Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Shokz OpenFit Air 2: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

Shokz OpenFit Air 2 price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

Most people: get the Shokz OpenFit Air 2, because it is the better fit for more of what people buy these for.

Get the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 for workouts and phone calls.

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Shokz OpenFit Air 2

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
BOSE

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

$299 at Amazon
Shokz OpenFit Air 2
SHOKZ

Shokz OpenFit Air 2

$129.95 at Shokz
  1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 6 hrsBattery lifeDiffersShokz OpenFit Air 2: 8 hours
  2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): IPX4Water resistanceDiffersShokz OpenFit Air 2: IP55
  3. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): Up to 6 hrs (4 with Immersive Audio); case holds up to 3 more chargesBatteryShokz OpenFit Air 2: Up to 8 hours per charge, up to 36 hours with the case; a 10-minute charge gives up to 3 hours
  4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 0.016 lb per earbud; case 0.132 lbWeightShokz OpenFit Air 2: 7.2 g per earbud
  5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): $299Price today$169.05 apartShokz OpenFit Air 2: $129.95

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) costs $169.05 more than the Shokz OpenFit Air 2 today ($299 at Amazon against $129.95 at Shokz).

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

See Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) prices

Shokz OpenFit Air 2
Buy at Shokz$129.95
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All the details

Key differences

  • Battery life: 6 hrs vs 8 hoursBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 6 hrs (Up to 6 hrs) ConfirmedSourceShokz OpenFit Air 2: 8 hours (Up to 8 hours) ConfirmedSource
  • Water resistance: IPX4 vs IP55Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): IPX4 ConfirmedSourceShokz OpenFit Air 2: IP55 (IP55 (earbuds)) ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

  • The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 Guide names it for fitness, travel and noisy calls.Fitness: Pressure-sensitive buttons ignore sweat, water and hair, and the IP55 rating keeps them going through rain. Source linkedSourceTravel: Eight hours per charge, 36 with the case, and 10 minutes on the charger buys 3 more hours. ConfirmedSourceNoisy calls: Your voice stays clear in busy places thanks to dual microphones and AI noise reduction. 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)Shokz OpenFit Air 2
BatteryUp to 6 hrsUp to 8 hours per charge, up to 36 hours with the case
Weight0.016 lb per earbud7.2 g per earbud
Water resistanceIPX4IP55 (earbuds)
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 6.1
Status lightStatus light inside the charging caseIndicator light
ControlsTouch: tap to play or pause, swipe for volume, press and hold for modesPressure-sensitive buttons
Works withiPhone and Android, Bose appShokz App
Earbud batteryUp to 6 hrsUp to 8 hours
Case batteryUp to 3 more full chargesUp to 36 hours with the case
CaseWireless charging case with a USB-C portCharging case, 10.5% smaller than the previous generation's

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

See prices

Shokz OpenFit Air 2

Buy at Shokz$129.95
Checked Oct. 30, 2026

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Works with your phone

iPhone
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Android
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Sources

Bose NewsroomShokzBoseBose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Shokz OpenRun Pro 2