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

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

	BoseQuietComfort Headphones	BoseQuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Overview
Released
Released	September 2023	September 2025
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	–	Yes
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	SBC and AAC	SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	–	Yes
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Quiet Mode (full noise cancelling) and Aware Mode (full transparency), plus custom modes with adjustable noise cancelling in the Bose app; Wind Block can be added to any mode; microphones inside and outside the ear cups	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	TriPort acoustic structure; three-band EQ (bass, mid-range, treble) with presets in the Bose app	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 24 hours	Up to 30 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Up to 24 hours with noise cancelling on, tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL; the headphones don't play while charging	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 4 hours (Bose UK FAQ; Bose UK's comparison table says 2.5 hours); full charge in up to 2.5 hours (owner's guide and spec table; the FAQ says 2 hours)	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	236 g (better)	264 g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	5.1	5.4
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	Yes	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	Physical buttons on the back of the ear cups; on the right, a Power/Bluetooth switch, volume up and down and a multi-function button (play, pause, skip, calls); on the left, an Action button for modes, customisable as a shortcut to Spotify Tap or battery level	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	Built-in microphones for calls; the audio cable has an in-line microphone	Four microphones for calls, two on each ear cup
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Around-ear (circumaural) with removable protein leather cushions; steel in the headband; metal and plastic build; folds for the carry 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
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	No water resistance rating published	–
Works with
Works with	Bose app (launched with Bose Music) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers; Spotify Tap	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 and limited-edition Cypress Green at launch	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, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable with microphone, USB-C (A to C) cable (30 cm), safety sheet	Headphones, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable, USB-C to USB-C cable (99 cm), safety sheet