous-generation earbuds on both a plane and Amtrak train, and they succeeded in those two noisy, yet very different environments.
Airplane engines have a louder rumble, while the train is more of an across-all-frequencies whir and whistle. But in both cases, I enjoyed a blanket of silence before I even hit play on my music or podcasts.
Renowned Bose comfort with redesigned ear tips
These earbuds use soft, silicone ear tips that sit a little further in than traditional Bose StayHear tips. They rest securely and comfortably inside the ear, but not as deep as some other earbuds. It's a wonderful compromise, creating a better seal for blocking out noise, while upholding Bose's reputation as the "in-ears for people who don't like in-ears."
Three sizes of ear tips are included, along with three sizes of optional flexible wings. They help stabilize the earbuds, keeping them in place as you move your head. Bose tweaked their design so that they fit in your ears easier with less adjusting.
Touch control for noise cancellation, "Aware," and "immersive" modes
You have touch control over music, calls, volume, and noise cancellation. "Quiet" mode delivers the maximum level of noise cancellation, while "Aware" mode lets in external sounds, so you can hear your surroundings. Hold either earbud to select full cancellation, full awareness, or a blend of both. You can create additional modes in the Bose Music app, a free download for Apple® and Android™, by assigning a certain level of noise cancellation or awareness.