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The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) add TrueSpatial listening modes and wired USB-C audio to the standard QuietComfort line. Bose also says it has updated Aware Mode’s ActiveSense behavior and refreshed the design. Those are meaningful feature additions, but they do not establish how well the headphones sound, cancel noise, fit, or handle calls: no independent listening or measurement results are available here. Bose announced the headphones on August 6, 2026, at a US launch price of $359; current price and availability can change.
What’s new in the 2nd Gen?
The clearest changes are features the previous standard QuietComfort Headphones lacked: three Bose Immersive Audio modes enabled by TrueSpatial, and audio over USB-C. Bose also describes revised noise-control behavior, styling, and call clarity.
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TrueSpatial adds three listening modes
- Still: Bose says the audio position stays fixed as you turn your head.
- Motion: Bose says the audio follows head movement.
- Cinema: Bose says it widens the soundstage and keeps dialogue centered, with video and podcasts in mind.
These descriptions explain the intended effect, not independently verified listening results. Whether spatial processing improves your music, films, or podcasts is a matter for direct audition and preference.
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Bose specifies wired USB-C playback up to 24-bit/48 kHz and says USB-C can also carry voice input for calls and videoconferencing. An included USB-C-to-3.5 mm cable is intended for analog sources, including in-flight entertainment. Lossless playback is a manufacturer specification; the available information does not establish a measured sound-quality advantage over Bluetooth.
#1 Best Overall
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
Noise controls, design, and calls
Bose calls its noise-cancellation system QuietControl and says ActiveSense has been updated to reduce unwanted sound in Aware Mode. Bose support also identifies ANR Off as a new option compared with the first-generation standard QuietComfort Headphones. There are no independent results here for steady background noise, sudden sounds, or transparency performance.
Bose describes pill-shaped earcups, a wider sliding headband, and physical buttons as part of a refreshed design. Its product page claims clearer calls than before, but no microphone test supports a conclusion about call quality. Fit, long-session comfort, clamp pressure, heat, and button usability likewise need hands-on assessment.
Rank #2
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
Battery, connections, and published specifications
| Specification | What Bose states | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours; up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio | Bose’s testing used ANC on and audio playback at 75 dBSPL. Battery life varies with settings and use. |
| Quick charge | 15 minutes of charging for up to 2.5 hours of playback | Bose’s test began with a depleted battery and used playback at 75 dBSPL; actual results vary. |
| USB-C audio | Up to 24-bit/48 kHz | Manufacturer specification. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Core 5.4; multipoint | Bose says two devices can be connected at once. Audio plays from one device at a time. |
Multipoint is useful for switching between, for example, a laptop and a phone, but it is not simultaneous playback. Bose support says the headphones can store up to eight devices, with two connected at once.
How they compare with the other QuietComfort options
| Model | Immersive Audio | USB-C audio | Battery claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuietComfort Headphones (1st Gen) | Not included, according to Bose’s comparison | Not included, according to Bose’s comparison | Up to 24 hours, according to Bose |
| QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | Three TrueSpatial modes | Wired audio, up to 24-bit/48 kHz | Up to 24 hours, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio, according to Bose |
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Not stated here | Not stated here | Not stated here |
Bose positions the Ultra 2nd Gen above the standard model. The available comparison details establish the standard model’s generational additions, but do not provide enough comparable specifications to judge which model is the better buy at current prices. Bose’s figures are manufacturer claims, not independent test results.
Rank #3
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
Which version and price should you check?
Bose announced a US launch price of $359. That is the launch price, not a guarantee of today’s price, stock, colors, or purchase terms. Check the current listing before buying.
Bose says its QuietComfort SC/Club version includes a soft case rather than a hard case; the headphones themselves are identical. Check the contents on the exact listing, since bundle details matter if case protection is important to you. Bose’s direct product page described a 30-day return policy and warranty options when checked, but those terms may change.
Rank #4
- LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLATION: Effortlessly combines noise cancelling headphones technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- PREMIUM COMFORT: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
Should you choose them?
The upgrade is easiest to justify if you specifically want spatial listening modes or the option of wired USB-C audio, neither of which Bose lists for the previous standard QuietComfort Headphones. If those features are not priorities, the published information does not establish a sound, comfort, or noise-cancellation improvement that would justify paying more over a discounted first-generation pair. Compare current prices and, if possible, try the fit and sound yourself. A recommendation on ANC effectiveness, call quality, and long-session comfort would require direct testing.
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Best Value
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
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.
