There’s a lot of competition in the world of over-ear headphones made for commuters, travellers and anyone after a bit of peace and quiet. You’ve got great value picks at one end of the spectrum, and high-end options from the likes of Sony and Apple at the other, plus rivals from hi-fi specialists. But, when it comes to the go-to brands, Bose is always a safe bet.
Bose was the originator of active noise-cancelling tech, and it continues to create some of the greatest headphones for noise control on the market. So, I’ve spent the past few weeks using its new flagship pair, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2 – here's what I liked about them and the one significant drawback.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2: At a glance
Pros
- Top-tier noise control
- Comfortable fit for extended listening
- Rich sound quality, with USB-C audio
Cons
- Very similar to the first generation
- Highly expensive
Features at a Glance
| Noise cancellation | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 30 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Weight | 250g |
What I liked about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2
Exceptional noise-cancelling performance
Bose introduced its high-end “Ultra” headphones in 2023, and they’ve been my most-used pair ever since – and I say this as someone who has far too many pairs of headphones!
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And the new release doesn't disappoint. Little comes close to their active noise-cancelling (ANC) capabilities. While I find the Sony WH-1000XM6 marginally more powerful for silencing of distractions, they’re both in the same realm. The Bose implementation also sounds more natural. If you’re susceptible to a “pressurised” sensation with ANC engaged, Bose is also better than Sony here.
Just like on the original, I’m loving the way the Ultra 2 fully silence both the roar of the London Underground and the sound of chatting coworkers at the office. If you need peace and quiet to focus, they’re tremendous. They even handled the blustery wind we’ve been experiencing in the UK lately. They'll silence everything other than very high-frequency noises.
Comfort that genuinely lasts all day
For me, what makes the Bose Ultra 2 some of the best over-ear headphones is not the noise-cancelling alone, but the supreme comfort. Too many competitor pairs skimp on padding so they look a bit more sleek and stylish. But, Bose offers a smart look while also providing a wider headband and extra plush cushioning that make all the difference in the long term.
The brand claims these deliver “all-day comfort” and, as someone who’s worn them for an entire day in the office, I would agree. They don’t weigh much at 250g, and they distribute that weight evenly across your head in a way that never becomes irritating or noticeable.
They also eke out a little more battery life compared to the previous generation, reaching 30 hours rather than 24 hours, with ANC on. So, you’ll have more time to enjoy long listening sessions before they need recharging. When they do, a quick 15-minute charge restores 2.5 hours of music playback.
Polished sound quality, with useful features
Similar to the QuietComfort Ultra 2 Earbuds, Bose delivers a lovely sound profile with its class-leading over-ears. It’s a refined and rich audio quality that sounds great no matter the genre or material I play on them.
I've used them to listen to orchestral soundtracks, energetic pop, relaxing ambient tracks, podcasts and films. They present audio on a relatively wide soundstage, with loads of detail and dynamism, along with the ability to tweak bass and treble to suit your preferences in the companion app.
Compared to the previous generation, they now have support for lossless audio over USB-C, something that can help you get a bit of extra resolution and clarity out of supported music streaming services, now including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon. I love that this feature makes it simple to use the headphones with new devices, too – sometimes I don’t want to fuss with Bluetooth pairing! They also now have a “cinema” spatial audio mode that works well for films and shows, along with improved microphones for clearer calls.
What I didn't like
The price
There's one big downside, though. The best headphones for both comfort and noise-cancellation don't come cheap. The latest Bose Ultras are going to set you back £450 at launch, which is an eye-watering amount. It's worth noting that the terrific previous generation headphones are still available, for the time being, at the same price.
Plus, those original Ultra Headphones have dropped to as low as £299 during recent sales events. They may do so again while they're still available, so it might be worth keeping an eye on the price and snapping them up while you can.
Set on the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2? If you’re not in a rush, we expect they'll also eventually see a price drop that might make them a bit more reasonable.
My verdict on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2
There’s a huge amount to like about the most accomplished pair of Bose headphones to date. They turn down the volume on the world more capably than most, allowing you to continue listening to your playlists and podcasts clearly at lower volumes.
They’re highly comfortable, with no irritation over long stints thanks to a well-judged clamp force, cushioned headband and ear cups; and they have a foldable design that’s portable enough for a handbag or cabin bag. The new Ultras are also great for sound – music is full and dynamic, while vocals remain controlled.
However, the high price means they’re hard to recommend to absolutely everyone. If you’re an occasional commuter or mostly work at home, I’d skip these. Older or less premium models, even from Bose, deliver a lot of what’s great about these without the higher cost.
They’re worth it if you’re always on busy trains, often fly or battle noise at the office or home; otherwise, pick value options like the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, JLab JBuds Lux or Soundcore Space One Pro.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
