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When it comes to the best noise-canceling headphones, Bose has been at the forefront for years. Considered the best active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds ahead of the launch of the third-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra in 2023, the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are currently on sale for $189 (originally $279). They're $110 cheaper than the Ultra, but the ANC technology is the same.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II wireless, Bluetooth, proprietary active noise cancellation technology in-ear headphones
It's been nearly two years since the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II were released, and they're still one of the best ANC earbuds you can buy. Yes, the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra is better overall, but it's also more expensive. If your main concern is ANC and you want to save some money, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II may be a better choice.
PCMag gives these earbuds an "Excellent" rating because they offer excellent dynamic range, deep bass and bright treble, excellent low- and high-frequency ANC, an Active Aware mode for listening to your surroundings, and an IPX4 waterproof rating. Keep in mind that ANC can't be turned off on these earbuds, but you can always turn on Aware mode if you want to be able to hear your surroundings.
You'll get six to seven hours of power with these earbuds. The charging case provides approximately 18 hours of battery life. The charging case does not support wireless charging and takes 3 hours to fully charge. 20 minutes of charging can provide up to 2 hours of listening time.
