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Deal.ai › Compare

Nothing Ear (a) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Buy the Nothing Ear (a) for longer battery life, LDAC hi-res audio and a lighter outlay; buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) for the best noise cancellation and the most immersive, bass-rich sound. The Bose wins on ANC, spatial audio and fit options, with nine eartip and stability band combinations and four mics per earbud. The Nothing wins on stamina, with roughly 9.5 hours per charge and 42.5 hours with the case versus 6 and 18 on the Bose, and it adds IP54 dust protection. Owners rate the Bose sound and seal highly but flag sensitive touch controls and a loose right earbud; Nothing owners get a solid all-rounder for less.

  • Choose the Nothing Ear (a) if you want long battery life, LDAC hi-res audio and a light, comfortable earbud for everyday listening and calls.
  • Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) if top-tier noise cancellation, spatial audio and a customizable secure fit matter more than battery life.

Prices

  • Nothing Ear (a): $55.00 at Nothing US (checked today)
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): $159.99 at eBay (checked today)
  • Difference: the Nothing Ear (a) is $104.99 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) today
Nothing
Ear (a)

Nothing Ear (a)

Ear (a)

4.5(302 ratings)
$55.00at Nothing USChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Nothing US
Pros
  • Long battery life, up to 42.5 hours with the case
  • LDAC hi-res audio and Bass Enhance
  • IP54 dust and water resistance
  • Light, transparent design with touch controls
  • Fast charge gives hours from a short top-up
Cons
  • No spatial audio
  • ANC is good but a step behind Bose
  • Only three ear tip sizes
  • No wireless charging case
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd generation)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd generation)

4.3(4,104 ratings)
$159.99at eBayChecked 2 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Class-leading adaptive noise cancellation
  • Immersive Audio spatial sound
  • Nine fit combinations for a secure seal
  • Four mics per earbud for clear calls
  • Wireless charging case and multipoint Bluetooth
Cons
  • Short battery life, about 6 hours per charge
  • Touch controls are easy to trigger by accident
  • Right earbud can fit loosely for some owners
  • Vertical case is awkward to pocket

What separates them

Nothing Ear (a)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Noise cancellationAdaptive ANC up to 45 dB, adjusts to surroundingsCustomTune ANC that analyzes each ear canal
Battery life (buds / with case)Up to 9.5 h / 42.5 h with ANC offUp to 6 h / 18 h with case; 4 h with Immersive Audio
Audio codecsSBC, AAC, LDAC up to 990 kbpsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Spatial audioNot offeredBose Immersive Audio
Water and dust ratingIP54, dust and water resistantIPX4, water resistant only
Fit optionsThree ear tip sizesNine eartip and stability band combinations
MicrophonesMultiple mics with Clear Voice TechnologyFour mics per earbud
Charging casePocketable case, USB-CVertical case, supports wireless charging

Price history

$324.99$55.00
Oct 30Nov 15
  • Nothing Ear (a): lowest $55.00 on Nov 15 at Amazon.
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): lowest $209.99 on Nov 8 at Walmart; $259.00 on Nov 15.

Prices at every store

Nothing Ear (a)

  • Nothing USNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $55.00Checked 1 h ago
    Visit Nothing US
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $55.00Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • Swiftronics USANew

    Availability unknown

    $69.99Checked Nov 5
    Visit Swiftronics USA
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknown

    $105.99Checked Nov 5
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 4 stores and price history →

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

  • BoseNew

    In stock

    $229.00Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Bose
  • LenovoNew

    In stock

    $229.00Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Lenovo
  • CrutchfieldNew

    In stock

    $229.00Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Crutchfield
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by paymore_frederick (99.8% positive, 3,100 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $159.99Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit eBay

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • TECHMENTCheck price at TECHMENT

