The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 is significantly more pleasant to wear, and it’s simpler to transport.
This past month has been packed with travel, having visited three countries and accumulated over 60 hours in the air. A reliable headset is essential and often one of the first items I pack in my travel bag. Previously, I used Nothing’s Headphone 1 primarily for its design and sound quality, but I switched to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 last month, and it has been exceptional.
I’ve been using the earlier version, the QuietComfort Ultra, for quite some time, and I appreciate its design, customizable sound, and excellent noise isolation. The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 doesn’t significantly alter the formula; it retains the same appearance and superb audio quality. Essentially, it’s a modest update that resolves two key concerns: audio over USB-C and enhanced battery life. The QC Ultra Gen 2 offers up to 30 hours of usage on a single charge, six hours more than its predecessor.
The extended battery life noticeably improves regular use and is the reason I chose the QC Ultra Gen 2 over other headphones I have. I found it to surpass the Sony WH-1000XM6 for my needs; it is slightly lighter at 250g, fits my head better, and I found it exceptionally comfortable during long-haul intercontinental flights. The headband offers a good range of adjustments, ensuring even weight distribution of the headset.
Additionally, it occupies less space; it folds flat (similarly to the Sony), but the carrying case is considerably smaller, making the QC Ultra Gen 2 easier to fit into my rather crowded tech bag. The clamping force is gentler, and the comfortable fit along with the soft ear pads significantly enhances the experience during a 20-hour flight. I wore the headset the entire time on my trip to the U.S. from India, and for most of the journey, I barely noticed it was there.
This leads to the next point: noise isolation. Both Bose and Sony excel in this area; I found the QC Ultra Gen 2 effectively blocked out the constant noise of jet engines with ease — it manages the low engine rumble slightly better than Sony. Honestly, for frequent travelers, investing in a headset with outstanding noise isolation is one of the best decisions, and the QC Ultra Gen 2 ranks among the top — if not the absolute best — in this category.
The angled configuration of the audio drivers provides detailed sound, and Bose impressively handles spatial audio, delivering an expanded soundstage that stands out. This is particularly beneficial on long flights, and while Bose lacks extensive EQ settings, I’ve consistently preferred the brand’s tuning over my own preferences — especially compared to the WH-100XM6. The bass, in particular, is lively and intricate, enhancing the enjoyment of various genres.
There are additional perks, such as the capability to receive lossless audio over USB-C. While this feature isn’t essential during travel, it is quite useful at home, and I enjoyed connecting the headset to my Fiio K19 DAC and listening via Roon. The headset supports the AptX suite as standard, and I experienced no issues when pairing it with my Vivo X300 Pro and Find X9 Pro. Like other Bose models, it allows for connection to two devices, and switching between them is seamless.
I encountered no issues with Bluetooth connectivity; the headset paired effortlessly with all the phones I tested over the past month, along with my iPad Pro M4. Connecting to a new device is straightforward; the details are saved in your Google account, so when it comes within range of a new device, a dialog box automatically appears asking if you’d like to connect.
Then there’s the battery life; this is an area where the QC Ultra Gen 2 significantly outperforms its predecessor. The WH-1000XM6 still has the overall advantage, but I had no trouble getting the QC Ultra Gen 2 to nearly reach 30 hours of usage. Fortunately, fast charging remains available, allowing for a 15-minute charge to provide an additional two hours of playback, which is certainly convenient.
Comfort is crucial when selecting a travel headset, and the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 excels in this aspect — which is why I prefer it over the WH-1000XM6. The sound quality ranks among the finest of any headset, enduring the challenges of long-haul travel. While I will concede that the WH-1000XM
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