In this comparison, we will take a closer look at two premium wireless earbuds: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10. Both products were released in September and August 2023 respectively and offer a range of advanced features, making them noteworthy contenders in the world of true wireless earbuds.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are marketed as the ultimate wireless noise-canceling earbud experience. They come with breakthrough spatialized audio, world-class noise cancellation, and a premium design. The Bose Immersive Audio technology takes your listening experience beyond the confines of traditional earbuds, creating an immersive soundstage.
On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 10 earbuds are positioned as Jabra’s most advanced earbuds for both work and everyday life. These earbuds are designed for comfort, equipped with powerful sound and advanced noise cancellation, and they introduce the revolutionary Jabra ComfortFit technology, promising a secure and comfortable fit.
Here’s a comparison table summarizing the key features of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10:
| Feature | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Jabra Elite 10 |
| Release Date | September 2023 | August 2023 |
| Design and Comfort | Premium design, IPX4-rated, soft eartips, and multiple stability bands for a snug fit, 6.24g each | Jabra ComfortFit tech, 4 sizes of EarGels, IP57-rated, semi-open design, 5.7g each |
| Sound Quality | Spatial audio with Bose Immersive Audio, incredibly realistic high-resolution sound | 10mm speakers, Spatial sound with Dolby Head Tracking, powerful bass and bright highs |
| Noise Cancellation | World-class noise cancellation, Adaptive CustomTune, passive and active noise reduction | Advanced Active Noise Cancellation, HearThrough mode, adaptive ANC |
| Microphones | 4 built-in microphones in each earbud | 6-mic call technology (MEMS) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, No Bluetooth multipoint connection, Supports AAC, SBC, and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Bluetooth audio codecs | Bluetooth 5.3, Bluetooth multipoint connection, Supports AAC and SBC Bluetooth audio codecs |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours with ANC, 18 hours with the case | 6 hours with ANC, 21 hours with the case |
| Additional Features | Bose Immersive Audio, Snapdragon Sound, Touch controls, Spatial Audio, Google Fast Pair, mono mode, | Custom modes, mono mode, Swift pair, Google Fast Pair, Spotify Tap, sidetone, auto music resume/pause |
| Voice Assistants | Siri, Google Voice Assistant, native voice assistant | Google Assistant and Siri |
| Price | Approximately $300 | $249 |
| Accessories | Bose Fit Kit, 3 pairs of eartips, 3 pairs of stability bands, charging case, USB-C cable | Charging case, 4 sizes of EarGels, charging cable |
| Pros | Support for high-resolution audio, premium design, world-class noise cancellation | Powerful sound, strong noise cancellation, lightweight, wireless charging, accessible price tag |
| Cons | No Bluetooth multipoint, charging case doesn’t support wireless charging | No support for high-resolution Bluetooth audio codecs, facing fierce competition from premium earbuds |
Now, let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two earbuds, assessing their design, sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, and much more.
Table of Contents
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Jabra Elite 10: Deep Look
Design and Comfort
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
When it comes to the design of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, they exude a premium aesthetic with a metallic finish on the earbuds, giving them a head-turning appeal. This design is complemented by their IPX4 rating, which makes them water-resistant and a suitable choice for workouts or outdoor activities. Bose has also paid attention to ensuring a comfortable fit with these earbuds. They feature umbrella-shaped eartips that are not only super soft but also effective in sealing off outside noise, immersing you in your audio.
To enhance comfort further, Bose offers a Bose Fit Kit that includes three pairs of eartips and three pairs of stability bands. These elements allow users to find the ideal combination that ensures a snug and secure fit for various ear shapes and sizes. The earbuds themselves are made using a combination of materials, including plastic (PC-ABS), silicone, and metal, contributing to their durability and style.
Jabra Elite 10:
On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 10 takes a different approach to design. These earbuds prioritize comfort and practicality, making them a great choice for users on the move. With an IP57 rating, they offer both water and sweat resistance, making them suitable for active use in various conditions. The standout feature of the Jabra Elite 10 is the Jabra ComfortFit technology. These earbuds introduce unique oval EarGels made of silicone, which come in four different sizes (large, medium, small, and extra-large). This variety of EarGel sizes ensures that users can find the perfect fit for their ears.
The Jabra Elite 10 earbuds are remarkably lightweight, each weighing only 5.7 grams, making them comfortable for extended use. They feature a semi-open design, which aims to strike a balance between situational awareness and immersive sound, ensuring you can enjoy your music without completely blocking out your surroundings. Additionally, Jabra offers a choice of five different colors, providing users with the opportunity to express their style preferences.
