- Bose QuietComfort Ultra -Headphones (2nd Gen) arrive today, 10 September
- ‘Improved adaptive noise cancellation’, USB-C sound and new ‘cinema mode’
- Fantastic new colors … and a fierce price tag
Stop with what you’re doing: This is huge. The best noise-canceling headphones for Bose fans (and among the best ANC cans we’ve ever tested, period) now have a sequel.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra-headphones (2. Gen) -For is their name-joins to their recently released five-star earplugs, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earplugs (2. Gen).
And Bose transfers his apparent commitment to going a little artistically with colorways with these second generation of models; In the picture above is ‘Operationwood Sand’ (also available for ultra open ear plugs) and below you see ‘Midnight Violet’ (also a finish option for Ultra Open Ear Samples and the newly released 2. In addition to standard black or white smoke is finish.
What else is new? Like AirPods Max now, USB-C Wired Audio supports, Bose’s new flagship cans also work with their USB-C cable to 16-bit/44.1 kHz or 48 kHz audio quality-and also 2.5 mm audio plug containing on the older model.
Elsewhere, the ten (10!) Microphones are combined inside and outside each ear cup now with an improved ActiveSense allorithm for “more precise adaptive noise cancellation and natural sound”.
Better BOSE -BATTERY ALWAYS? Brilliant
Even a quick look at the headline of our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphone Notification reveals one area we wanted to see improved: Juice Pack. Up to 24 hours with an ANC on would no longer cut it in 2025, and Bose has raised endurance to an alleged 30 hours of ANC inserted into the updated model (although still 23 hours of immersive sound, ie. and Different degrees of spatial sound added to the mixture) or 45 hours with ANC off.
A nice fringe here is that the headphones can now be charged during use via the USB-C port, a feature I have loved with AirPods Max.
There is also a brand new cinema state that has been invoiced as “a new immersive sound mode from Bose that allows for clear dialogue while maintaining a broad, externalized sound phase-fantastic for film and TV shows, but also podcasts and sound box” (a feature that also releases in the new 2. Qc Ultra Earbuds).
Next to Snapdragon Sound Support (so APTX -Adaptiv is fixed on the menu) is QCUH (2nd gen) ‘S Bluetooth version now 5.4, so an update on the older set of 5.3 chipset.
Should we talk money? Of course we should. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are available from today, 10 September 2025, prices £ 449 – ie. The same launch price as October 2023 inauguration model.
Although we have not had an official confirmation of prices and accessibility around the world if Bose goes with the same launch price as the originals, it would make them $ 429 / AU $ 649, and although I am grateful, Bose has not increased pricing with inflation, competition at this level.
For the money Bose QuietComfort Ultra -Headphones (2. Gen) really really Must deliver the goods. Why? To put it blunt because the excellent May 2025 edition Sony WH-1000XM6 is $ 20 (or £ 50) cheaper …
How good are they for the money? We are busy crossing ‘t and dots’ I’m on it, we assure you. A full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Techradar Review will land very soon.
