We love the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, especially at $50 off

At a glance:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds are $50 off, matching their best non-holiday price.
• Five colorways are discounted, including rare sale colors like Desert Gold and White Smoke.
• Active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and Aware mode make these top-tier wireless earbuds.

A rare discount on Bose's best noise-canceling earbuds

Bose's QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds have earned a reputation as the gold standard for active noise cancellation in a compact, wireless form factor. Right now, they're enjoying a $50 price cut, bringing the cost down to $250 from the usual $300. This markdown matches the lowest price we typically see outside of major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While there's always a chance they could dip to $200 again in November, $250 is already a very fair deal—especially since the earbuds routinely bounce back to their full $300 price tag.

Five colors, including rare sale shades

One of the more surprising aspects of this promotion is its breadth: the discount applies to all five color options, not just the standard black or most popular hues. Buyers can choose from Black, Deep Plum, Desert Gold, Midnight Violet, and White Smoke. The inclusion of Desert Gold and White Smoke is noteworthy, as these lighter, more distinctive shades rarely see markdowns—usually only the vivid colors like Deep Plum or Midnight Violet are included in sales.

Why the QuietComfort Ultra 2 stand out

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is the headline feature here, and Bose delivers some of the best performance in the industry. Whether you're trying to block out the hum of an airplane cabin, the chatter of a busy office, or even just the world while you power through a playlist on repeat, these earbuds excel at creating a quiet bubble. The custom sound profile—tuned to the shape of your ears—ensures excellent audio fidelity right out of the box, and the companion app lets you fine-tune the EQ to your liking.

The app also unlocks additional customization, such as adjusting touch controls and enabling spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience. Battery life is solid: up to six hours on a single charge, or 24 hours with the charging case. For times when you need to stay aware of your surroundings—say, during a commute or while walking in the city—Aware mode filters in outside noise but smooths out sudden loud sounds, so you're informed without being startled. True-crime podcast fans, in particular, will appreciate this feature.

Minor caveats and overall value

If there's one drawback, it's that the QuietComfort Ultra 2 may not be the best fit for people with very small ears. Otherwise, they're a well-rounded package: solid call quality, excellent sound, a sleek aesthetic, and industry-leading ANC. At full price, they already offer strong value; with an extra $50 off, they become an even more compelling choice for anyone in the market for premium wireless earbuds.

Alternatives to consider

If the QuietComfort Ultra 2 don't quite match your needs—perhaps you're after something more workout-friendly, or you prefer open-ear designs—there are plenty of other options. Our guides to the Best Wireless Earbuds, Best Headphones for Working Out, Best Noise-Canceling Headphones, and Best Open Earbuds offer a range of hand-tested recommendations to suit different priorities and use cases.

What to watch for next

While this $50 discount is already generous, Black Friday and Cyber Monday often bring deeper cuts on high-end audio gear. If you can wait until November, there's a chance these could hit $200 again, though there's no guarantee. For now, $250 is a strong price for what many consider the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market.