The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are above-average in-ear headphones for most use cases. They have decent sound quality that packs a lot of bass and a comfortable earbud fit that you can wear for hours. They're stable for sports, lightweight, and compact. They also barely leak and block a good amount of noise, but since they're wired, they may not be as convenient for everyday casual use as some of the more recent wireless models from Bose, like the Bose QuietControl 30.
Our Verdict
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are above-average for mixed usage. They're comfortable and easy to carry around. They also have a well-balanced sound that's good for casual and even critical listening. Their earbud fit also passively blocks a lot of noise, so they're a decent option for commuting and use in louder environments. They have no latency since they're wired, making them versatile enough for watching movies and gaming, but their mic is incompatible with consoles. Their range is limited by the relatively short audio cable, so they won't be as convenient as some of the other wireless models by Bose.
- Stable and comfortable fit.
- Above-average audio reproduction.
- Minimal leakage.
- Mediocre noise isolation.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are above-average for neutral listening. They're comfortable earbuds with a decently well-balanced sound that packs a lot of bass. Depending on the fit of the earbud design, they sound a bit dark, which changes their bass profile. Overall, they should sound good enough for most listeners. Unfortunately, since they are closed-back earbuds, they do not have the most spacious soundstage for more neutral listening.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are above-average for commuting. They're very portable and have a good control scheme. Also, although their isolation is passive, it's sufficient to block the ambient noise of a regular commute but won't be as good as noise cancelling headphones for low-frequency rumbles like that of an engine.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are good for sports use. They have a stable and comfortable fit that won't fall while exercising. They're also small enough to carry around on your person everywhere you go. Also, their passive isolation is more than sufficient for the ambient noise of a gym. However, since their wired, they may hinder your movements a bit and may get yanked out of your ears if the cable gets hooked by something, which makes them a bit less stable.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are average for office use. They barely leak, so you can play your music at high volumes and not distract your colleagues. They also block a lot of noise passively and are comfortable wearing for long listening sessions. Unfortunately, their wired range might be a bit limiting.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are average for gaming. They're comfortable, have good sound, and have a low-latency wired connection. Unfortunately, the iOS variant isn't compatible with consoles, and, like most gaming headsets, it lacks a good app to customize its sound profile.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 02, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra are above-average, decently well-designed headphones. They have a comfortable earbud fit that's similar to the QuietComfort 20 and QuietControl 30. They're stable enough to be used at the gym, and they barely leak any sound, so you can listen to music at high volumes without distracting people around you. They have one of the best sound quality for a wired in-ear but they may be a bit pricey compared to some of the better-built in-ears below.
See our recommendations for the best noise cancelling in-ear headphones, the best closed-back headphones, and the best travel headphones.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear are better, wired headphones than the Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear. The Bose have a more comfortable earbud design that most will prefer over the fit of the Sennheiser. The Bose also have a better-balanced sound and a more stable design for sports. On the other hand, the Sennheiser In-Ear have a bit more isolation in loud, noisy environments, although not by much. They also have an easier to use in-line remote than the Bose.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear are a slightly better headphone overall than the KZ ZS-10. The Bose have a more comfortable earbud fit, which most will prefer over the in-ear design of the KZ. They also have an in-line remote and a mic so you can more easily use them with your phone, and they're more convenient when gaming. On the other hand, the KZ are better built, with a replaceable cable. They also have a variant with a mic that should perform a little better than the Bose. The KZ also look a lot more premium than the Bose, especially for their price.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear might be a slightly better option over the Beats urBeats3 Earphones, thanks to their very comfortable earbud-like tips that don’t enter the ear canal as deeply. They also have a slightly more accurate audio reproduction. On the other hand, the Beats have a noticeably better microphone, and their in-ear fit isolates more noise than the Bose, making them a better option to use in public transit.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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