Bose is back with a new version of its top-tier noise-cancelling headphones, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). If you’ve used Bose headphones before, you’ll recognize the familiar focus on comfort and quiet—only now, there are a few smart upgrades that make the latest model more flexible and easier to live with.

Whether you're commuting, working from home, or just trying to tune out the world for a bit, these new headphones are designed to sound better, cancel noise more intelligently, and keep up with your day without a lot of fiddling.

You can preorder them now for $449 at Amazon in Black, White Smoke, or two limited-edition finishes: Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet. They’ll start shipping on October 2, 2025.

The big headline here is improved noise cancellation. The second-gen QC Ultra Headphones use an updated algorithm that smooths out the transitions when you're in Aware Mode—so instead of jarring volume changes when a train goes by or a car honks, you’ll get a more natural-sounding experience.

And if you’d rather manage things manually, Bose now gives you more control through its app. You can fine-tune how much outside sound to let in, or even turn noise cancellation off completely when you don’t need it.

Here’s a change that might matter a lot depending on how you listen: these headphones now support lossless wired audio over USB-C. That means you can plug them into a phone or laptop that supports digital output and get high-quality, uncompressed sound—especially useful for listening to music in FLAC or other hi-res formats.

It’s not just about sound quality either. Plugging in over USB-C also reduces lag, which is great if you’re watching videos or gaming. You get better clarity and better sync, without relying on Bluetooth.

Also new is something Bose calls Cinema Mode. It’s designed to make watching shows, movies, or even listening to podcasts feel more immersive by moving the soundstage forward—so voices come across clearer and effects feel more spacious.

While it’s meant for video content, Cinema Mode works well for audiobooks and spoken-word content too. It’s more about placement and clarity than dramatic effects.

Bose has also made some behind-the-scenes changes to the way these headphones handle sound. Bass now has more presence at higher volumes, highs are smoother, and overall clarity is improved—especially when you’re in a quiet room.

Background hiss, which some people notice with active noise cancellation, has been dialed down too. And the headphones still use CustomTune, which personalizes sound based on the shape of your ears every time you put them on.

Day-to-day use also got easier. There’s no need to press a power button—just put the headphones on, and they’ll automatically wake up and connect to your last device. Take them off and set them down, and they’ll enter a low-power sleep mode to save battery.

Battery life has been extended to up to 30 hours with typical use (or 23 hours with immersive audio features turned on). If you turn off active noise cancellation completely, you can stretch that to about 45 hours. And yes, you can now charge them while using them—a small but practical update for long flights or workdays.

Visually, there’s a new finish with polished metal accents and a bit more of a premium look. But the core design—foldable, lightweight, and travel-friendly—remains unchanged.

The padded earcups and adjustable headband are still here too, which means all-day wear should still feel pretty comfortable.

These headphones support Bluetooth 5.4 and can stay connected to two devices at once, so you can switch between your phone and laptop without reconnecting.

Supported audio codecs include SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive, which allows for higher-quality and lower-latency sound when paired with Snapdragon Sound-certified devices. If you’re on Android, you’ll also get Google Fast Pair, which makes initial setup quick and painless. And if you use Spotify, there’s a handy tap-to-play feature built in.

The Bose app is where most of the fine-tuning happens. You can use it to adjust noise cancellation levels, customize EQ settings, create listening modes, set up shortcuts, and download firmware updates.

With the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), Bose is stepping right back into the mix with other top-tier noise-cancelling headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 and the Sony WH-1000XM6. All three are going after the same crowd—people who want great sound, solid noise cancellation, and something that’s comfortable enough to wear all day.

If you're looking to upgrade or you're new to the QuietComfort line, the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer a blend of wired and wireless versatility, personalized sound, and smarter features for everyday use. They’re available for preorder now and go on sale on October 2 at Amazon.