Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Wireless Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Technics EAH-AZ100

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Technics EAH-AZ100 score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Ranked #5 in Best Wireless Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
4 sources$299as of Oct 11

Reviewers widely call the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds the best noise-cancelling earbuds available, with comfort, powerful bass, and top-tier ANC behind that verdict. Two things to know before buying: switching on immersive audio cuts battery life sharply, and the case does not support wireless charging. The price is high, and they remain the top choice if sound quality and silence are what you are after.

Strengths
  • — Delivers punchy, musical sound with solid, weighty bass
  • — Provides excellent active noise cancellation that outperforms rivals
  • — Offers a comfortable, secure fit with a design similar to the QuietComfort Earbuds II
Watch-outs
  • — Using Immersive Audio significantly slashes battery life
  • — Lacks wireless charging support for the charging case
  • — High MSRP of $299 makes them expensive compared to some competitors
Technics EAH-AZ100
Ranked #4 in Best Wireless Earbuds
Technics EAH-AZ100
5 sources$250as of Sep 25

Noise cancellation is where the Technics EAH-AZ100 shines, backed by LDAC support and a passthrough mode you can customize. Buyers should weigh the high price, the bulky design, and a sound profile some listeners find unusual. Even with those drawbacks, it stays a strong option for anyone who wants a distinct alternative to the mainstream picks.

Strengths
  • — Top-notch active noise cancellation that effectively blocks airplane engine noise, per PCMag
  • — Supports LDAC codec for high-resolution audio streaming, as What Hi-Fi notes
  • — Includes a highly effective passthrough mode for commuting, according to SoundGuys
Watch-outs
  • — Sound signature described by SoundGuys as 'odd' or unconventional
  • — Earbuds and case are notably large and chunky compared to competitors
  • — High price point of $299.99 may deter some buyers

How they stack up

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are rated for 6 hours with ANC on, against 7 hours for the Sennheiser Momentum TW4 and up to 8 hours for the Sony WF-1000XM6. Their case lacks wireless charging, which the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Sennheiser list as Qi. Their codecs are SBC and AAC, where the Sony adds LDAC.

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 supports LDAC, as the Sony WF-1000XM6 does, and its case charges wirelessly over Qi, which the case of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds does not support. Its earbuds and case are large and chunky, and the Sennheiser Momentum TW4 is also described as physically large. Its sound signature is called odd by SoundGuys.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsTechnics EAH-AZ100
Driver6mm4.5mm Dynamic
Weight0.37 oz (10.5g) per earbud17g per earbud
ANCActive Noise CancellationYes
CodecSBC, AACSBC, AAC, LDAC
Water ResistanceIPX4IPX4
Battery Life6 hours (ANC on)7.5 hours
WaterIPX4IPX4
Quick Charge—15 min = 90 min
Wireless Charging—Qi
Dimensions—0.83 x 1.02 x 0.98 in
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