iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are a strong choice if you want powerful noise cancellation, comfortable over-ear listening, and flexible wired and wireless connections. Their main trade-offs are a premium launch price, spatial-audio features that may not suit everyone, reliance on the Bose app for full setup and updates, and no water-resistance rating. This article covers the 2025 2nd Gen model; the original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones launched in 2023 and have different specifications.
What are the main pros and cons?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptionally effective noise cancellation, according to TechRadar’s reviewer. | Premium launch pricing; the launch figures are not current price quotes. |
| Comfortable, foldable design praised by TechRadar, with fit and heat varying by person. | Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode are optional, taste-dependent features. |
| USB-C audio, Bluetooth multipoint for two devices, and physical controls. | The Bose app is required for full feature access, settings, and updates. |
| Bose rates battery life at up to 30 hours in the standard mode. | No waterproofing claim or IP rating; not suited to wet conditions. |
What are the advantages of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?
Strong noise cancellation for travel and noisy spaces
Bose says the 2nd Gen uses an updated adaptive noise-cancellation algorithm, and TechRadar’s reviewer praised its real-world cancellation as exceptionally effective. That is a reviewer judgment, not a published controlled comparison against every competing headphone. The Quiet, Aware, and Immersive Audio modes let you choose between stronger isolation, hearing more of your surroundings, or spatial processing.
Comfortable, foldable construction
Bose describes plush cushions, an adjustable headband, and a foldable build. TechRadar praised the headphones’ comfort and portability. Those impressions cannot guarantee a good fit for every head or ears that stay cool during long sessions, so comfort is best treated as personal rather than universal.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Useful USB-C audio and flexible connections
The 2nd Gen adds lossless USB-C audio, and TechRadar reports support for up to 24-bit/48 kHz over USB-C. Bose also says the headphones can be charged while in use. For wireless listening, they use Bluetooth 5.4 and support multipoint connections to two source devices. TechRadar reports Bluetooth support for SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive; aptX Adaptive requires a compatible source device.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
Controls include physical buttons and a volume touch strip, while the Bose app offers customizable shortcuts. Bose’s CustomTune feature is designed to adapt playback to a listener’s ear shape; that is a product feature, not independent proof of superior sound quality.
Battery life varies by listening mode
Bose’s published maximum playback ratings for the 2nd Gen are up to 30 hours, 23 hours with Immersive Audio on, or 45 hours with ANC turned off. These are manufacturer ratings, not guaranteed runtimes for every volume level, connection, or listening pattern. Bose support also lists a 15-minute charge for up to three hours of playback, or up to two hours with Immersive Audio; check the support specification for your market.
Rank #2
- 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.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
What are the drawbacks?
Launch price was high, and current prices may differ
TechRadar listed the 2nd Gen launch price in 2025 as $449 in the US, £449 in the UK, and AU$699 in Australia. These are historical launch prices, not current offers. TechRadar’s reviewer considered some rivals better value and described the earcup plastics as somewhat hard and thin, while still praising the overall build and experience. Check local prices before deciding whether the Bose features justify the cost for you.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Spatial audio is not a must-have for everyone
Bose presents Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode as ways to spatialize music, video, and spoken-word listening. What Hi-Fi’s reviewer was not fully convinced by the spatial effects and found Motion distracting. That is a matter of preference, not evidence that the feature is defective. If you prefer conventional stereo, you can leave spatial modes off; consider their value an extra rather than the core reason to buy.
Rank #3
- 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.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
Full feature access depends on the Bose app
Bluetooth pairing can be completed without the Bose app, but Bose says the app is needed for full feature access, adjustments, and software updates. TechRadar found the app stable and easy to navigate, but noted that it lacks streaming-service integration. If you want to manage settings and updates, expect to use the app.
No stated protection against water
Bose says these headphones are not waterproof and do not have an IP rating. That leaves no stated water-protection basis for using them in rain, during heavy-sweat workouts, or in wet environments.
Rank #4
- 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.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
How should you choose between the 2nd Gen and alternatives?
The evidence here does not establish a current price or a controlled head-to-head comparison with the standard QuietComfort model or other rivals. Compare current local prices and decide which features you will actually use:
- Prioritize cancellation and comfort: The 2nd Gen’s strongest case is its highly praised ANC, foldable design, and comfort noted by TechRadar’s reviewer.
- Prefer familiar stereo listening: You can leave Immersive Audio off, but weigh the premium price against alternatives that meet your needs without spatial features.
- Need wired listening: The 2nd Gen’s lossless USB-C audio is a generation-specific reason to consider it; do not assume the original 2023 model has the same capability.
- Need water protection: These headphones have no IP rating, so look for a model whose water-protection claims match your intended use.
What changed in the 2nd Gen, and what should you check?
Bose announced the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) on September 10, 2025. Bose says they retain the first generation’s core technologies and add lossless USB-C audio, an updated adaptive ANC algorithm, Cinema Mode, longer battery life, and improved on-head detection. Specifications in this article refer to the 2nd Gen unless stated otherwise.
Best Value
- 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.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- LOSSLESS USB AUDIO: Over-the-ear headphones with USB-C audio for wired listening deliver crystal-clear lossless sound that reveals every nuance, so you can hear your fave song like it’s the first time all over again.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
What Hi-Fi reported in late September 2026 that a firmware update added Bluetooth LE Audio-related capabilities, including 5.1 spatial audio with head tracking on compatible Android devices, plus improved wired USB-C gaming and voice audio for compatible devices. Its report says LE Audio does not work with Apple devices. These capabilities depend on firmware, device hardware, operating system, and rollout; check current Bose update notes and compatibility for your specific devices before buying for them.
Quick Recap
- Confirm the listing says QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if you want the features and battery figures described here.
- Check current local pricing rather than relying on the 2025 launch prices.
- Check your phone or computer’s support for the Bluetooth codec or newer LE Audio feature you intend to use.
- Decide whether you will use the Bose app for setup, settings, and updates.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
