Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 review: Similar to the Ultra 2s at an affordable price

Bose introduced the QuietComfort Ultra 2s in late 2025, the second generation of the popular premium headphones: you can check out my review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2s. Now, the second generation of the Bose QuietComfort headphones are here, too. They offer tons of upgrades over the last-gen Bose QuietComfort headphones, many of which mirror features in the QuietComfort Ultra 2s. This may have you wondering which pair is the better one to get, especially since they differ in price by about $120. Now that I have tried both, I have a good idea of how the Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 headphones compare.

Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2

Here’s a quick look at how the new QuietComforts compare to the previous gen models as well as the new Ultra 2s.

Design and comfort: simple style

The Bose QuietComfort Gen 2s are what I’d describe as simple stylish. You get the traditional oval-shaped earcups that contour nicely to the ears, fully encapsulating them. This is complemented by a plush, adjustable headband made of soft synthetic leather. Bose says clamping force has been optimized to provide both a secure fit and a lightweight feel, and I would agree. They look and feel almost identical to their more expensive Ultra sister. The QuietComfort Ultra 2s are slightly more comfortable and fit a bit more snugly to my head. The seal also feels a smidge tighter while they overall have a more premium feel to them.

My review sample of the QuietComfort 2s arrived in basic black, but there are other colour options to suit bold tastes, including the ’90s inspired Dewdrop Mint. If you want a pair that will stand out in a crowd, those ones are it!

Touch controls for a fully manual experience

The one main difference when it comes to operation is that these are more manual. While I can plop the QuietComfort Ultra 2s on my head even weeks after I haven’t used them and they spring into action, these require a power slider to turn on and off. Slide away from you and they turn on. This same switch also pulls further back to put them into pairing mode.

On the left earcup is also an action button for switching among listening modes: I appreciate that you get audible confirmation of which mode you’re in. On the right earcup is a multi-function button for play/pause and skip forward/back (double- and triple-press). Unlike the QuietComfort Ultra 2 that have a volume strip, these ones have up/down buttons flanking the multi-function button.

As I have mentioned in other headphones reviews, I prefer physical buttons over touch-sensitive ones, appreciating the tactile feel. The three right-side buttons are pretty close together, but if you slide your finger along, the multi-function button is slightly recessed, which makes it easy to discern. It also prevents you from inadvertently tapping it when you want to increase or decrease the volume.  

One thing that’s missing is auto-pause when you remove the headphones. I found that if I removed them to talk to someone (though I could also just tap the button to go into Aware mode), I’d have to rewind my podcast to hear what I missed.

Sound quality is warm and pleasant

The big question when it comes to headphones is sound quality, and these excel. They feature Bose TruSpatial technology, adding the same three Immersive Audio listening modes you get with the Ultra series. There’s Still, which keeps audio in place as your head moves. With Motion, audio follows your head movements. And Cinema provides a theatre-like experience, ideal for watching movies or listening to podcasts.

I listened both wirelessly and wired while connected to a compatible device and listening to a high-res audio source. The Bose QuietComfort 2s support lossless audio but the QuietComfort Ultra 2s go further with support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless. With the inclusion of a 3.5mm cable as well, you can connect these to the seatback entertainment system in an airplane or to other legacy devices as well as via USB-C to a phone or other sources.

Wireless listening

Using my reference track, Radiohead‘s “Creep,” listening wirelessly sounds lovely and detailed, even without needing to mess around with the EQ. I’d struggle to suggest that the QuietComfort Ultra 2s sound noticeably better for everyday wireless listening.

Wired listening

When listening to a live recording in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos (Billy Idol singing “White Wedding”) while connected via cable, the bass pumps, the instruments are distinct, and the vocals are precise with the QuietComfort Ultra 2s. Switching to these new QuietComfort 2s, the sound is slightly more studio-like, as if I’m in a public bathroom with a light echo. It isn’t by any means unpleasant, though. Both sound fantastic. But you get a superior wired, high-res listening experience with the Ultra 2s.                  

