Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Sony WF-C710N: which should you buy?

Get the Sony WF-C710N. They sound great, they take calls well, and they are far better value than the Bose. Sony tunes them for powerful bass and clear vocals, and the EQ is yours to adjust. Voice pickup trained on a huge library of voice samples keeps you clear on calls in noisy places. For everyday listening, nothing the Bose adds is worth its price over these.

Who should get the Bose QC Ultra

Get the Bose if the strongest noise canceling is what you are paying for. It is adjustable, with ActiveSense in Aware Mode, and it adds Immersive Audio and a Cinema Mode for films. It also supports aptX Adaptive on Snapdragon Sound phones, where the Sony sticks to the basic codecs. If you fly every week, the Bose earns its place.

The differences that matter

Battery comes first, and the Sony wins it. Sony rates the buds and case at up to 30 hours in total, where Bose lists up to 6 hours for its buds alone. The Bose case holds three more full charges, which still leaves it behind.

Weight comes second. A Sony bud is lighter than a Bose bud, and its small cylindrical case slips into any pocket.

Your phone does not decide this one. The Sony pairs with an iPhone, its app is in the App Store, and Siri starts when you hold the right earbud. The Bose app is on both stores too. Both buds take sweat, though the Sony case is not water resistant.

Price and value

The Sony costs $78.99 (checked Nov. 4, 2026) and the Bose costs $229 (checked Nov. 4, 2026), so the Sony is $150 cheaper. Neither pair has a newer model due soon.

The Sony is the smart money. The Bose is the quiet money.