Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen Review: Exceptional ANC Faces Tough Competition

Experience top-tier active noise cancellation with Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen, but does it stand out beyond ANC in today’s fierce headphone market?

I’ve always had a soft spot for the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. They weren’t perfect—the battery life left something to be desired, and the sound wasn’t quite as punchy as some higher-end rivals—but their active noise cancellation (ANC) was unmatched for their price. They created a little bubble of silence in a noisy world, and that’s something I’ve always cherished.

Enter the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen, the aptly named successor that builds on this tradition. With a significant boost in battery life, a refined sound profile, and some fresh immersive sound modes, these headphones play their part well. Yet, they don’t dominate across every category like you might expect from a flagship.

Sure, these are the finest noise-cancelling headphones you can snag right now. But if you're craving more than just stellar ANC—say, richer sound or a bolder design—brands like Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 might just steal the show. Let me walk you through why in this in-depth review.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen: Specs at a Glance

• Price: Around $480
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4
• Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: 30 hours with ANC on
• Weight: 260 grams
• Dimensions: 19.5 x 13.9 x 5.1 cm
• Colors Available: Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet, Sand, Desert Gold
• Drivers: 35 mm
• Compatible with: iOS and Android devices
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 22 kHz

Quick Overview: Who Should Consider These?

• What are they? A refreshed take on Bose’s flagship noise-cancelling headphones.
• Who’s it for? Listeners who want to block out every bit of surrounding noise.
• Price Tag? About $480.
• Pros? Stellar noise cancellation, incredibly comfy fit, and a solid companion app.
• Cons? Sound profile feels dated, and the design is a carbon copy of the previous model.

Where to Buy and What You’ll Pay

Snagging the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen is straightforward—these headphones are available in most major retail and online stores. The catch? The price has crept up compared to the original QuietComfort Ultras.

At roughly $480, they come in a bit pricier than the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, two of the current heavyweights in the noise-cancelling headphone arena. This steep price isn’t fully justified since the Ultra 2 Gen feels more like an iterative upgrade than a revolutionary leap forward.

If you already own the QuietComfort Ultra, I’d suggest holding onto them until the next big update drops—this version doesn’t bring enough fresh to merit a rush purchase.

Design & Comfort: Familiar Yet Flawless

The original QuietComfort Ultras had a style that caught my eye immediately. The metallic accents on the hinges played beautifully against the pearly plastic ear cups and plush pads. They definitely looked cooler and more elegant than the Sony XM6’s minimalist vibe, though not quite as premium as the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3.

Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a fresh new look with the Ultra 2 Gen, you’re out of luck. It’s essentially a mirror image of the first generation: the same metallic hinges, identical plastic cushions, and the same cushioning on both sides. Yes, there are a few new colors to brighten things up, but no one’s going to guess you’ve upgraded just by looking.

I even had moments where I doubted if these were the second-gen headphones until I checked the app—a telltale sign of how incremental this update really is.

On the bright side, that means the legendary comfort of the original carries over perfectly. These headphones are feather-light, and combined with their incredibly soft faux-leather cushions and ample padding, they remain some of the comfiest ANC headphones out there. I’ve worn them for hours on end without even noticing.

The downside? The build doesn’t feel as premium as the price suggests. They’re a tad rattle-prone and don’t have the solid heft or tight construction you might expect from a near $500 pair of headphones. They don’t feel cheap, but you won’t feel like you just splurged on a luxury item either.

Thanks to a sturdy protective case, you can toss them in a packed backpack without worry. My old Ultra headphones have survived some pretty rough treatment and still tick along, so durability isn’t a concern. But a more refined, premium feel would have been a welcome upgrade.

Immersive Sound Modes: Fancy but Flawed

One of the Ultra 2 Gen’s headline features is its new “Immersive” spatial audio modes. Technically, there are three immersive modes plus an off setting (which I don’t count as a mode). But I’m still scratching my head over the hype for these.

For music, Bose offers two immersive modes: one for sitting still, which tracks your head movements to make the sound feel like it’s coming from a fixed space around you, and another for when you’re moving through a room, aiming to keep music centered in your head.

It’s neat tech and works smoothly, unlike similar features on Beats Studio Pro, but I just don’t get why you'd want it. These modes thin out the sound, weakening bass and clarity to create an artificially wider soundstage. Honestly, I often noticed music sounded broader with these modes off.

The “moving” mode is less disorienting but still feels a bit odd. Plus, these don’t use Apple’s Spatial Audio tech—they work only with stereo recordings transformed into a sort of 3D effect, which is impressive technically but not my cup of tea.

If you have a home setup designed for immersive audio, Bose Immersive Audio tech shines. But for everyday headphone use, standard stereo sounds better and saves precious battery life.

The third immersive mode, “Cinema,” is the saving grace here. Perfect for movies, it convincingly simulates surround sound, whether you’re on a plane, train, or car ride.

The Bose app, which powers these features, is pretty solid. It houses the immersive sound settings, a modest three-band equalizer, ANC controls, and customizable touch controls on the right earcup. Compared to Sony’s feature-packed WH-1000XM6, it’s more modest, similar to Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3. You may miss Sony’s advanced ANC modes, but it’s debatable how much they add in real life.

