Head-to-head · Best Wireless Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.9 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Listeners who want the best possible noise cancellation and all-day comfort, plus spatial audio, and don't need hi-res codecs — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Wireless Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

3.9

$349as of Apr 25

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) replace the QC45 as Bose's mainstream over-ear, sitting one tier below the QuietComfort Ultra. TechRadar gave them 4 stars for 'flagship noise-cancelling for less,' and SoundGuys clocked 27 hours of real-world battery and excellent ANC. They lack the Ultra's Immersive Audio and high-res codecs, but at 240g they're the most comfortable headphone in this guide and the easiest to recommend for long-haul flights.

Strengths

— Plush memory foam earcups, only 240g — the most comfortable pair in this guide
— Excellent Bose ANC, only narrowly behind the QuietComfort Ultra
— Tested ~27 hours real-world battery life

Watch-outs

— Only SBC and AAC codecs — no aptX or LDAC
— 3-band EQ is more limited than rivals' parametric tools
— No spatial audio (saved for the QuietComfort Ultra)

$349 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Wireless Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

4.5

$329as of May 29

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the noise-cancelling benchmark of this lineup — RTINGS calls them 'top-of-the-line noise cancelling headphones' and What Hi-Fi praises 'class-leading, customisable ANC' alongside sound that is 'both hugely accomplished and hugely entertaining.' They add Bose's Immersive Audio spatial mode over the standard QuietComfort and sit a clear tier above it. The price is steep and they skip hi-res codecs, but for outright silence plus comfort they are hard to beat.

Strengths

— Class-leading, highly customizable active noise cancellation — among the best measured anywhere
— Rich, entertaining, well-balanced sound that satisfies casual listeners and enthusiasts alike
— Bose Immersive Audio spatial mode adds a convincing sense of space the standard QC lacks

Watch-outs

— Premium price — the most expensive Bose in this guide
— Immersive Audio noticeably shortens battery life and not everyone will use it
— No high-resolution LDAC/aptX HD codec support, unlike the Sony WH-1000XM6

$329 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

The QuietComfort sits below the Sony WH-1000XM6 on sound and feature depth but matches it on ANC and beats it on raw comfort thanks to a 240g chassis. Versus the AirPods Max 2 it is roughly $200 cheaper, lighter by nearly 150g, and platform-agnostic — but gives up Apple's H2 chip integration, spatial audio, and lossless USB-C playback.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The QuietComfort Ultra sits a clear tier above the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones in this guide, adding Immersive Audio spatial sound and stronger ANC for roughly $80 more. Against the Sony WH-1000XM6 it arguably edges ANC and comfort but gives up hi-res LDAC playback and longer battery. Versus the Apple AirPods Max 2 it is lighter, folds flat and works equally well on Android, while costing well over $100 less.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bose QuietComfort Headphones	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Driver	40mm dynamic	35mm dynamic
Weight	240g	253g
ANC	Adaptive ANC with Aware mode and adjustable Quiet modes	Yes, adjustable + Immersive Audio
Codec	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.1 with multipoint, USB-C, 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, 3.5mm
Battery Life	24 hours rated (~27 hours measured)	24h (18h Immersive)
Folding	—	Folds flat, hinged

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