Bose QuietComfort Extremely (2nd Gen) evaluation: These headphones give Sony a run for its cash

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2)

execs and cons

Professionals

• Wonderful consolation and noise cancellation
• Improved battery capability and energy administration
• USB-C audio compatibility

Cons

• Restricted audio customization
• Not price an improve from the earlier mannequin
• Sony gives cleaner audio

extra shopping for selections

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How do you persuade your self to pay $400+ for a pair of headphones that look and function nearly identically to the earlier era? That is a query I hope to reply, and a query Bose hopes its newest flagship headphones will reply based mostly on their efficiency alone.

Additionally: I tested Sony and Bose’s best headphones for months – how my buying advice has changed in 2026

I spent months now working, touring, and lounging within the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2), which I am going to confer with because the QC Extremely 2, looking for how Bose spent two years making them extra “extremely” than their predecessor. With out main upgrades to design, speaker drivers, or noise cancellation efficiency, I am going to must dig deep.

It is easy to place the Sony WH-1000XM6 as QC Extremely 2’s direct competitor, however I ponder: are the QC Extremely 2 competing with their predecessors as a lot as they’re with different manufacturers? Let’s discover out.

Identical look, smarter particulars

The QC Extremely 2’s defining theme is that they do not try and rewrite Bose’s legacy; moderately, they refine it. They give the impression of being similar to the primary era, apart from the yokes, which swap a matte aluminum end for a shiny, polished steel end. 

The QC Extremely 2’s earcups are barely shallower than these of their predecessor, which may trigger match points for individuals with bigger heads and ears. In any other case, the look, really feel, and match of the QC Extremely 2 do not carry notable modifications, which is not essentially a nasty factor — if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.

Extra vital upgrades lie within the smaller particulars, together with USB-C audio help, out there at as much as 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz. Thus, the QC Extremely 2 are higher suited to gaming or extra trustworthy listening than the primary era. Not like the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max, the QC Extremely 2 retain their 3.5mm headphone jack, which is nice information for frequent flyers. And in contrast to the Sony XM6, which don’t help USB-C audio, you possibly can pay attention by way of the QC Extremely 2’s USB-C port, even whereas charging them.

Additionally: Bluetooth is working on wireless audio tech I as soon as thought was inconceivable – what to know

Though USB-C audio help in 2025 feels extra like an expectation than a brand new characteristic to have a good time, it rounds out the QC Extremely 2’s audio capabilities.

Magnificence is within the ears of the beholder

The QC Extremely 2 have a terrific sound profile for those who like an exaggerated bass response, barely decreased mids, and louder treble. It lends itself nicely to reproducing basslines and front-and-center vocals in pop tracks, corresponding to One Course’s “Stockholm Syndrome,“ and ’90s rap, like Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear.” 

Additionally: I listened to Sony and Bose’s flagship earbuds in 2026 – and the winner came down to this

Conversely, the QC Extremely 2 aren’t as sturdy with layered, ambient post-rock like Ben Howard’s “Time Is Dancing.” Songs with extra delicate musical textures aren’t as simple to listen to, however reducing the bass helps. Total, the QC Extremely 2’s tuning is hotter and extra spacious-sounding, delivering an prolonged, tighter bass response than the primary era. Their sound ought to be enjoyable for most individuals.

Bose continues on with its model of spatial audio, Immersive Audio, and introduces a brand new spatial tuning for podcasts, TV reveals, films, and different dialogue-heavy media. The characteristic works — you possibly can hear your media increase round your head. Personally, I might moderately that Bose embrace Dolby Atmos help as a substitute.

Nonetheless the ANC gold commonplace

Bose’s advertising and marketing conveys to me that noise cancellation is not considered a characteristic of a pair of headphones — it is a way of life selection. Noise cancellation does not solely mute the world round you, however helps you create a non-public listening house once you’re in public. 

Bose leans into this philosophy, as noise-canceling upgrades aren’t on the forefront of the headphones’ launch. Regardless of little fanfare round noise cancellation enhancements, the QC Extremely 2 are barely higher at canceling noise than their predecessor. Moreover, the QC Extremely 2’s ANC higher encompasses higher-pitched noises, corresponding to keyboard clicks, and lower-pitched noises, just like the rumble of an airplane engine, than the primary era.

