The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are Bose’s flagship noise canceling over ear headphones, launched in fall 2025 as a refinement of the 2023 original rather than a redesign. They keep the familiar look and comfort while adding lossless wired audio over USB C, longer battery life, a new Cinema mode and smarter power management. Here is what you get, what changed, and how they stack up against Sony and Apple in October 2026.
What the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are
Bose announced the second generation on September 10, 2025, with general availability from October 2, 2025, at $449. Colors at launch were Black and White Smoke, plus limited editions in Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet, and Bose has added further finishes since. The design stays foldable with plush ear cushions, an adjustable headband and polished metal yokes, and the headphones weigh 0.583 lb according to Bose.
The core features carry over: adjustable active noise cancellation with Quiet and Aware modes, CustomTune sound calibration that adapts to your ears, and Bose Immersive Audio, the company’s spatial sound mode.
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | QC Ultra 2nd Gen |
|---|---|
| US list price | $449 |
| Battery life | Up to 30 hours, 23 hours with Immersive Audio, 45 hours with noise canceling off |
| Charging | About 3 hours for a full charge, 15 minutes gives about 3 hours of playback |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.4 with multipoint for two devices |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound support |
| Cable audio | USB C lossless at 16 bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz, plus an included 3.5mm to 2.5mm cable |
| Extras | Google Fast Pair, Spotify Tap, Bose app with EQ and shortcuts |
What changed from the first generation
The original QC Ultra Headphones launched in September 2023 at $429, with up to 24 hours of battery life, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio. The second generation keeps the shape but changes a lot under the hood:
- Longer battery: up to 30 hours, and 23 hours with Immersive Audio on, with a 45 hour figure when noise canceling is off.
- Lossless USB C audio: a USB C cable now carries digital audio from a phone or computer, which also gives low latency for gaming.
- Cinema mode: a new Immersive Audio setting that widens the soundstage, places it in front of you and makes dialogue clearer for movies, podcasts and audiobooks.
- Smoother noise canceling: an updated algorithm that handles sudden spikes such as sirens more gracefully in Aware mode, and noise canceling can now be turned fully off.
- Smarter power: improved on head detection that starts playback when you put them on, and a low power standby mode when laid flat or placed in the case, which Bose says can last for months.
- Tuning tweaks: Bose says bass is deeper at higher volumes and highs sound more natural.
How they compare with Sony and Apple
$449 list. Up to 30 hours. aptX Adaptive, USB C lossless. Strong comfort and Cinema mode.
$449.99 at launch in May 2025. Up to 30 hours with noise canceling. LDAC support and the QN3 processor with 12 microphones.
$549, launched March 2026. H2 chip, up to 20 hours with noise canceling and Spatial Audio, lossless over USB C.
Sony WH1000XM6 is the most direct rival. Pricing and battery life are close, so the choice comes down to codec support and comfort. Android users with LDAC phones may lean Sony, while people who wear headphones for long flights often prefer the Bose fit.
AirPods Max 2 cost $100 more at list and offer the shortest rated battery life of the three, but they bring Apple features such as Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, Adaptive Audio, automatic device switching and Live Translation. They make the most sense for iPhone, iPad and Mac owners.
Who should buy them
- Frequent travelers and commuters who value comfort and consistent noise canceling.
- Movie and podcast listeners who will use Cinema mode.
- Gamers and laptop users who want a single cable for low latency wired audio.
- Not first gen owners in a hurry: the upgrade is real but incremental, so wait for a deeper discount.
FAQ
When did the Bose QC Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen come out?
Bose announced them on September 10, 2025, and they became available on October 2, 2025.
Do they work with a wired connection?
Yes. You can use USB C for lossless digital audio or the included 3.5mm to 2.5mm cable for analog sources such as airplane seats.
Can I connect them to two devices at once?
Yes. Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint lets them stay paired with two source devices, such as a phone and a laptop.
Are they better than the Sony WH1000XM6?
Neither is a clear winner on paper. Both cost about the same and promise up to 30 hours. Bose leans on comfort and Cinema mode, Sony on LDAC and its processor.
The verdict
The QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are a careful update that fixes the original’s weaker battery life and adds lossless USB C audio, Cinema mode and smarter standby. At sale prices they are one of the strongest premium noise canceling picks for most people, while Sony fans and committed Apple users have equally good alternatives.
Updated October 2026: official specs, current US pricing, changes from the first generation and comparisons with the Sony WH1000XM6 and AirPods Max 2.
Featured photo: Steven Erixon on Unsplash.
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