Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen Review: Premium ANC and Spatial Audio
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are Bose’s flagship wireless over-ear headphones, combining premium Active Noise Cancellation, Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune sound, USB-C lossless audio, and up to 30 hours of battery life.
They are designed for travel, music, movies, work, and users who prioritize comfort and noise cancellation.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Wireless Over-Ear |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation |
| Spatial Audio | Bose Immersive Audio |
| Cinema Mode | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| USB-C Audio | Lossless Digital Audio |
| Wired Audio | 3.5mm |
| Battery With ANC | Up to 30 Hours |
| Battery With Immersive Audio | Up to 23 Hours |
| Battery With ANC Off | Up to 45 Hours |
| Quick Charge | 15 min = up to 3 Hours |
| App | Bose App |
Bose also includes a carrying case, USB-C cable, and 3.5mm-to-2.5mm audio cable.
Sound Quality
The QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen delivers a rich and detailed sound with strong bass and clear vocals.
Bose uses CustomTune technology to automatically adjust sound based on the shape of your ears.
The Bose app also provides adjustable EQ for changing bass, mids, and treble.
These headphones work particularly well for:
- Music
- Movies
- Podcasts
- Travel
- Office work
- Everyday listening
Active Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation remains one of the biggest reasons to buy the QuietComfort Ultra.
Bose uses adaptive ANC together with CustomTune to adjust the listening experience to both your ears and your surroundings. Bose also introduced a revised ANC algorithm for the second generation.
RTINGS found the 2nd Gen model’s noise isolation remarkable, particularly for travel and office environments.
Bose Immersive Audio
The headphones support Bose Immersive Audio, which creates a wider, spatialized soundstage.
Available listening options include immersive modes designed to make music and entertainment feel more spacious.
The 2nd Gen model also introduces Cinema Mode, which widens the soundstage while emphasizing dialogue for movies, podcasts, and other spoken content.
USB-C Lossless Audio
One of the biggest upgrades over the original QuietComfort Ultra is USB-C digital audio.
The headphones can receive lossless audio at:
16-bit / 44.1kHz
16-bit / 48kHz
with compatible USB-C devices and source files.
USB-C also provides lower-latency wired audio for compatible computers, phones, and gaming devices.
Battery Life
Bose rates battery life at:
Up to 30 hours in standard listening modes
Up to 23 hours with Immersive Audio
Up to 45 hours with ANC turned off
A 15-minute quick charge provides up to 3 hours of listening time, or around 2 hours with Immersive Audio enabled.
You can also continue listening while charging through USB-C.
Bluetooth 5.4 & Multipoint
The QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen uses Bluetooth 5.4 and supports multipoint connectivity.
That means you can stay connected to two devices, such as:
- Smartphone
- Laptop
and switch between them more easily.
Supported Bluetooth codecs include:
- SBC
- AAC
- aptX Adaptive
aptX Adaptive can provide higher-quality or lower-latency wireless audio on compatible Snapdragon Sound devices.
Comfort
Comfort remains one of Bose’s strongest advantages.
The QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen uses soft over-ear cushions, an adjustable headband, and polished metal components.
At approximately 9 oz, they remain relatively lightweight for premium over-ear headphones.
They also fold into the included carrying case, making them convenient for travel.
Call Quality
The headphones include built-in microphones for voice calls and video meetings.
Independent testing found call performance improved and generally natural, although environmental noise can still reach the microphone in some situations.
They work well for:
- Phone calls
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Remote work
Pros
✓ Excellent Active Noise Cancellation
✓ Bose Immersive Audio
✓ New Cinema Mode
✓ Comfortable premium design
✓ Up to 30-hour battery life
✓ Up to 45 hours with ANC off
✓ USB-C lossless audio
✓ aptX Adaptive support
✓ Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint
✓ CustomTune personalized sound
✓ Excellent for travel
Cons
✗ Premium price
✗ Immersive Audio reduces battery to 23 hours
✗ No official IP water-resistance rating
✗ Large compared with earbuds
✗ Wired microphone functionality is limited
✗ Improvements over the first generation are evolutionary rather than dramatic
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen Rating
Sound Quality: 9.5/10
Noise Cancellation: 9.8/10
Comfort: 9.7/10
Battery: 9.2/10
Call Quality: 8.8/10
Features: 9.7/10
Value: 8.7/10
Overall: 9.4/10
Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen are excellent premium noise-canceling headphones for travelers, commuters, professionals, and serious everyday listeners.
Their biggest strengths are outstanding ANC, excellent comfort, Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune sound, and the new USB-C lossless audio connection.
The improved 30-hour battery life and Cinema Mode make the second generation more complete than the original model.
The biggest drawback is the premium price, especially because the first-generation QuietComfort Ultra can sometimes offer similar core ANC performance for less.
