The best noise-canceling earbuds on the market are now ever-so slightly better, with Bose making small improvements in ANC and audio quality compared to the last generation.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 are, without a doubt, the best noise-canceling earbuds I’ve ever tested, even if they’re not entirely for me.

The ANC on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 is excellent. It’s what I expect from Bose, and it is spectacular. The sound is fantastic, also what I expect from Bose, and the soundstaging is wonderful. The clarity is outstanding, and this is what you want from a good set of buds. The app is great and has some excellent features. The battery life is outstanding, and these are easy to pair and set up. Overall, these are some of the best earbuds you can find with some of the best ANC and sound you can get.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 combine world-class noise cancellation, superb comfort, and refined, personalised sound in a premium package. If comfort, noise cancellation, and out-of-the-box sound quality are your top priorities, these are some of the best earbuds you can buy right now.

With the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), the manufacturer delivers excellent in-ear headphones that even outperform the best competitors in some areas.

The changes may seem small, but these buds are still among the best you’ll find. The cancellation is excellent and the audio easy to fall under the spell of.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Generation earbuds improve upon their predecessors in some minor ways like multi-point connectivity whilst retaining the core components of industry-leading sound quality and noise cancelling.

Excellent noise reduction. Improved sound quality. Cool spatial audio and hear-through features. Wireless charging case.

Until recently, I preferred AirPods of any denomination simply because of the instant device switching features they possess. But having spent a few months with third-party offerings that do something very similar, my stance has changed.

That said, if you already own the first-generation QC Ultra Earbuds, then there's little reason to upgrade. But if you don't have the original model and you want a pair of powerful noise-canceling earbuds that can easily melt away the blaring hum of an airplane cabin, then I highly recommend this new model.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are a must-buy if you want excellent sound quality, market-leading noise-cancelling and fancy dipping your toes in the world of 'Immersive Audio'. Obviously you’ve got to be willing to splash the cash, and to compromise on battery life - but if this sounds like you, then why not treat yourself?

The best noise-cancelling earbuds are further improved thanks to enhanced ANC and other upgrades.

Bose's second-gen QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds still have class-leading ANC.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen.) may be a boring update, but adding minor upgrades and keeping the same sticker price could be a good strategy for Bose's halo earbuds. Though they don't carry any world-beating features, performance is good, the usability is solid, and befitting their price point.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 are great for travel.

They’re pricey and aren’t brilliant on battery, but the Quietcomfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd-gen still set the bar for commuters craving the sound of silence

If you're a music lover who wants zealous audio quality, great noise cancellation and excellent mics for call-handling, you've found your set of earbuds – the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 better all their rivals in these key areas. They miss a few features such as LDAC support, and while I had absolutely no issue with fit and comfort using my relatively small ears, Bose's earpieces are still on the larger side and they are rather conspicuous when worn. As an overall proposition, though, Bose's second-gen Ultra earbuds are going to be incredibly tough to beat in 2025, if noise-nixing is your priority.

If you're a music lover who wants zealous audio quality, great noise cancellation and excellent mics for call-handling, you've found your set of earbuds – the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 better all their rivals in these key areas. They miss a few features such as LDAC support, and while I had absolutely no issue with fit and comfort using my relatively small ears, Bose's earpieces are still on the larger side and they are rather conspicuous when worn. As an overall proposition, though, Bose's second-gen Ultra earbuds are going to be incredibly tough to beat in 2025, if noise-nixing is your priority.

Their outstanding noise-cancelling capabilities, excellent design and a punchy, entertaining sound make for a powerful combination – these Bose 2nd Gen earbuds are pleasing all-rounders