Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Review: Specs, Price and What Reviewers Say

The QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are the middle model in Bose's current noise-cancelling headphone lineup. They sit between the older first-generation QuietComfort Headphones and the flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). They list at $359, but on November 5, 2026 Bose.com had them from $199 in select colors. This review is research-based. We have not tested the headphones ourselves. It brings together Bose's published specifications with the findings of published reviews from WIRED, Tom's Guide, Gizmodo, Engadget, Trusted Reviews and The Verge, so you can decide whether they fit your needs.

Key specs at a glance

All specifications are from Bose's product page, checked on November 5, 2026.

What is new compared with the first generation

Bose lists the main upgrades over the original QuietComfort Headphones as follows:

• Immersive Audio with TrueSpatial technology. A spatial audio mode that the second generation inherits from the Ultra line, as Tom's Guide notes.
• Cinema mode. A listening mode tuned for video, with what Bose calls more nuanced, layered sound.
• Updated Adaptive Noise Cancellation with ActiveSense.
• Lossless USB-C audio. The headphones accept digital audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz over a compatible USB-C wired connection.
• Improved background noise filtering for calls, plus a refreshed design.

Battery life stays at 24 hours with noise cancelling, the same as the previous model. Bluetooth moves to version 5.4, up from 5.1 on the first generation.

Noise cancellation: the strongest point

Reviewers agree that noise cancellation remains the core strength of the QuietComfort line. WIRED's reviewer wrote that the headphones blocked nearly all the chatter in a cafeteria of about 60 people, and judged them close to, though not quite as strong as, flagship headphones that cost $400 or more. Tom's Guide called the noise cancellation some of the best on the market and said it easily quieted plane cabins. Engadget found that the headphones handle constant noise, like fans, very well and reduce the volume of human voices, though they do not fully silence a talkative neighbor. Trusted Reviews and Gizmodo both reported stronger noise cancellation than on the first generation.

Comfort and controls

Comfort is the other area where reviewers are consistently positive. Tom's Guide described the fit as plush and comfortable enough for long flights. Engadget and Trusted Reviews also highlighted comfort. According to The Verge's November 4, 2026 deal coverage, its reviewer John Higgins found the second-gen model more comfortable than the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

Physical buttons are another point in their favor. Tom's Guide called them intuitive and reliable, which matters if you prefer pressing a button to swiping a touch panel while wearing gloves or walking.

Sound quality

Bose's default tuning gets good marks. The Verge reports that John Higgins judged the second-gen model's default sound the best he had heard from Bose, while noting that vocals were slightly muted, something he said can be fixed with the EQ in the Bose app. Trusted Reviews described the sound as warm and smooth, and WIRED called it detailed.

Opinions on Immersive Audio are mixed. Trusted Reviews liked the spatial modes, especially Cinema mode. Gizmodo found Immersive Audio fine but forgettable. If spatial audio is not important to you, this feature should not be the deciding factor.

There is no wireless high-resolution codec support, a gap WIRED pointed out. If you want higher-quality playback, you need to connect the USB-C cable to a compatible source.

Battery life

On paper, the headphones last up to 24 hours with noise cancelling and up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio. Tom's Guide said its results matched Bose's claims, and that heavy use with Immersive Audio gave about 18 hours. Trusted Reviews' battery test suggested around 20 hours per charge.

Several reviewers consider this average for the price. WIRED said it had to charge the headphones midweek. Engadget's main complaint was that battery life did not improve over the first generation, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are rated for 30 hours. Quick charging helps: Bose says 15 minutes of charging gives up to 2.5 hours of playback.

Calls and missing features

Call quality is the most common criticism, even though Bose says it improved background noise filtering. WIRED's colleagues said the reviewer sounded quiet and processed on video calls. Gizmodo found the microphones picked up too much ambient noise and wind outdoors, and its call partner rated the experience 4 out of 10. If you spend a lot of time on calls, especially outdoors, take this into account.

Reviewers also point out two missing features:

• No wear detection. The headphones do not pause automatically when you take them off. WIRED and Tom's Guide both called this an unexpected omission at this price. Tom's Guide noted it can drain the battery if you forget to switch the headphones off.
• No IP rating. Tom's Guide recommends keeping them for commuting and desk use rather than workouts.

Price and value

The list price is $359. On November 5, 2026, Bose.com listed the second-gen model at $199 in Dewdrop Mint, Eucalyptus Green and Hazelnut Taupe, and $219 in Black, Rosewood Mauve, White Smoke and Sky Pink, with the page saying the savings apply to purchases made by November 8, 2026. See our news on the current QuietComfort headphones sale for the details.

Value was a recurring theme in reviews written at full price. Trusted Reviews said the headphones would be great value if they cost about $50 less, and would point buyers toward the Ultra model when it is discounted. WIRED suggested waiting for a sale, or buying the first-generation model if it drops under $200. Gizmodo said the second-gen model gets you most of the way to the $449 Ultra for $90 less at full price.

At $199 to $219, the price gap with the Ultra (which was listed at its full $449 on November 5) is far larger than in those reviews. The first-generation QuietComfort Headphones were $169 at the same time, so the second-gen model costs $30 to $50 more in this sale. Our 2nd Gen vs 1st Gen vs Ultra comparison breaks down what that difference buys.

Who they are for

Good fit:

• Travelers and commuters who want strong noise cancellation and a comfortable fit for hours at a time
• People who prefer physical buttons
• Anyone who wants a wired lossless option over USB-C, or a 3.5 mm cable for in-flight entertainment systems

Consider something else if:

• You take many calls, especially outdoors
• You want the longest battery life (the Ultra is rated for 30 hours)
• You want automatic pause when you take the headphones off
• You plan to use them for workouts

On the Bose site, the second-gen headphones had a 4.8 rating from 22 customer reviews on November 5, 2026. That is a small sample, so weigh it alongside the professional reviews.

Buying from Bose

Bose's holiday policies apply to purchases made directly from Bose.com. Purchases made between October 30 and December 25, 2026 can be returned until January 31, 2027. The holiday price match promise also covers lower listed prices at Bose.com, Best Buy, Target or Walmart through January 8, 2027, subject to Bose's conditions. Read our Bose shopping guide for shipping, warranty, BoseCare and trade-in details.

Verdict

Based on Bose's published specs and the consensus of published reviews, the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) offer some of the best noise cancellation and comfort in their class, plus new Immersive Audio and lossless USB-C support. Their weak points are average 24-hour battery life, poor call quality outdoors, no wear detection and no IP rating. At the $199 to $219 sale prices, they are a much stronger value than at $359.

References

1. Bose. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)" product page, specifications and FAQ. bose.com. Accessed November 5, 2026.
2. Bose. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones" product page. bose.com. Accessed November 5, 2026.
3. Bose. "Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)" product page. bose.com. Accessed November 5, 2026.
4. WIRED. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Review: Noise-Canceling Champ." wired.com/review/bose-quietcomfort-second-generation.
5. Tom's Guide. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review." tomsguide.com.
6. Gizmodo. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Review: Still More Quiet and Comfortable Than Most." gizmodo.com.
7. Engadget. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Review: Upgraded In All The Right Places." engadget.com.
8. Trusted Reviews. "Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Review." trustedreviews.com.
9. The Verge. Sheena Vasani, deal coverage of Bose QuietComfort Headphones, November 4, 2026. theverge.com.