Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Noise Cancelling Headphones

Love the Cherry Chocolate 🍫

I just received these Bose headphones today and so far I love them! The sound or lack of noise is outstanding!!! I will update after a few weeks of use. charging was superb. Love the C-charge charging capabilities!

Downgrade from older model/not worth it!!

——I’m returning——not worth the upgrade from the Bose Quiet Comfort!!! READ THIS

I’ve had the Bose quiet comfort for 4 years and the sound difference is noticeably better on my old headphones, just cleaner. They removed the Siri feature on this model and the sound button controls are no longer buttons but an awkward slide motion.

I’m a big fan of Bose but am blown away by the genuine downgrade in sound quality and the removal of Siri.

My Bose quiet comfort would tell me the battery left when turned on, these don’t and the comfort level really isn’t anything different.

For the price difference I’m returning these and getting my older model instead. These are absolutely a beautiful aesthetic that is not worth the down grade. I guarantee im not the only OG Bose customer who’s going to notice this.

2:33

Excelente

Excelente sonido y cancelación de ruido es estupendo, te aísla completamente del exterior, el color dorado negro es hermoso!

Amazing sound, ANC, and design, but they slide off

These are probably the most beautiful headphones I’ve ever owned. They feel premium and solid, the materials are high quality, and the color is absolutely gorgeous. The sound is excellent right out of the box and even better with the Bose app.

The noise cancellation is incredible and does an excellent job blocking everyday background noise. Music sounds amazing, with great detail and clarity. The microphone, however, is just average. It works fine, but it’s definitely not the highlight of these headphones.

Unfortunately, the fit is the deal-breaker for me. I have a larger head, but they still don’t stay securely in place. If I look down, lean back, or bend over, they start sliding off. For a $400 pair of headphones, I don’t want to risk dropping and damaging them.

I’m genuinely sad to return them because I love the sound, ANC, comfort, quality, and beautiful design. If they fit your head securely, they’re fantastic.

0:22

Serena

September 6, 2026

color in promo photos is misleading

i love these headphones, i had the previous generation in the deep plum color so i knew i loved the quality already!

my only real complaint is the color is NOTHING like the pics in my opinion for the driftwood sand variation.

i enjoy the luxury feel and great sound of bose always, the controls work great and ive ever had an issue with the battery life. just wish the color was accurate to the picture! but i will be keeping them for sure.

Exelente sonido

Me encantaron ,son lo máximo ,lo recomiendo 💯

Carlitos

August 11, 2026

Great Nice Product

Ítem was recieved but the box has many scratches and dents

Perfect

It’s a perfect product! When I wear it, I feel like my world is so quiet! Finally, I can’t hear all the noise from the people in my office! 😂

And the color is so beautiful—just like a delicious cup of milk tea on the first day of autumn! 🍂🧋

I love it! ❤️

su funcionalidad y calidad

Son verdaderemente buenos

Totally Satisfied with the my purchase

I purchased the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) as a replacement for my original on Ear Bose Noise cancelling one. I'm very pleased with my purchase, the purpose of use is for travel and listening to my music library. Well worth the investment, connection was a breeze, call quality is clear, battery life has been outstanding.

These live up to the hype.

Got these back in January, best headphones I’ve had thus far. Great quality sound, noise cancelling is great. Battery life great. No notes. Comfort ability too, these are my go-to for the gym and they stay on no problem as well as the material has held up well against wear and tear + sweat. May come back to a year or two year update review to see how well they last but I’m optimistic.

0:17

Good Headphones, But The Noise Cancellation Is Overhyped

Are they worth getting? Yeah, I think so. But the way the noise cancellation is advertised sets expectations a little too high.

Bose markets these like they are going to completely shut the world out. In reality, that just has not been my experience.

I switch back and forth between these and my Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones, which are a couple years old and are not exactly known for incredible noise cancellation. Honestly, the difference between the two is not huge. The Bose might be a little better at identifying certain noises and softening them, but it is not some dramatic leap forward.

