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r/bose on Reddit: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Bose QuietComfort
January 13, 2024 -
Hey y’all!
Currently in a bit of a dilemma on what headphones I should be getting.
My employer gets me access to Bose’s employee purchase program of sorts and I get a discount on certain products.
Currently, I can get The QC45 from BestBuy for $229 or the QC from my employer website for $269 or the ultras for $329.
Given these reduced prices, which one would be the best option especially given my levels of usage? I’d mainly wear them when I walk to work, travel or at the gym and that’s about it.
Top answer 1 of 5
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One thing to consider...the Ultra's tap controls are maddening. Unless you turn them off altogether, there's no way to make a single tap do nothing. Also no way to make touch and hold do nothing. And because they're super sensitive to touch, this means that every time you do touch them (to adjust them in your ears for instance) the music will pause or the noise cancellation will change modes, because the buds think you're single tapping or touch holding. And let's face it, no matter how well earbuds fit, they tend to need occasional fiddling. On the QC model, you can opt for a single touch or a touch and hold to do nothing. Meaning you have to double or triple tap to pause/play, skip tracks, etc (but only if you decide to set it up this way). Why Bose made the decision to change how the tap controls operate on the Ultras is baffling to me. This may not matter to a lot of people, but for me it was a deal breaker for the Ultras and I returned them and went with the QCs. Sound quality is still excellent and I can't tell the difference in the effectiveness of noise cancellation. The QCs don't have as many bells and whistles but at least I don't get the urge to throw them across the room.
2 of 5
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QC vs QC Ultra is pretty simple. Comes down to 1. design preference, 2. materials, 3. do you have the extra money to spend, 4. do you care about immersive audio and some new bells, 5. Do you care about the weight of the headphones ANC is pretty close in both. My preference is ultra because headphones are once in a few years purchase and I like to get the best possible one they offer. You can order both from Bose, try them for week, return them and get from Bestbuy after.
PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › comparisons › audio › headphones
Big-Time Bose Battle: QuietComfort Ultra vs. QuietComfort Headphones | PCMag
November 22, 2024 - The QuietComfort Headphones are ... price and color variety, there's a clear winner here, as the QuietComfort Headphones cost $80 less than the QuietComfort Ultra and come in an extra variant....
Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Bose QuietComfort (SC) - REVIEW AFTER USING BOTH
I wanted to write a review between the 2 headsets but didn't have the time. I've been on the same boat as you trying to pick 1. Your review is 10/10 of what I thought to say. Good honest review 👏 Some more points: Normal QC feels very convenient to use since its lighter in weight and very flexible. QCU feels more solid and bit less convenient. Sound profile I feel both are 99% similar to my ears. Only few beats sound slightly "different" on ultra, but I wouldn't say sounds better thought. Mostly like a tuning thing. Also I too don't use the immersive mode for music it sucks, but for movies it actually sounds cool. Anyways, normal QC is much better value and overall best pick. More on reddit.com
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January 25, 2025Bose QuietComfort vs QuietComfort Ultra
I went and tried both of them on yesterday at best but - they feel very similar on the head and both felt super comfortable. I’m probably going with the QC just because they go on sale and have purple :) More on reddit.com
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January 4, 2025Bose QuietComfort's vs Bose QuietComfort's Ultra, which is worth it?
The mic is noticeably worse on the quietcomfort. The mic on the quietcomfort struggles compared to the ultra to filter out background noise. More on reddit.com
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August 4, 2025Quietcomfort ultra or normal quietcomfort?
I had the same question before buying the Ultras, but I'm glad I did. I can't compare them to the regulars, but I can say that the noise canceling is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. They really outdid themselves. I must admit that the "immersion" feature is a bit strange (and I don't really see the point so I usually leave it off), but the different modes are fantastic (quiet, focus, aware, outside, etc.). Expensive, but so far, I feel that they're worth it. Coupled with a 3rd party EQ you'll be golden (the Bose EQ in the companion app is way too basic, IMHO). *UPDATE* I gotta go a complete 180 degrees on my original post. Although the Ultras sound great and the noise cancelling is amazing, I returned 2 pairs that had the same issue. Walking heavily, taking the bus, jogging (any kind of activity that makes you move), makes these headphones distort something awful. Just try taking the bus or riding in a car on a bumpy road or even jogging... constant distortion. I sent the first pair back for a replacement and the 2nd pair had the SAME issue. I ended up getting some the Skull Candy Crusher Evo with haptic bass ($400 dollars less that the QC, by the way) and they sound GREAT. More on reddit.com
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August 7, 2024Can QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) be used without the Bose app?
Yes. You can connect the headphones to a mobile device without the app using the mobile device’s Bluetooth settings. However, you need the Bose app to fully enjoy all the features of the product, make settings adjustments, and download updates.
bose.com
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Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Bose
Can QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) be used for gaming?
