Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

I've owned the Sony XM5, AirPods Pro 2, and multiple Jabra models. The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds have the best ANC I've experienced on any earbud. On my 10-hour flight, the cabin noise essentially disappeared. CustomTune is not gimmicky — I can hear a genuine difference when I swap tips and the calibration re-runs. Immersive Audio is the most convincing spatial audio I've heard on earbuds. The only real issue: the battery died at hour 6 on that long flight. At this price, 8 hours should be the minimum.

For commuting and office use, these are nearly perfect. The ANC in my open-plan office is remarkable — I can genuinely focus when wearing them. I wear them about 8 hours a day total, which means I need to charge mid-afternoon. With the Sony XM5 I could go all day. The sound quality with Immersive Audio is genuinely the best I've heard from earbuds. If Bose could get to 8+ hours, I'd never buy another brand. Until then, I keep the case on my desk.

The Sony XM5 fit never worked for me — they kept sliding out. The Bose tips and ear design works perfectly for my ear shape and I can wear them for hours without discomfort. ANC is at least equal to Sony in my experience, arguably better on planes. The 2-hour battery gap isn't ideal but manageable. For me, the fit difference alone justifies the switch. If Sony fit you perfectly, there's no strong reason to switch unless Immersive Audio appeals to you.