Bose QC Ultra Earbuds vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Comparison

Compare Bose QC Ultra Earbuds vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.

On this page
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds product image
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
Launch price $299
Editor's pick
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds in Porcelain
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Launch price $229

At a Glance

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are premium noise-cancelling earbuds with CustomTune calibration, Immersive Audio, aptX Adaptive support and a wireless charging case.

Best For
Frequent flyers and loud commutes
Launch Price
$299
Dust/Water Rating
IPX4
Bluetooth Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Noise Cancelling
Adaptive ANC (CustomTune)
Mics per Bud
—
Battery (Buds)
6 h
Battery (With Case)
—
Multipoint
Yes
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are compact noise-cancelling earbuds with Google's Tensor A1 chip, Silent Seal 2.0 ANC, 11 mm drivers, Gemini voice features and a battery rated for 8 hours per charge with noise cancelling on.

Best For
Pixel and Android users
Launch Price
$229
Dust/Water Rating
IP54
Bluetooth Codecs
SBC, AAC, LC3
Noise Cancelling
Silent Seal 2.0 ANC
Mics per Bud
3
Battery (Buds)
8 h
Battery (With Case)
30 h
Multipoint
Yes

Review Scores Compared

Expert Score

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10 Leads

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10 Leads

ANC & Transparency

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds9.5/10 Leads
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.2/10

Battery & Case Charging

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds6.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10 Leads

Fit, Stability & Portability

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.5/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads

Connectivity & UC Integration

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10 Leads

Sound & Audio Quality

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds9.1/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads

Editorial Reviews Comparison

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10Leader

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

The second generation brought upgraded microphones and processing for calls, one of the main complaints about the first model. The mics focus on your voice and reduce surrounding noise and wind before the signal reaches the phone. In ordinary rooms the voice sounds natural, and in busier places the far end hears you well.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Beamforming microphones and Clear Calling on Pixel phones reduce background noise and boost your voice. A wind-blocking mesh covers the mics. Phone calls sound clear in most places, and Clear Calling helps in noisy streets. On Windows laptops they fall back to standard Bluetooth headset audio, which is narrower and less natural than the phone experience.

ANC & Transparency

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds9.5/10Leader
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.2/10

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

Bose's ActiveSense ANC is among the strongest in any earbud. It removes engine drone and air-conditioning hum, and does better than most rivals with voices and office chatter. Aware mode lets sound in naturally, and ActiveSense reduces sudden loud noises while staying in Aware. That is useful on city streets.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Silent Seal 2.0 runs on the Tensor A1 chip, and Google claims it cancels about twice as much noise as the first Pro. Transparency and Conversation Detection, which pauses audio when you speak, are included. In practice ANC is strong on buses, planes and air conditioning, competing closely with flagships that cost more.

Battery & Case Charging

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds6.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10Leader

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

Bose quotes about 6 hours of listening per charge, or about 4 hours with Immersive Audio, and the case adds roughly three more charges. That is enough for most flights and workdays, though Sony and Poly last longer per charge. Immersive Audio is the main battery drain, so switch it off on long trips and save it for films.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google quotes up to 8 hours with ANC on, or 12 hours off, and up to 30 hours with the case using ANC. That is among the best in premium earbuds. A full workday of music and calls is easy, and the case recharges over lunch. Five minutes of charging gives about an hour of playback.

Fit, Stability & Portability

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.5/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

The buds are larger than most, and they use ear tips plus stability bands in three sizes to hold them in place. Once fitted they feel secure, even when walking quickly. The larger shape can press on smaller ears over a long flight. Trying every tip and band combination helps, and the bands make them feel more locked in than stem designs, which can loosen when you talk or chew.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Each bud weighs about 4.7 g, among the lightest in this group, and the twist-to-adjust fin keeps them steady during walks or workouts. Google includes four tip sizes. The small size makes them comfortable for long sessions, and they barely protrude from the ear. That also helps with lying on a pillow or wearing a hat.

Connectivity & UC Integration

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds7.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10Leader

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

Bluetooth 5.3 brings two-device multipoint and Google Fast Pair, and aptX Adaptive kicks in on compatible Snapdragon phones. Switching from a laptop call to a phone call happens without re-pairing. Bose says the second generation has a more stable connection, especially in crowded places such as stations and airports. Bose offers no USB adapter and no meeting-platform certification for these buds.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The buds connect over Bluetooth 5.4 with two-device multipoint, LE Audio and Fast Pair for one-tap setup. On Android the buds appear in settings without a separate app download. Gemini integration lets you talk to Google's assistant hands-free, which is handy on the move for messages, reminders and directions. Find My Device locates lost buds and the case on a map.

Sound & Audio Quality

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds9.1/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

CustomTune plays a chime when you put the buds in, measures your ear canal and adjusts EQ and ANC to match. Bose's Immersive Audio adds a spatial mode with Still and Motion settings. The tuning is warm and full, with strong bass and smooth highs. On Snapdragon Sound phones aptX Adaptive improves quality, while iPhones use AAC.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Each bud has an 11 mm dynamic driver, unusually large for such a small earbud. Codec support covers SBC, AAC and LC3 for LE Audio, with no aptX or LDAC. The tuning is lively and bass forward, with clear vocals. The Pixel app's five-band EQ lets you calm the low end for podcasts and calls between meetings.

