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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for portability and noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a better fit, plus they're typically less expensive than the HifiMan Edition XS. However, the HifiMan headphones offer superior sound quality thanks to their planar magnetic drivers, but they don't have noise cancellation and are better suited for home use, especially considering they perform best with a dedicated amplifier. The Bose earbuds also feature a secure fit with stability bands and are sweat resistant, making them a good choice for active use or commuting. On the other hand, if you're an audiophile seeking the best listening experience at home and don't mind spending more, you might prefer the open-back design and high-fidelity sound of the HifiMan Edition XS. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
7.4
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
8.1
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
Noise Reduction
8.9
2.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$269
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.6
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both very good for music.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.2/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the HifiMan Edition XS
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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