Product Review · Noise-Cancelling Headphones · #3 Ranked
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
Flagship ANC headphones with spatial audio and Cinema Mode · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 81
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is the most capable Bose pair and it shows in the rubric: features score 93 and quality 90, with a metal headband, CustomTune calibration, Immersive Audio, a new Cinema Mode and USB-C audio for calls. Value is the weak spot at 74, because $399.99 is $151.00 more than the Bose QuietComfort Headphones that top this category. Satisfaction lands at 86 from a 4.3-star average across 2,869 ratings, a young review base that keeps reliability at 82. Buy it for the strongest Bose cancellation and spatial sound, not for savings.
What you're getting
- Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes; Bose's top headphone ANC
- Bose Immersive Audio spatial sound plus new Cinema Mode
- Up to 30 hours of playtime, 23 hours with Immersive Audio
- USB-C audio and USB voice for calls and video conferencing
- Listen while charging over the included USB-C cable
- CustomTune adapts sound to the shape of your ears
- Refined metal headband with plush cushions
- Limitation: $399.99 price and only 2,869 ratings so far
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 30-hour battery
- Immersive Audio + Cinema Mode
- USB-C audio
- Price$399.99
- TierFlagship ANC headphones with spatial audio and Cinema Mode
- Category rank#3 of 10
Should you buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is for frequent flyers and movie watchers who want the strongest Bose cancellation plus spatial audio on the go. At $399.99, down from $449.00, it ranks #3 of 10 in our Noise-Cancelling Headphones category. If cancellation and comfort are all you need, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones scores higher at $248.99. If you want Sony's flagship instead, the Sony WH-1000XM6 costs $458.00 and edges it on features.
Where it earns its score
- Bose's best ANC. Bose calls this its best headphone cancellation, and Immersion mode pairs it with spatial audio.
- Cinema Mode. New for the 2nd Gen, it spatializes and balances background sound and effects for video.
- Wired digital audio. USB-C carries both audio and two-way voice for calls, and you can listen while it charges.
- Premium build. A metal headband and plush cushions put quality at 90, tied for the top score in the category.
What to know first
- Warranty is the lowest factor at 55, Value next at 74. Bose covers it for 1 year in the US, and $399.99 is $151.00 more than the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
- Immersive Audio costs battery. Runtime drops from 30 hours to 23 with Immersive Audio on.
- Young review base. 2,869 ratings at 4.3 stars is a thin record next to the 21,850 behind the cheaper Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
Our verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) scores 81, a Good Buy that ranks #3 in our Noise-Cancelling Headphones category, led by Features (93) and Quality (90). Buy it if you fly often and want spatial audio and Cinema Mode on top of Bose's strongest cancellation. If you just want quiet and comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones scores 82 for $151.00 less.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Questions buyers ask
What is new in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen?
Bose lists Cinema Mode, USB-C audio and voice for calls, listening while charging, and up to 30 hours of battery.
How long does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen battery last?
Up to 30 hours per charge, or 23 hours with Immersive Audio turned on.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth it over the standard QuietComfort?
Only if you want spatial audio, Cinema Mode and the metal build. For quiet and comfort alone, the standard model scores higher for $151.00 less.
Ready to check it out?
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) · ViperScore 81 · Good Buy · $399.99
How the other 9 noise-cancelling headphones scored
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