One reason I bought these was to block out a low volume TV when my son is watching something and I am trying to nap on the couch. They honestly do not do a great job with that. The noise cancellation is decent, but it definitely does not completely remove background noise like the marketing might suggest.

The audio quality is solid. Personally I wish there was a little more bass. My Momentum 4 still sound better overall, but these still sound good and most people will probably be very happy with the audio.

Where these really shine is comfort. Right now they are the only headphones I own that I can fall asleep with and not wake up hours later with my ears hurting. They are extremely comfortable and that alone is a big win.

I have also seen quite a few people complain online about bugs and software issues with these headphones, both before the recent update and even after the update came out. Some people even claim the update caused more problems. I have not experienced any of that personally. Mine have worked exactly the way they should the entire time.

Some of the different listening modes are pretty cool as well. I have not played with them a ton yet, but they are a nice feature to have.

The controls are a little lackluster. One or two extra buttons would have gone a long way in making them easier to use.

My final takeaway is that these are good headphones, just not great. Worth the money? Eh...yeah I guess. The noise cancellation is good, but do not expect some mind blowing next level technology.

Part of me expected something closer to the ear protection I use for firearms in terms of blocking out sound. At the same time, I understand there has to be a balance. If they sealed off sound that aggressively your ears would probably get hot and sweaty, and you still need some awareness of your surroundings for safety.

So overall they are good headphones, especially if comfort matters to you. Just do not expect the noise cancellation to completely blow your mind.

1:23

Hannah

January 8, 2026

A luxury and a half!

I have never liked over the ear headphones. The heads in my family run larger than others, and we all love that these aren't too tight. Apple in ear airpods do better at noise cancellation, but these are still pretty good for getting peace and tuning out house noises, and airplane noises.

OH MY GOSH THE IMMERSIVE AUDIO STILL mode is absolutely incredible; mind blowing, in fact. When I want an EXPERIENCE, I choose these over all other headphones. It makes music sound so beautiful, I cried playing some of those old songs that remind you of certain people.

The color is beautiful, the app that is connected is lovely for making sound adjustments, which you can also do on the exterior of the ear. I'm still getting used to the button-less volume adjustor on the outer ear, so that's a little hit and miss for me, but that could just be user error. Battery life is phenomenal, I've charged it maybe twice this past month? And it charges VERY quickly.

I had no clue I ordered the top of the line Bose headphones, but I saw someone talk about how they use this for peace and I can't tell you how lovely that's been for me too. It's the main reason I justified keeping them for the price, because I need to prioritize pauses in the business of how quickly the world moves.

I *wouldn't* work out in them because I'd get them all sweaty very quickly, and I don't think they have a tight enough grip to meet the demands of exercise, so I use airpods for that. But it's great for walks, work calls, meditation, and house work.

I've read that these Bose don't have great microphone capability, but I disagree, people hear me loud and clear when I've used them on busy streets.

Hope this helps someone out!

A Huge Upgrade — The Quietest, Most Comfortable Headset Around

A Huge Upgrade — The Quietest, Most Comfortable He

I just upgraded to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) after four years with my previous Bose headset—which still works great—and this new version feels like a major step forward.

What stands out immediately is the noise cancellation. My old Bose did a great job, but the Ultra model takes it to a completely new level. When I put these on, the world goes silent. On airplanes, cabin noise all but disappears. I use mine with an AirFly Pro to watch movies wirelessly, and the experience is outstanding. The sound quality is richer and more immersive. Bose’s new Spatialized Audio really does make the audio feel like it’s happening in front of you, not inside your head. Comfort is another big improvement. The materials feel more luxurious and solid. These headphones have a premium feel. I can wear them for long flights without any discomfort. The battery life is excellent, easily lasting through a full travel day.

Unlike my previous model, when you remove these headphones, they go into a low-power sleep mode. It used to be frustrating forgetting to turn off my old headphones and returning the next day with zero battery. The Bluetooth connection is smoother than my previous Bose. Pairing is almost instant, and the connection stays solid. Calls are also clearer thanks to the noise-rejecting microphones that filter out background noise.

