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The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are a strong choice for commuting and long listening sessions if comfort, simple physical controls, and powerful noise cancellation matter more than maximum battery life or premium features. Expert Reviews’ Simon Cocks found them exceptionally light and close to the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) at blocking everyday noise. Their main drawback is value: at the prices reported in September and October 2026, the standard model sits close to Bose’s more feature-rich Ultra.
What are the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
These are Bose’s standard noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, positioned below the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). RTINGS describes them as the successor to the 2023 Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless. They retain the QuietComfort focus on noise control and comfort while adding listening modes and lossless USB-C audio, according to Expert Reviews and Bose’s product information.
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This is a review of the standard QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), not the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the earlier generation. The findings below draw on named reviewers’ published testing rather than independent testing for this article.
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Comfort is one of the clearest reasons to choose this model. Expert Reviews’ Simon Cocks measured or reported a weight of about 230 g and said the headphones felt barely noticeable during use. He found the soft padding and moderate clamping force suited long sessions. The trade-off he noted is that the build feels more plasticky than the Ultra.
SoundGuys also lists the weight as 230 g. That light construction is especially relevant for commuting and extended work or listening sessions, though fit and comfort remain personal.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERN, UPDATED DESIGN: A sleek, streamlined take on the original noise cancelling headphones. All-new pill-shaped earcups and an adjustable sliding headband hit on contemporary design trends and modern aesthetics.
- COMFORTABLE FIT: The new headband is wider than the previous gen, and adds more of the supple, synthetic leather found on the earcups. The headphones strike the right balance of clamping force and comfort for a secure fit and lightweight feel.
- IMPROVED AUDIO PERFORMANCE: The addition of Bose TrueSpatial Technology gives listeners a more natural, immersive experience — no matter the content. QC Headphones (2nd Gen) now also feature high-fidelity lossless audio delivered by USB-C connection.
- LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLING: Legendary Bose QuietControl noise cancelling technology includes updated ActiveSense Tech for adaptive acoustic noise reduction to smooth unwanted spikes in noise when listening in Aware Mode.
- MORE MODES: In addition to Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling and Aware Mode for transparency, these headphones now include Immersion, Cinema Mode, and ANR off. Cinema Mode enhances video content for an immersive experience with more layered sound.
What’s the sound quality and connectivity like?
Expert Reviews reports that the Bose app provides basic equalizer adjustments, and that the headphones support multipoint, so they can connect to more than one device. The review describes physical button controls rather than relying only on touch gestures. Bose lists Quiet and Aware noise-control modes and TrueSpatial technology; Expert Reviews identifies Immersive and Cinema listening modes as additions for this generation.
The headphones also support lossless audio over USB-C, according to Expert Reviews. The USB-C wired setup replaces the previous model’s headphone jack. Expert Reviews says a USB-C-to-3.5 mm cable is included, alongside a USB-C-to-USB-C cable and hard-shell carrying case.
Rank #2
- MODERN, UPDATED DESIGN: A sleek, streamlined take on the original noise cancelling headphones. All-new pill-shaped earcups and an adjustable sliding headband hit on contemporary design trends and modern aesthetics.
- COMFORTABLE FIT: The new headband is wider than the previous gen, and adds more of the supple, synthetic leather found on the earcups. The headphones strike the right balance of clamping force and comfort for a secure fit and lightweight feel.
- IMPROVED AUDIO PERFORMANCE: The addition of Bose TrueSpatial Technology gives listeners a more natural, immersive experience — no matter the content. QC Headphones (2nd Gen) now also feature high-fidelity lossless audio delivered by USB-C connection.
- LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLING: Legendary Bose QuietControl noise cancelling technology includes updated ActiveSense Tech for adaptive acoustic noise reduction to smooth unwanted spikes in noise when listening in Aware Mode.
- MORE MODES: In addition to Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling and Aware Mode for transparency, these headphones now include Immersion, Cinema Mode, and ANR off. Cinema Mode enhances video content for an immersive experience with more layered sound.
For wireless listening, Expert Reviews says the headphones use AAC and SBC and do not support high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. They also lack wear detection, Auracast, and LE Audio. Those omissions are worth weighing if you want automatic pause, newer broadcast audio features, or a high-resolution Bluetooth codec rather than USB-C lossless listening.
How effective is the noise cancellation?
ANC is the headline strength in Expert Reviews’ testing. Cocks used the headphones as his main over-ear pair for three weeks across commuting, home-working, coffee-shop, and outdoor settings. He reported that they quietened London Underground noise, coffee-shop conversation, keyboard clacks, wind on walks, and construction noise, and found their cancellation close to that of the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).
Rank #3
- MODERN, UPDATED DESIGN: A sleek, streamlined take on the original noise cancelling headphones. All-new pill-shaped earcups and an adjustable sliding headband hit on contemporary design trends and modern aesthetics.
