After spending years mixing up AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Sonos Ace as my go-to wireless headphones and earbuds, I finally gave Sony and Bose a shot in 2025. I tried the Sony WH-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM5, and even the latest AirPods Pro 3 for good measure. But none could hold a candle to Bose's second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones and earbuds.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones and earbuds only recently came out, but they're already seeing major discounts for Black Friday. You can snag the headphones as low as $399 and the earbuds for only $216 — I think the latter is the best earbud deal of the Black Friday season. Here's why anyone in the market for new earbuds or headphones should take advantage of these Bose deals.
✅Recommended if: you want excellent ANC and sound quality; you need a secure fit and comfortable feel; you want an excellent companion app with custom EQ profiles.
❌Skip this deal if: you need more than six hours of earbuds battery life on a single charge; you want smaller earbuds; you have the QuietComfort Earbuds Gen 1 already.
✅Recommended if: you want light and comfortable wireless headphones; you need detailed sound quality and hi-res audio support; you want strong bass.
❌Skip this deal if: you need headphones that work as a mic in wired mode; you want LDAC-supported headphones; you already have QuietComfort Ultra Gen 1 headphones.
We have quite a few audiophiles here at Android Central — myself, contributor Tshaka Armstrong, and editor Harish Jonnalagadda — and we all agree that Bose's new headphones and earbuds are the best of 2025. That's high praise, and it goes to show just how good the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones and earbuds are.
I've tested all of the best earbuds, but none are as well-rounded as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. These earbuds provide standout active noise-canceling modes and the strongest bass I've ever heard a pair of earbuds reproduce. That's all while adding excellent call quality and a surprisingly-comfortable feel. They're on the larger side of wireless earbuds, but intuitive design and extra silicone stabilizers ensure they stay secure in your ears.
Up until now, the one gripe I had was with the earbuds' price. At $299, they were ahead of the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5. Now, at $216 for Black Friday, they're actually lower than those earbuds at MSRP.
It's a similar situation for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones. I still give a very slight edge to the AirPods Max in terms of raw noise-canceling power, but Bose crushes Apple — and every other brand — in the other areas. That's why, for the first time, I brought the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones with me for my Thanksgiving cross-country travel. I haven't been disappointed. They're comfortable, detailed, and compact, with better sound quality and ANC than any pair of headphones not named AirPods Max.
At $399 for a limited time, the price is very easier to stomach. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones undercut the best from Apple, Sony, Sonos, and other top brands with this deal.
So, if you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds or headphones — or want a great gift idea for an audio lover — Bose is the way to go.
Black Friday 2025 — quick links
- Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
- Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
- Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
- Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
- Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
- T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
- Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
- AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
- Black Friday Samsung Galaxy deals
- Black Friday Google Pixel deals
- Black Friday Motorola deals
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