Design and Comfort Takeaway:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds emphasize a premium metallic finish and an IPX4 rating, while the Jabra Elite 10 focuses on providing comfort with innovative Jabra ComfortFit technology, an IP57 rating, and a broader selection of EarGel sizes. Furthermore, the color options offered by Jabra allow users to add a touch of personal style to their audio experience. Both earbuds aim to provide a stable and comfortable fit, although they do so using different approaches – the Bose earbuds utilize eartips and stability bands, while the Jabra earbuds rely on the unique shape of the EarGels.
Sound Quality
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
Bose takes an innovative approach to sound quality, introducing breakthrough features that set these earbuds apart. One of the standout features is the use of Bose Immersive Audio, which promises to take what you’re hearing out of your head and place it in front of you. This spatial audio technology creates an audio experience that is incredibly realistic, making it feel like you’re not listening with earbuds at all. Sounds are positioned just in front of you, creating an immersive sensation that’s mind-bendingly natural.
In addition to Bose Immersive Audio, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds feature Snapdragon Sound, an audio and software processing infrastructure developed by Qualcomm. This technology focuses on robust and low-latency Bluetooth connectivity and leverages the aptX Adaptive codec to provide a high-resolution and low-latency audio experience. This means you can expect crisp, detailed sound without audio lag.
Jabra Elite 10:
Jabra Elite 10, on the other hand, emphasizes sound quality through powerful hardware. These earbuds are equipped with 10mm speakers, which are larger than the typical earbud drivers. This size allows them to produce powerful bass and bright highs, ensuring a well-rounded audio experience.
The Jabra Elite 10 also features Dolby Head Tracking for spatial sound. This technology creates an immersive Dolby Atmos experience by tracking your head movement and adjusting the audio accordingly. It’s like the sound is following you, making for an engaging listening experience.
Sound Quality Takeaway:
In terms of sound quality, both earbuds offer exceptional features. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds shine with their Bose Immersive Audio, which delivers an audio experience that feels incredibly natural and immersive. Sounds are positioned in front of you, creating a sensation that you’re not wearing earbuds at all. The use of Snapdragon Sound and the aptX Adaptive codec further enhances the audio quality, ensuring a high-resolution and low-latency experience.
The Jabra Elite 10 focuses on powerful hardware with its 10mm speakers, delivering robust bass and clear highs. Additionally, the inclusion of Dolby Head Tracking creates a spatial audio experience, allowing sound to follow your head movements and providing an immersive Dolby Atmos-like experience.
Noise Cancellation
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds excel in noise cancellation, leveraging world-class technology that effectively eliminates unwanted ambient sounds, immersing you in your audio experience.
The Adaptive CustomTune technology tailors the noise cancellation and sound performance precisely to your ears. This adaptive feature ensures that you hear audio in a way that aligns with your preferences, offering a personalized and immersive sound environment.
Additionally, the earbuds incorporate passive noise reduction through their thoughtful design, including silicone eartips and an acoustic seal, effectively minimizing external noise for uninterrupted listening.
Jabra Elite 10:
The Jabra Elite 10 stands out for its robust noise cancellation capabilities, delivering 2 times stronger noise cancellation compared to standard Jabra ANC. This enhanced noise reduction ensures that even in challenging environments, you can enjoy distraction-free audio.
The inclusion of the HearThrough mode is a noteworthy feature, allowing ambient sounds to pass through the earbuds when necessary. This feature is invaluable in situations where environmental awareness is crucial, providing a balance between immersive audio and staying attuned to your surroundings.
Moreover, the earbuds use personalized noise cancellation, adapting the ANC to the unique shape of your ears. This personalization ensures that the noise cancellation is tailored specifically to your ear anatomy, delivering a customized and optimized audio experience.
Noise Cancellation Takeaways:
In the realm of noise cancellation, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10 offer exceptional performance. Bose’s Adaptive CustomTune technology tailors noise cancellation and sound to your preferences, ensuring an individualized auditory experience. Jabra’s approach focuses on strong, adaptive noise cancellation with the added benefit of the HearThrough mode, allowing for situational awareness.
Microphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are equipped with a sophisticated microphone system designed to deliver clear and effective call quality. Featuring 4 built-in microphones in each earbud, these earbuds are proficient at distinguishing your voice from background noise.
