Rank #3 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones: 9 Ranked, Where the Battery Numbers Fail
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen) are Bose's black over-ear noise cancelling model, listed at £326.00 and rated 4.2 out of 5 from 2,742 ratings. They sit third in this guide, and the number worth checking on their own listing is the play time. The product name carries the line "Up to 30 Hours of Play time". The battery bullet further down the same listing reads "Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)". So the headline figure holds only when Immersive Audio is off; turn on the spatial feature Bose is selling these on and the same page is quoting 23 hours, not 30. The bracket is doing a lot of work.
The rest of the listing is unusually specific about what you get. Bose states an item weight of 480 g, a two-year manufacturer warranty, and a box containing the headphones, a protective case, a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable and a safety sheet. The 4.2 rating is an average of 2,742 Amazon ratings, and the spread behind it is not even: the listing's own breakdown shows roughly 70% at five stars and 10% at one star. The feature set is built around Bose Immersive Audio, with Quiet Mode, Aware Mode and Immersion Mode, plus a Cinema Mode that spatialises and balances background sound and effects for video. Everything on this page — the price, the figures, the descriptions — comes from the Amazon listing and not from any testing we carried out.
How those 2,742 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.2 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £326.00 |
|---|---|
| Customer rating | 4.2 out of 5 from 2,742 ratings |
| Play time as listed | Up to 30 hours; 23 hours with Immersive Audio |
| Item weight | 480 g |
| Form factor and colour | Over ear, black |
| Box contents | Headphones, protective case, 2.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, safety sheet |
| Warranty | 2 year manufacturer |
| Is Autographed | No (as listed) |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Easily on a par with more expensive products. The clarity and definition of sound is studio quality where listening to music on other devices then sounds 'flat'. Noise cancellation is also brilliant and they're not too heavy on the head. Recommend for anyone looking to spend a bit more on headphones to get top quality.”
Verified purchase“Excellent sound, and some of the best noise cancelling on the market. I use these a lot on planes and for general use and they block out the noise almost entirely. They are expensive but worth the price, especially if you can get a discount. They do feel a little flimsy however.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones: 9 Ranked, Where the Battery Numbers Fail.
Questions people ask
How long does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) battery last?
The Bose listing gives up to 30 hours of play time, and in the same bullet states 23 hours with Immersive Audio switched on.
Does the 30-hour figure apply with noise cancelling on?
The Bose bullet does not separate noise cancelling from the 30-hour figure. The only reduction it mentions is to 23 hours when Immersive Audio is used.
What is in the box with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
Bose lists the headphones, a protective case, a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable and a safety sheet.
Can I take calls on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
Yes. Bose describes noise-rejecting microphones with AI-based background noise suppression for wind and surroundings, and USB-C voice for calls and video conferencing while connected by USB.
How much do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) cost and how are they rated?
The listing price is £326.00, with a rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 2,742 ratings.
What is Cinema Mode on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
Bose says Cinema Mode spatialises and balances background sound and sound effects for video content, for film-like immersion.
Comments
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