No headphone in this lineup cancels noise better. RTINGS calls the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones '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.' Bose's Immersive Audio spatial mode is the addition over the standard QuietComfort, and they sit a clear tier above it. The price is steep, but for outright silence plus comfort they are hard to beat.
Full review
Class-Leading Noise Cancellation
What Hi-Fi described the ANC as 'class-leading' and 'customisable,' and RTINGS flatly called the headphones 'top-of-the-line noise cancelling.' SoundGuys found the original Ultra reduced the loudness of noises like bus engines, train screeches, and airplane whines by about 87%, among the best figures measured for any consumer headphone, swallowing airplane drone and office HVAC with ease. Crucially, Bose lets you tune the level of cancellation and transparency in fine steps through the app rather than offering a coarse on/off toggle, so commuters and open-plan workers can dial in exactly the amount of isolation they want.
Sound Quality and Immersive Audio
Where older Bose models prioritized silence over sonics, the Ultra delivers genuinely enjoyable sound. What Hi-Fi praised audio that is 'both hugely accomplished and hugely entertaining,' with a rich, balanced presentation that flatters a wide range of music. The headline feature is Immersive Audio, Bose's spatial-sound mode, though What Hi-Fi found it remains unconvincing. It is a software trick rather than true multichannel, and opinions on its musical value vary, but it meaningfully differentiates the Ultra from the cheaper Bose in this lineup.
Out of the box the tuning leans slightly warm with a confident low end, but the app's adjustable EQ lets you flatten or brighten it to taste, and reviewers note the drivers have the headroom to stay clean at volume. Where some noise-cancelling headphones sound closed-in once ANC is engaged, the Ultra keeps a sense of openness, which is part of why What Hi-Fi rated the musical performance so highly. It is a genuine step beyond the standard QuietComfort in this guide, which is competent but plainly tuned for inoffensiveness rather than excitement.
Comfort and Build
Comfort has always been a Bose strength and the Ultra is no exception. SoundGuys highlighted the 'soft padding that is very glasses-friendly,' with wide ear cups and angled dynamic drivers that keep pressure off the ears and create a reliable seal. At around 253 grams the headphones are light enough for marathon listening, and the headband distributes weight evenly. The design folds flat at a hinge so both the headphones and the supplied hard case take up little bag space, a practical advantage over the bulkier, non-folding Apple AirPods Max 2.
Battery and Connectivity
Bose rates the QuietComfort Ultra at up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio off, dropping to about 18 hours with it engaged — a real consideration for travelers who want the spatial effect on a long flight. Connectivity covers Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for switching between a laptop and phone, plus a 3.5mm jack and aptX Adaptive support. Sony's LDAC is absent, but SoundGuys notes support for aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound.
Immersive Audio mode shortens battery life
The QuietComfort Ultra's main weakness is price. At a premium street price it is the most expensive Bose in this guide and asks flagship money, and the Immersive Audio mode that helps justify the cost also measurably shortens battery life when used. Buyers who do not care about spatial audio can get most of the ANC and comfort from the cheaper standard QuietComfort and save the difference.
Same experience on Android and iPhone alike
Buy the QuietComfort Ultra if your top priority is the quietest possible commute or flight, paired with all-day comfort, and you want spatial audio in the bargain. SoundGuys framed them as a long-term investment 'built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future.' They are platform-agnostic, so Android and iPhone users get the same experience, and the folding design suits frequent travelers. Skip them for the cheaper standard Bose QuietComfort if you do not value Immersive Audio, or for the Sony WH-1000XM6 if hi-res LDAC playback and the longest battery matter more than the last few percent of ANC.
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
- +Plush, glasses-friendly ear cushions and a light, comfortable fit for long sessions
- +Folds flat with a hinged design and includes a compact hard carry case
Watch-outs
- −Premium price — the most expensive Bose in this guide
- −Immersive Audio noticeably shortens battery life and not everyone will use it
How it compares
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones add Immersive Audio spatial sound over the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, whose entry says spatial audio is saved for the Ultra, and they cost considerably more. Against the Sony WH-1000XM6 they give up LDAC playback and battery life, at 24 hours against 40. At 253g they are lighter than the 386g Apple AirPods Max and fold flat, and they cost less than the Apple.
Price history
5 daily reads from amazon.com since Oct 29, 2026. Lowest $324.99 (Oct 29), highest $324.99 (Oct 29), latest $324.99 (Nov 6). We call whether it's a good price once there are 7 days of reads at one store.
Rating sources
Counts as 4.54/5 in our score — this publisher's 33 scores on the site average 4.70, so its scores are adjusted down to compare fairly with other publishers.
“these flagship wireless headphones are pricey, but they deliver class-leading, customisable ANC, while sound quality is both hugely accomplished and hugely entertaining”
Counts as 4.43/5 in our score — this publisher's 87 scores on the site average 3.98, so its scores are adjusted up to compare fairly with other publishers.
“The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are top-of-the-line noise cancelling (ANC) headphones.”
Counts as 4.45/5 in our score — this publisher's 51 scores on the site average 3.79, so its scores are adjusted up to compare fairly with other publishers.
“a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future”
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings, each adjusted for how strictly its publisher scores. More about methodology.
