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I can't stop listening to these weird, overpriced earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are my favorite gadget of the year so far
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are very weird. They clip onto your ears rather than sticking in them, a design meant to let in environmental sound. Open earbuds aren't a new product category, but they are pretty niche, and premium open earbuds more niche still. At $299, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are indeed extremely niche. Before I got my hands on them, I'd already all but dismissed them as a novelty — but a month into using the things, I'm hooked.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review: Immersive sound at a premium price
Bose took a swing at ultra-customized spatial sound (and hit it out of the park)
There are plenty of options out there for equipping your living room, movie room, or bedroom with a full-fledged sound system. Still, if you're looking for something simpler, there are also soundbars capable of putting in the work normally done by a subwoofer and satellite speakers – or at least most of it, anyway. Soundbars are becoming evermore powerful, with expanded features to support smart homes and more immersive TV watching.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review: Niche appeal
These 'open' buds are great, but not for every situation
Earbuds have gotten really, really good over the past few years. But as the true wireless form factor has matured, it feels like the best earbuds have converged toward a couple of increasingly familiar designs: small in-ear buds, with or without stems that stick out. And to relatively casual ears like mine, just about every pair of earbuds sold by any company you've ever heard of sounds at least pretty good. Taken together, that all means it can be kind of hard to find things to say in an earbud review that I haven't said before.
Get the impressive Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones at an all-time low price
We love these headphones, and we love them even more at $50 off
The wireless headphone market is flooded with options for every need and price point, but if you're in search of truly premium cans, there are really only a few serious choices. You have the Sony 1000XM5, a handful of more niche models from brands like Sennheiser, Shure, and Master & Dynamic, and then you have the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. We named Ultra the Premium pick in our buyer's guide to the best wireless headphones thanks to their fantastic ANC, all-day comfort, and stellar sound. They are premium in every sense of the word, including the stout $430 price tag, but today you can grab them at a $50 discount.
You'd be forgiven for not realizing that Bose released two new pairs of headphones last fall. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are flashy with their fancy on-head tracking and spatial-type Immersive Audio, the 2023 version of the classic Bose QuietComfort look identical to the QC 45 that preceded them in 2021, sound basically identical, and don't have many new features. It doesn't get Bose's Immersive Audio version of spatial sound, customized sound profiles, wind-blocking, or even on-ear detection.
Bose's clip-on earbuds look great if you hate sticking things in your ears
The G-shaped design of the ear clips delivers sound without ear canal obstruction
If you listen to music around the clock and struggle with discomfort while wearing headphones or earbuds, you aren’t alone. Despite marketing claims, most earbuds are not one-size-fits-all and far from comfortable. Over-the-ear headphones are more universal, but the feeling of wearing a bulky headset can become cumbersome throughout the day. As it turns out, Bose has seemingly been listening to these long-standing complaints — and the sound company might have a new product in the works to resolve the issue.
Are the Bose QuietComfort Headphones waterproof?
They might not be water resistant, but there's a lot to love in the QuietComfort Headphones
The newest Bose QuietComfort Headphones have been available since September 21, 2023, and have faithfully built on the foundation of 2021’s QuietComfort 45 Headphones. In a head-to-head matchup, it might be hard to tell them apart at first glance, but with improved digital signal processing and richer sonic tones throughout the range, the new model is a surefire winner and among Bose’s best audio options out there.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones support USB-C playback?
Sadly, Bose won't let us get in on the one-cable life
While wireless has become the norm for excellent over-ear headphones over the last several years, there are times when wired listening is preferable — or downright necessary. Even with 24 hours of battery life, it can still run out if you forget to charge it — like I do about once a week — and leave you in need of some old-fashioned wired listening while they recharge. USB-C playback has proven to be a godsend when you need to keep the tunes flowing while recharging your headphones, but it's far from standard on wireless headphones.
How to pair Bose earbuds and headphones
A quick guide to pairing Bose earbuds with any device. Simple, universal steps for all models
Bose is rocking the wireless earbud scene with their lineup of wireless earbuds. These gems pump out top-notch sound and are handy to tote around. They are crafted with versatility, ensuring compatibility with a range of devices, and switch between devices effortlessly, thanks to their advanced multipoint connection technology. However, pairing these earbuds can be a head-scratcher, especially with the different devices and earbud models available.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Which ANC earbuds are the best?
