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This has been a season of sequels for Bose, which dropped the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra earbuds in August and is following up with the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones, available as of Oct. 2.
The headphones retail for $449, a jump over the QC Ultra’s original price of $429, but in line with the post-tariff bump it got earlier this year. It’s the same price as Sony’s XM6 headphones from May of this year, a price that increasingly looks like what we can expect from flagship headphones in this class.
I’ve been testing the latest QuietComfort Ultra headphones over the past week to see how they stack up to the competition (and to their predecessor). In short, while Bose didn’t reinvent the wheel, there are some new features here that feel like more than just a fresh coat of paint.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
$449.00
Buy Now On Amazon
Buy Now at bose
Stated Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
Colors: Black, desert gold, midnight violet, driftwood sand, white
Features: Auto-shutoff and low power mode, USB-C audio, aptX Adaptive
Design and Construction
The headphones maintain a very similar look to their predecessor, with metal yokes (the arms connecting the headband to the earcup), a faux leather finish on the earcups and headband, and matte plastic on the earcups. At launch, the headphones are available in black, desert gold, midnight violet, driftwood sand, and white.
The biggest design change is that Bose swapped the matte finish on the metal yokes for a reflective, polished finish. Personally, I preferred the understated look of the first gen, but the polished metal does add a high-end touch. The hinges can occasionally creak, although I haven’t noticed it while wearing them, including while walking.
The headphones come in a faux-leather case that matches the headphones’ finish, with a contoured design that securely cradles the headphones. The included 2.5mm audio cable and USB-C cable also match the headphones’ finish.
Controls and Features
One of the best new features of these headphones is new wear detection technology. Instead of powering the headphones on and off at the end of each use, you can now lay the headphones flat and they’ll automatically disconnect from Bluetooth and go into a low-power mode. When you put the headphones back on, they’ll automatically turn on and connect.
A Bose representative confirmed to me that the headphones use an IMU sensor (aka, a gyroscope) to detect the orientation of the headphones. That means the headphones can be placed face up or down to disconnect — a handy feature if you find yourself using headphones at a public cafe and don’t want to lay the earpads on the table. The headphones also automatically disconnect after 10 minutes of inactivity and go into low-power mode after 30 minutes.
In my testing, the feature worked smoothly, quickly disconnecting when placed down and reconnecting when worn. It’s one of the most convenient new features on these headphones, but if you’re not a fan, the QC Ultra 2 headphones can still be fully shut off using the power button.
The app also now adds the ability to fully shut off the noise-canceling, which helps extend the battery life. It’s not a feature I expect to use often, given the existing “Aware” mode, but it’s certainly a nice-to-have.
Otherwise, the headphones maintain the same control layout as before, with a power/pairing button, multifunction button, and volume slider placed on the right earcup, and the charging and audio ports on the left.
Bose also improved battery life; these now feature up to 30 hours with ANC on or 45 hours with ANC off, a jump over the original, which had up to 24 hours of battery life. It’s a worthwhile upgrade, particularly if you plan to use these headphones for travel.
Sound Quality and ANC
Bose didn’t tinker much with the audio performance; the quality is largely on par with the previous generation. The QC Ultra 2 headphones have crisp, enjoyable sound across a variety of genres, albeit with a slightly bass-heavy profile.
They don’t sound as expansive as Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones, for example, but it’s hard to find fault in these headphones for everyday listening. Bose also added new ways to listen, including lossless audio over the included USB-C cable. There’s also a 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable for regular wired listening. The USB-C cable can also charge the headphones while they’re in use.
The active noise canceling is also on par with the previous generation, which means it’s one of the best — if not the best — on the market. It’s more customizable, including the ability to turn off ANC completely and adjust the strength of quiet mode. As usual, you can set personalized ANC levels, called “modes,” through the app. It’s one of Bose’s best features, and it’s encouraging to see that they’ve made the ANC even more personalized.
Verdict
Bose’s latest headphones proved that sequels can be a good thing. The QC Ultra 2 headphones don’t stray too far from the originals in design, sound quality, or ANC, but the quality-of-life improvements go a long way here.
An extra six hours of battery life comes in handy for those nonstop travel days, and the ability to turn the ANC completely off is a welcome touch. The headphones automatically disconnect from Bluetooth and enter a low-power mode when laid flat, which is helpful for anyone who regularly forgets to turn their headphones off.
Plus, with up to 30 hours of battery life, and the ability to charge them while in use, it’s easier to go farther with these headphones. Overall, Bose made improvements where it counted — ease of use, battery life, and customization — while largely sticking to tried and true ANC performance and audio quality.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
$449.00
Buy Now On Amazon
Buy Now at bose
Pros: Comfortable fit, convenient auto-disconnect feature, more customizable ANC
Cons: Pricey, hinges can sometimes squeak
