Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Guide 2026

Introduction

This guide is about one specific pair of earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and the two launch colourways that meet MoleMarket's verification gates for this article: Triple Black and Soapstone. It is not a general roundup of every noise cancelling earbud on the market, and it does not pretend that unrelated models are part of this family. If you searched for the QuietComfort Earbuds II, you almost certainly want to know what this model does, how long it lasts, how it fits, and which finish to pick. Those are the questions this guide answers, from manufacturer specifications, the product manual, and the consensus of professional reviews.

The direct answer is simple. The two colourways in this guide are the same earbuds in two finishes. They share the same CustomTune noise cancelling system, the same Bluetooth 5.3 connection, the same Fit Kit, the same battery figures, and the same charging case design. The choice between Triple Black and Soapstone is therefore a finish choice, not a sound quality choice or a battery choice. Pick Triple Black if you want the most discreet, low profile finish. Pick Soapstone if you prefer a light finish that is easier to spot in a bag or on a desk. Everything else in this guide explains why that choice is safe, and where this older model shows its age against newer Bose earbuds.

This guide is research based. MoleMarket is not a test lab, and no hands on testing is claimed here. Manufacturer figures are attributed to Bose, and reviewer observations are attributed to the reviewers who published them. Where sources disagree, this guide says so rather than smoothing over the difference.

Our Top 2 at a Glance

Best for Discreet Everyday Wear

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, Triple Black

Editors' Choice

Caption: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in Triple Black, with the closed charging case.

Reasons to Buy

• CustomTune calibration personalises both noise cancellation and sound to the shape of the wearer's ear, rather than applying one fixed tuning to every ear.
• Quiet Mode gives maximum noise cancellation for commuting and office use, while Aware Mode lets surrounding sound in without removing the earbuds.
• The Fit Kit gives nine combinations of eartips and stability bands, which matters because a good seal is what makes in ear noise cancelling work well.
• Battery life is practical for a full working day in stages: up to 6 hours from the earbuds, with three further charges in the case for up to 24 hours in total.
• Touch controls cover playback, volume by swiping, and a press and hold shortcut for switching between Quiet Mode and Aware Mode.

Reasons to Avoid

• The charging case charges by USB-C only, with no wireless charging, which is a genuine omission at this model's original price tier.
• Professional reviewers have reported average call quality in busy places, with ambient sound reaching the person on the other end of the call.
• Some wind noise remains in blustery conditions, even though the noise cancelling is otherwise very strong.
• The model is now an older generation, superseded in Bose's current range by later QuietComfort models, so buyers should check current availability before deciding.
• The touch surface can misread taps as swipes, according to professional review coverage, which can change volume unintentionally.

Who it's best for

Triple Black is best for a buyer who wants strong noise cancelling first and a discreet finish second. That buyer is typically a commuter on a train or bus, an office worker in an open plan room, or a frequent flyer who wants plane drone pushed down without carrying over ear headphones. The dark finish suits that use because it draws little attention in a meeting, on a call, or in a photograph, and it sits visually quietly against dark clothing and bags. It is also a sensible pick for a buyer who wears earbuds for long stretches and cares more about fit and quiet than about making a style statement. The Fit Kit is central here: three eartip sizes and three stability band sizes can be mixed and matched, and the Bose Music app includes a Fit Test to check the seal. A buyer with smaller or larger ears than average, or a buyer who has struggled with earbuds slipping during walking, should treat that fit system as a real advantage, not a gimmick, because the seal affects both comfort and how well the noise cancelling performs. Single earbud listening is another practical point for this buyer, since one earbud can be removed while the other keeps playing, which suits office use and quick conversations.

Why we recommend it

We recommend Triple Black because the published specification and the professional review consensus point in the same direction: this model's headline strength is noise cancellation, and CustomTune is the reason it stands out. Bose describes CustomTune as a system that sends a chime tone into the ear canal on each wear and measures the response, then calibrates both the noise cancellation and the sound profile to that ear. That personalisation is why two people can reasonably report slightly different experiences from the same model, and why fit matters so much. In Quiet Mode, Bose's system aims for maximum cancellation, while Aware Mode keeps the listener connected to announcements, traffic, and conversation, with ActiveSense softening sudden loud sounds rather than letting them through at full volume. Professional reviewers have consistently praised the quiet and the transparency mode, describing voices and city noise as pushed well back and conversations as still possible in Aware Mode. Battery figures support everyday use rather than marathon use: Bose rates the earbuds at up to 6 hours per charge, the case at three further charges, and a 20 minute quick charge at up to 2 hours of listening. Bluetooth 5.3 gives a strong connection within about 30 feet of the paired device, and the earbuds remember up to seven paired devices, which helps a buyer who switches between a phone and a laptop.

Should you buy it?

