Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: The Cheapest Option in 2026 With Longer Battery Life
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- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds dibanderol sekitar $180, menjadi TWS termurah Bose yang masih dijual baru pada 2026.
- Daya tahan baterai mencapai 8,5 jam, mengalahkan flagship QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds yang hanya 6 jam.
- Fitur Immersive Audio dan CustomTune absen, tetapi penghematan $120 dinilai lebih rasional bagi mayoritas pengguna.
For consumers who want premium Bose TWS without spending up to $300, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are the answer. Released in 2024, these earbuds are still sold at around $180—making them the only new Bose product under $200 at present. That figure is competitive given that the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds line is priced at $300.
Interestingly, a number of reviewers actually recommend the QC Earbuds over the flagship model. The reason is that the QC Earbuds' battery life reaches 8.5 hours on a single charge, while the QC Ultra lasts only 6 hours. This 2.5-hour difference is significant for daily use, especially for those who often travel without access to a power outlet.
In terms of controls, the QC Earbuds provide a dedicated button to turn off active noise-canceling (ANC) instantly. By contrast, the QC Ultra requires users to create a custom sound profile in the Bose app to disable ANC—a more complicated process. The QC Earbuds are also available in seven color options, while the QC Ultra comes in only five variants.
Even so, there are compromises to accept. The QC Earbuds do not include Bose Immersive Audio—a spatial audio feature with head-tracking accessible through the Bose app. This feature enables a more immersive music-listening experience, but it is available only on the QC Ultra. In addition, the QC Ultra supports Bose CustomTune, which calibrates audio and ANC in real time according to the shape of the user's ear.
The difference in noise-canceling quality between the two is also not very pronounced. According to a number of reviews, the ANC improvement on the QC Ultra is not significant enough to justify the extra $120. For users who prioritize basic functions—clear sound, capable ANC, and long-lasting battery—the QC Earbuds are more than enough.
"We recommend the QC Earbuds over the QC Ultra because the battery lasts longer and the price is more affordable," a reviewer wrote in an article cited from BGR.
Meanwhile, for the over-ear model, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (1st Gen) remains the cheapest option at around $250. This model suits users who want maximum comfort and the best noise cancellation, even if they have to dig deeper into their pockets.
In the Indonesian market, premium TWS such as Bose does have a limited market share because of its high price. However, with a fairly wide price gap, the QC Earbuds could potentially attract urban consumers looking for quality audio products without having to pay for features they rarely use. Official distributors in Indonesia usually sell Bose products starting from around Rp3 million, depending on the exchange rate and taxes.
Going forward, competition in the premium TWS segment will become even tighter with the presence of brands such as Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser, which also offer advanced ANC. Bose needs to consider its pricing strategy to remain relevant, especially in developing markets such as Indonesia. Will the QC Earbuds become the new darling, or will they end up as a backup option for loyal Bose fans? Time will tell.
