Wireless Earbuds / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Nothing Ear (3)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Nothing Ear (3)
Nothing Ear (3)
Its metal case doubles as an external microphone — genuinely novel.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.1 points separate them. Its metal case doubles as an external microphone — genuinely novel. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Nothing Ear (3) are both current-generation wireless Earbuds models, and the Nothing Ear (3) is $120 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ($179 vs $299). On Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads (9.8 vs 8.2/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed. On Durability, the Nothing Ear (3) leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness. On Features, the Nothing Ear (3) leads (9.0 vs 8.0/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. Overall, the Nothing Ear (3) scores 8.0/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.9/10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $179.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 6✓ | 5.5 |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24✓ | 22 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Bose adjustable ANC with CustomTune ear-canal calibration; Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes | Hybrid ANC up to 45dB with Low, Mid and High modes |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by the manufacturer | 12 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP54 buds and case |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Weight per Bud (g) | 7.26 | 5.2✓ |
| Codecs | Bose lists Bluetooth profiles only; aptX Adaptive was on the first generation but is unconfirmed here | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Spatial Audio | Yes — Bose Immersive Audio with Still and Motion head-tracked modes, plus a new Cinema Mode | Not published by the manufacturer |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black, White |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on tuning, detail and codec support. If that is what you are buying for, the Nothing Ear (3) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.8 against 8.2 — a 1.6-point margin on how much ambient noise is actually removed. If that is what you are buying for, the Nothing Ear (3) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Nothing Ear (3) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Nothing Ear (3) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Nothing Ear (3) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. microphone performance and background noise rejection is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Nothing Ear (3) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Nothing Ear (3) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on IP rating, build materials and case robustness. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Nothing Ear (3) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores 9.8/10 here (how much ambient noise is actually removed).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (tuning, detail and codec support).
Choose the Nothing Ear (3) if…
- • Durability matters most to you — the Nothing Ear (3) scores 8.0/10 here (IP rating, build materials and case robustness).
- • Features matters most to you — the Nothing Ear (3) scores 9.0/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
- • Battery matters most to you — the Nothing Ear (3) scores 6.5/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
- • You want to spend less — it's $120 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +Best noise cancelling available in an earbud, comfortably ahead of Apple and Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration meaningfully improves both ANC and sound
- +Nine fit combinations means almost anyone can get a seal
- +Wireless charging finally built into the case rather than a separate cover
Cons
- −Worst battery in the premium tier — 6 hours, dropping to just 4 with Immersive Audio on
- −Only IPX4, with no dust protection at $299
- −Heaviest buds here at over 7g each
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor codec support
Nothing Ear (3)
Pros
- +The Super Mic case is genuinely novel and works well for calls in noisy places
- +Premium aluminium case rather than plastic
- +Strong ANC for the price
- +Full parametric EQ and LDAC
Cons
- −Only 5.5 hours with ANC on, the shortest per-charge figure here
- −Bass-heavy tuning with somewhat harsh treble
- −The Super Mic is a meaningful premium over the Ear (3a) for a feature many will rarely use
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Nothing Ear (3) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Nothing Ear (3) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Nothing Ear (3)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.8/10 vs 8.2/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed.
Which is better for Durability, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Nothing Ear (3)?+
The Nothing Ear (3) scores higher on Durability (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness.
Which is better for Features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Nothing Ear (3)?+
The Nothing Ear (3) scores higher on Features (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Nothing Ear (3)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores higher on Sound Quality (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — tuning, detail and codec support.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the Nothing Ear (3)?+
The Nothing Ear (3) is the cheaper option at $179 versus $299. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs the Nothing Ear (3)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Nothing Ear (3) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Premium Option
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $299.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.