Two top-tier wireless earbuds — which one is better?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM5 are both high-quality ANC earbuds that are considered by many to be neck-in-neck for the top spot on the list of best noise-canceling earbuds, and if you happen to slide either pair into your ears, you'll realize why. Not only do they both sound great, but both sets of earbuds offer fantastic active noise-cancellation (ANC) and some of the best features you can find in today's market. However, no two products are the same. After spending some time with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the Sony WF-1000XM5, we are here to help you decide between these top-tier choices.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones won my heart with magical controls and world-blocking ANC
You won't want to put down Android Police's favorite headphones of 2023
This was a banner year for both earbuds and some spectacular wireless headphones, and none brought the sound, fit, and finish of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. It's little surprise that the Ultra handily won the vote among our team for the annual Android Police Awards even though the price tag here is a bit steep. These aren't the first Bose headphones to feature multipoint audio, but Bose has thankfully fixed the issues found in the last generations and brought us the company's take on spatial audio. The QuietComfort Ultra was my favorite product that I reviewed this year, and since the evening they arrived back in October, I've usually spent 7-12 hours a day in them. The ANC modes here have been an absolute godsend for noisy neighbors and merciless migraines, and the controls on the Ultra can seem downright magical at times.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worthy competition to the iconic Apple AirPods Pro?
Apple and Bose are among the biggest names in the audio world, and for a good reason. Delivering superior sound quality and excellent noise cancellation, the two brands offer some of the best earbuds on the market. Among the myriad of options Apple and Bose offer, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are the closest in terms of features and price.
Are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones waterproof?
While some headphones are water-resistant, the Ultra are made to stay high and dry
There are many creeds and codes to live by, but the one I believe in with my whole heart and chest is this: Music makes us better. As such, I spend most of my day wearing my headphones or listening to some sweet smart speaker, be it in the shower, in the office, on my couch, or as I sit here at the kitchen table, listening to Critical Role on my Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at midnight while the rest of the house sleeps soundly.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs. QuietComfort 45: Two comfy and familiar classics
Bose has refined its popular mid-tier headphones, but are they worth the upgrade?
Bose’s 2021 QuietComfort 45 headphones remain one of the most comfortable pairs of noise-canceling headphones in their class. While they may not provide all the high-end features of more expensive Bose and Sony picks, they’re a great choice for casual listeners and running enthusiasts looking for a set of headphones that will really keep the outside noise at bay.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have wireless charging?
Bose makes pricey buds, and their accessories are no different
We recently reviewed the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and there's a lot to like — these are some of the best wireless earbuds around. New features, like the Immersive Audio option, promise a unique listening experience akin to the spatial sounds you get from a quality two-speaker setup. Unsurprisingly, Bose nails the ANC and the buds boast the deep, low-end sound many of us love. But, what's also unsurprising is the high price. And at $299, you'd expect to see some nifty extras, like wireless charging.
Are Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds waterproof?
There's plenty to be curious about Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, including whether they sport their predecessors' water-resistance
Bose disrupted the sound waves recently with the reveal of its super sleek QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The premium buds are the latest in the QuietComfort line, following the highly-regarded QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Designed to take noise cancelation to the next level, the QC Ultra buds are focusing on user immersion and a tailored audio experience.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review: Paying for near perfection
Don't just block out the world; refill it with rich stereo sound
Bose headphones have been a bit stagnant in the last few years, as the QuietComfort 45 saw some iterative updates but no huge steps forward. And for the “normal” QuietComfort that re-debuted last month, that iteration continues, but Bose is finally mixing things up again for the first time since the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. QuietComfort Earbuds II: Not much of an upgrade
The new QC Ultra earbuds offer some neat, novel features, but aren't much different from the QC Earbuds II
While it's got plenty of presence across the digital audio landscape, Bose is practically synonymous with high-end headphones. And it's not just famous for how good its cans sound, it's also become the industry leader in active noise canceling. In 2022, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II improved on the audio quality, noise canceling, and form factor of their predecessors, leading to a reputation as some of the best earbuds you can buy. Just a year later, Bose released the even more premium QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds after a much shorter turnaround time than flagship headphones usually see. The more advanced, updated model doesn't change much, but it does add some novel features, and the list price is the same — so, depending on what kind of discounts you can find, either pair is a great choice for the discerning music listener (or podcast fanatic).
8 awesome gadgets we reviewed in September 2023
The new best Android tablet and best wireless earbuds arrived this month
While the name of our humble little site might be Android Police, a whole host of devices cross our various desks for review each month. August may have been dominated by Samsung's latest watches and folding phones, but September has been a wonderfully diverse — and ridiculously busy — month. Tech-tober might technically start tomorrow, but between a small tidal wave of new Amazon devices, new awesome earbuds from both Bose and Sony, and manufacturers releasing their final devices before the holiday shopping season kicks off, we're spoiled for choice in this month's best reviews.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review: An ANC classic
They're not new, but they're still very good
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — Bose 700 for short — were released way back in 2019. Since then, we've seen a lot of movement in the ANC earbuds space, but when it comes to over-ear noise cancelling headphones, the needle hasn't shifted nearly as much. As Bose gears up to release its updated Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, I thought it'd good to take another look at the 700s. Newer options might have Bose's last-gen flagship cans beat, but the Bose 700 are, maybe a little surprisingly, still among the best headphones you can buy right now.