96
Android CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Nov 9, 2025
“Their ANC is exceptional, and this year’s sound quality is satisfyingly detailed, with some other tricks that are worth the price of admission.”
By Tshaka Armstrong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bose · From $449
Release date Oct 2, 2025
85
Critical Gold
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
9 with a published score, 3 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Sep 24, 2026
6 Rave5 Positive1 Favorable
Critics' Take
Critics call these the best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones available, with excellent comfort and a useful step up in battery life. The changes from the first generation are modest, and several reviewers say Sony, Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins now sound better. The $449 price also leaves the original model looking like the better deal for some buyers.
What critics loved
- Class-leading noise cancellation
- Very comfortable for long wear
- Battery life up to 30 hours with ANC
- Wired USB-C audio and charge-while-listening
Common gripes
- Only a modest upgrade over the first generation
- Rivals from Sony and Sennheiser sound better
- Higher $449 price
- Heavy reliance on the Bose app
- Limited EQ and sound customization
Critic Scorecard
12 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
95
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceOct 22, 2025
“The King of Active Noise-Cancellation is back with a product that’s just a mild improvement on the model it replaces – which is, frankly, all it really needed to be.”
By Simon Lucas · Rated 5/5Full review
92
Stereo GuideTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Sep 28, 2025
“The ANC over-ear remains a highly comfortable all-rounder that is just as convincing in everyday life as it is when traveling.”
By Stefan Schickedanz · Rated 91%Full review
88
TechGearLabTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Dec 12, 2025
“A mind-blowing headphone with immersive sound, out-of-this-world noise cancellation, and comfort, but it is expensive”
By Rachael Lamore · Rated 88/100Full review
87
Rolling StoneTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 3, 2025
“Bose’s latest headphones proved that sequels can be a good thing.”
By Jonathan Zavaleta · Unrated, scored from textFull review
87
eCousticsTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 24, 2026
“Comfort remains excellent, noise cancellation is still among the strongest reasons to buy them, and Immersive Audio can add a convincing sense of space with the right material.”
By W. Jennings · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 6 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
81
Digital TrendsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceSep 19, 2025
“I am in no doubt that owners of the Bose QC Ultra 2 would be happy with their purchase.”
No overall score; section scores include Noise canceling 10/10 and Sound 8/10.
By Becky Roberts · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 11, 2025
“This mad science delivers excellent ANC. Mission accomplished.”
By James Pero · Rated 4/5Full review
81
What Hi-Fi?Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Nov 26, 2025
“Bose’s best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones yet barely put a foot wrong when it comes to features and comfort, packing class-leading noise cancellation and a wealth of functionality into a smart, nicely fitting design.”
By Becky Roberts · Rated 4/5Full review
79
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Apr 1, 2026
“Despite my grumbles, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen are Bose’s best flagship over-ears.”
By Kob Monney · Rated 4/5Full review
77
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Dec 9, 2025
“They’re very comfortable and feature the very best ANC around, plus they even come with improvements to spatial audio and battery.”
By Tammy Rogers · Rated 4/5Full review
72
Creative BloqTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 8, 2026
“Modest improvements on an already very good pair of headphones make for another pair of very good headphones.”
By Jon Stapley · Rated 4/5Full review
87
eCousticsTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 24, 2026
“Comfort remains excellent, noise cancellation is still among the strongest reasons to buy them, and Immersive Audio can add a convincing sense of space with the right material.”
By W. Jennings · Unrated, scored from textFull review
72
Creative BloqTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 8, 2026
“Modest improvements on an already very good pair of headphones make for another pair of very good headphones.”
By Jon Stapley · Rated 4/5Full review
79
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Apr 1, 2026
“Despite my grumbles, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen are Bose’s best flagship over-ears.”
By Kob Monney · Rated 4/5Full review
88
TechGearLabTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Dec 12, 2025
“A mind-blowing headphone with immersive sound, out-of-this-world noise cancellation, and comfort, but it is expensive”
By Rachael Lamore · Rated 88/100Full review
77
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Dec 9, 2025
“They’re very comfortable and feature the very best ANC around, plus they even come with improvements to spatial audio and battery.”
By Tammy Rogers · Rated 4/5Full review
81
What Hi-Fi?Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Nov 26, 2025
“Bose’s best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones yet barely put a foot wrong when it comes to features and comfort, packing class-leading noise cancellation and a wealth of functionality into a smart, nicely fitting design.”
By Becky Roberts · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 6 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
96
Android CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Nov 9, 2025
“Their ANC is exceptional, and this year’s sound quality is satisfyingly detailed, with some other tricks that are worth the price of admission.”
By Tshaka Armstrong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceOct 22, 2025
“The King of Active Noise-Cancellation is back with a product that’s just a mild improvement on the model it replaces – which is, frankly, all it really needed to be.”
By Simon Lucas · Rated 5/5Full review
81
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 11, 2025
“This mad science delivers excellent ANC. Mission accomplished.”
By James Pero · Rated 4/5Full review
87
Rolling StoneTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 3, 2025
“Bose’s latest headphones proved that sequels can be a good thing.”
By Jonathan Zavaleta · Unrated, scored from textFull review
92
Stereo GuideTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Sep 28, 2025
“The ANC over-ear remains a highly comfortable all-rounder that is just as convincing in everyday life as it is when traveling.”
By Stefan Schickedanz · Rated 91%Full review
81
Digital TrendsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceSep 19, 2025
“I am in no doubt that owners of the Bose QC Ultra 2 would be happy with their purchase.”
No overall score; section scores include Noise canceling 10/10 and Sound 8/10.
By Becky Roberts · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Quick Facts
- Noise cancellation
- Bose adaptive ANC with CustomTune, Aware mode
- Battery life
- Up to 30 hours with ANC (45 hours with ANC off, 23 with Immersive Audio)
- Bluetooth
- 5.4 with aptX Adaptive
- Wired audio
- USB-C lossless (16-bit, up to 48 kHz)
- Spatial audio
- Bose Immersive Audio with new Cinema mode
- Weight
- 250 g
- Colors
- Black, White Smoke, plus limited editions
- Price
- $449