Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review

Our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Experience

The QuietComfort case feels cheap, which we could forgive in a cheaper set of buds, but not at this price. While they aren't the most expensive, their mid-range price demands something better. It is somewhat large and doesn't feel refined or sturdy like some competitors, and it lacks a pairing button. The design of the case and the buds don't mesh well together, and more than once, we missed the mark when tucking the buds inside, resulting in them failing to charge due to misaligned charging pins.

The Bose QuietComfort connectivity is poor. Connecting them to multiple devices, such as a phone or laptop, results in random switching based on proximity rather than user choice. Even walking past your computer while listening to your phone in your pocket could cause an unwanted shift. We've had issues with other Bose buds, but not this bad. It was equally bad with Apple and Android devices, and the worst we've ever experienced.

The app is also problematic with fewer features and sections that didn't apply to the buds we were using. It is missing features (such as the ability to turn on or off in-ear detection or single-ear use) and would lose connection in the left ear, requiring it to be put back in the case to reconnect. Some of the app's features include Noise Cancellation Control, EQ adjustment (with preset options and full custom sliders), voice control, multi-point management, and remote selfie capabilities (a feature we've never seen before).

It is prohibitively difficult to find a great fit with these earbuds. They often feel heavy, protrude from the ear, and create a cabin pressure-like sensation. We also experience suctioning in the ear during more intense, sweatier workouts, which creates increased discomfort. We regularly caught them on clothing and hair and were more “aware” that they were in our ears than most competitors.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Sound Quality

After listening to an extensive, genre-spanning playlist on repeat, our audio experts declared the Bose QuietComfort sounds great but not excellent. Higher-tier Bose products are decidedly better, but the difference is only apparent in close comparison.

Bose excels in creating a cinematic listening experience; drama, intrigue, it's all there. The bass is boosted, the treble is sparkling, and the mids form a solid bridge between the two. But the shine is a smidge dull. The factory EQ feels slightly off, resulting in sound that can feel overly sculpted and slightly blurred.

It's not the most detailed, precise mix, but it is fun. “F-*k a War” by Geto Boys demonstrates their playfully dramatic personality. The demanding bassline demands attention while warm vocals and crisp percussion samples add polish. The chorus sounds more excited than shrill at the 2:41 mark and insists that you dance.

Bass-heavy EDM sounds especially good. The thumping bass in “The Business” by Tiesto at 0:39 is a solid example. The low frequencies are warm, rich, and powerful, though a bit heavy-handed at times. While they occasionally lack definition, the bass is generally controlled, making for an engaging listening experience.

The highs are clean, vibrant, and exciting, adding a bit of sparkle to the bass and mid frequencies. While they are pleasant and reliable, never sounding harsh or sharp, they lack some detail and clarity, preventing them from reaching top-tier precision. They feel slightly compressed and could benefit from more prominence in the mix to truly shine.

Take “Guilty As Sin” by Taylor Swift, the chorus that follows the bridge at 3:14 is a standout moment, bursting in with a dynamic, sparkling, and powerful energy. The percussion delivers a hearty punch, while Swift's layered vocals add an ethereal quality. The earbuds handle these dynamic shifts skillfully, maintaining power without tipping into harsh or tinny territory. There's no need to adjust the volume.

These earbuds are also powerful. They reach normal listening levels a few clicks above the threshold of silence. They maintain their sound quality across all volume levels, delivering impressive bass lines with minimal distortion, resulting in a loud and full sound.

We mapped the frequency response of the QuietComfort, and compared it to our GearLab House Curve.

The result tracks the house curve nicely, with a slight elevation, or emphasis, in the low mid-ranges and a few underemphasized areas in the treble ranges. This explains the slight lack of shine in the higher registers.

Soundstage

The QuietComfort builds a relatively broad soundstage, with enough stereo spread to pinpoint each instrument and vocal note in space. However, while some find the soundstage impressively immersive, others experience it as relatively narrow and more compressed, pointing to Led Zeppelin's “Kashmir” as a missed opportunity to capture a dramatic orchestral experience.

The impressed half felt classic hip-hop tracks like “Public Enemy No. 1” by Public Enemy soar, sounding powerful while building a swirling soundscape. And, despite the big sound, details like the soft sneeze at the end of “The Little Shepherd” by Debussy are still audible, offering much-appreciated realism.

Comfort and Fit

These earbuds should be more comfortable than they are. Offering multiple tips and wing sizes means there are plenty of adjustments to be made, but somehow they still fail to fit most users. Those with smaller ears or smaller ear canals will find them especially objectionable.

Even if you manage to find a comfortable fit, the wings often twist, interrupting the seal and impacting the noise cancellation. Some of us were able to adapt and enjoy them for a couple of hours, but no one managed to listen for long periods regularly.

Noise Cancellation

Bose consistently offers the most stunning noise cancellation technology. We could barely hear typing, and coworker chatter fell away. Sealing your ears with the buds can quiet a room, while the ANC turns down more distracting noise.

The QuietComfort reduces all background sounds by at least 10 decibels. In all but the highest and lowest ranges, it can lower them between 20 and over 40 decibels. It's a pretty good result, though it isn't as strong below 100 Hz.

App Features

The app is significantly different from previous versions. It's much simpler, in a bad way. While the layout is clean, it offers few adjustments, and the instructions are hard to find. Additionally, the Bose links sometimes route you to instructions for a different model.

It offers EQ adjustments, including presets and fully customizable sliders, but nothing is intuitive. Even adjusting how the touch controls function is extraordinarily frustrating.

Battery Life

The QuietComfort battery lasted 9 hours, which is longer than Bose's claim of 8.5 hours and better than average for the group. We tested them at a 75% volume level without active noise cancellation (ANC). Using ANC will result in shorter runtimes.

The case holds 2.5 charges and requires at least 20 minutes to get three more hours of listening time. This is a bit longer than competitors, but it is nothing compared to the hours necessary for a full charge. Additionally, it boasts wireless charging, but we weren't able to get this feature to work.

Call Quality

The QuietComfort microphones struggle to isolate and translate voices above the background sounds.

With the jarring subway sounds, the microphone fails to transmit every word clearly. It particularly struggles with the lower male tones, cutting in and out as he speaks. The same is true for the female voice, but is sounds less obvious.