High-res audio                  

I switched to an aptX audio source from a compatible Android phone to see if there’s a discernable difference. I played a sample of Pink Floyd’s “Money,” and it sounds warmer with the QuietComfort Ultra 2s. But the average listener probably won’t notice a difference.

Noise cancellation is superb

I didn’t have the chance to test these on an airplane as I did with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2s. But I did wear them at home, while out for walks, in coffee shops, and with real and simulated background noise.

I had no doubt they would perform well in this department given Bose’s reputation for noise cancellation and my experience with many pairs of Bose headphones over the years. And they did not disappoint.

I appreciate that they have adaptive feedforward controls to ensure that ANC continues to work well for those who wear glasses (like me!), hats (as I often do while going for walks), and have long hair (hand raised here again). There’s also a six-microphone system that better compensates for gaps in the seal of the earcups. This is a good thing since, as mentioned, the seal doesn’t feel as tight as with the QuietComfort Ultra 2s.

What’s also useful is ActiveSense which, when you’re in Aware Mode, adjusts noise cancellation to compensate for sudden spikes of noise. It could be a passing car, for example, which I encounter a lot on my walks once I hit the main road, construction, and more. During my walks, I was lucky enough to pass by the filming of the series Reacher which was happening in my city at the time (yes, I was able to meet Alan Ritchson, Jack Reacher himself, as well!). There were quite a few people and a lot of surrounding noise as they filmed elaborate stunts, and these headphones kept it completely quiet.

You can adjust the level of noise cancelling as well and even create your own custom modes. I listened to tunes and just popped them on in a coffee shop to silence the surrounding noise. Compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2s, which I brought along as well, they both do an equally good job.

Battery life is decent, but set an auto-off timer

These headphones are rated to last for up to 24 hours per charge, 18 hours with Immersive Audio, which is slightly less than the QuietComfort Ultra 2s. While you need to remember to turn them off manually, you can also set an auto-off timer in the app for anywhere from five minutes up to 24 hours. I set it to five minutes to maximize battery life.

The good news is that you can quick charge them for 15 minutes to get up to 2.5 hours, more than enough for a gym session or evening run. You can also charge them while wearing them if you realize they’re almost dead right before hopping on a Zoom meeting.

App controls are extensive

As noted, there’s a lot you can do in the app, from selecting among modes to adjusting EQ, choosing the noise cancellation mode and adjusting the level via a slider, turning Immersive Audio on or off, and more.

You can also access your currently playing music right from the app, which is nice so you don’t have to go back and forth. There’s a shortcut option to set the multifunction button to perform a frequently used action when you press and hold it. It can be to access your connected phone’s voice assistant or cycle among Immersive Audio modes.

Should you get these or another model?

If you’re looking for a solid pair of headphones for commuting, traveling, and even quieting your work environment, the best type of headphones are over-ears. And I would confidently recommend Bose QuietComfort headphones of any kind. I haven’t come across a bad pair yet. But it’s a tougher decision when deciding between models.

The Bose QuietComfort 2s cost less than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2s, yet you get largely the same audio experience unless you’re listening to aptX music from a compatible device and source using the cable. The QuietComfort Ultra 2s have a more polished look and the fit is nicer. They also have the volume slider if you prefer it over pushing buttons and last longer per charge. The auto-pause and the fact that they boot up automatically without manually turning them on is really convenient.

That said, if you’re looking to save a few bucks and won’t be listening to high-res sources, the Bose QuietComfort 2s provide a parallel experience for everyday listening. Noise cancellation is just as great. The battery doesn’t last as long and while they don’t fit like cloud cushions to your ears, they are still like premium pillows. There are some concessions, so it all depends how much they matter to you.

If you have the 2023 edition Bose QuietComfort 2s, given all the added features and technology upgrades, these more premium second-gen cans are definitely worth the upgrade. While I didn’t have those on hand for testing, everything from the materials to the new sound modes, improvements in design and noise cancelling, and the upgraded version of Bluetooth will yield a better overall sound and fit experience.

Whichever you choose, you can find the new Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2s at Best Buy Canada.