Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT. I’ll also be comparing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen vs 2nd Gen, Sony WF-1000XM5, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, and more!
I’m going to do my best to share whether these wireless earbuds are worth it, and ideally who these are perfect for. I’ve owned these for a while now and have quite a few thoughts.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist.
Let’s dive right in!
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen Review in Short
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 1st Generation is still world-class at noise cancelling and comfort, despite being older. Its only drawbacks are a rather average sound quality and a mediocre microphone quality. Competes in the wireless noise cancelling earbuds class with the likes of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen, Sony WF-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Pros and Cons
- World-class noise cancelling
- One of the most comfortable fits
- aptX Adaptive support
- Mediocre microphone quality
- There’s better pure sound quality options
- Only a good value if on sale
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Comfort + Features
Comfort
As the “QuietComfort” name suggests, I find the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds to be one of the most comfortable pairs on the market.
I’m able to get a proper physical seal with ease, and minimal adjustment needed.
In addition to multiple eartip sizes, these also include multiple wing tips for a more customized fit to the ear, as pictured above on the left side of the earbud.
The wingtip attachment and design also makes these earbuds one of the most secure fits in terms of staying in place with movement.
The comfort on these is better than some of its popular competition such as Sony WF-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, and Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation.
Features
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen was originally released in September 2023, so it has many modern wireless earbud features:
- IPX4 water resistance rating (sweat resistant and light splashes of water)
- aptX Adaptive support
- Built-in microphones for taking calls
- Spatial Audio with Head-Tracking
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Multi-point connection
- Adaptive Noise Cancelling
- Transparency Mode
- Custom EQ
- Companion app for iOS and Android
The high-res codec support of aptX Adaptive is a welcome sight, something missing from Apple AirPods.
Also, it’s nice that there is a native Bose app offered for both iOS and Android users alike.
Microphone Quality
Unfortunately, one of the weaknesses of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 1st Generation would be its underwhelming mic quality versus the stout competition from AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5 to name a couple.
The newer 2nd generation has improved the mic quality noticeably, as it was a complaint with the 1st generation.
Overall, it’s serviceable but not impressive if this is one of the important factors for you. For this shortcoming, it loses a point in this category.
Battery Life
- With ANC on: 6 hours of battery life on a single charge / 24 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 6 hours on a single charge / 24 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 20 minutes = 2 hours of playback
This battery life is firmly average for the class, as some competitors can reach 7-8 hours on a single charge, and 30 hours with the charging case.
Comfort + Features Score: 9.0 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen Noise Cancelling Performance
The first half of the “QuietComfort” series name is due to Bose’s world-class noise cancelling technology, and the QC Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen is worthy of carrying that torch.
When it comes to pure noise cancelling strength and effectiveness, these are still up there in the “elite” tier of wireless ANC options.
There’s only a handful of earbuds out right now that I think have slightly better ANC, and the list is short including the newer Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen and AirPods Pro 3.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 is quite competitive and on par, with perhaps the Bose edging the Sony’s out ever so slightly.
Noise Cancelling Score: 9.0 out of 10
Sound Quality
Now we know these are both “Quiet” and “Comfortable”, but how do they sound?
Here is where I’m going to get a little critical, and where the Bose QC Ultra 1st Gen starts to show that it’s not a perfect product.
Now first I want to give credit that these have aptX Adaptive high-res codec support.
This is a feature that the popular Apple AirPods competitor doesn’t have, but something like the more audiophile-aimed Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 has.
For this test, I used aptX Adaptive along with my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle for PS5,Wireless Lossless Transmitter for PC/Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
Now, I will say that listening to aptX Adaptive results in maybe a 5% boost in overall sound quality, so while it is welcomed, it’s not a game-changer.
So how do they sound?
I’d say they’re good, decent even, but not great.
The stock sound profile leans towards consumer-friendly with just a slight over-active bass response. The plus side is that the sub-bass is nice and full.
But unfortunately the bass lacks a bit of cohesion with the rest of the frequency response. It overpowers the mids and treble, causing the vocals to be a bit more distant.
Simply put, there’s cleaner and tighter bass in other earbuds.
So in terms of tonality, it’s not the most audiophile or balanced.
Where I see fault with the QC Ultra 1st gen is in the audiophile technicalities of soundstage, separation, layering, spacing, and just overall clarity.
Even with aptX Adaptive, the sound is slightly compressed and narrow. The sound profile doesn’t help either with the overpowering bass.
Please keep in mind that I’m actively comparing these to not only its mainstream competition, but audiophile standouts like the Technics AZ100, Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, and Status Audio Pro X to name a few. Tough sledding.
In perhaps a more relevant comparison, I much prefer listening to the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd gen that improves in every way.
That said, I still find these fun to listen to and enjoyable enough, especially for modern music. But it’s really the noise cancelling and comfort that is the star of the show.
Sound Quality Score: 7.6 out of 10
Value
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen is currently in a bit of a weird place pricing-wise, due to the release of the newer 2nd Gen.
Brand new is getting harder to find as inventory is drying up, and that is currently $299 on Amazon, which is very steep for a now slightly-outdated model.
Used and Renewed models are going for as low as $169 which is much more palatable.
Because of this, I think the value is less than impressive for new, unless you can find it on sale.
But used and renewed, I still think this has one of the best noise cancelling and comfort available today.
Value Score: 7.0 out of 10
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Comfort + Features (15% of score): 9.0 / 10
Noise Cancelling (25% of score): 9.0 / 10
Sound Quality (50% of score): 7.6 / 10
Value (10% of score): 7.0 / 10
Total: 8.1 out of 10
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 1st Gen Worth it?
Even after having tested 20+ pairs of wireless earbuds, many of which newer than the Bose QC Ultra 1st Gen, I’m surprised that it is still at the top for noise cancelling and comfort.
It’s the sound quality that I have a bit of pause with, as an audiophile, as there is some serious competition in that category available today.
Oh, and the average microphone quality as well.
If you’re able to find these on sale due to the release of the newer 2nd Gen, they’re still top marks for both noise cancelling and comfort, while being fine to listen to for sound.
Otherwise, I do prefer the 2nd Gen and the newer AirPods Pro 3 as well when it comes to all-arounders.
If you’re an audiophile, there’s even more options, but just don’t expect this level of ANC and comfort to come along with it.
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
Read Next
Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen Review
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds Review
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Review
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Review
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Review
Anker Soundcore Space One Review
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Review
Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
