Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review: the quietest commute, now with better calls

They're a fun, energetic listen with very good detail. Cinema Mode turns stereo into a theater-style spatial mix for movies. On an Android phone with Snapdragon Sound, they use aptX Adaptive for higher-quality audio and low latency, including lossless. An iPhone and other phones get AAC or SBC.

Calls are the big change from the originals. People on the other end hear you much more clearly, and you sound more present.

Battery life is no better than the original model's. By Bose's figures, a charge lasts up to six hours, or up to four with Immersive Audio on, and the case holds up to three more full charges. On a long flight, plan to put them back in the case partway through. The case charges over USB-C or on a wireless charger, and there's no power adapter in the box.

If you liked the fit of earlier Bose flagship buds, this is more of the same. The box includes stability bands in three sizes to help hold them in place. The earbuds are rated IPX4 for sweat and splashes, and the case has no water rating, so keep it in a dry pocket.

Swipe up or down to change the volume, and if you keep bumping the touch controls, you can switch them off in the Bose app. The app also handles EQ, custom modes, shortcuts and firmware updates, and it runs on an iPhone with iOS 17 or later or an Android phone with Android 13 or later, so check your phone if it's older. They connect to two devices at once, and Google Fast Pair speeds up setup on Android. They come in Black, White Smoke and a limited Deep Plum.

If you own the original Ultra Earbuds, the clearer calls are the main difference you'll notice, so upgrade only if call quality is your complaint.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the better pair of earbuds. Sony rates it for more time per charge, and it adds high-resolution audio with LDAC on Android phones that support it. Choose the Bose if blocking out engine noise comes first, or if you want the same app and settings on an iPhone and an Android phone. On an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 3 are the easy call: they last longer on a charge and handle sweat and rain better. On a Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro do more and are tougher. On a Pixel, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are lighter and add a dust rating and a water-rated case, while the Bose still win on noisy commutes. The Bose make the most sense if you switch between an iPhone and an Android phone, since the app and settings are the same on both.