Why Bose QC Ultra Earbuds Beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (and Vice Versa)

Why Bose QC Ultra Earbuds beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

  • Better anc & transparency: 9.5 vs 8.2 out of 10
  • Case Weight: 59.9 g vs 65 g
  • Noise Cancelling: Adaptive ANC (CustomTune) vs Silent Seal 2.0 ANC

Why Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 beats Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

  • Better battery & case charging: 9.7 vs 6.9 out of 10
  • Better voice & call noise isolation: 8.8 vs 7.0 out of 10
  • Better fit, stability & portability: 9.3 vs 7.5 out of 10
  • Bud Weight: 4.7 g vs 7.3 g
  • Dust/Water Rating: IP54 vs IPX4
  • Water Resistance: Sweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds) vs IPX4

Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.

Full Specifications

General

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Best ForFrequent flyers and loud commutesPixel and Android users
Fit TypeTrue wireless in-earTrue wireless in-ear
Release Year20252024
Launch Price$299$229 Better

Design & Build

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Bud Weight7.3 g4.7 g Better
Case Weight59.9 g Better65 g
Dust/Water RatingIPX4IP54 Better
Water ResistanceIPX4Sweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds) Better
Ear Tip SizesThree sizes of tips and stability bandsFour sizes
Colors—Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, Peony
Ear Hooks / WingsYes (stability bands)Yes (twist-to-adjust stabiliser)
Case Dimensions66.0 x 59.7 x 26.9 mm49.9 x 63.3 x 25 mm
Case Water Rating—IPX4
MaterialsPlastic (PC-ABS), silicone, metal—

Audio

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Driver Size—11 mm
Driver TypeDynamicDynamic
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC, AAC, LC3
Spatial AudioYes (Immersive Audio)Yes (supported Pixel phones)
Custom EQYes (CustomTune and app EQ)Yes (five-band)
Head TrackingYes (Immersive Audio Motion mode)—

Noise Cancelling

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Noise CancellingAdaptive ANC (CustomTune) BetterSilent Seal 2.0 ANC
Active Noise CancellingYesYes
Transparency ModeYes (Aware mode with ActiveSense)Yes
Adaptive ANCYes—
ANC LevelsAdjustable (Quiet, Aware, Immersion, plus custom modes in the Bose app)—
Wind Noise ReductionYes (SpeechClarity filters wind on calls)Yes (wind-blocking mesh)

Microphone

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Microphones—6
Microphone SetupBeamforming microphones in each budBeamforming microphones
Call Noise ReductionVoice-focused noise rejectionClear Calling (Pixel)
Mics per Bud—3

Battery & Charging

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Battery (Buds)6 h8 h Better
Battery (With Case)—30 h
Fast ChargingYesYes (5 min = about 1 h)
Wireless ChargingYesYes (Qi)
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Battery (Buds, ANC Off)—12 h
Case Recharges3—
Charging Time2 h—
Call Time4 h—

Connectivity

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Bluetooth Version5.35.4 Better
MultipointYesYes
Wireless Range9 m—
LE Audio / Auracast—Yes
Google Fast PairYesYes
Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP, HFP—
USB DongleNoNo
Single-Bud UseYes—

Controls & App

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
ControlsTouchTouch
Companion AppBose appPixel Buds app (Android)
Wear DetectionYesYes
Voice Assistant—Gemini
Custom ControlsYesYes (tap and swipe)
Find My / Locate—Yes (Find My Device)

In the Box

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
In the BoxEarbuds, wireless charging case, ear tips and stability bands, USB-C cableEarbuds, charging case, ear tips, USB-C cable
Warranty1-year limited1-year limited

Identifiers

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Model NumberQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)Pixel Buds Pro 2

Compatibility

Bose QC Ultra EarbudsGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
OS CompatibilityiOS, AndroidAndroid 8+; basic Bluetooth on iOS and Windows

Takeaways

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 costs the least ($229), and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds the most ($299).
  • Our pick: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, with the highest spec-based rating (4.5/5).
  • Choose Bose QC Ultra Earbuds for frequent flyers and loud commutes.
  • Choose Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 for pixel and Android users.

Pros and Cons

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

PROS

  • Class-leading noise cancelling
  • Secure fit with stability bands
  • Wireless charging case
  • Immersive Audio for films and music

CONS

  • Large case
  • Battery drops with Immersive Audio
  • No dongle or UC certification

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

PROS

  • Small, light buds with a twist-to-adjust fin
  • Strong ANC for the price
  • Deep Android and Gemini integration
  • Long battery life

CONS

  • Best features need Android
  • No aptX or LDAC
  • No dongle for PC calls

Similar Comparisons

Quick Verdict

  • Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 7.9Leads in ANC & Transparency
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 8.8Best overallLeads in Voice & Call Noise Isolation, Battery & Case Charging, Fit, Stability & Portability