Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2: Still ANC King?
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 Long-Term Review: Still the ANC King After the Update?
Bose has long been synonymous with top-tier noise-canceling headphones. When the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 launched in October 2025, it quickly became our favorite. But how do they hold up after months of daily use and a significant firmware update? Let’s dive in.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones are for anyone prioritizing industry-leading noise cancellation, supreme comfort, and excellent call quality. Despite some minor build quirks and a controversial firmware update, their core performance remains unmatched, making them a definitive buy for premium audio.
Facts at a glance
- Release Date: October 2025 (Gen 2)
- ANC Performance: Tier S
- Transparency Mode: Tier S
- Bluetooth Codec Support: aptX suite
- Wired Audio: USB-C (high-res lossless, 48 kHz, with mic support)
- Connectivity: Multipoint, Pull Connect
- Price: Fluctuates between $400-$450 (around $430 at time of testing)
Pros and Cons
- ✅ Exceptional Comfort
- ✅ Top-tier ANC & Transparency
- ✅ Excellent Call Quality
- ✅ Wired Lossless Audio
- ❌ Developed Creakiness
- ❌ Fussy Case Design
- ❌ aptX Codec Limitation
- ❌ Removed Voice Prompts
Bose has consistently set the bar for noise-canceling headphones, and the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, released in October 2025, was no exception. During my extensive hands-on time, these headphones quickly rose to the top of my list. However, a recent firmware update introduced both welcome improvements and some head-scratching removals. After testing them day in and day out for months, let’s see if they still reign supreme.
Comfort
It’s in the name: QuietComfort. This is, without a doubt, the number one reason I adore these headphones. Achieving the perfect balance of comfort is incredibly challenging, but Bose nails it. The weight distribution on the crown is excellent, and the earcups are wonderfully plush. What truly sets them apart are the angled drivers within the earcups, which perfectly nestle your ears, providing a secure yet gentle fit. When I wore these for hours on a recent trip to Japan, they remained incredibly comfortable, never causing fatigue. This aspect hasn’t changed one bit since release; they don’t get less comfortable over time.
Build Quality
While comfort remains stellar, I’ve noticed a slight change in the build quality over time. When I first unboxed them, they felt incredibly solid and virtually noiseless. However, during my recent checks, I found them to be a little creaky now. This wasn’t an issue initially, but it’s something to consider for long-term durability. We don’t yet know how this will hold up over the next few years, but it’s an observation worth sharing.
Microphone Performance
Phone calls have always been a strong suit for the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, a significant improvement over the Gen 1 model. The recent firmware update hasn’t negatively impacted this. We’ve updated our tests to include noisy and windy conditions to give you a clearer picture.
To hear the raw microphone samples, check out the video embedded at the top of this post!
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) & Transparency
This is where Bose truly shines. The ANC and transparency modes are still top-tier, earning a solid Tier S ranking in our evaluations. Nothing has changed in their effectiveness; they continue to block out distractions and let in ambient sound with remarkable clarity. However, the firmware update did address a previous nitpick: the slow transition between ANC modes (e.g., Quiet to Aware). Previously, it would slowly fade into the new mode. Many argued this was a “feature, not a bug,” but Bose listened. Now, the transition is instant and much quicker, exactly how it should be. This is a welcome improvement that enhances the user experience significantly.
Portability & Case
The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are highly portable thanks to their foldable design, allowing them to fit snugly into a compact case. This design choice saves space and offers good protection. However, the case design itself has a minor flaw: the headphones need to be folded in a very specific way to fit. This “mold” isn’t as intuitive as it could be, unlike the regular QuietComfort models where you can fold them in any orientation as long as they achieve the correct shape. This hasn’t been addressed by the software update, and it remains a slight inconvenience.
Sound Quality
The sound profile of the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 remains consistent. Out of the box, they tend to be “bass cannons.” However, a quick tweak in the three-band EQ within the Bose app, reducing the bass to my personal preference, transforms them into truly excellent-sounding headphones. They deliver a rich and detailed audio experience. One persistent downside, which the software update didn’t change, is their reliance on the aptX suite of codecs for high-res audio. This is a limitation, as not all phones, especially iPhones, support aptX lossless or adaptive. Many Android phones only support basic aptX. On the flip side, a fantastic new feature is the addition of wired lossless audio via USB-C, supporting up to 48 kHz. Even better, you can now use the onboard microphone while connected via USB-C, effectively giving you infinite battery life for calls and low-latency, high-quality audio simultaneously. This is a huge win for productivity and gaming.
Connectivity: Multipoint & Pull Connect
Multipoint connectivity, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously, was a beloved feature that remains. Bose also introduced “Pull Connect,” which means if you’re connected to two devices and want to switch to a third, you can simply select the Bose headphones from your device’s Bluetooth settings, and it will “pull” the connection over. This is a convenient addition. However, the firmware update controversially removed several useful voice prompts. Previously, upon powering on, the headphones would announce which devices they were connected to (e.g., “Kevin’s iPhone,” “Rohan’s iPhone”) and the battery level. You could also cycle through connected devices and enter pairing mode by pressing the power button. All these “device readout” and “battery level readout” features, along with the ability to switch devices via the power button, have been nuked. While multipoint and Pull Connect still function, the loss of these intuitive voice prompts is a step backward in user experience.
Volume Control & Shortcuts
The physical volume strip on the headphones remains unchanged. In the settings, holding down on this strip activates a shortcut. Previously, you had four options, but now you only get three. The removed option was hearing the battery level, which, frankly, wasn’t a feature I was particularly fond of even before the update. So, good riddance to that one.
Design
Compared to the previous model, the Gen 2 introduced shiny yolks and elements, especially noticeable on certain colors. While they might appear “blingy” under studio lights, in day-to-day use, when I’m out and about, I find them perfectly acceptable. They don’t look ugly, and the aesthetic is fine for most situations.
Voice Prompts
The overall tone of the voice prompts has improved. The old prompts, like the robotic “Quiet” or “Aware,” could be a bit annoying. The new prompts are more “chill” and realistic, as they are now limited to predefined announcements like “Active Noise Cancelling” or “Transparency.” This change, while reducing functionality, makes the remaining prompts less intrusive.
Final Verdict
Despite the controversial firmware update that stripped away some convenient voice prompts and device readouts, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones remain an outstanding product. Their core strengths—unparalleled comfort, best-in-class ANC and transparency, and excellent call quality—are not only intact but, in some cases, enhanced (like the instant ANC mode switching). The addition of wired lossless audio with mic support via USB-C is a significant upgrade. While the developing creakiness and the fussy case design are minor drawbacks, they don’t detract from the overall premium experience. For those seeking the ultimate in quiet and comfort, these headphones are still highly recommended.
DISCLOSURES
✅ Bose sent us these products for free for review purposes.
✅ No one got input at any stage in the creation of this content. All opinions and bad jokes are strictly our own.
✅ Affiliate shopping and merchandise links above earn us commission.