You should buy Triple Black if noise cancelling is your first priority, you are comfortable charging by USB-C, and you accept that this is an older Bose model rather than the newest release. It remains a strong choice for commuting, office focus, and travel, where its quiet and its compact pocketable case matter more than having the latest feature list. You should skip it if wireless charging is a must have, if you make many calls in noisy streets and call clarity is your top concern, or if you want the longest battery life in the category, since rival models now offer more hours per charge. You should also skip it if you specifically want spatial or immersive audio, which this model does not offer as a headline feature. In that case, look at Bose's newer QuietComfort range before buying, and compare its published features directly rather than assuming this older model matches them. If the finish is the only question, the Soapstone version in this guide is the same earbuds in a light colour, so choose on finish alone and do not pay extra for a performance difference that does not exist.

Spec line: Connection: Bluetooth 5.3, up to 30 feet range | Noise control: CustomTune active noise cancelling, Quiet Mode and Aware Mode with ActiveSense | Battery: up to 6 hours per charge, up to 24 hours with the case, 20 minute charge for up to 2 hours | Water resistance: IPX4 for the earbuds | Fit: Bose Fit Kit, 3 eartip sizes and 3 stability band sizes | Model: 870730-0010

Best Light Finish for Visibility

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, Soapstone

Best Buy

Caption: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in Soapstone, with the closed charging case.

Reasons to Buy

• The same CustomTune noise cancelling and sound personalisation as Triple Black, in a light finish that is easy to spot in a bag, a pocket, or on a desk.
• Quiet Mode and Aware Mode cover both ends of daily use: full focus when needed, and clear awareness of surroundings when crossing a street or talking to a colleague.
• The Fit Kit and the in app Fit Test help a buyer find a seal that supports both comfort and noise cancelling performance.
• A 20 minute quick charge giving up to 2 hours of listening makes a low battery much less disruptive before a commute or a flight.
• Touch controls, single earbud listening, and memory for up to seven paired devices keep everyday switching between phone and laptop simple.

Reasons to Avoid

• The charging case charges by USB-C only, with no wireless charging option.
• A light case and light earbuds will show everyday marks more readily than a black finish, which matters to buyers who carry the case loose in a bag.
• Professional reviewers have reported average call quality in busy environments, and some wind noise in blustery conditions.
• This is an older generation model, so current availability and successor features should be checked before buying.
• The touch controls can misread a tap as a swipe, which can change volume when the wearer only meant to pause.

Who it's best for

Soapstone is best for the same core buyer as Triple Black, with one extra consideration: visibility. A light finish is easier to find quickly, which sounds trivial until the case is at the bottom of a tote bag, a gym bag, or a car door pocket. It also suits a buyer who prefers light coloured accessories, who wears light clothing, or who is buying a gift and wants the earbuds to look distinct rather than disappearing into a black case and black earbuds. The underlying buyer is still someone who values quiet above all: a commuter, a student in a shared flat or library, a remote worker taking calls at home, or a traveller who wants a pocketable alternative to over ear headphones on short flights. The fit story is identical, and it deserves the same attention here. Three eartip sizes and three stability band sizes give nine combinations, and the Bose Music app Fit Test checks whether the chosen combination seals well. A buyer who has found other in ear models uncomfortable should use that test during the return window rather than assuming the first combination is the right one. Soapstone also suits a buyer who listens with one earbud at a time, for example while keeping an ear open for children, a doorbell, or office conversation, since the other earbud keeps playing when one is removed.

Why we recommend it

We recommend Soapstone for the same technical reasons as Triple Black, and the recommendation does not rest on the colour. Bose's CustomTune system personalises noise cancellation and sound to the wearer's ear canal, which is the feature that separates this model from simpler earbuds that apply one fixed noise cancelling profile to everyone. Quiet Mode is the maximum cancellation setting, Aware Mode is the transparency setting, and ActiveSense in Aware Mode softens loud external sounds so a passing bus or a sudden shout does not arrive at full volume. That combination is genuinely useful in daily life, not just on paper: a listener can stay in Aware Mode on a walk, hear traffic and conversation, and still have loud peaks managed. Professional review coverage has praised both modes, while also noting the same honest limits that apply to Triple Black, including call quality in busy places and wind noise. The Bose Music app adds adjustable EQ, custom noise cancelling modes, shortcut customisation, and battery checks, which means the earbuds can be tuned after purchase rather than being fixed at factory settings. Battery life, at up to 6 hours per charge and up to 24 hours with the case, is enough for a working day in stages, and the quick charge covers the common case of a low battery discovered just before leaving the house.

Should you buy it?

