Name: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Brand: Bose

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Short verdict: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are a careful refresh rather than a reinvention: same comfortable design, noise cancelling that many reviewers still rank as the best available, and fixes for the original's biggest weaknesses – battery life rises to up to 30 hours and you can now listen over USB-C. The sound is better balanced than before, but Sony's WH-1000XM6 still sounds more detailed and offers far more customisation. If silence and all-day comfort matter most, especially if you wear glasses, these are the headphones to get.

Rating: 4.5/5

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) at a glance

Bose announced the second-generation QC Ultra Headphones on 10 September 2025 and released them on 2 October 2025 at $449, $20 more than the original's $429 launch price. Like most premium headphones, they're regularly discounted, so it pays to shop around.

Spec	Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
US launch price	$449
Release date	2 October 2025
Battery (Bose rating)	Up to 30 h (ANC on); 23 h with Immersive Audio; 45 h with ANC off
Quick charge	15 minutes gives up to 3 hours
Full charge	About 3 hours
Weight	0.58 lb (about 264 g) per Bose
Bluetooth	5.4 with multipoint (two devices)
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (Snapdragon Sound phones)
Wired listening	USB-C lossless (16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz); 2.5 mm analogue jack with 3.5 mm cable
Listening modes	Quiet, Aware, Immersion, Cinema (plus custom modes)
EQ	3-band plus CustomTune calibration
Water resistance	None (no IP rating)
Colours	Black, White Smoke, plus limited editions

What changed from the 1st Gen

On the outside, very little. The shape, materials, folding design and case are essentially the same as the 2023 original, with shinier polished metal yokes being the most obvious visual change. The improvements are inside:

Longer battery life: up to 30 hours with ANC, up from 24 hours on the original. Switch ANC off and Bose rates it at up to 45 hours, something the 1st Gen couldn't do at all.
USB-C audio: you can now listen digitally over USB-C, lossless at up to 16-bit/48 kHz, and it doubles as a low-latency wired connection for laptops and gaming.
Cinema mode: a third Immersive Audio setting alongside Still and Motion, tuned for films and TV.
Refined ANC: a new algorithm that Bose says is more precise, plus smoother handling of sudden loud noises in Aware mode.
ANC can be turned off completely or adjusted manually in the app.
Smarter power management: faster start-up when you put them on, and a deep-sleep standby mode Bose says lasts months when the headphones are folded or laid flat.
Tuning tweaks: Bose claims deeper bass at high volumes and more natural treble.

SoundGuys, which reviewed both generations, concluded that owners of the original don't need to upgrade, but that the 2nd Gen is the one to buy if you're new to the Ultra line.

Noise cancelling

Bose's reputation rests on ANC, and the 2nd Gen doesn't disappoint. Tom's Guide called them the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy, and after six months with both, its reviewer said Bose still blocked out more than Sony's WH-1000XM6, even though the Sony became their overall favourite. What Hi-Fi also describes the ANC as class-leading.

Lab measurements tell a closer story. SoundGuys found the 2nd Gen's gross attenuation roughly the same as the original's, which was already excellent, and RTINGS' comparison gives the Sony a slight edge on average noise isolation. Several reviewers note that Bose's Quiet mode goes especially deep on steady low drones such as aircraft engines, but it can create a faint pressure sensation; SoundGuys' reviewer experienced "eardrum suck", which some people are sensitive to.

In practice, the 2nd Gen will make a plane cabin, train or open-plan office very quiet. The difference between this and the best rivals is small; the difference between this and midrange headphones is large.

Aware mode remains one of the most natural transparency modes available, and ActiveSense now handles sudden spikes in noise, such as a passing siren, more smoothly.

Sound quality

The 2nd Gen sound fuller and more controlled than the original. What Hi-Fi says they make meaningful gains, sounding more solid and musically tighter while losing a layer of excess richness. SoundGuys measured a bass boost of around 3–6 dB over its target curve and found the tuning closer to its preferred response than the 1st Gen, which had more aggressive bass and a sharper treble peak.

Where the Bose falls short is in detail and control:

Limited EQ. You get a 3-band equaliser, compared with Sony's 10-band EQ. Tweakers will find it restrictive.
Rivals sound more engaging. What Hi-Fi says Sony, Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins have moved ahead on sound, and Tom's Guide found the Bose better for background listening than for sitting down and really focusing on music.
No LDAC. High-resolution Bluetooth is available only with aptX Adaptive on Snapdragon Sound phones, which excludes iPhones and many Android phones.

The new USB-C audio is a real plus for anyone who wants lossless playback from a laptop or phone, and SoundGuys points out that Sony's WH-1000XM6 can't do this.

Immersive Audio and Cinema mode

Bose's Immersive Audio turns any stereo source into spatial audio, and it works with any device. You get three options:

Still: keeps the sound fixed in front of you, like listening to speakers.
Motion: designed for walking and commuting, with the soundstage following your head.
Cinema (new): widens and balances the sound for films, TV, podcasts and audiobooks, keeping dialogue clear.

Reactions are mixed. Some reviewers enjoy Cinema mode for watching films on a plane, while SoundGuys found it disappointing because it simulates speakers in a room rather than true surround sound. Immersive Audio also costs battery: Bose rates it at 23 hours rather than 30. Treat it as a nice extra rather than a reason to buy.

Comfort and fit (including with glasses)

Comfort is the QC Ultra's strongest point. Reviewers consistently describe them as among the most comfortable over-ear headphones available, with plush cushions and a light plastic build that doesn't clamp hard. SoundGuys calls them mercifully light.

A few caveats from long-term reviews:

Heat: as with most leather-effect over-ears, ears get warm on long sessions.
Ear contact: some people's ears touch the inside of the cushions.
Fingerprints: the polished metal yokes pick up smudges, a common complaint.

