Isolation and convenience
RTINGS and What Hi-Fi? support effective noise cancellation, while USB-C adds a useful connection option missing from the Sony.
RTINGSWhat Hi-Fi?Headphones & audio / Review roundup
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Headphones, 2nd generation; not earbuds or original model
Roundup updated 2026-10-02 · 3 assessment sources
What reviewers found
Premium isolation with a useful wired option
The second-generation Ultra adds USB-C listening to an already capable noise-cancelling design. That is a useful distinction from Sony’s XM6, though the overall upgrade is modest for owners of the original Bose model. Fit and connection needs are better reasons to choose it than the promise of a dramatic generational leap.
A roundup of published reviews; we haven’t tested this product. How we work
At a glance
Good for
Noise cancellation with USB-C listening
The catch
An incremental upgrade from the original
Where to buy
Current prices are available at the retailer.Check price at Amazon Product search
Affiliate links · We may earn a commission.
Strengths and limitations
Pros
- Strong ANC and a folding design.
- Wired digital audio through USB-C.
- Spatial movie features for buyers who use them.
Cons
- Incremental upgrade for existing Ultra owners.
- Premium rivals can offer stronger perceived sonic detail.
- Spatial processing is optional and not equally convincing for every track.
PERFORMANCE
Benchmarks
Standardized playback rundown
Higher is better · minutes36.9% higher
Sony WH-1000XM6 records 36.9% higher battery endurance than Bose QuietComfort Ultra in this test. This result applies to the selected workload.
SoundGuys · original chart & methodology ↗Published Separate 2025 reviews · checked 2026-10-03
SoundGuys standardized battery-rundown results: Sony WH-1000XM6 37h 14m; Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen 27h 12m.
Cross-review measurements, not simultaneous samples. Codecs, ANC and spatial-audio modes, volume and firmware can alter battery life; inspect each source’s settings. This does not compare sound quality or noise cancellation.
Test data and methodology
| Product | Result | Against first measured model |
|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | 2234 | 0% |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | 1632 | -26.9% |
Bars start at zero. Percentage differences use the displayed baseline; they are not a combined rating. A geometric mean summarizes a suite, not the frame rate of every game. 1% lows describe the slowest portion of frames and help expose uneven delivery. Missing products are never assigned zero.
In depth
Sound versus premium rivals
What Hi-Fi? finds sonic detail behind rivals including the Sony XM6 despite improvements over the original Ultra. ANC and sound preference are different decisions.
What Hi-Fi?Owners of the original
SoundGuys frames the changes as incremental. USB-C use and the specific added features should justify replacement rather than the newer label alone.
SoundGuysMeasurements & observations
Published measurements include their original test conditions.
Measurement · Battery rundown
27 h 12 minSoundGuys standardized rundown for its second-generation sample. Firmware and spatial settings can alter runtime; this is not a current manufacturer claim.
SoundGuysSpecifications
Check the configuration: memory, storage and cooling can vary between models.
Listening & connections
- Generation
- QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, 2nd generation
- Bluetooth
- 5.4 in the linked review
- Digital wired audio
- USB-C lossless listening
- Analog input
- 2.5 mm headphone-side input
- Sound adjustment
- Bose app EQ
- Spatial listening
- Immersive Audio; Cinema mode
Travel & daily use
- Noise cancellation
- Quiet and Aware listening modes
- Portability
- Folding over-ear design
- Case
- Included
- Comfort
- Fit and seal remain personal
- Upgrade context
- Useful connection changes; same product class as original Ultra
- Water resistance
- No IP rating in SoundGuys
- USB-C advantage
- Digital listening without a Bluetooth codec; verify source-device support
Still unknown
- No long-term battery degradation or hinge durability study in this synthesis.
- Microphone and codec behavior can change with firmware and the connected device; listen to the original call samples.
Published reviews & comparisons
What Hi-Fi? ·
What Hi-Fi? review ↗
Strong ANC, comfort and movie spatial features, but perceived sonic transparency trails several premium competitors.
Test scope
Second-generation headphones; sound versus rivals, ANC and USB-C listening
Publisher group: Future
SoundGuys ·
SoundGuys review ↗
USB-C listening is a useful addition, but generational gains are modest; the review provides a separate battery rundown.
Test scope
Second-generation headphone review
Publisher group: Android Authority
RTINGS
RTINGS review ↗
Second-generation headphone testing supports isolation and connection analysis; do not substitute measurements of the earbuds or original Ultra.
Test scope
Second-generation headphone testing
Publisher group: RTINGS
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