Overall, this is the best pair of headphones I’ve ever owned. Bose kept everything I loved about my old set and improved every part of it—sound, comfort, noise cancellation, battery life, and connectivity. If you travel often or just want true peace and quiet, these are absolutely worth the upgrade. If you love hearing crisp and clear sound, this Bose headset improves the great sound I was used to and takes it to a new level.

Compared to QC Ultra Gen 1 and others

This review is going to be based on how much of an upgrade these are compared to the Gen 1 Over Ear Ultra and other previous generations:

Sound: Excellent sound over previous generations like the QC35 just like the Gen 1, but I do not think I can discern much of a different in the Gen 2 enough to justify the upgrade. If you don't have a set of Ultra's yet, you will enjoy an even more premium immersive experience with regard to the music and the way the bass can "hit" a more.

User Interface: Identical to the Gen 1. The multi-function button has more options than the older generation option (aka the QC35 button). I like the volume slider vs buttons because it allows you to make smaller volume adjustments vs pre-determined volume adjustments. It can also increase or decrease the volume more quickly. You keep your finder on the touch slider and move it in either direction slowly. I really want a touch panel like the Bose 700 for the track management features. I do not like having to click past 2x to do something. Click the multi-function button 2x to go forwards and 3x to go previous track. 4x is a custom setting in the app. The headphones will also go into standby if you lay the cups flat on a surface. The LED will pulse slowly to know you are in standby. This feature was available in the Gen 1 and I greatly appreciated it.

Build/Options: I like the little bit of extra room in these compared to the Gen 1. I like the upgrade to wired listening via USB-C. I love the slide vs clicking hinges on previous generations (QC35). The cushions on my GEN'1s only lasted about 1.5 years before they split, so I don't expect much difference on the Gen 2.

APP: The different suite of options in the Bose App is the same as Gen 1 and an upgrade over the QC25. I like the equalizer and bass boost for that "hit"

Mic. The mic is clear in meeting to the point people say I am very clear when I ask to verify if I am heard well. They cannot tell I have a headset on.

Wow! What an Audio Experience

I love the natural audio quality, bass and the long life of Bose Products. My previous purchase of Bose Ultra Earbuds is my go to device for long walks and it keeps me engaged. The Bose Ultra Headphone 2nd Gen will be my go to device at home, work and travel.

What I liked:

1) Quick start up (less than 1 min) from the time I opened the box as I already had Bose App

2) You can add multiple sources (like phones, Laptop etc) to this headphone and it switches seamlessly.

3) I have tested the headphone across my 1800 sq ft home during my Laptop call and it worked without any distortion on my end or the recipients.

4) This headphone also makes you hear your voice clearly when on calls which is noise cancelled voice of your own.

5) As expected Bose Headphones are light weight and comfortable so you will forget that you have anything over your ears after wearing it for hours. Also the length adjustment as per your head size is so smooth which I have never experienced in any other headphone.

6) The audio quality (including spatial audio) is crystal clear and I prefer the bass boost mode for listening to songs. It has the following modes: Aware (you can hear surroundings), Quiet (Noise Cancelled), Immersion (still and motion which is the best feature as you get the feeling that the audio is coming from one end of the room or all around you and it stays there no matter where you move in the room).

6) I see that there is a new Movie mode which I have not tested yet however this must be for people who dont want to disturb others and would like to listen to the TV/Projector Audio over headphone.

7) The entire headphone looks premium and soft over the head and comes with USB C charger cable only along with audio cable to connect to the audio port in flight or for people who have old devices/phones which comes with physical headphone jack

8) The headphone has 2 buttons on the right cup, 1 for navigating through the different modes and one for volume which is customizable from the app if you want to make it

Room for Improvement

1) Currently there are fixed customization like Bass Boost, Treble Boost etc. I wish we could update as per our need instead of going with fixed modes.

