Impactful upgrades to a familiar formula

Bose has taken a different approach with its new products in 2025. Instead of completely redesigning the QuietComfort Ultra range, the company has unveiled updated second-generation models of its flagship-level earbuds and headphones. Like the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds that debuted earlier this year, the new Quiet Comfort Ultra headphones ($449) don’t offer a complete overhaul. However, the changes provide enough performance improvements to cement these headphones as the best noise canceling headphones you can buy right now. Trust me, we’re much better off with this redesigned version than we would be waiting a year (or more) for something completely new with the 2023 model.

What’s new in QuietComfort Ultra headphones?

Bose debuted some new features in its second-generation QuietComfort Ultra earbuds in August that have been carried over to these new headphones. First, the company has improved its already excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system by making tweaks to its ActiveSense technology. Specifically, the system can respond to sudden spikes in environmental noise by adapting more precisely. It’s not something you’ll notice all the time, but when you need it, you’ll be glad you have it. Otherwise, the excellent ANC performance here is just as effective as it was on the previous model. More on that shortly.

The Immersive Cinema Mode that Bose added to the QC Ultra Earbuds is also available on these headphones. It’s an audio profile that enhances dialogue clarity while keeping the rest of the soundstage as wide and enveloping as possible. I like it best for movies and TV, as the name suggests, but at Bose’s suggestion, I’ve also tried it with podcasts and audiobooks. Cinema mode is probably overkill for these types of content, unless you’re listening to shows or titles with a lot of background effects.

One of the biggest changes to the second-generation QC Ultra headphones is the way Bose decided to handle power management. Most importantly, the company has extended battery life in all use cases. With ANC turned on (and Immersive Sound turned off), you’ll get up to 30 hours of listening time. Turn off ANC and that jumps to 45 hours. When you decide to enable both ANC and Bose’s Spatial Immersive Audio, you can expect up to 23 hours on a charge. Compared to those in the first generation model, all of these numbers are up by at least five hours, which represents a significant increase.

Like the previous QC Ultra headphones, this model features an auto-disconnect feature after 10 minutes of standby. But the company went further in this version by adding a low power mode that the headphones enter after 30 minutes of idle time. If you want to detach them quickly, you can rotate the earcups and place them on a flat surface. This will put them into a deeper standby mode that Bose says can run for “several months.” All of this means you can effectively turn your new QuietComfort Ultra headphones on and off by simply putting them on and taking them off. If you use it regularly, you will never have to press the power button.

Audio-wise, the big upgrade in these headphones is the addition of lossless audio via USB-C. Like the AirPods Max, this model can be connected with a cable to your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop to stream or play high-quality tunes from compatible services or your library. Bose says you can expect 16-bit 44.1kHz or 48kHz audio depending on your source. It’s another feature that would be nice to see become standard fare on premium wireless headphones.

What else is good about QuietComfort Ultra headphones?

Like most Bose over-ear headphones, the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones are extremely comfortable. Even for long periods of time, they never become a burden, thanks in large part to the soft, cushiony earpads. I could easily wear these throughout a transatlantic flight with minimal discomfort, and I’ve been wearing them throughout my days working at home.

As I mentioned earlier, the ANC’s performance here remains top notch. In fact, the QC Ultra headphones will soon replace the first-generation model on our list of the best noise-canceling headphones. Both Immersion (ANC + Spatial Audio) and Quiet (ANC only) mode provide powerful noise cancellation superior to those of Sony, Sennheiser, and others. If you’re making a purchasing decision based solely on ANC performance, this is the best option. You’ll enjoy relief from constant ambient noise sources like fans and audio equipment, plus the QC Ultra headphones do a respectable job with human voices. Heck, I couldn’t even hear my dog ​​barking at the imminent threat of falling leaves outside.

Finally, Bose’s handling of spatial audio is still very good. The company calls it Immersive Audio and the feature doesn’t rely on specialized content like other headphones. Obviously, music sounds fuller and a little louder when the voice coil is active thanks to Bose’s method of upscaling stereo content. There’s also improved vocal clarity and elements like percussion and synths are less compressed than usual. The headphones give a particularly airy feel to Ruston Kelly’s tracks Pale, through the window, An audio collection of spiritual melodies with a rural flavor. His vocals float above acoustic guitars and tight, powerful drums.

What’s not so good about QC Ultra headphones?

The biggest problem with the second generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones is the price. To be clear, companies like Sony, Apple, and others charge about the same amount for their top models, but $449 is still a great investment. If that’s too steep for you, Bose has the highly capable QuietComfort headphones in its arsenal for slight More acceptable $359.

My other issue is that the only real design change Bose has made to the updated QC Ultra headphones is that the metal headband yoke now has a glossy finish. Depending on your personal preferences, this may be a deal breaker for you. It is less noticeable in the colors black and violet, as they have a harmonious appearance. After a few weeks with the bronze and tan Driftwood Sand, I’m not a fan of the sleeker aesthetic. It’s flashy, sure, but it’s an adjustment I could have done without.

Conclusion

Similar to the second generation QC Ultra Earbuds over the summer, Bose hasn’t made major upgrades to the updated version of the QC Ultra. But what you get here is a decent improvement over its predecessor. The company created an intuitive power management setup and addressed one of my major issues with the original by adding support for lossless audio over USB-C. Additionally, extended battery life is important in all audio modes, not just an hour or two here or there. Furthermore, QuietComfort Ultra headphones remain the top choice for pure noise-canceling ability, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.