In the midst of a bustling environment, these microphones employ noise-reducing algorithms that automatically engage to ensure your voice remains the center of attention during calls. This advanced technology is especially advantageous for users who rely on the earbuds for work-related calls, as it guarantees that your communication remains uninterrupted and free from disruptive sounds.
Jabra Elite 10:
In the case of the Jabra Elite 10, they take a slightly different approach to microphone technology. These earbuds incorporate a more extensive 6-mic call technology (MEMS), which not only distinguishes your voice from background noise but also adapts to various surroundings. This adaptability ensures that your calls are crystal clear, regardless of whether you’re in a quiet home office or a noisy public space.
The Elite 10 excels in diverse acoustic conditions, making them suitable for professional and personal use alike.
Microphones and Call Quality Takeaway:
In microphones and call quality, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10 offer impressive performance. Bose’s 4-microphone in each earbud setup, coupled with its noise-reducing algorithms, places a significant emphasis on prioritizing your voice during calls, ensuring your communication is always clear and undisturbed. In contrast, the Jabra Elite 10 leverages its advanced 6-microphone technology, which excels in distinguishing your voice and adapting to a multitude of environments. This adaptability makes the Elite 10 a versatile choice for users who require consistently excellent call quality, whether they are working from home, traveling, or engaging in on-the-go conversations.
Connectivity
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer seamless connectivity with the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.3 technology. This advanced Bluetooth version ensures robust wireless connectivity, allowing you to enjoy your audio without interruptions.
While these earbuds excel in delivering an uninterrupted connection, it’s important to note that they do not support Bluetooth multipoint connection.
Jabra Elite 10:
On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 10 is also equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 technology, promising a smooth and reliable wireless connection.
Additionally, these earbuds offer a significant advantage as they support Bluetooth multipoint connection. This feature enables you to connect the Elite 10 to multiple devices simultaneously, seamlessly switching between them as needed.
Connectivity Takeaway:
Both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10 deliver strong Bluetooth technology by utilizing Bluetooth 5.3. However, it’s important to note that the Bose earbuds do not support Bluetooth multipoint connection.
Battery
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds provide a commendable battery life, offering up to 6 hours of uninterrupted listening on a single charge when the active noise cancellation (ANC) is engaged. With ANC turned off, they extend to 8 hours of continuous playback.
What makes them even more practical is the inclusion of quick charge capabilities. A swift 20-minute charge is sufficient to provide up to 2 hours of continuous listening. The charging method employed is through a USB-C cable.
In addition to the earbuds’ own battery life, the accompanying charging case offers additional power. The case can hold an additional 3 full charges, providing a total listening time of up to 24 hours with the earbuds, ensuring that you can enjoy your music for extended periods.
Jabra Elite 10:
The Jabra Elite 10 offers a similar level of battery performance. These earbuds provide 6 hours of continuous playback on a single charge with ANC engaged. When ANC is disabled, their battery life extends to 8 hours.
Just like the Bose earbuds, the Jabra Elite 10 also offers quick charging functionality. A 5-minute charge will give you up to 1 hour of continuous playback, ensuring that even if you’re running low on battery, a short break can keep your music going. The charging process is accomplished through wireless charging, adding a layer of convenience to your experience.
In terms of total listening time, the Elite 10’s charging case provides up to 28 hours of continuous playback with ANC off. This is notably longer than the total listening time offered by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Battery Life Takeaway:
Both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10 deliver excellent battery performance, offering 6 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC engaged. Additionally, the quick charging features are similar for both earbuds. A short charging period ensures you can get back to enjoying your music promptly, with the Bose earbuds offering 2 hours from a 20-minute charge and the Jabra Elite 10 providing 1 hour from a 5-minute charge.
One key distinction lies in the total listening time. The Jabra Elite 10, with ANC turned on/off, offers a total listening time of up to 27/36 hours with the charging case. In comparison, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds provide up to 24 hours of total listening time.
Additional Features
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
- Bose Immersive Audio: Offers a groundbreaking spatial audio experience, positioning sound in front of you for an incredibly immersive sensation.
- Snapdragon Sound: Utilizes this technology for high-resolution audio and low latency, ensuring a top-tier wireless audio experience.
- Touch Controls: Allows you to effortlessly control music playback, volume adjustments, mode switching, and more with simple taps or swipes on the earbuds.
- Custom Modes: Customize your audio experience via the Bose Music app, adjusting the equalizer and creating personalized modes.
- Google Fast Pair: Easily connects with Android devices for a seamless setup process.
