Bose Debuts QuietComfort Ultra Headphones With Upgraded Noise Canceling and Small Enhancements

Just a few months in the past, Bose unveiled a second-gen version of its QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299) that featured some modest enhancements, together with higher noise canceling. The firm is following an identical playbook with its flagship over-ear QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which can be found now for preorder for $449 ($50 greater than their predecessor). They ship higher noise canceling, in keeping with Bose, together with another small efficiency and have upgrades. 

Read extra: Best noise-canceling headphones of 2025

The new Ultras look precisely the identical as the unique QuietComfort Ultra Headphones that had been launched in 2023. They are available in two new coloration choices — driftwood sand and midnight violet — together with the extra customary black and white smoke colours. 

While it is unclear precisely what has modified from a {hardware} standpoint, Bose says the second-gen mannequin introduces “a suite of meaningful enhancements and new features.” The upgrades embrace:

• USB-C audio: The headphones now assist wired audio listening utilizing a USB-C cable linked along with your your laptop, smartphone or pill.
• Improved adaptive noise cancellation: Bose says its proprietary ActiveSense tech is improved “with a new algorithm for more precise adaptive noise cancellation and natural sound.”
• New immersive-audio Cinema Mode: Bose says the brand new mode permits for clear dialogue whereas sustaining a large, externalized sound stage. It works for motion pictures and TV reveals, but additionally podcasts and audiobooks (notice: this function will even be availailble with Bose’s new second-gen QC Ultra Earbuds).
• Improved on-head detection: Bose has made the headphones flip on and off extra reliably by means of on-head detection alone, so that you now not have to make use of the facility button.
• A less complicated disconnect technique: If you lay your headphones flat on any floor they will disconnect Bluetooth “in seconds,” in keeping with Bose, going right into a low-power standby mode that is able to operating for months.
• Improved battery efficiency: Battery life is now rated for as much as 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio on, 45 with ANC turned off) and the headphones can now be charged throughout use by way of the USB-C port.

I have never but examined the upgraded QuietComfort Ultra Headphones  but, however I’ve been testing the model’s new second-generation Ultra Earbuds, and the noise canceling has improved (it is fairly spectacular). I’m fairly assured the noise-muffling capabilities of this flagship Bose over-ear mannequin will seemingly rival the ANC (energetic noise canceling) of Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones that I awarded a CNET Editors’ Choice earlier this yr. There’s no point out of any sound enhancements, however maybe Bose has made some tuning changes. 

The Trump administration’s tariffs appear to be having an influence on listing costs of headphones. The authentic QualityComfort Ultra Headphones began out at $379 earlier than getting bumped as much as $399 after which to $449 extra not too long ago (they’re on sale now for $379). This up to date mannequin arrives with that elevated $449 worth.

Sony’s flagship WH-10000X6 headphones, which compete instantly with Bose’s Ultra Headphones, additionally bought a $50 worth bump to $450. I’ll let you realize which headphones I favor after testing the Bose later this month. 

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Second Gen) key specs

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