Sony WF-C710N
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Cheaper alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Updated November 4, 2026
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
What buyers love: how it sounds.
WF-C710N instead of QC Ultra Earbuds?
WF-C710N pros
Well under half the price
Big saving
Longer battery per charge
Fewer top-ups
WF-C710N cons
Less quiet against voices
Noticed in offices
No wireless charging case
Cable charging only
- Is the WF-C710N as good?
- Mostly: less quiet against voices, longer battery.
- What's the difference?
- Bose: quietest buds, best fit. Sony: longer battery, lighter.
- Is the QC Ultra Earbuds worth the extra?
- Yes for frequent flyers and heavy callers.
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What are you actually paying extra for with the QC Ultra Earbuds?
What the extra money buys
- The strongest noise canceling in earbuds, reviewers say
- A secure fit with stability bands
- Clear calls, even beside traffic
- Punchy sound that earned five stars
Worth it if
- You want total quiet on planes and trains
- You take lots of calls on the move
- Buds that stay put while walking matter
Not worth it if
- Your ears find big buds uncomfortable
- You mostly listen at home
Other alternatives
Cheapest worth buying
EarFun Air Pro 4
- LDAC and aptX Adaptive for better Bluetooth on Android
- Wireless charging case, like the Bose
Best for: Android users who want lots of features for the least money
Catch: Sudden noises get through, and the mic sounds tinny.
About a third of the QC Ultra Earbuds's price
Good to know
Why we picked the WF-C710N, and our final recommendation.
Only with the WF-C710N
- Longer battery per charge
- Lighter buds in the ear
- Well under half the price
- Some quiet against voices and chatter
- Bose's secure stability bands
- aptX Adaptive and wireless charging
Tom's Guide found its noise canceling held up well against Bose for a fraction of the price. What Hi-Fi agreed it improved on Sony's older model, but said pricier rivals block mids and highs better. The charging case has no wireless charging, and the buds only take a splash.
Final recommendation: Buy the Sony WF-C710N for good quiet, long battery and great calls at a fraction of the price. Choose the EarFun Air Pro 4 if you use Android and want the most features for the least money. Stay with the Bose for the quietest flights and the most secure fit.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Budget | Budget |
| Battery per charge, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 6 hours | Up to 8.5 hours | Up to 7.5 hours |
| With the case, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 35 hours |
| Weight per bud | About 7.7 g (0.27 oz) | 5.2 g (0.18 oz) | – |
| Fit | Sealed tips with stability bands | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LC3 |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth upgrading to?
Only from older buds. Reviewers found the second generation a small step on: slightly better noise canceling, clearer calls and a wireless charging case. Battery life and design barely changed.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds fit small ears?
Not always. Reviewers found them secure and comfortable, but the buds are large and stick out. Les Numériques noted the fit is excellent only if your ears suit their size, so buy where returns are easy.
Which is best for calls, the Bose, the Sony or the EarFun?
The Bose, whose microphones kept traffic in the background in reviews. The Sony WF-C710N is also very good for the price. The EarFun's microphone sounded tinny in one review.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Bose: QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), What Hi-Fi?: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review, TechRadar: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review, HIFI.DE: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) test, Sony Canada: WF-C710N specifications, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-C710N review, Tom's Guide: Sony WF-C710N review, EarFun: Air Pro 4, Android Central: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, PC Gamer: EarFun Air Pro 4 review.