Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs other noise cancelling headphones

The everyday power of quiet, comfort, and focus

Music on a commute, a podcast during lunch, or a call at home. Headphones now carry people through much of the day, and the best ones deliver more than just sound. They make those moments easier, clearer, and more enjoyable.

 

Bose has spent decades refining how people listen, a commitment rooted in Dr. Amar Bose’s early acoustic research and the breakthrough noise cancelling concepts he first sketched during a flight in 1978. That moment sparked a new era of headphone innovation at Bose, one built around clarity, comfort, and quiet.

 

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones carry that legacy forward with adaptive noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and immersive spatial audio, while the second generation builds on these strengths with enhanced performance and Cinema Mode for more engaging video.

Man wearing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) while riding in the backseat of a car.

Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) with CustomTune precision

Using CustomTune technology, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) automatically adjust noise cancelling to both the user’s unique ear shape and the environment. On a flight, the steady engine hum disappears into the background. In a café, conversations around you fade so your podcast stays clear. This consistency is what sets Bose ANC apart from other headphones that rely on fixed modes.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen).
Man wearing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) outside.

Lightweight comfort from work to travel

Comfort becomes obvious after hours of wear. At just 9 oz, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) feel light enough for a full day of calls, playlists, or long travel. The plush cushions soften the fit while the reduced clamping force keeps the headband secure without pressure. Instead of adjusting or taking breaks, you can leave them on and stay focused. Many premium headphones lean heavier in design, but QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are built for comfort that lasts from morning until night.

Immersion Mode with Still and Motion settings

Immersive Audio is Bose’s spatial audio experience. It takes a standard stereo mix and expands it into a wider, more open soundstage so music and dialogue feel like they’re coming from in front, behind, above, or to the sides of you. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) shape that effect in two ways. The Still setting in Immersion Mode keeps the sound anchored for seated listening while the Motion setting maintains the sense of space as you move. Because this spatial processing works across most of your everyday content, everything you play gains a more natural, lifelike presence.

Woman laying down on a living room floor wearing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) next to a smartphone displaying the Bose app.

Cinema Mode for video

The newest addition to QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is Cinema Mode, created for movies, shows, and video of any kind. Powered by Bose spatialized audio, it transforms stereo into a 3D soundstage where dialogue stays sharp, effects feel layered, and the sense of space opens up like a theater.

 

Unlike formats that need special content, Cinema Mode works across everything you watch. Learn more about Cinema Mode. 

Long-lasting battery life and crystal-clear calls

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) last up to 24 hours (18 with Immersive Audio). The second generation extends that even further to 28 hours, with 21 when spatial audio is active.

Calls sound as clear as the music. The advanced mic system reduces background noise and wind so your voice comes through naturally, whether you’re in a quiet room or walking outside. From work meetings to catching up on the go, conversations stay clear.
Woman wearing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) while posting sticky notes on a board.
Woman wearing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) while typing on a computer.

Bluetooth multipoint and cross-device freedom

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) can simultaneously pair to two devices at once using Bluetooth multipoint connectivity. That means you can join a video call on your laptop and switch back to music on your phone without re-pairing. The connection stays stable across platforms, whether you’re on iOS, Android, or PC.

 

Some headphones perform best when you stay inside one ecosystem. Bose makes it easy to move between devices seamlessly, which makes everyday use smoother and less disruptive.

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): all-day comfort, anywhere you go

From the first song in the morning to a late-night movie, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are built to stay with you through it all. Adaptive ANC keeps focus within reach, lightweight comfort makes long listening easy, and spatial audio turns everyday playlists into something more alive.

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) enhance that experience even further with Cinema Mode for sharper, more spacious video sound, plus longer battery life to match the pace of your day. Both versions reflect Bose’s leadership in designing headphones that bring calm, clarity, and enjoyment to real life, wherever you are.

Make QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) your go-to for work, travel, and home. Looking for more? See our full range of Noise Cancelling Headphones.

FAQs

Why are Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) often seen as the standard for noise cancelling technology?

Bose’s leadership in noise cancellation began in 1978, when Dr. Amar Bose first outlined the concept during a flight. That breakthrough set the course for decades of refinement, which continues in the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Their adaptive noise cancellation responds smoothly to changing environments, paired with long-wear comfort and spatial audio — a combination that keeps them a benchmark in ANC performance.

Do noise cancelling headphones work without music?

Yes. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones can be worn with ANC on even when no audio is playing, creating a quiet environment for focus, rest, or travel.

Do Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have spatial audio?

Yes. They feature Bose spatial audio with Still and Motion settings in Immersion Mode. This makes playlists, podcasts, and shows sound more natural and lifelike across any app or platform.

What is Cinema Mode on QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?

Cinema Mode applies Bose spatialized audio to video, sharpening dialogue, balancing effects, and creating a theater-like sense of space. It works across all content, from streaming series to short clips.