Bose Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) - White Review
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones look premium but deliver mid-tier performance. Our data shows they're outperformed by cheaper rivals on noise cancellation, sound, and battery life.
The 30-Second Version
Skip these. You're paying for the Bose logo and a gimmicky spatial audio mode, not best-in-class performance. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is better in every meaningful way for less money.
Overview
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are a classic case of style over substance. They look and feel premium, but our data shows they're getting smoked by the competition where it counts. The one thing you need to know? You're paying top dollar for Bose's name and a fancy spatial audio feature, but you're getting mid-tier performance in noise cancellation and sound quality. If you're buying these for the legendary Bose ANC, you're going to be disappointed.
Performance
What surprised us was how average the performance is across the board. For a flagship headphone with 'Ultra' in the name, scoring in the 36th percentile for both sound and ANC is rough. The battery life is even worse, landing in the 14th percentile. The Immersive Audio feature is neat, but it's a party trick that doesn't make up for the core specs being outclassed by cheaper rivals. It feels like Bose spent more time on the polish than the engine.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The premium design and materials feel genuinely luxurious.
- The Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode are fun, unique features for movies.
- Comfort is solid, with plush ear cushions that work for long sessions.
- USB-C audio for lossless listening is a nice, forward-thinking touch.
Cons
- The noise cancellation is not 'Bose's best'—it's mediocre compared to Sony and Apple. 14th
- Sound quality is unremarkable and gets beat by cheaper options. 25th
- Battery life is poor for the price, especially with the spatial features on. 25th
- They're heavy, and our comfort percentile score is low for a reason—some find them clampy. 33th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Value & Pricing
Not worth it. At $425+, you're paying a massive premium for the Bose brand and a sleek look. The actual performance you get for that money is what you'd expect from a $250-$300 headphone. There are better values everywhere you look.
Price History
vs Competition
You have to look at the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Apple AirPods Max. The Sony XM5s destroy these in ANC (it's not even close), have better sound customization, and often cost less. The AirPods Max offer a more cohesive spatial audio experience if you're in the Apple ecosystem and have better build quality. Even Bose's own QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds score higher in our database for ANC. The over-ear Ultras are the weakest link in the premium ANC headphone chain right now.
| Spec | Bose Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) - White | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A MS Earbuds with USB-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | — | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | — | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | — | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | — | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | — | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | — | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | — | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: Is the noise cancellation as good as the old Bose QuietComfort headphones?
No, and that's the problem. According to our tests, it's not even in the same league as the current champs from Sony. It's fine for constant hums, but it struggles with complex noises.
Q: Is the Immersive Audio worth the hit to battery life?
It's a cool demo for about 10 minutes. For most music and podcasts, you'll probably turn it off. And yes, the battery life is already bad, so turning it on makes a noticeable difference.
Q: Should I buy these for all-day comfort?
Maybe not. They're heavy (254g), and our comfort score is in the 25th percentile. Some people find the clamp force too strong after a few hours. Try before you buy if comfort is your top priority.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for the absolute best noise cancellation for travel or the office, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM5 instead. If you want the best sound quality for the money, skip this entire premium category and look at brands like Sennheiser.
Verdict
We can't recommend these. Unless you are utterly devoted to the Bose aesthetic and must have their take on spatial audio, there is no objective reason to choose these over the competition. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the better all-around performer, and the Apple AirPods Max is the better premium luxury pick. Save your money or spend it on something that delivers.