2) I wish the case was rechargeable like the way we recharge earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen2 Delivers

I recently received the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen headphones. I was excited to give these a test run. Out of the box, they were very simple to set up. I connected them to my phone through Bluetooth, then went to thee app to connect them. I use the app to change settings like modes, noise control which has level adjustment, and immersive audio. The EQ I keep flat, and I use a more sophisticated 3rd party EQ app on my phone for all connected audio devices. Bose does a great job with ANC. Measured against the other headphones and IEMs I have, Bose is one of, if not, the best at ANC. More importantly is the sound. I use a U-shaped EQ in general. The QC2's lean towards being a bright headphone as opposed to bass centric. I tone down the top end treble more on these than others, and keep the bass as I do with most other headphones I have. What distinguishes the Bose QC2's to me is a cleanliness of sound. Everything sounds crisp. Decent bass, tight not boomy. I can hear the details in the music very well. I have the 1st Gen QC Ultra's, and one negative I have with those is a little discomfort when wearing for a long time. The QC2's are more comfortable for longer sessions. The other negative I have is the case. It's definitely designed to be compact, but I listen to music at night in bed, and these cannot be put in the case without light to the the way it should be folded into the case. Very minor of course, but with others I can easily do in the dark. I would recommend Bose for sure. Great ANC, very clean sound with enough low end and detailed.

Amazing sound and comfort while looking fantastic!

Aptly named Quiet Comfort. These are very light weight and super comfortable! The sound quality and noise cancelation exceeds my expectations. I put these on with nothing playing and suddenly even the most faint nuisance noises are gone - like a vacation for my ears and mind. I really love the rich look of the White Smoke and chrome version and the quality feel of the whole device.

I learned a lot about how to maximize these amazing headphones (your sound system is only as good as its weakest link).

1. iPhones and iPads don’t put out the highest quality music through their Bluetooth connections. So you can connect via the included usb-c cable OR you get this little wizard of a sound upgrade to AptX Adaptive high bit-rate music for these incredible cans.

- Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle.

2. I like waring these for hours but almost all of the over ear headphones use some sort of unbreathable material (partly for ware and partly for ANC quality), so I added these and now I can ware the Bose QC Ultra 2s for hours: Easy installation and look fantastic on the QCs (very little impact on ANC).

- WC Freeze QC Ultra – Cooling Gel Replacement Earpads

3. If you have some legacy audio gear like I do (6-cd changer, USB turntable, cassette player) that you run through a nice amplifier, you might want to add this to allow output from those to your headphones anywhere in the home. This allows for AptX AD (adaptive) for high quality audio transmission over a big range.

- 1Mii B06TX+ Long Range Bluetooth 5.2 Transmitter for TV/PC/Projector to 2 Wireless Headphones/Speakers

4. Lastly, these are beautiful headphones and I want to both have them handy and visible. This works and make connecting a charging cable pretty simple.

- New bee Headphone Stand Headset Holder Earphone Stand with Aluminum Supporting Bar.

Hear Music with comfort

One of the best headphones out there which offers colors of your choice and comfort while listening to your favorite music. I felt such a joy while unboxing Bose Quite Comfort Ultra (2nd gen). It comes with a nice and sturdy case to keep the headphones safe. Sound is just amazing, plenty of base which just fills the room when you are listening to your favorite music. Bose never fails when it comes to the sound. Headphones fits nicely and offers full comfort even if you have it on for hours. It was cold and windy day and I went out for a walk while I had the headphones on. My ears didn't feel any cold and it felt so good. Just awesome headphones.

0:02

Great for Gamers

I bought these headphones for my son for his birthday. He absolutely loves them. The sound quality is so clear. It's absolutely unbelievable. He uses it to stream music from his Spotify and also while playing games on the computer. When he was first setting it up, it automatically tried to connect to my phone, however, he has been unable to connect to his phone even though his phone is supposedly compatible. We haven't been able to figure that one out but other than that, he loves it. He was so happy. He had no idea that he would get new headphones because he didn't ask for it. His face lit up with gratitude.

0:21

Perfect Functionality and Fit

This is my third Bose headphones and have yet to be disappointed. I only received this last pair, the New QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) a few days ago but using them have been an experience. The New QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) model, are truly a work of science and art. The sound quality is unmatched and the comfort while using them is equally impeccable.