For glasses wearers, the Bose are a strong choice. The soft cushions seal around spectacle arms better than firmer designs, and SoundGuys recommends the Bose over the Sony WH-1000XM6 specifically for people who wear glasses. See our guide to the best headphones for glasses wearers for more options.

Keeping the cushions clean extends their life; our headphone cleaning and maintenance guide explains how.

Battery life

Bose rates the 2nd Gen at up to 30 hours with ANC on, 23 hours with Immersive Audio, and 45 hours with ANC off. In SoundGuys' test they lasted a little over 27 hours with ANC, a clear improvement on the 1st Gen, though still short of Sony's XM6, which lasted over 37 hours in the same test. A 15-minute charge gives up to 3 hours, and you can listen while charging.

The new standby behaviour mostly works well, but there's a catch: SoundGuys found that folding the headphones can stop the lay-flat pause feature from working, which could drain the battery if you don't turn them off.

Calls and microphones

Call quality is good rather than exceptional. Reviewers report voices come through loud and clear, though sometimes a little distant or echoey, and SoundGuys noticed occasional dips when noise reduction works hard in busy places. In SoundGuys' listener poll comparing the two, more people preferred the Bose microphone than Sony's (51% vs 26%, with the rest calling it roughly even).

Controls, app and connectivity

Controls use two physical buttons and a capacitive touch strip for volume. Many reviewers are not fans: Tom's Guide called the touch controls woeful, and SoundGuys' staff also found them awkward. You can assign shortcuts in the Bose app.

The Bose app is simple compared with Sony's: modes, a 3-band EQ, shortcuts and Immersive Audio settings. Multipoint lets you connect two devices at once, and Google Fast Pair speeds up pairing on Android. There's no IP rating, so avoid heavy rain and the gym.

Which Bose should you buy?

Bose now sells several noise cancelling headphones, and the right one depends on your budget:

Model	US launch price	Battery (ANC on)	Immersive Audio	USB-C audio
QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)	$449	Up to 30 h	Yes, incl. Cinema	Yes
QC Ultra Headphones (1st Gen)	$429	Up to 24 h	Still and Motion	No
QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)	$359	Up to 24 h	Yes, incl. Cinema	Yes
QuietComfort SC	Lower, varies by retailer	Up to 24 h	No	No

Buy the QC Ultra (2nd Gen) if you want Bose's best ANC, the longest battery and USB-C audio, and plan to keep them for years.
Buy a discounted QC Ultra (1st Gen) if you find one at a big discount. ANC and comfort are very close, and many people won't miss USB-C audio or the extra battery. Don't pay close to full price for it.
Consider the new QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) launched in August 2026 at $359. They bring Immersive Audio, Cinema mode and USB-C lossless audio to a cheaper model, though battery is rated at up to 24 hours.
Buy the QuietComfort SC if value comes first. It's the original QuietComfort Headphones with a soft case, often heavily discounted, with excellent ANC and comfort. Read our Bose QuietComfort SC review.

Still deciding between Bose and Sony? Our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) comparison goes category by category.

Pros and cons

Pros

Among the strongest noise cancelling available
Exceptionally comfortable, good with glasses
Battery up to 30 hours, 45 with ANC off
Lossless USB-C audio and wired low-latency listening
Excellent Aware mode
Immersive Audio works with any source
Compact folding case

Cons

Sound less detailed than the Sony WH-1000XM6
Only a 3-band EQ
Fiddly touch volume controls
Shorter real-world battery life than Sony
No LDAC; aptX Adaptive needs a Snapdragon Sound phone
No water resistance
Small upgrade for 1st Gen owners

Who should buy the Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)

Frequent flyers and commuters who prioritise ANC above everything.
Glasses wearers and anyone who wears headphones for many hours a day.
People who don't want to tinker: the Bose works brilliantly out of the box.
Laptop users who want lossless or low-latency wired audio over USB-C.

Skip them if you already own the 1st Gen, want the most detailed sound and deepest customisation (look at the Sony WH-1000XM6), or need something sweatproof for the gym.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen worth it?

For most buyers who want top-tier noise cancelling and comfort, yes. At full price they're expensive, but discounts are common, and they fix the original's short battery life and lack of wired digital audio.

What is the difference between the Bose QC Ultra 1st Gen and 2nd Gen?

The 2nd Gen adds up to 30 hours of battery (from 24), lossless USB-C audio, Cinema mode, the option to turn ANC off entirely for up to 45 hours, refined ANC and a better standby mode. Design, comfort and core ANC performance are very similar.

Are the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen better than the Sony WH-1000XM6?

It depends on your priorities. The Bose tends to win on comfort, glasses-friendliness and, for many reviewers, ANC. The Sony wins on sound detail, EQ, app features and battery life. See our full Sony vs Bose comparison.

Can you use the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen with a wire?

Yes. You can listen over USB-C (digital, lossless) or use the included 2.5 mm-to-3.5 mm cable for analogue listening, for example with in-flight entertainment.

Do the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen support multipoint?

Yes. They connect to two devices at once over Bluetooth 5.4.

Are the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen waterproof?

No. They have no IP rating, so keep them out of heavy rain and don't use them for sweaty workouts.

How long does the battery last?

Bose rates them at up to 30 hours with ANC, 23 hours with Immersive Audio and 45 hours with ANC off. SoundGuys measured just over 27 hours with ANC on.

Final verdict

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) take the most comfortable, best noise cancelling headphones of 2023 and fix what held them back: battery life, wired audio and power management. They don't beat the Sony WH-1000XM6 for sound quality or features, and 1st Gen owners have little reason to upgrade. But if you want to put on a pair of headphones, hear nothing and forget you're wearing them for a long-haul flight, these are still the ones to beat, especially at a discount.