- Metallic Finish: Features a premium design with a metallic finish on the earbuds.
- Notch/Key Alignment Feature: Ensures stability bands are easy to swap in and out.
- IPX4 Water Resistance: Features water-resistance rating to take them even in wet conditions.
Jabra Elite 10:
- Dolby Head Tracking: Provides a spatial audio experience with head movement tracking, creating an immersive Dolby Atmos-like sensation.
- HearThrough Mode: Allows ambient sound to pass through, enhancing environmental awareness.
- Swift Pair: Facilitates quick pairing with Windows devices through a simple click and is compatible with Windows 10 or higher.
- Spotify Tap: Provides effortless access to Spotify with just a few taps on the earbuds.
- Mono Mode: Allows for single earbud listening.
- Sidetone: Enables you to hear a small amount of your voice when speaking into a microphone while wearing the earbuds.
- Auto Music Resume/Pause: Pauses and resumes music playback automatically.
- IP57 Water Resistance: Boasts a high water resistance rating, ensuring durability in various conditions.
Price and Accessories
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are available at a price point of approximately $300. These earbuds offer a premium listening experience with their immersive audio technology, advanced noise cancellation, and customizable features.
In terms of accessories, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds come with a well-rounded set of items. Included with the earbuds are a charging case to keep them powered, a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging, and three pairs of ear tips in different sizes (small, medium, and large). These ear tips ensure a comfortable and secure fit for a variety of users, further enhancing the listening experience.
Jabra Elite 10:
The Jabra Elite 10 is priced at $249, making them an attractive option for those seeking a high-quality audio experience with strong noise cancellation and unique audio features.
In the accessories department, the Jabra Elite 10 provides a practical set of items. These include a charging case to keep your earbuds powered, a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging, and four sizes of EarGels to ensure that you can find the perfect fit for your ears. The inclusion of multiple EarGel sizes contributes to comfort and secure fit, adding to the overall value of the product.
Price Takeaway:
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are available at a slightly higher price point of approximately $300. This pricing reflects the premium audio technology and advanced noise cancellation features they offer. The Jabra Elite 10, priced at $249, offers an attractive option for those who value audio quality and noise cancellation.
Pros and Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds:
Pros:
- Immersive Bose Immersive Audio technology for spatialized sound.
- Advanced noise cancellation capabilities for a distraction-free experience.
- Snapdragon Sound certification and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec for high-resolution, low-latency audio.
- Intuitive touch controls for easy operation.
- Customizable features like Aware Mode and Quiet Mode.
- Voice assistant integration with support for Siri and Google Voice Assistant.
- Swift pair functionality for easy connection with Windows devices.
- Comfortable fit with multiple ear tip sizes.
Cons:
- Higher price point (approximately $300).
- Lack of Bluetooth multipoint connection feature.
- No wireless charging support for the charging case.
Jabra Elite 10:
Pros:
- Powerful 10mm speakers for immersive audio with bright highs and powerful bass.
- 2 times stronger noise cancellation than standard Jabra ANC.
- Spatial Sound with Dolby Head Tracking for an immersive experience.
- 6-mic call technology (MEMS) for clear and superior call quality.
- Qi wireless charging support.
- Longer battery life than Bose when ANC is off.
- Fast charging: 5-minute charge for 1 hour of playback.
- Spotify Tap for effortless Spotify access.
- Swift pair for quick pairing with Windows devices.
- Comfortable fit with multiple EarGel sizes.
Cons:
- Lacks high-resolution audio codecs.
- Fierce competition from premium earbuds such as Sony Wf-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Final Thoughts: Recommendation and Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Jabra Elite 10 both shine with their unique features and high-quality audio experiences. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to consider your taste, specific needs, and priorities.
If you prioritize a remarkably high-resolution, immersive audio experience, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds may be the ideal choice. With Bose Immersive Audio and strong industry-leading noise cancellation, they offer a sound that feels like it’s coming from in front of you, making your audio seem incredibly real. The quick charging option and long total listening time make them a practical choice for extended use.
On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 10 stands out with its strong noise cancellation, personalized noise cancellation based on your ear shape, and unique audio technologies like Dolby Head Tracking. The Swift Pair feature for Windows devices and Spotify Tap offer added convenience. Plus, the Elite 10 boasts a longer total listening time.
Consider your priorities, whether it’s immersive audio, personalized noise cancellation, or versatile connectivity, and choose the earbuds that align with your preferences. Both options offer exceptional audio quality and are well-equipped to cater to a range of user needs.
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