I predominantly use the headphones while on travel and I can see that using these on a long flight are going to feel comfortable all through the flight. The few moments I was able to use I was genuinely impressed. The headphones are light weight which greatly helps the comfort. The packaging is vastly improved, and the carry case is awesome. In my previous model the carry case had no placement molding, and I constantly fumbled with loose foam pieces to keep them in place. This time Bose did a great job and the headphones just fit in the carry case without having to fumble with multiple pieces.

The active cancellation is where the science melds in with the art of the design. Putting the headphones on put me in a different place - a quiet place - ready to be able to focus and avoid unnecessary distractions. Pairing the headphones to my phone was a breeze, worked first time. One would say you should expect that, well, I have struggled before with other pairings, but not with this latest New QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) model. The phones easily pair with multiple devices making it possible to answer the phone while at the same time listen to music or watch a movie from another device.

The only part to mention which feels like a work in progress is the app, needs work! Overall, great job Bose on the phones, keep the good work, cannot think where to suggest improvements. I certainly recommend these phones to all tech enthusiast out there and all audiophiles.

You just have to try them.

TesterWeezy

November 25, 2025

Great sound quality and easy to setup

These Bose Quietcomfort headphones come with the headphones, the storage case, the charging wire and an audio cable. It comes well packaged and the setup is very user friendly straight out of the box.

My headphones came with around 60% charge and were quick to fully charge using the included cable. There is a QR code on the box to help with the setup of the headphones. These were extremely easy to synch with my phone for wireless listening.

The box comes with graphics showing his the headphones work including the play, pause, rewind and also the volume.

There is one button to switch it on, one to select modes and then a raised bar for volume control. Once you figure the controls out it is very simple to operate and is user friendly.

The sound quality of these is phenomenal. I love the ability to switch between the sound modes, immersive, quiet, cinema and aware. The aware is perfect for when I’m walking the dog and need to listen for vehicles etc The immersive mode is perfect for fully immersing myself in the music when I’m traveling or commuting. The quiet mode is really good for traveling and cutting out all noise. Haven’t figured out the cinema mode yet, but am looking forward to watching a movie on my tablet using this mode.

Music is crisp and clear to listen to in all modes. I also enjoy listening to podcasts and these work great for that too.

I have used Bose noise cancelling headphones in the past and the noise cancelling function on these is the best of all the previous Bose headphones I’ve tried. They really do work and are perfect for flights or even just if I don’t want to hear anything going on around me.

The app gives me the ability to control the headphones from my phone, including switching between modes, volume control and switching the noise cancelling mode on and off. I can also use the equalizer function to control bass and treble levels.

You can also make and receive phone calls using the headphones which is perfect for making business calls when you’re out and about.

I really love the functions and comfort of these QuietComfort headphones.

Jason L.

November 25, 2025

2nd Gen Upgrade!

I have had the first generation QuietComfort Ultra's since they came out. They have been on my desk since the unboxing and used any time I am at my computer. I have loved them so obviously I jumped at the opportunity to test out the second generation.

First, this Midnight Violet color is just stunning. I know that purple isn't for everyone, but I love it. The way that is shines and reflects the light is just eye catching. From there, that is not the only visual difference. There is a noticeable increase in the feel of the quality of materials. The headband feels a lot more premium. Also, the headband has a lot more cushion. This has made wearing them for prolonged hours more comfortable.

In terms of audio quality, they sound fantastic. I don't notice an enormous difference from the first generation, but those were already amazing. It doesn't really matter what content you are consuming, they just sound great. I do wish there were more setting to tweak the EQ in the app for enhanced customizability, but that is a small complaint.

Noise Canceling has been one of the largest jumps that I have noticed. The 1st generation did a great job but the 2nd generation is next level. But that was not the biggest surprise for me. I have been using the aware mode more than I ever have before. This mode feeds in outside audio as well as your music/content. But it seems to only feed in sounds like voices/dogs/loud sounds. So I can have them on enjoying my music in a near quiet environment and still hear my wife when she calls to me. That has been a pleasant surprise.

