We tested every pair of Bose headphones to find the best for noise cancellation, sound quality, more

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.

As much as we like over-the-ear headphones, earbuds are often more practical. They're compact and ready to be thrown in a bag, plus they stay out of the way during workouts. Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are the brand's best earbuds. There are plenty of earbud options out there, but these are for the person who wants the sound quality you find in over-ear headphones in a smaller size. But don't worry, they still offer ANC and spatial audio.

If you've ever struggled with ear fatigue or getting earbuds to fit comfortably, these earbuds work for multiple sizes of ears, providing a secure yet comfortable fit for hours. You might be put off by the $299 price tag, but they're worth every penny.

Having tested the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and read my colleague's review of these earbuds, I expected them to be good, but I didn't expect to be so blown away by them. I've struggled with earbuds in the past, never finding ones that offer the perfect fit, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds sat comfortably and securely in my ears. After more than a year of use, they're still my favorite earbuds.

If you're after noise cancellation, you really can't beat these. When I first put the earbuds in, I was in a room with a loud fan, and when the earbuds' ANC kicked in, it completely blocked out the fan in a way that felt like magic. Even though I didn't have music playing, there was no buzzing, just blissful quiet.

Plus, the audio quality was superb. Bose offers immersive audio mode on these wireless earbuds, but it felt like the music was all around me even when I wasn't using it. They helped me get in the zone, thumping the beats of Nelly Furtado's "Maneater" as I stomped the pavement. I heard every note of the delicate instrumentals of the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack, even while walking alongside a busy road. Plus, I felt like I was in the room listening to a live recording of Daft Punk's "One More Time."

In Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth's standalone review of the earbuds, he said that they're wasted on podcasts. While he's right, they do shine when playing music, and they do make podcasts sound better. When I was listening to episodes with lower-quality tracks, they made even the worst audio sound crisp and distinct without having to crank up the volume.

If you're not down to pay $400+ for a pair of headphones, then don't. Instead, look to the affordable Bose QuietComfort headphones. As the step down from the Ultras, the QuietComfort headphones provide an affordable entry point that doesn't sacrifice quality.

For the person looking for great sound, these fit the bill. While the audiophile might miss not having spatial audio, the average person will be more than satisfied with the headphone's full, rounded sound. Plus, they're great for the student who needs noise cancellation to block out the noise and a long battery life to survive endless study sessions.

Knowing that the Bose QuietComfort are the affordable option in Bose's lineup, I was pleasantly surprised at just how incredible they are. I wore them for nearly six hours on my first go, as they accompanied me on a trip into New York City from Boston. Throughout my travels, the headphones were totally comfortable with soft ear cups that still provided a tight seal for passive noise cancellation.

The active noise cancellation was phenomenal. On the train ride into the city, I felt like I was in my own world without the chaos of my fellow travelers interrupting my peaceful ride. The only weakness it showed was around significantly loud noises (like a train arriving on the tracks), which temporarily blew out the sound.

Sound-wise, they deliver essentially the same audio quality as the Ultras. The QuietComfort brought out the buzzing funk of "Brick House" so I could enjoy every second without the outside world interrupting my listening. While they don't have spatial audio, I didn't miss it at all as the sound feels like it surrounds you without the feature. Plus, the battery on these headphones is phenomenal. It was only on the second day of my New York trip, after a full day's worth of non-stop listening while commuting, that I realized I needed a charge.

At $349 (and often on sale for $249), these are a great value, aligning Bose's superior sound with a more affordable price tag.

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

If you want good-quality sound but don’t want to spend over $200, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are an affordable answer in the brand’s lineup. They’re focused on a great fit, as they come with multiple ear tips and multiple bands you can change out on the earbuds for a better fit on the crest of your ear. 

The accompanying app lets you adjust audio levels, but you won’t need to, as these earbuds make all your music sound better. They’re reliable, have a long battery life, and are sure to please the pickiest of audiophiles.

I’ve praised the QuietComfort Ultra, but Bose’s latest earbuds, the entry-level QuietComfort, are also fantastic, especially with their under-$200 price tag. Even after adjusting the ear tips and bands, I didn’t find the fit on these quite as secure as the Ultras. However, my colleague Bethany Allard, who also tested the QuietComfort earbuds, said they were the best earbuds that have ever fit her.

The QuietComfort’s sound quality is just phenomenal. With these earbuds, listening to Ethel Cain’s "A House in Nebraska" immersed me in the orchestrations. When "Brick House" by The Commodores came on, the earbuds elevated the snappy drum beats, imitating listening live.

The noise cancellation on the QuietComfort earbuds isn’t as sophisticated as the Ultras; I found they had more sound leakage and that classic ANC buzz when I was in noisy environments. The ANC on these is still great, especially in quiet spaces. 

One tiny beef I have with the Bose QuietComfort earbuds is that they require a different app than the standard Bose app. This is annoying if you’re an existing Bose user and need to download another app; plus, this earbud app just isn’t as good as Bose’s flagship app.

All in all, these are a solid pair of headphones that, for $179.99, are an unbeatable value.

Read our full review of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds.

Earbuds with noise transparency might seem counterintuitive, but they're a unique alternative when safety is a concern. While you want to be able to listen to your music when biking or walking at night, it's essential to hear the world around you, too. The Bose Ultra Open offer an ingenious design. These earbuds clip onto your ear like a cuff and don't block your ear canal. They provide the right balance of high-quality audio while keeping you connected to the world around you.

Even if you're less concerned about noise transparency, these headphones are just flat-out comfortable and the ideal workout earbuds. If you don't love the feeling of having earbuds in your ears, these are a great in-between.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are easily the most uniquely designed headphones I've ever tested. While I was hesitant about how well the clip-on style would work, I was quickly on board. They wrap around your ear, providing surprisingly good audio quality despite no noise cancellation benefits. Plus, they're super comfortable even for long periods of time, and they're ideal if you hate the clogged-up feeling of traditional earbuds. And while they seem like they might be less secure than regular earbuds, I found that they stayed in place even through exercise.

When working out, especially in busy areas, I'm often concerned about safety, and these buds ensured I could hear cars or bikes coming my way. That's why I loved the Bose Ultra Open; I had the best of both worlds — I could tune into my podcast and still hear the world around me.

If you're looking for a pair of Bose earbuds for working out, these are my pick.