A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality, comfort, and active noise cancelling for immersing yourself in music or for air travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the better choice. However, they come with a premium price and shorter battery life. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option primarily for gaming and TV watching with a superior microphone quality, the JBL Quantum 100 would serve you well, despite offering less portability and no wireless capability. Keep in mind that while the Bose has various features like an app with equalizer settings and is optimized for both Android and Apple, JBL lacks these extra features but has a longer cable for wired use. 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 music
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- The JBL Quantum 100 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
7.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Quantum 100 is good.
Noise Reduction
8.9
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
8.8
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and JBL Quantum 100 are both very good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both poor for phone calls.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
See more
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."
JBL Quantum 100
See more
Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the JBL Quantum 100
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sennheiser Momentum 4
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare JBL Quantum 100 vs. Koss KSC75
VS
Compare JBL Quantum 100 vs. Apple Earpods
VS
Compare JBL Quantum 100 vs. Sony MDREX15AP
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,700
Recommendations made
19,155
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