BIG CHANGE: There is now a touch slider on the side that allows you to change the volume. This took me a bit to get used to but I have LOVED that change instead of fumbling for buttons.

There is also a sleep mode where when you take them off your head, they will pause and go into sleep mode. So you do not need to always turn them off, although you can with a button.

Overall, this is a great upgrade from the first generation and I would not second guess purchasing them. If you have the first generation, you will appreciate the upgrades, but do not need to rush out to get these. If you do not have a pair of headphone and are in the market, you will not be disappointed.

Bose is the best!

I recently purchased the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) in Desert Gold - BTW, that color is AMAZING! I have been super impressed with these headphones. They came in a really nice case that is easy to open and close. It includes a charging cable and a cable for direct connection to the source for lossless audio.

Bose sound quality has always been the best in my opinion. I love how they combine the beauty of the headphones with such a comfortable design and the amazing sound I have come to expect from Bose. In terms of functionality, the buttons are super easy to use and the slider, which controls volume, also is very convenient.

The different listening modes are all amazing. I especially love quiet mode for when I'm working - it totally blocks out ALL sound! Cinema, Immersion, and Aware mode are all great, too! For music listening, the sound is the absolute best! In Immersion mode, there are options to have the sound be stationary, like a concert stage (still mode) or move around so it is always in front of you (motion mode).

I have truly enjoyed using these headphones. They are a bit pricey, but well worth the cost in my book!

Living with the “Bose”

Honestly, I’ve been chasing "perfect" silence for years. I fly a lot, I work in loud coffee shops, and I have neighbors who love lawn care way too much. So when I picked up the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), I wasn't just looking for specs; I was looking for peace. After living with them for a couple of weeks, here is the breakdown of what it’s actually like to use them day-to-day.

First things first: the comfort is absurd. Bose has always been good at this, but these 2nd Gen Ultras feel... expensive. And I don’t mean that in a "fragile" way. I mean the materials feel incredibly soft. I have a larger head, and usually, over-ear headphones start to pinch my jaw or heat up my ears after about an hour. With these, I honestly forgot I was wearing them. I pulled a 5-hour deep-work session on Tuesday and didn't feel the need to rip them off for a "breather." They just kind of float there. If you’re sensitive to clamping force, these are a dream.

I tested them in the ultimate torture chamber: a crowded airport terminal. I put them on, didn't even play music yet, and the screaming toddler three rows over just... vanished. It didn't sound "digital" or hissy like some older noise-canceling headphones do. It just sounded like the volume of the world got turned down to zero. The "CustomTune" tech supposedly scans your ears to do this I don’t know how it works, I just know it works.

The biggest upgrade for me personally is the battery. The 30-hour claim holds up.

I used them for a solid three days commuting, working, and watching a movie at night without touching the charger. Even using the Immersive Audio (which usually drains battery faster), I got through a whole weekend trip on a single charge, The layflat "hibernate" mode is also a lifesaver; I love that I don't have to frantically search for the power button every time I take them off; I just lay them flat on the desk and they sleep.

They look sleeker than the older Bose models. The metal arms give it a more premium, modern look that doesn't scream "business traveler from 2015." They feel sturdy but light.

If you just want to listen to a podcast, regular earbuds are fine. But if you want to shut out reality and completely zone into your music or work, the QC Ultra (2nd Gen) is the best thing I’ve put on my head this year. They are pricey, but totally worth it!

Series 1 vs Series 2 Quiet Comfort Ultra Review

(Edit 4 month review:)

I am quite dissapointed in these headphones. After extensively going over reviews for these headphones I was so excited to get them. I also got a pair of Sony ULT headphones. I have to say these stay on my desk everyday. I never use them. The sound is just not worth 400 dollars. They just sound too safe. There is nothing special about the sound that stands out to me. The bass is weak and the 3d features are gimmicks. The Sony ULTs on the other hand sound much richer and fuller and have much better bass.

