Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) worth it?
Yes — for the quietest, comfiest long flights.
Few headphones are as comfortable for hours, and the noise cancelling is right at the top with the Sony's, especially on planes. Battery lasts about 30 hours with noise cancelling on, they fold into a compact case, and USB-C carries lossless audio. The sound is punchy and clear, but the Sony and Sennheiser are a little more detailed.
84%of 89 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Superb noise cancelling
- Light and very comfortable for hours
- Lossless audio over USB-C
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What owners say
Owners love the sound, the comfort and the noise cancelling. A few find the sound flat or short on bass for the price.
Good to know
- A 2026 update removed the button shortcuts for switching devices and checking battery.
- Wired listening still needs battery, and the mic is off over the cable.
- No water resistance.
From 89 buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Great soundMentioned a lot
- Comfortable for hoursAlso mentioned
- Strong noise cancellingAlso mentioned
- Well built and stylishAlso mentioned
What they complain about
- Sound flat or short on bassOccasional
- Too expensive for what you getRare
- Noise cancelling weaker than expectedRare
Get it if…
- You fly a lot or wear them all day.
- Comfort and quiet matter more than the last bit of detail.
- You watch films on them: Cinema mode is good.
Skip it if…
- You want the most detailed sound: the Sony or Sennheiser win.
- You'd use them for workouts: they slip and aren't water-resistant.
How we reached this verdict
RTINGS calls them the best Bose headphones it has tested, with superb noise isolation, great comfort and about 37 hours of battery in its test. What Hi-Fi says the noise cancelling is still just ahead of the Sony XM6 and that they're among the most comfortable over-ears, but finds the Sony, Sennheiser and B&W more transparent. TechRadar calls them the king of noise cancelling.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar, RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide