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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer top-tier sound quality and noise isolation, making them ideal for immersive music experiences and air travel, although they're more costly and come with a lower mic quality. In contrast, the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) earbuds are a budget-friendlier option with great sound, a better microphone, faster charging, and wireless charging capabilities, suited for calls and meetings but with slightly less effective noise isolation. If you require low-latency for gaming, the Ear (2) has a dedicated mode, while the Bose provides a more enveloping sound for gaming but may not perform as well on latency. Choose Bose for premium audio and noise cancellation in quieter environments, or opt for Nothing's Ear (2) for good all-round performance and features at a more affordable price. 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 exercise
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Phone Calls
5.1
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for noise reduction, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Cost
$249
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.8
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
8.1
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for TV and video.
Battery
6.5 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.2/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
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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.
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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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