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To pair Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, disconnect any charging cable, turn them on, then hold the Bluetooth/power control until the light flashes blue or a voice prompt says they are ready to connect. Select the headphones in your phone or computer’s Bluetooth settings. A TV can connect only if it supports Bluetooth audio output to headphones.
Before you start: check the model and pairing mode
Bose lists the original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, sold from 2023, and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), sold from 2025. The Bose support pages do not establish that every control label or setup flow is identical across both generations. If your controls or menus differ, use the manual for your exact generation.
Bluetooth is disabled while the headphones are charging, so unplug the charging cable before pairing. Turn on the headphones and hold the Bluetooth/power control until the Bluetooth light flashes blue or a voice prompt confirms they are “Ready to connect.”
Bose recommends using the Bose app for setup and Bluetooth management. You can also pair through the phone or computer’s Bluetooth menu.
#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.
Pair the headphones with a phone
- Disconnect the charging cable and turn on the headphones.
- Hold the Bluetooth/power control until the light flashes blue or you hear the pairing prompt.
- Open Bluetooth settings on your phone, find the available devices list, and select Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Follow any prompt shown on the phone.
Bluetooth menu names vary by phone and operating system, so look for the Bluetooth device list rather than relying on one set of menu labels.
Pair the headphones with a laptop
- Put the headphones in pairing mode by holding the Bluetooth/power control until the light flashes blue or the voice prompt confirms they are ready to connect.
- Open the laptop’s Bluetooth settings and select Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones from the available devices.
- If the laptop reports that the headphones are connected but sound still comes from its speakers, select the Bose headphones as the computer’s audio output device.
Audio-output controls differ across operating systems; pairing and selecting the playback device are separate steps.
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.
Pair the headphones with a TV
- Check the TV’s specifications or manual to confirm it can send audio to Bluetooth headphones. Bluetooth support for a remote or other accessory does not necessarily mean the TV supports Bluetooth audio output.
- Put the headphones in pairing mode.
- Open the TV’s sound or Bluetooth audio-output settings and select the Bose headphones. Menu names and compatibility vary by TV model.
If the TV does not offer Bluetooth audio output, check the TV maker’s supported audio connections. Bose lists a 2.5 mm-to-3.5 mm audio cable as an accessory, but whether a cable can connect the TV depends on the TV’s audio output and the correct connection. The headphones must be powered on when used with an auxiliary cable.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsConnect to two devices and switch audio
The headphones can maintain Bluetooth connections to two source devices at once, but play audio from only one at a time. To switch, pause playback on the first device and start it on the second. The headphones can also receive phone calls from both connected devices.
Rank #3
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
To hear which devices are connected, press and release the Bluetooth/power button; Bose says the headphones announce the connected devices. To disable multipoint, open the Bose app and go to Settings > Bluetooth Connections. Turning it off disconnects the secondary device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot pairing and connection problems
The headphones do not appear in the device list
- Confirm the headphones are in pairing mode and unplugged from the charging cable.
- Move the source device closer. Bose recommends keeping it within 10 meters (33 feet) when troubleshooting dropped Bluetooth connections; walls, doors, and electronic interference can reduce range.
- Check that the source device’s Bluetooth is on, then refresh or reopen its list of available devices.
The headphones connect to the wrong device
Pause or disconnect the other source, then select the headphones on the device you want to use. If the headphones are already connected to two sources, a previously paired nearby device may be the one playing audio.
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.
A previously paired connection no longer works
Remove the Bose headphones from the source device’s saved Bluetooth list, including duplicate entries labeled “LE,” then pair again. If that does not help, clear the headphones’ saved device memory and retry the pairing process.
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Windows says connected, but the connection drops
Bose’s Windows troubleshooting guidance suggests checking the Bluetooth adapter’s power-management setting in Device Manager. This remedy applies to Windows; it is not a general setting for phones, TVs, or other computer operating systems.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SPATIAL AUDIO HEADPHONES: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with spatial audio give you an immersive experience that makes music feel more real; CustomTune technology offers personalized sound, shaped to you
- NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES: These wireless noise cancelling headphones feature Quiet Mode, Aware Mode and Immersion Mode, which combines full noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio
- HEADPHONES WITH MIC: Microphones focus on the sound of your voice and the bluetooth headphones with microphone filter out background noise for the clearest phone calls of any Bose headphones
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Soft ear cushions hug your ears, the band spreads pressure evenly and elevated materials let you make a statement with these noise cancelling over-the-ear headphones
- WIRELESS HEADPHONES BLUETOOTH: Advanced Bluetooth 5.3 offers connection within 30 feet of your device; SimpleSync allows you to sync with a Bose smart soundbar so you can listen to TV at your own volume
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