Where's the Noise › Bose
Ultra or not, first generation or second, over-ear or earbuds: how to read Bose's names, and which one to buy.
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| If you want | Buy | Because | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bose overall | Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) | Flagship over-ear | Amazon |
| Bose on a smaller budget | Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) | Non-Ultra over-ear | Amazon |
| Bose earbuds | Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Flagship earbuds | Amazon |
Flagship over-ear
The Bose for long flights and long days, with deep pads, a gentle clamp, strong blocking and USB-C audio for the moment the battery runs out.
Cheaper over-ear
The comfortable Bose fit and strong noise cancelling at a lower launch price. Reviewers prefer rivals for sound.
Good if you want Bose comfort and blocking without Ultra money. Skip if sound quality is the priority.
Flagship earbuds
The earbuds to beat for blocking noise, with stability bands that keep the seal and a case that charges wirelessly.
| Model | What it is | Launch price |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) | Flagship over-ear, Immersive Audio, USB-C audio | $450 at launch (What Hi-Fi?) |
| Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) | The cheaper over-ear; same comfortable fit | $359 at launch (What Hi-Fi?) |
| Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Flagship earbuds with a wireless charging case | $299 at launch (What Hi-Fi?) |
Launch prices as reported by What Hi-Fi?. Street prices change often; check the listing.
Bose reused the QuietComfort Ultra name for a first and a second generation, in both over-ear and earbud form, and the photos look almost identical. Look for “(2nd Gen)” in the title and again in the product details, not just in the images. On the earbuds, a case that charges wirelessly is a useful second clue for the 2nd Gen.
The plain QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), without “Ultra”, is a different, cheaper model, not an older version of the Ultra.
Immersive Audio is Bose's spatial mode, which makes stereo music sound as if it comes from speakers in front of you. Some people love it for films and long listening; others turn it off in the first week. It costs battery either way: on the Ultra Earbuds, Bose's rating drops from six hours to about four with it on.
Bose for comfort, a slightly stronger block in What Hi-Fi?'s judgement, and aptX on Android. Sony for the faster quick charge, excellent call microphones, a more detailed app and better sound by the same reviewers' account. Read the Sony review and the Bose review side by side if you are torn.
Ultra is the flagship with Immersive Audio and a more premium build; the plain QuietComfort is the cheaper model. Both come in 2nd Gen versions.
Only at a clear discount. Check the listing carefully, because the titles are nearly identical.
Yes, equally well on both, which is one of their advantages over AirPods.