The noise cancellation is only good, but not great. They cant block out enough noise without a second set of anc earbuds in.

They definitely feel premium and are well designed but the actual sound they produce and their ANC is a major letdown for an over 400 dollar product.

I am most likely selling them as I never use them and continue to be dissapointed by them.

My Final Verdict After Testing QC Ultra Series 1 vs Series 2

Once I switched to lossless, the Series 2 won hands down. Its not a gimmik feature its worth it. There was a very noticeable difference — not subtle, not placebo, not “a little better.” A real 20–30% jump in clarity and physicality.

Series 1 Impressions

The Series 1 honestly shocked me. They sounded AMAZING — way more similar to the Sony XM6 than I expected, but actually better in a lot of ways. The bass hits harder on the Series 1, and the tuning is warm, smooth, and super satisfying. If Bose had never released the Series 2, these would be the easy pick.

I also preferred:

the color options

the non-shiny metal

the slightly softer pads

I wanted these to win.

Where Series 1 Pulled Ahead (At First)

During the early part of my A/B test I was actually getting anxious. The Series 1’s bass was louder and punchier, and on certain tracks it actually sounded better. For a moment I thought the Series 1 was about to pull an upset and win the whole test.

Then I Switched to Lossless…

This is where the story completely changed.

The first track where I noticed the difference was “I Remember” – Kaskade, deadmau5. The Series 2 didn’t just sound “a little clearer.” It sounded like someone took the Series 1 and waved a magic wand over it.

Treble gained sparkle

Vocals became more defined

Bass became physical, not just loud

Instrument separation opened up

The whole mix felt deeper and more immersive

It wasn’t subtle — it legitimately felt like upgrading from a really good HDTV to an OLED.

Final Conclusion

Without lossless: Series 1 and Series 2 are closer than people expect.

With lossless: Series 2 absolutely takes over. No competition. It’s just better across the board.

The Series 1 is incredible, and I was honestly rooting for it… but the Series 2 was built for modern high-res audio, and once you give it a lossless track, it becomes a different class of headphone.

Winner for me: Series 2.

BornENLISTED

November 11, 2025

Perfect Blend of Comfort and Premium Sound

I recently started using the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Generation) headphones, and they’ve far exceeded my expectations. The noise cancellation is phenomenal, completely eliminating distractions whether I’m working or relaxing. Spatial Audio adds an immersive dimension to music and movies, making the experience truly engaging. The overall sound quality is exceptional.

I connected them to my FireCube for movie nights, and the performance was outstanding. The battery life is impressive, and the Bluetooth connection has been consistently stable. Call clarity is excellent thanks to the integrated microphone—something I struggled with on previous Bluetooth earbuds, where calls were often hit or miss. These headphones deliver crystal-clear conversations, making them a significant upgrade.

0:17

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) take sound and comfort to the next level.

The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra headphones are a great mix of comfort, quality, and audio performance. They were definitely designed for comfort in mind as I've used these for a good portion of my day. The ear cushions are super soft and lightweight, and the clamping pressure is just right; secure without being too tight. Whether you're working out, walking around the house, or relaxing on the couch, they stay in place and never feel bulky or hot on your ears. Sound quality and the clarity is outstanding, with Bose's new immersive audio mode giving music a rich, spacious feel. Every note comes through clean and full. Bose has tech that automatically adjusts the sound to your ears and environment. Noise cancelation is also top-tier and easily blocks out background noise. If you still want to hear what's going on around you, the aware mode lets in just the right amount of outside sound without having to take your headphones off to hear. Battery life has been excellent with up to 24hrs of listening time before needing to recharge and the Bluetooth 5.3 connection is rock solid. The controls are simple and intuitive, with touch gestures that respond instantly. Use a simple swipe up or down on the right ear of the cups volume control strip to adjust the volume level to your liking. Didn't experience any drops and I connected these to multiple devices when testing them out. Over all, these headphones deliver and excel across every component you can measure. They make workouts more enjoyable and downtime more peaceful. If you have never tried Bose before, this is the model that will show you why the brand has such a loyal following. Absolutely worth the price.