ANC: QuietComfort at Its Best

• Unyielding and effective noise cancellation
• Seamless transition to quiet cocoon
• Transparency mode sounds natural and clear

I could wax poetic about the QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen’s noise cancellation system—words like “unyielding” and “invincible” come to mind. But honestly, it almost goes without saying.

The ANC here is even better than the original. Flip the switch, and you’re wrapped in a cocoon of quiet where only your music or podcast companion remains audible. It’s still one of the best noise-cancelling experiences on the market.

Transparency mode is equally impressive—voices come through natural and clear, not robotic or distorted like some competitors. Bose continues to set the bar high for both ANC and transparency in this price range and beyond.

Call Quality: Crystal Clear Conversations

• Multiple microphones ensure clear voice capture
• Good noise isolation during calls
• Consistent call quality in various environments

Equipped with multiple microphones, the Ultra 2 Gen offers excellent call quality, though this is consistent with the previous generation. Whether I was chatting at my desk, riding a train, or walking down a busy street, people told me I sounded clear and the headphones blocked background noise effectively.

On my end, I could hear others well—unless, of course, their own devices were poor quality. Let’s just say, no headphone can fix a friend’s terrible headset!

Controls: A Mixed Bag

• Physical buttons for power and ANC are reliable
• Touch-sensitive volume slider is hard to find and finicky
• Volume changes can be erratic and frustrating

My feelings about the Ultra 2 Gen’s controls are... complicated.

The power and ANC buttons feel solid and easy to use. But Bose’s choice to put a touch-sensitive slider on the right earcup for volume control? That’s where things get frustrating.

It’s hard to find and fiddly to use. Accidentally swiping wildly adjusts volume, often more than intended, which is infuriating. Tapping the ANC button cycles playback modes too, which adds to the confusion.

I was hoping this version would ditch the slider or improve it, but no such luck.

Sound Quality: Good, But Could Be Better

• Warm, bass-forward sound signature
• Requires EQ tweaking for better clarity
• Solid overall soundstage with some detail loss

Bose’s sound profile tends to favor warm, bass-rich tones—and the QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen carries on that tradition. You can tweak the EQ via the app, which I highly recommend—boosting the treble by +2 or +3 brings cymbals and other elements to life with a bit more sparkle.

Turn off the immersive modes, and these headphones deliver solid sound, with a reasonably spacious soundstage and enjoyable bass. Vocals sit nicely in the mix though they aren’t as sharply focused as on the Sony WH-1000XM6.

The bass can feel a bit one-note, lacking some texture and dynamism. These headphones are perfect for background listening but may leave audiophiles wanting more depth and detail. For a deeper dive, Sennheiser HD 630 or Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 might be better bets.

Metal fans might find the bass range a bit flat; Katatonia’s melancholic metal tracks sounded good but could use more punch. After EQ adjustments, cymbals and vocals popped noticeably.

Distorted guitars shine with character, and instrument separation is decent, though busy mixes can get a little muddy—Sony’s WH-1000XM6 handles complex layers more gracefully.

Pop tracks fare better. On Gala by XG, the headphones relish the glamorous bass, and the slightly flat soundstage isn’t much of an issue since the vocals float on top and sparkling synths add depth.

Chvrches’ Asking For a Friend shines similarly, though bass feels a tad subdued. The vocals are crisp and pleasant, and drums have an enthusiastic bounce thanks to the warm signature. Not the best out there, but solid.

Battery Life: Improved, But Not Class-Leading

• 30 hours playback with ANC on, up from 24 hours previously
• Immersive Audio modes reduce battery life to about 18 hours

Battery life has seen a welcome bump, now lasting up to 30 hours with ANC active—6 hours more than the original model. However, this just brings the QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen in line with many competitors, rather than setting a new bar.

If ultra-long battery life tops your list, the Sennheiser HD 630 offers a staggering 60-hour runtime, though at a slightly higher price.

Final Verdict: A Strong ANC Champ with Room to Grow

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen is a great pair of headphones. The sound is good, they’re incredibly comfortable, and the ANC remains a stellar example of noise-cancelling technology. I can’t help but give them 4 stars and a recommendation—they’re simply good. The catch? There’s just as much good competition out there.

Plus, the previous generation, now available at a discount, is barely behind and well worth considering. Once those stockpile, things will shift, but for now, the older model holds its own.

These headphones offer a decent update and currently hold the crown for the best ANC you can get. But, if Bose could ditch the finicky touch controls on the right earcup, enhance the sound, and bring a fresh design, they’d earn an even higher rating.

Right now, they’re solid four-star headphones in a crowded, competitive field.

• How does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen compare to the original model? The Ultra 2 Gen improves battery life and adds immersive sound modes but retains the same design and similar sound profile as the original.
• Is the ANC on these headphones really the best? Yes, Bose’s ANC remains one of the best on the market, providing an almost complete silence bubble.
• Are the immersive sound modes worth using? The immersive music modes tend to thin out the sound and aren’t to everyone’s taste, but the cinema mode is a solid addition for movie watching.
• How comfortable are these headphones for long listening sessions? Extremely comfortable, thanks to their lightweight design and soft faux-leather ear cushions, ideal for hours of use.
• What are the main cons of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Gen? The outdated design, the touch slider’s finicky nature, and a sound profile that requires EQ tweaking are the main drawbacks.

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