The new Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen has landed in the hyper-competitive wireless ANC headphone market, where Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, and Bowers & Wilkins are all vying for attention in the $350–$500 range. In this five-horse race, being “good” isn’t enough—you have to stand out in a way that matters. Bose and Sony still lead the pack on noise cancellation, while Apple ecosystem users are tempted by AirPods Max. But if pure sound quality is your priority, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 remain top picks.
The new QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are Bose doing what Bose does best: noise cancellation strong enough to erase your neighbor’s leaf blower — though how they deal with sharper, higher-pitched sounds is still an open question.
QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Edition Tech, Battery Life & Codec Support
They’ll last up to 30 hours on a charge (23 if you’re using their fancy Immersive Audio trickery, or a ridiculous 45 if you shut ANC off—though why you’d buy these to not use ANC is beyond me). USB-C charging is standard, and a 15-minute pit stop gives you another 3 hours, so even the forgetful among us are covered.
For audio, you’ve got USB-C lossless playback (16-bit/44.1 or 48kHz) and a 2.5mm analog jack—yes, Bose still believes in wires, just barely. Codec support is the usual spread: SBC for everyone, AAC for Apple folks, and aptX Adaptive if you’re rocking Snapdragon.
Connectivity is modern and useful: Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint, Google Fast Pair, and Spotify Tap, all wrapped in a 30-foot leash. The Bose Music app gives you EQ control, ANC modes, updates, and enough toggles to keep tweakers happy.
Build-wise, it’s what you’d expect: plush cushions, faux leather headband, metal yokes, and a foldable frame that tucks neatly into the hard case. At just over half a pound, they won’t feel like a neck workout.
Colors are the usual black and white, plus some ‘Limited Edition’ shades like Midnight Violet and Driftwood Sand — because clearly Bose saw Focal’s playbook with Dune and Deep Black and thought, why not give paint chips dramatic names too?
Noise Cancellation & Audio Technologies
Bose has tweaked its ActiveSense algorithm for the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen, making the noise cancellation shifts in Aware Mode smoother than before. In practice, that means the system is less jumpy when filtering sudden noise spikes — like a passing train or an ambulance siren — so your music doesn’t get steamrolled in the process. If you’d rather go old school, ANC can now be shut off completely or adjusted manually in the Bose app.
Under the hood, it’s the usual Bose formula: ten microphones working with the tight earcup seal to blend active and passive noise cancellation. The updated ActiveSense does its best to adapt to whatever chaos the outside world throws at you — leaf blowers, car horns, maybe even that guy who insists on blasting TikToks in public — while keeping the overall sound as natural as possible.
Immersive Audio adds a spatial effect, moving the sound out of your head and into a space in front of you. A new Cinema Mode expands this effect into a wider stage while making voices clearer for movies and shows.
For higher-quality listening, the headphones now support lossless audio through USB-C. If connected directly to a device that plays 16-bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz files, you’ll hear the original signal without compression.
Finally, CustomTune measures your ears when you put the headphones on and adjusts the sound automatically. This ensures the audio remains balanced and consistent, regardless of your ear shape.
One of the more practical upgrades on the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen is the improved on-head detection. Put them on and they power up and reconnect to your device automatically — no more fumbling for a power button. When you’re done, lay them flat or toss them in the case and they drop into a low-power standby mode that can sit for months without draining the battery. Pick them up again, and they’re ready to go. It’s seamless enough that you barely have to think about it — which is how headphone design should be in 2025, not some futuristic party trick.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen ANC Headphones — Specs
- Battery & Charging
- Up to 30 hrs (23 with Immersive Audio, 45 with ANC off)
- 3 hrs full charge, 15 min = 3 hrs playback
- USB-C charging (usable while charging)
- Auto power-off/low-power modes
- Audio
- USB-C audio: 16-bit / 44.1kHz or 48kHz
- 2.5mm analog input
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (Snapdragon Sound)
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint (30 ft range)
- Google Fast Pair, Spotify Tap
- Profiles: A2DP, HFP, AVRCP, BLE
- Controls & App
- Tactile + capacitive touch controls
- Bose Music app: 3-band EQ, ANC modes, firmware updates, shortcuts, device management
- Design & Comfort
- Plush ear cushions, faux leather headband
- Polished metal yokes
- Foldable with hardshell case
- Weight: 0.583 lbs
- Size: 6.299” W × 1.772” H × 8.071” D
- Colors
- Core: Black, White Smoke
- Limited: Midnight Violet, Driftwood Sand
The Bottom Line
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen sharpen their edge in the ANC arms race with smarter ActiveSense, USB-C lossless playback, Bluetooth 5.4, and slicker on-head detection that makes them easier to live with day in and day out. They may not woo the hardcore audiophile crowd chasing ultimate fidelity, but for business commuters and frequent travelers, these upgrades make them a compelling alternative to Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, and Bowers & Wilkins. Our full review is on the way but early signs suggest Bose isn’t ready to give up its noise-canceling crown just yet.
Where to buy: $449 at Amazon (Available October 2, 2025)
Related Reading:
- Podcast: Best Wireless Headphones & Earbuds Of 2025
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Review: Superior Sound And Build With Improved ANC
- Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Headphones Review: Best Noise Cancelling Yet
- Cambridge Audio Unveils Melomania P100 SE: Special Edition Wireless ANC Headphones In Bold Blue With Upgraded Sound And Features
- LDAC, AptX, AAC, SBC: Which Bluetooth Codec Ruins Your Music The Least?