My new favorite thing!

These are SO excellent compared to my old headphones. The noise cancelling is top-notch, the sound quality is crisp and clear, they are comfortable for extended wear, and the battery is incredible. I wear my headphones primarily when cleaning and when traveling. In both cases, I need good noise cancelling - these are incredible. It cancels out vacuum noise, car noise, and (although I haven't tested it yet) I imagine plane noise, too. The sound quality is clear and immersive. I'm not a big snob about perfect sound, but I can absolutely tell the difference in the Bose headphones compared to my other pair. I guess I didn't realize what I was missing! They're comfortable for 4+ hours at a time, which is HUGE for me. I have a large-ish head, large-ish ears, and several ear piercings that have made it difficult to find comfortable headphones. These cup around my ear (not *on* it) and feel snug without feeling painful over time. I've been using these for hours and hours and hours since I got them, and I still haven't killed the battery. I'm actually charging them now just to be prepared for the upcoming week, not because the battery died. The carrying case is nice and sturdy. In short - I was skeptical these would be worth the money. I really didn't anticipate loving them as much as I do! They're so much more comfortable than my old pair, and I can without a doubt say that they are worth it for anyone who needs a really excellent pair of noise cancelling headphones.

Not better than 7yo bose headphones

I’ve had this for about a week right now and unfortunately, I think I’m gonna return them.

I’ve been comparing them side-by-side with a seven-year-old Bose QC 35II.

Pros of the new model:

+ Great noise cancellation and transparency mode, these are significantly better as you might expect. I recently tried Sony XM6 which I also returned and the Bose is on par, maybe even better.

+ USB-C, charging and audio.

+ 3 point EQ

+ I like the metal design

Cons of the new model:

- it’s really hard to know whether they’re on or off. There’s no outside indicator for it to turn them on. You have to put them on your head and then hold the button for about three seconds. Without model, you can see from a glass whether there is like a green or red marker by the power button and it takes .1 second to turn the on or off.

- sound quality. It’s good but I tested it side-by-side with the old model and even though I tried different EQ settings on the new model I still prefer the old ones somehow. The old model is a bit more spacious and the sound feels a little bit more immersive. I’m not a hi-fi person so if that’s your thing, don’t take my review seriously but I do feel a lot more connection with the artist when I listen to an album on the old headphones.

- the other controls of skipping a song and volume are also confusing AF. They’ve definitely regressed.

- the clamping force on my head is harder and therefore they feel less comfortable over longer time, and they also heat up more.

- because there is no on off indicator I keep on accidentally turning them on or off when I don’t know if they’re on off also the little sound for turning them on and turning them off is really hard to distinguish. What’s up with that?

Equal or irrelevant:

- even though the new model has a longer battery life it doesn’t really bother me because it’s easy to charge the other ones once I get a five dollar cable adapter to USB-C

- the new headphones have this feature where if you take them off your head, they stop playing which I think it’s actually confusing. I would rather press the pass button explicitly because sometimes I wanna just move them on and I don’t like to have that feature on.

- They also have this gaming feature where if you put them flat on a table, they would turn off and disconnect. I’ve tried it on the desk when I’m doing normal work and in that case, it works fine however, if I’m not on my desk in such a control environment and there’s not quite a flat surface, it’s not helpful to know this picture exist because I don’t know if you get triggered or not and then I have to repair them and that’s annoying and slow

- the carrying cases are almost the same size and it’s exactly the same experience. However, the new case has those cut outs for how are we supposed to place the headphones which make it actually harder to put the headphones in. The old case was just flat, which is a lot easier to get the headphones there and then adjust length afterwards so the old case is actually slightly more convenient.

I’m really sad because I was hoping to use these for noise cancellation on a long fight that’s coming up and I don’t think I wanna use them outside of that though. I don’t know what else we have a good noise, cancellation. I tried the Apple headphones in the store and I think they will have a good one, but they’re just to have an uncomfortable. Sony gets too hot on my ears and don’t sound as good. Might have to wait until another release in the future.