Answer worked out Nov. 4, 2026

Step 1: choose what matters

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Nothing Ear (a): which should you buy?

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

$229

at Amazon

Checked Nov. 4, 2026

Nothing Ear (a)

Nothing

Nothing Ear (a)

$79

at Nothing

Checked Nov. 4, 2026

What matters most to you?

Only choices that can change the answer are shown.

My phone

Step 2: clear answer

Our pick

Get the Nothing Ear (a)

Winner for most people: Nothing Ear (a). It is the better fit for phone calls and sound quality.

Winner: Nothing Ear (a)

$79Nothing · Checked Nov. 4, 2026

We may earn a commission.

See every difference and source

All the details

Who should buy which

The Nothing Ear (a) Guide names it for travel, music and calls.Travel: Four noise cancelling modes up to 45 dB quiet the trip, and the case stretches playback to 42.5 hours. Source linkedSourceMusic: Meaty, arresting sound over LDAC Hi-Res Audio, with a custom EQ and bass enhance in the Nothing X app. Source linkedSourceCalls: Three microphones per bud and Clear Voice Technology cut background noise from your calls. Source linkedSource

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Guide does not name what it is best for yet, so this list does not compare the two.

From what each Guide names the product best for.

Side by side

FeatureBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)Nothing Ear (a)

BatteryUp to 6 hrs Up to 42.5 hours with the case and 9.5 hours per charge, noise cancelling off

Weight0.016 lb per earbud 4.8 g per earbud

Water resistanceIPX4 IP54 earbuds, IPX2 case

ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC

Status lightStatus light inside the charging case LED charging status light

ControlsTouch: tap to play or pause, swipe for volume, press and hold for modes Pinch controls for music, calls and noise cancelling, customizable in the Nothing X app

Noise cancellingYes, adjustable, with ActiveSense in Aware Mode Noise cancelling up to 45 dB: high, mid, low and adaptive

Works withiPhone and Android, Bose app iPhone and Android: the Nothing X app is

Earbud batteryUp to 6 hrs Up to 9.5 hours with noise cancelling off, 5.5 hours with it on

Case batteryUp to 3 more full charges Up to 42.5 hours with noise cancelling off, 24.5 hours with it on, earbuds and case together

Lossless audioaptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices Hi-Res Audio with LDAC

CaseWireless charging case with a USB-C port Charging case with USB-C wired charging

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Buy at Amazon$229

Checked Nov. 4, 2026

Nothing Ear (a)

Buy at Nothing$79

Checked Nov. 4, 2026

We may earn a commission.

Works with your phone

iPhone

WorksWorks with limits

Android

WorksWorks

Sources

Bose Newsroom Nothing Bose Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Ozlo Sleepbuds 2