When the headphones’ energetic noise cancellation (ANC) is engaged, even when no audio is enjoying, there’s just about no noise flooring. That feat is very spectacular and on par with Sony’s WH-1000XM6. The distinction between Sony’s and Bose’s latest-gen ANC is negligible; you will have to seek out one other class that can assist you decide one model over the opposite.

Additionally: I tried Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ AI noise cancelling, and can’t go back to regular ANC

Bose additionally refined its AI-powered adaptive noise cancellation characteristic, ActiveSense. This characteristic maintains transparency mode and prompts noise cancellation when the setting turns into too loud. ActiveSense is my favourite characteristic on the QC Extremely Earbuds 2, and it really works simply as nicely on the headphones. 

The perfect characteristic is essentially the most surprising

To me, the standout characteristic of the QC Extremely 2 is their improved energy administration. Together with rising the battery life from 24 hours on the primary era to 30 hours on the second, Bose additionally rendered its product’s energy button out of date.

You should use the headphones’ energy button to show them on and off, but it surely’s not obligatory. As an alternative, you possibly can take the headphones off your head and lay them flat — earcups up or down — and so they’ll instantly disconnect out of your units, disable Bluetooth, and start conserving energy. Merely put them again on and so they’re able to go.

Additionally: Bose just did what Apple couldn’t with the QuietComfort Ultra headphones – and I’m sold

I really like this characteristic as a result of energy buttons on headphones are the bane of my existence. Should you do not press the button lengthy sufficient, the headphones will not flip off, however for those who press it for too lengthy, they’re going to enter pairing mode. It’s important to time your lengthy press completely to get your headphones to cooperate.

Bose’s power-up was notably complicated and malfunctioning, inflicting the corporate to ship the first-gen QC Extremely’s solely firmware replace to deal with the difficulty particularly. To me, not needing to make use of the ability button in any respect is a lifesaver.

A companion app performed proper

Many headphone manufacturers are notoriously recognized for his or her lackluster companion apps. Glitchy options and boring consumer interfaces maintain me away from them. Bose’s app is the very best, providing a dependable, pleasing, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-use expertise. 

The app highlights the QC Extremely 2’s improved customization options, providing customers the flexibility to show off the headphones’ contact management strip, one in all my least favourite options from the first-gen QC Extremely. I’ve all the time believed that the contact strip’s bottom-right earcup placement is awkward, and its minimal actual property is ripe for unintended management triggers. Now you can additionally fully disable ANC, which was beforehand inconceivable with Bose’s headphones.

The one concern I’ve with Bose’s app is its restricted equalizer. As an alternative of permitting customers to regulate the headphones’ EQ by frequency bands, Bose solely gives will increase and reduces to basic bass, mids, and treble with out particular, granular, quantifiable measures.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Bose QC Ultra 2 ship delicate upgrades to the headphones’ noise cancellation, design, sound profile, energy administration, and consumer customization. They are not a very thrilling second-generation launch that pulls headlines. As an alternative, Bose doubles down on what it does greatest, providing minor but significant refinements to deal with its few blind spots.

If you have already got the first-gen QC Extremely, maintain them till the wheels fall off, or anticipate what Bose does subsequent, which may very well be a bigger product overhaul. When you have the Bose NC700, QuietComfort 35, or 45, and so they’re on the finish of their highway, the QC Extremely 2 can be a big improve for you.

Additionally: Are the Sonos Ace still worth it in 2026? I’ve tested dozens of headphones, and it’s a resounding yes

Briefly, between Sony and Bose, Bose delivers a extra trendy design, much less cheap-feeling plastic construct supplies, a extra relaxed match, and USB-C audio. Nevertheless, Bose’s sound profile closely leans towards heat and softened treble to account for sturdy ANC processing and long-term listening periods, notably when touring or working.

Sony’s sound profile can also be heat, however its equalizer permits extra personalization. The WH-1000XM6 have a tighter bass response, clearer mids, sharper treble, and a extra spacious soundstage. Its sound is extra analytical, however it may well change into fatiguing after a couple of hours of listening.