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

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

	BoseQuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)	SonosAce Ultra
Overview
Released
Released	September 2025	September 2026
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	Yes
Driver size
Driver size	–	40 mm
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive	SBC, AAC and aptX Lossless
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	Yes	Yes
Drivers
Drivers	–	Custom-designed 40 mm dynamic driver in each cup
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	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	Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation adjusts to changes in fit and surroundings; Aware mode with optional Voice Boost; sidetone lets you hear your own voice during calls
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	Dolby Atmos and dynamic Dolby Head Tracking with compatible content and devices; TrueCinema tunes playback to your room and compatible Sonos soundbar; TV Audio Swap supports two pairs, with head tracking available for one pair. Adaptive EQ plus 3-band or 8-band EQ and Loudness controls
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 30 hours	Up to 35 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	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	Replaceable 1060 mAh lithium-ion battery; up to 35 hours with ANC or Aware mode on, or 50 hours with ANC off in the maker guide
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	Three minutes from empty provides up to three hours of listening; full charge from empty in up to three hours. USB-C power adaptor sold separately
Design
Weight
Weight	264 g (better)	322 g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	5.4	6.0
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	Yes	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	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	Content Key slides for volume and presses for playback, calls and audio swapping; Noise Control button cycles noise modes or activates the connected device's voice assistant; Power/Bluetooth button; wear detection pauses and resumes playback
Microphones
Microphones	Four microphones for calls, two on each ear cup	Ten microphones for noise control, calls, Aware mode and TrueCinema
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Around-ear (circumaural) with an adjustable headband; removable protein leather cushions; plastic and aluminium build with polished metal yokes; folds for the carry case	Adjustable stainless-steel headband; rotating ear cups with magnetically attached replaceable cushions; contrasting right-cup interior. Current UK page gives 322 g, while the maker guide gives 325 g
Dimensions
Dimensions	–	Current UK page gives 193 mm height, 163 mm width, 90.8 mm ear-cup width and 45 mm ear-cup depth; maker guide instead lists overall depth 84 mm
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No IP rating published; maker guide says the headphones are not waterproof
Works with
Works with	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	Bluetooth multipoint to two devices, disabled by default; USB-C digital audio and supplied USB-C to 3.5 mm analogue cable, with Bluetooth disabled during cable use. Maker guide specifies aptX Lossless; SBC and AAC are listed by What Hi-Fi. Headphone linking over 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi on 2.4 or 5 GHz requires a compatible Sonos speaker and the Sonos app; opt-in Early Access, provided as-is and subject to change
Colours
Colours	Black, White Smoke, Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet at launch; Bose UK now also sells Cherry Chocolate, Desert Gold and Olive Green	Black, Soft White, Agave, Sand
In the box
In the box	Headphones, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable, USB-C to USB-C cable (99 cm), safety sheet	Headphones, travel case with removable cable pouch, 0.75 m USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2 m USB-C to 3.5 mm cable, setup and warranty documentation; analogue cable is not compatible with third-party replacements