You should buy Soapstone if you want the QuietComfort Earbuds II and you prefer a light finish, or if you simply find a light case easier to locate and keep track of. Do not buy it expecting better sound, better noise cancelling, or longer battery than Triple Black, because the published specifications are the same and the only documented difference is the finish and the model number for that finish. You should skip this model altogether if wireless charging is essential, if you need earbuds rated beyond IPX4 for heavy rain or swimming, or if you want the newest Bose features such as immersive audio, in which case a newer QuietComfort model should be compared directly. You should also check availability carefully, since this is an older model and some retailers list it as sold out or as a renewed unit rather than a new unit; the listings in this guide refer to the new Soapstone variant identified by its model number, and a renewed listing is a different purchase. If those cautions do not put you off, Soapstone is a sound way to buy this model, and the finish choice comes down to personal taste and how easily you want to spot the case.

Spec line: Connection: Bluetooth 5.3, up to 30 feet range | Noise control: CustomTune active noise cancelling, Quiet Mode and Aware Mode with ActiveSense | Battery: up to 6 hours per charge, up to 24 hours with the case, 20 minute charge for up to 2 hours | Water resistance: IPX4 for the earbuds | Fit: Bose Fit Kit, 3 eartip sizes and 3 stability band sizes | Model: 870730-0020

How We Chose These Earbuds

This guide started from the keyword itself, which names a specific model family rather than a broad category. Padding it with unrelated earbuds would have answered a different question from the one the searcher asked, so no unrelated model was added to reach a higher pick count. The two colourways included are the two launch colourways of the QuietComfort Earbuds II, Triple Black and Soapstone, and each one passed both of MoleMarket's hard gates: a dual source verified ASIN for the exact variant, and three verified manufacturer published photos showing that exact variant. Later colours, including Midnight Blue and the limited edition Eclipse Grey, are not covered here because their new-unit listings could not be verified to the same standard; renewed listings are not treated as equivalent to new listings. No price was invented, and no hands-on testing is claimed.

How to Choose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Start with fit, because fit decides how well in ear noise cancelling works. Try the eartip and stability band combinations systematically, use the Bose Music app Fit Test, and judge comfort over a full listening session rather than a minute in a shop. Next, decide how you will use the noise control. Quiet Mode suits flights, trains, and focused work. Aware Mode suits walking, cycling in safe areas where hearing traffic matters, and office conversation. If you spend most of your time in one of those modes, check that the touch shortcut is set to the switch you actually want, since the default press and hold shortcut toggles between Quiet Mode and Aware Mode. Then check charging habits honestly. The case charges by USB-C only, so a buyer who already charges everything wirelessly will need to keep a cable handy, and a buyer who travels light should pack the short USB-C cable that comes in the box. Battery planning is straightforward: up to 6 hours from the earbuds covers a commute and a work block, and the case covers the rest of the day, but a buyer who wants all day continuous listening without returning earbuds to the case should look at models with longer per charge figures. Finally, weigh age against price and availability. This is a 2022 model, later Bose earbuds add newer features, and availability of new units varies by retailer, so compare the current successor range before committing if having the newest features matters more than getting this specific model.

FAQ

Do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support wireless charging?

No. The charging case for this model charges by USB-C only, according to Bose's own comparison material and retailer specifications. A buyer who wants wireless charging should choose a different model rather than assuming a wireless charging case can be added later.

How long do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II last on a charge?

Bose rates the earbuds at up to 6 hours of listening on a single charge, with the charging case holding three further charges for up to 24 hours in total. A 20 minute quick charge gives up to 2 hours of listening, while a full earbud charge takes about 1 hour and a full case charge takes about 3 hours, per Bose's published figures.

What is CustomTune, and why does it matter?

CustomTune is Bose's sound calibration system for this model. On each wear, the earbuds play a chime tone and measure how sound behaves inside the wearer's ear canal, then adjust both noise cancellation and sound to that ear. It matters because ear shape affects both seal and sound, so a fixed tuning cannot be ideal for every wearer.

What is the difference between Triple Black and Soapstone?

There is no documented performance difference. Both colourways share the same CustomTune system, Bluetooth 5.3, battery figures, Fit Kit, and case design. The difference is the finish and the variant model number: Triple Black is model 870730-0010, Soapstone is model 870730-0020. Choose on finish and availability alone.

Are the QuietComfort Earbuds II still worth buying now that newer Bose earbuds exist?

They can be, if noise cancelling is the priority and the buyer accepts USB-C only charging, IPX4 rather than a higher water resistance rating, and no immersive audio headline feature. Buyers who want the newest features, longer per charge battery, or wireless charging should compare Bose's current QuietComfort range directly before deciding, and should verify that the listing is for a new unit of the exact colourway wanted.

Footer Notes

Specifications in this guide are the manufacturers' published figures and change over time; check the linked listing for current availability and specifications before buying. Product photos are the manufacturers' published product images, supplied via Bose's own image service.