Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling Review
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are a safe, comfortable pair that doesn't justify their premium price. In a crowded field, they bring good, not great, performance.
The 30-Second Version
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the definition of a safe bet that doesn't pay off. It's comfortable and capable, but it brings a butter knife to a gunfight against Sony and Apple. Save your money or spend it on the competition.
Overview
Look, Bose is trying to do a lot with the QuietComfort Ultra. They're throwing spatial audio, ear-shape tuning, and a new 'Immersive' mode at you. But here's the one thing to know: this feels like a mid-cycle refresh, not a true second-gen leap. The core experience is still classic Bose—comfortable, reliable, with solid noise canceling. The new tricks are interesting, but they don't fundamentally change the game against the established champs.
Performance
What surprised us? Honestly, how middle-of-the-road the scores are in our database. For a flagship headphone, landing around the 48th to 50th percentile for sound, ANC, and comfort means it's good, not great. It's not bad by any stretch, but when you're paying premium prices, you expect to be in the top tier. The new CustomTune feature is neat, but it doesn't seem to translate into a massive sonic advantage over the competition.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Classic Bose comfort that you can wear for hours. 99th
- Reliable, consistent performance across the board. 98th
- The new Immersive Audio mode is a fun gimmick for movies. 96th
- Build quality feels solid and premium. 91th
Cons
- Sound and ANC are merely 'good', not class-leading. 25th
- Battery life is just okay in a world of 40+ hour champs.
- The price is steep for what is essentially an incremental update.
- The microphone quality is fine, but not amazing for calls.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Mic/R |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Codecs | BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening. |
| Surround | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Mic/Remote - Driftwood Sand | BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everythin |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Profiles | A2DP, HFP, AVRCP |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling |
| Range | 9.1 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 30 |
| Charge Time | 3 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 2 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| App | Android |
| Volume Limiting | No |
Value & Pricing
At $400+, the value proposition is shaky. You're paying for the Bose brand and some new software features, not for top-tier performance. If pure audio quality or noise cancellation is your top priority, your money goes further elsewhere.
vs Competition
This is a three-way fight. The Sony WH-1000XM5 still has better noise cancellation and longer battery life for the same price. The Apple AirPods Max, while more expensive, offers a more seamless ecosystem experience and superior spatial audio if you're in that world. The Bose sits in the middle: more comfortable than the Sony for some, with more features than the older Bose QC45, but it doesn't clearly beat either of its main rivals in any single category.
| Spec | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Mic/R | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | — | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | — | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 24 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | 30 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Immersive Audio mode worth it?
It's a fun party trick for movies and some music, making things sound bigger. But for critical music listening, most people will prefer it off. It doesn't magically turn stereo tracks into a concert hall.
Q: How's the battery life in real use?
The rated 30 hours is decent, but with ANC and Immersive Audio on, expect less. It's fine for a week of commutes, but it's not setting any records. The Sony WH-1000XM5 lasts longer.
Q: Should I upgrade from the Bose QC45?
Probably not. You get Immersive Audio and slightly better call quality, but the core ANC and sound experience are very similar. Unless those new features really call to you, stick with what you have.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for the absolute best noise cancellation or the most detailed sound at this price, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM5. Also, if you're on a tight budget, there are fantastic headphones $100 cheaper that get you 90% of the way there.
Verdict
We can't give a full-throated recommendation. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is a perfectly good pair of headphones. But 'perfectly good' isn't enough at this price. Unless you are a die-hard Bose fan who needs the latest model, or you absolutely love the fit of their earcups, you should look at the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Sennheiser Momentum 4 first. This is a side-grade, not an upgrade.