- COMFORTABLE FIT: The new headband is wider than the previous gen, and adds more of the supple, synthetic leather found on the earcups. The headphones strike the right balance of clamping force and comfort for a secure fit and lightweight feel.
- IMPROVED AUDIO PERFORMANCE: The addition of Bose TrueSpatial Technology gives listeners a more natural, immersive experience — no matter the content. QC Headphones (2nd Gen) now also feature high-fidelity lossless audio delivered by USB-C connection.
- LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLING: Legendary Bose QuietControl noise cancelling technology includes updated ActiveSense Tech for adaptive acoustic noise reduction to smooth unwanted spikes in noise when listening in Aware Mode.
- MORE MODES: In addition to Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling and Aware Mode for transparency, these headphones now include Immersion, Cinema Mode, and ANR off. Cinema Mode enhances video content for an immersive experience with more layered sound.
Those are one reviewer’s observations in his environments, not a guarantee that the headphones will eliminate every sound. RTINGS also notes that the microphone loses clarity in loud surroundings, so these are not an ideal choice if call quality in noisy places is a priority.
How long does the battery last?
Bose claims up to 24 hours of battery life, or up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio. Bose’s stated test conditions use ANC on and playback at 75 dBSPL; actual runtime varies with settings and use. Expert Reviews’ reported short playback check was broadly consistent with Bose’s 24-hour figure, while noting that the endurance trails some competitors.
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- MODERN, UPDATED DESIGN: A sleek, streamlined take on the original noise cancelling headphones. All-new pill-shaped earcups and an adjustable sliding headband hit on contemporary design trends and modern aesthetics.
- COMFORTABLE FIT: The new headband is wider than the previous gen, and adds more of the supple, synthetic leather found on the earcups. The headphones strike the right balance of clamping force and comfort for a secure fit and lightweight feel.
- IMPROVED AUDIO PERFORMANCE: The addition of Bose TrueSpatial Technology gives listeners a more natural, immersive experience — no matter the content. QC Headphones (2nd Gen) now also feature high-fidelity lossless audio delivered by USB-C connection.
- LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLING: Legendary Bose QuietControl noise cancelling technology includes updated ActiveSense Tech for adaptive acoustic noise reduction to smooth unwanted spikes in noise when listening in Aware Mode.
- MORE MODES: In addition to Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling and Aware Mode for transparency, these headphones now include Immersion, Cinema Mode, and ANR off. Cinema Mode enhances video content for an immersive experience with more layered sound.
How does the price compare?
Prices below are market-specific snapshots, not guaranteed current prices. Expert Reviews listed the standard model at £300 in the UK in its September 21, 2026 review and compared it with the £350 QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Bose’s US product page listed the standard model at $359 when accessed on October 5, 2026. Check local listings before deciding whether the price gap still favors one model.
| Headphones | What the cited coverage establishes | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | About 230 g; strong ANC in Expert Reviews’ testing; straightforward physical controls. UK review price £300 (Expert Reviews, September 21, 2026); US listing $359 (Bose page accessed October 5, 2026). | Buyers who prioritize low weight, comfort, and noise cancellation. |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Expert Reviews and RTINGS describe more features, high-resolution codec support, stronger build or sound refinement, and longer battery life. Expert Reviews listed £350 in the UK alongside its standard-model review price. | Buyers who want the extra features and are willing to pay more. |
| JBL Live 780NC | RTINGS describes it as lower-priced, with a 60-hour battery claim and slightly weaker ANC than the Bose; it says the Bose is more comfortable. Current local prices are not established here. | Shoppers prioritizing battery endurance and price over Bose’s comfort advantage. |
Expert Reviews also names Sony ULT Wear, Anker Soundcore Space 2, and first-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones as cheaper alternatives. Their current prices and availability vary, so compare local listings rather than assuming a particular saving.
Best Value
- BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
Should you buy the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
They make sense if
- You want light headphones for long commutes or work sessions.
- Strong noise cancellation and tactile button controls are higher priorities than premium build materials or a long feature list.
- You expect to use Immersive or Cinema modes, or want lossless listening over USB-C.
Consider another pair if
- You want longer battery life, higher-resolution Bluetooth codec support, or the Ultra’s additional features and refinements.
- You need clear microphone performance in loud surroundings or headphones suited to vigorous exercise. RTINGS flags the microphone’s loss of clarity in loud settings and says the Bose is not ideal for strenuous exercise; SoundGuys notes no IP rating, so do not assume weather protection.
- The Ultra is only slightly more expensive where you are, or battery endurance and value outweigh Bose’s lighter fit and comfort.
Expert Reviews reported five colors—Black, White Smoke, Rosewood Mauve, Eucalyptus Green, and Dewdrop Mint—but availability can differ by region and date.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Expert Reviews, Simon Cocks, September 21, 2026
- Bose official product page
- RTINGS review and comparisons
- SoundGuys, Dave Carr, August 22, 2026
- Tom’s Guide, September 4, 2026
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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