Bose’s standard QuietComfort Headphones have always been the sensible choice below the flagship Ultra model, and the second generation keeps that role at USD 359. After the first measured reviews, the verdict is fairly settled: very comfortable headphones with strong noise canceling for the price, held back by battery life, a limited codec list and a price that is still not low.
This is a documented review: I brought together Bose’s official specs and the measured results published by testers such as SoundGuys and Gizmodo, then added my own verdict. I waited until the first lab measurements were published before writing it.
One point to avoid confusion: this is not the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which is a separate, more expensive model.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | USD 359 (Bose press release) |
| Arab market availability | Not officially sold in the region so far: no official UAE or Saudi launch or price has been announced |
| TechKahwa rating | 7.3/10 |
| Best for | Commuters and travellers who value comfort, physical buttons and strong ANC over the longest battery |
| Skip if | You need LDAC or aptX, or you want the longest battery life in this class |
Design and features
Bose announced the headphones on August 6, opened preorders on August 8 and started shipping on August 13. Reviewers describe them as very comfortable and light, which has long been the reason people choose Bose for long flights.
On weight, I could not find an official figure from Bose. SoundGuys lists 230 g, and I am quoting it as SoundGuys’ number rather than a spec.
The controls are physical buttons on the earcups, a detail reviewers list among the strengths. The Bose app adds a three-band EQ. Noise canceling is Bose’s QuietControl system with adaptive feedforward and a six-microphone array.
Connectivity is Bluetooth Core 5.4 with multipoint and Google Fast Pair. The detail that caught my attention is the two-way USB-C audio: you can play lossless audio up to 24 bit / 48 kHz over the cable, and Bose includes a USB-C to 3.5 mm cable in the box. The wireless codecs are more limited: SBC and AAC only, according to SoundGuys, so there is no LDAC or aptX.
Bose TrueSpatial Immersive Audio offers three modes: Still, Motion and Cinema.
Noise canceling, sound and battery
SoundGuys measured “85.1% perceived loudness reduction with ANC turned on”, compared with 71.9% from passive isolation alone. That is a strong result and supports the consensus that ANC is excellent for the price. SoundGuys gave the headphones 7 out of 10 overall.
Reviewers describe the sound as energetic. For most listeners the EQ is enough to adjust it to taste.
Battery is the weak point, and the numbers need a little care. Bose officially rates the headphones at “up to 24 hours”, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio on, and a 15 minute quick charge gives “up to 2.5 hours of playback”. Gizmodo’s review quotes “27 hours with ANC activated”, which conflicts with Bose’s own figure. I am using Bose’s official 24 hours.
Gizmodo also ran a short check: after one hour at 50% volume with ANC on, 90% of the battery remained. The reviewer notes that the app only shows battery in 10% steps, so that result is approximate. The consensus remains that battery life is shorter than rivals.
| Measure | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Loudness reduction, ANC on | SoundGuys | 85.1% |
| Loudness reduction, passive isolation | SoundGuys | 71.9% |
| Battery after 1 hour, 50% volume, ANC on | Gizmodo | 90% remaining (app shows 10% steps) |
| Rated battery | Bose official | Up to 24 hours, 18 with Immersive Audio |
| Quick charge | Bose official | 15 minutes for up to 2.5 hours |
| Weight | SoundGuys | 230 g |
Call quality is another issue: Gizmodo criticised it.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths:
- Very comfortable and light
- Strong ANC for the price, measured at 85.1% by SoundGuys
- Lossless audio over USB-C
- Physical buttons
- Energetic sound
Weaknesses:
- Battery shorter than rivals
- Still expensive
- Limited codecs, SBC and AAC only
- Call quality criticised by Gizmodo
Who should buy it
If you spend hours on planes or trains and comfort is your first filter, this is an easy recommendation. The physical buttons and the USB-C cable for lossless listening on a laptop are practical touches that matter in daily use.
If you listen mostly on an Android phone with high-resolution files, the lack of LDAC is a real limitation. And if you rarely charge your headphones, rivals with longer battery life might suit you better.
For readers in the Arab world, there is no official launch or price in the UAE or Saudi Arabia yet, so I am not quoting a local price. Wait for an official regional listing, or check local Bose retailers before importing.
Verdict
The second generation QuietComfort Headphones does what the name promises: comfort and quiet. SoundGuys’ measurements back up the noise canceling, and the USB-C lossless support adds real value. The limits are battery, codecs and a price that is still high for what is meant to be the more affordable Bose.
In my view, this is a strong choice for comfort-first travellers, but not the best value in its class. TechKahwa rating: 7.3/10.
Sources
- Bose, Bose updates the iconic QuietComfort Headphones (press release), August 6, 2026, https://www.bose.com/pressroom/bose-updates-the-iconic-quietcomfort-headphones
- SoundGuys, I tested the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) and they’re a legit upgrade, August 22, 2026, https://www.soundguys.com/i-tested-the-bose-quietcomfort-headphones-2nd-gen-and-theyre-a-legit-upgrade-161251/
- Gizmodo, Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: still more quiet and comfortable than most, August 16, 2026, https://gizmodo.com/bose-quietcomfort-headphones-2nd-gen-review-still-more-quiet-and-comfortable-than-most-2000798413