Yes, the standard Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are worth considering if you want adjustable noise control, multipoint Bluetooth and longer claimed battery life than the Ultra 2nd Gen at a lower listed price. They are less compelling if you want Bose CustomTune or Immersive Audio. This guide covers the current standard model, not the original 2020 earbuds or the Ultra line; it does not rely on independent testing of this model.
Which Bose QuietComfort Earbuds does this guide cover?
Bose currently sells a standard model named Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, identified on its product page as QCEARB24-HEADPHONEIN. The name is easy to confuse with the original QuietComfort Earbuds announced in 2020 and with Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Their specifications and features are not interchangeable. Bose’s current product page identifies the standard model; its current lineup comparison distinguishes it from the Ultra 2nd Gen.
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What do you get from the standard model?
Noise-control modes
Bose lists Active Noise Cancellation and three listening modes: Quiet, Aware and Off. Quiet is intended to reduce surrounding sound, Aware lets more of it through, and Off turns ANC off. These are manufacturer-described functions, not independent measurements of how much noise the earbuds block. Bose explains the modes and controls in its earbud controls guide.
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Battery life
Bose rates the earbuds for up to 8.5 hours per charge and says the case holds 2.5 additional charges, for up to 31.5 hours total. Those are manufacturer figures, not independently measured results; actual listening time depends on use. The current specifications are on Bose’s product page.
#1 Best Overall
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
Fit and water resistance
The package includes small, medium and large eartips and stability bands. Bose describes nine possible tip-and-band combinations intended to help achieve a snug fit. Having options is useful, but it cannot guarantee comfort or a secure seal for every ear shape. Bose specifies IPX4 water resistance and describes the earbuds as resistant to sweat and splashes. IPX4 is not a claim that they are waterproof or suitable for submersion.
Connectivity, app and calls
Bose lists Bluetooth multipoint for switching between devices, and the Bose QCE app for adjustable EQ, ANC settings, customizable touch controls and voice features. The standard earbuds use the QCE app rather than the standard Bose app. Bose also says either earbud can be used independently and describes an adaptive microphone system for calls; those statements do not establish a comparative call-quality ranking.
Charging and Bose-device compatibility
The case supports charging with a compatible third-party wireless charger, which Bose says is not included. Bose also says the earbuds can connect to compatible Bose speakers or soundbars through SimpleSync, but are not fully optimized for seamless Bluetooth audio-video use with those products.
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- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
How do they compare with QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
The table reflects Bose’s US product pages when accessed October 9, 2026. Prices can change; the listed figures are not live quotes. Feature and battery details are manufacturer specifications, not independent performance tests.
| Comparison | QuietComfort Earbuds | QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Bose US listed price | $129 (original price shown as $179) | $299 |
| Listed battery per charge | Up to 8.5 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Listening features | Quiet, Aware and Off; ANC; multipoint | Quiet, Aware and Immersion; ActiveSense; CustomTune; Immersive Audio; multipoint |
| Fit components | Three eartip sizes and three stability-band sizes | Nine combinations of eartips and stability bands |
| Case charging | Compatible third-party wireless charger can charge the case | Bose lists a wireless charging case |
| Best reason to choose | Lower listed price and longer claimed battery life for core noise-control use | CustomTune and premium listening features |
Specifications and prices are from Bose’s standard-model page and lineup comparison. The comparison establishes what Bose lists, not which pair sounds better or cancels more noise in independent testing.
Who should buy the standard QuietComfort Earbuds?
They make sense if
- You want Quiet, Aware and Off modes with ANC, and value being able to choose whether surrounding sound comes through.
- You want multipoint Bluetooth and the option to use one earbud independently.
- You prefer a lower listed price and longer claimed per-charge battery life than Bose lists for the Ultra 2nd Gen.
- You are willing to try the included tip and stability-band sizes to find a workable fit.
Consider the Ultra 2nd Gen if
- You specifically want CustomTune or Immersive Audio, which Bose lists for the Ultra 2nd Gen but not the standard model.
- You want the case Bose lists as wireless charging, rather than relying on a compatible third-party charger for the standard model’s case.
Bose’s lineup comparison lists the Ultra 2nd Gen at $299 in the US when accessed October 9, 2026, versus $129 for the standard pair. Treat both as changeable listed prices, not a guarantee of today’s checkout price.
Rank #3
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
How should you check the fit?
- Try the supplied small, medium and large eartips, pairing them with the stability bands that feel most secure.
- Check whether the earbuds stay in place and form a comfortable seal during ordinary movement; comfort is individual, so do not assume one size or combination works for everyone.
- If you lose a supplied part or need a replacement, Bose lists a QuietComfort Earbuds Fit Kit as an accessory. The included sizes give you combinations to try before buying a kit.
Bose’s separate guidance about XS and XL tips and stability bands 0 and 4 applies to QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), not the standard QuietComfort Earbuds. See Bose’s Ultra 2nd Gen fit guidance for that model’s specific options.
What should you know about accessories?
Bose’s standard-model page lists a QuietComfort Earbuds Fit Kit and a QuietComfort Earbuds Silicone Case Cover. The kit is a replacement or lost-parts option, not a required first purchase; the cover is optional protection. If buying an accessory elsewhere, verify that its listing explicitly matches QCEARB24-HEADPHONEIN.
What the available specifications do—and do not—establish
Bose’s product and support pages establish the listed features, ratings and compatibility details above. They do not establish an independent noise-cancellation ranking, measured call quality, or real-world battery test for this exact current standard model. Treat the battery and water-resistance figures as Bose specifications, and fit as something to assess for your own ears.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
