Bose QuietComfort 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

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QuietComfort 3 compared with QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

	BoseQuietComfort 3	BoseQuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Overview
Released
Released	2006	September 2025
Sound
Type
Type	On-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	–	Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	–	Yes
Back
Back	Closed	–
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	–	Yes
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Noise cancellation can run with the audio cable detached; the power switch is on the right earcup	Quiet Mode (full noise cancelling) and Aware Mode with ActiveSense, now smoother at damping sudden noise spikes; noise cancelling adjustable or fully off in the Bose app; CustomTune tailors sound and noise cancelling to your ears; wind block in custom modes
Audio features
Audio features	–	Bose Immersive Audio (Still keeps the virtual speakers in place as you turn your head; Motion lets them follow) and Cinema Mode; up to seven custom modes; adjustable EQ in the Bose app; lossless USB-C audio at 16-bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz; aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices, which Bose says adapts to lossless audio and low latency; Gaming Mode
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 30 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	The 2006 Bose battery instructions state approximately 20 hours per charge; a later Bose owner guide states approximately 25 hours. The battery is removed from the right earcup and charged in a separate mains charger	Up to 23 hours with Immersive Audio on; up to 45 hours with noise cancelling and Immersive Audio off; tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL; low-power standby when laid flat or put in the case; can be used while charging
Fast charging
Fast charging	–	15 minutes gives up to 3 hours with noise cancelling on and Immersive Audio off (Bose's test footnote gives 2.5 hours); full charge in up to 3 hours
Design
Weight
Weight	–	264 g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	5.4
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	–	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	Power switch and indicator on the right earcup; audio volume is controlled at the source	On the right ear cup, a Bluetooth/power button, a multi-function button (play, pause, skip, calls and modes) and a capacitive volume strip (swipe for volume; touch and hold for a shortcut to Immersive Audio settings, Spotify Tap or the voice assistant); on-head detection pauses and resumes audio, answers calls and wakes the headphones
Microphones
Microphones	–	Four microphones for calls, two on each ear cup
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	On-ear cushions and rotating earcups that fold flat into the carrying case	Around-ear (circumaural) with an adjustable headband; removable protein leather cushions; plastic and aluminium build with polished metal yokes; folds for the carry case
Works with
Works with	Detachable audio cable with 3.5 mm source plug; supplied dual-plug airline adapter	Bose app for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; Google Fast Pair; Spotify Tap; SimpleSync with a Bose Smart Soundbar or Bose Smart Speaker
Colours
Colours	–	Black, White Smoke, Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet at launch; Bose UK now also sells Cherry Chocolate, Desert Gold and Olive Green
In the box
In the box	Headphones, removable battery, battery charger, audio cable, airline adapter and carrying case; later packages included an Apple-compatible remote and microphone cable	Headphones, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable, USB-C to USB-C cable (99 cm), safety sheet