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 28 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNothing Ear (a)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Noise CancelingYesYes
With MicrophoneYesYes
ColorBlack, White, YellowOther
With Charging CaseYesYes
With Touch ControlsYesYes
StyleIn-earIn-ear
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
Water-ResistantYesYes
Driver Size40 mm driver40 mm
Impedance32 ohms32 ohms
Use—Sports
Weight per earbud—0.017 lb (0.01 kg)
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNothing Ear (a)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Case weight—0.132 lb (0.06 kg)
Water resistance—IPX4
Microphones—4 microphones in each earbud
Battery life—Immersive Audio Off: 6 hours
Battery life immersive—Immersive Audio On: 4 hours
Case battery life—Case with 100% charge: 18 hours
Charge time—Earbuds: 2 hours
Quick charge—20 minute change provides up to 2 hours of use
Bluetooth version—Bluetooth 5.3

What reviewers say

Nothing Ear (a)

  • 4.5 / 5302 ratings

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 302 ratings. Owners generally like the sound, the ANC for the price and the battery life, and many mention the transparent design. Complaints tend to focus on the case and on call quality in noisy settings.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedOwners describe clear, balanced audio with deep bass and good detail for the price.
  • Noise cancellingPraisedThe adaptive ANC is said to handle traffic and office noise well, though not at flagship level.
  • BatteryMixedPlayback time is long, but users note it falls well short of the rated 9.5 hours with ANC and LDAC on.
  • DesignPraisedThe transparent stems and yellow color option are frequently called out as a reason to buy.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

  • 4.3 / 54,104 ratings

Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 4,104 ratings, the earbuds draw consistent praise for sound, bass, noise cancellation and a secure fit. Complaints center on battery life, oversensitive touch controls, connectivity glitches and long-term battery drain. A professional review calls the vertical charging case awkward and the earbuds pricey.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedOwners describe rich, immersive sound with deep bass and clear highs.
  • Noise cancellationPraisedReviewers rate the ANC highly, especially for travel and noisy commutes.
  • FitMixedMost find a snug, stable seal, but some say the right earbud loosens or falls out when sweating.
  • Battery life
Reviews
  • Best Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds - The reviews on this page have been selected by our editors, but have been optimized by our com
  • The Best Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds for 2026
  • Best noise canceling earbuds 2026: The top ANC we've tested
  • Best Earbuds of 2026: Wireless, Noise Canceling, In-Ear

Questions and answers

Which has better noise cancellation, the Nothing Ear (a) or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?
The Bose. Its CustomTune ANC adapts to each ear and is widely rated among the best in earbuds. The Nothing's 45 dB adaptive ANC is strong for its class but a step behind.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
The Nothing Ear (a). It runs up to 9.5 hours per charge and 42.5 hours with the case, against about 6 hours and 18 hours for the Bose, or 4 hours with Immersive Audio on.
Is the Bose worth stepping up to over the Nothing?
If noise cancellation, spatial audio and a customizable fit are your priorities, yes. If you want long battery life and hi-res LDAC for everyday use, the Nothing covers it well.
Which is better for running and workouts?
The Bose has a more secure fit with stability bands and is rated for sports use, though only IPX4. The Nothing is IP54, so it resists dust as well as water, and its lighter build suits casual exercise.
Do both support multipoint Bluetooth?
Yes. Both use Bluetooth 5.3 and can stay paired to two devices, so you can switch between a phone and a laptop.
Which is better for calls?
The Bose has four microphones in each earbud and enhanced voice pickup. The Nothing uses multiple mics with Clear Voice Technology. Both are clear in quiet settings; the Bose handles wind and noise better.

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Bluetooth codecs
—
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth range—Up to 30 feet (9 m)
Headphone style—In-Ear
Noise control technology—Active Noise Cancellation
Wireless—Y
Wireless technology—Wi-Fi
Brand—Bose
Rec. use—Casual Listening
Assembled product weight—5 lb
Inputs/Outputs—Bluetooth
Battery consumption type—Integrated Rechargeable Battery
Power type—Battery
Maximum transmission range—30 ft
Virtual assistant—Siri, Google Assistant
Ear pad material—Silicone
Cord length—12 in
Generation—QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Video game platform—Mobile
Headphone type—Earbuds
Criticised
Six hours per charge, and four with Immersive Audio, is short for the price, and some report drain over time.