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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high sound quality, noise isolation, and use during exercise or air travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a better choice due to their superior audio performance and active noise cancellation. However, these come at a premium price. On the other hand, the Steelseries TUSQ is more affordable and features better mic quality, making it a good option for calls and meetings and also comes with a detachable cable which is helpful for durability. The TUSQ, lacking wireless capabilities, may not be as convenient as the QuietComfort Ultra, which offers portability and a longer battery life for wireless 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- The Steelseries TUSQ has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
7.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Noise Reduction
8.9
6.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.8
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Steelseries TUSQ are both very good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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