Wired USB-C audio will allow for Lossless audio that may be an ideal solution for most gamers. Additionally, users with Snapdragon Sound sources will be able to use the gaming mode feature for lower latency gaming. When "Gaming Mode" is turned on, Snapdragon Sound’s apt-X Adaptive codec will “adapt” for a better mobile gaming experience.
bose.com
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Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Bose
What controls do QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) have?
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) have three control inputs on the right earcup: a Bluetooth/power button at the bottom, a multi-function button in the back, and a capacitive volume/shortcut-activation strip along the back edge. Additionally, the headphones are equipped with on-head/off-head detection, which is another way to control the product.• The Bluetooth/power button is used to power the headphones on/off, put the headphones in pairing mode, cycle through paired devices, and more. • The multi-function button supports audio playback (e.g., play/pause/skip), telephone calls (e.g., a
bose.com
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Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Bose
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recordingnow.com › blog › bose-quietcomfort-vs-quietcomfort-ultra
Bose QuietComfort vs QuietComfort Ultra: Honest Review
April 1, 2025 - Both the regular QuietComfort and QuietComfort Ultra were released roughly around the same time towards the end of 2023. As such, they share most of the same modern features: 11 levels of Noise Cancelling and Transparency Modes, built-in microphones for phone calls, and the same Bose companion app with customizable EQ.
SoundGuys
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones - SoundGuys
November 13, 2025 - However, where the Bose QuietComfort Headphones has somewhat outdated hardware, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones represent the cutting edge of what’s available today — for a difference of $80 in list price.
Rolling Stone
rollingstone.com › product-recommendations › tech › bose-quietcomfort-vs-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-review-1235328730
Bose QuietComfort vs. QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: We Put Both to the Test
May 1, 2025 - In terms of overall build and design, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones undoubtedly feel more premium, but some may prefer the lightweight construction of the QuietComfort headphones. Both headphones utilize Bose’s app, which is straightforward and easy to use, although it occasionally experiences issues with pairing.
Audio Science Review
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Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
3 days ago - Audio reviews, science and engineering discussions.
Michael Fil
michaelfil.com › blog › bose-quiet-comfort-ultra-vs-bose-qc-35-ii-review
Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Why new isn’t always better — Michael Fil
May 20, 2025 - The QC 35 II had the Bose Connect app and the Ultra uses a new app. I didn’t care much for the original one, but the new one is painfully slow to react to inputs, particularly when it comes to volume. I don’t feel like there is much use for the added noise-cancellation modes and the gimmicky mode where the sound follows you. Just let me choose between ANC, no ANC, and strength of ANC. The photos above are of my original Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Bose
bose.com › home › headphones › bose quietcomfort ultra headphones (2nd gen)
Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Bose
3 weeks ago - With Immersive Audio on, playback time was up to 18 hours before battery depletion. Battery life varies based on settings and usage. *Testing conducted by Bose in June 2023 using production-representative Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and a variety of music tracks using A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming.
What Hi-Fi?
whathifi.com › headphones
Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: what are the differences? | What Hi-Fi?
February 13, 2025 - While the QuietComfort appear to be a relatively mild update on the QuietComfort 45 our expert reviews team awarded four stars, the top-tier QuietComfort Ultra Headphones certainly take the over-ear range to new heights and have proven their ambition with a five-star review...
Audio Science Review
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New Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and earphones ...
August 15, 2023 - Audio reviews, science and engineering discussions.
AVForums
avforums.com › home › hi-fi › headphones, earphones & portable music
Discussion of the news: Bose unveils the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | AVForums
September 5, 2025 - Annoyingly, it’s Bose again - 5 Star Bose QuietComfort 35 review - 4.5 Star Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review - 4 Star Bose QC35 wireless headphones: simply unrivalled noise cancelling - 5 Star Bose QuietComfort 25 - 5 Star Home review 5 Star Comparisons to QC15's .... from 2009 ! Like I say, I really hoped we were past all this nonsense. Looking forward to a real review from AV Forums. ... Couldn’t agree more berkeley384! I own a pair of Quietcomfort Ultra mk1 over ears and after eq they are every bit as good as any other bluetooth headphones in the same price range.
RTINGS.com
rtings.com › home › headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs QuietComfort Headphones Wireless: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com
April 5, 2016 - Both pairs use the same app, but the QuietComfort Ultra add virtual surround sound. They also have a bit better build quality, slightly better ANC, and mic and noise handling performance.
Facebook
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Differences between Bose QuietComfort Ultra and more
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Quora
quora.com › How-do-the-Bose-QuietComfort-Ultra-Earbuds-compare-to-the-Bose-QuietComfort-Ultra-headphones
How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds compare to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones? - Quora
Answer: I would like to add to what A.jerry says. The ear buds are so compact and light that you can wear them for longer and if like me, you live in a hot country, then they are far more convenient for longer usage. I have 6 pairs of headsets and 4 pairs of buds all from different brands as i am...
YouTube
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Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) vs. Bose QC Ultra (1st Gen): Should you upgrade? - YouTube
Buy on Amazon: 2nd Gen: https://soundg.co/s8uima | 1st Gen: https://soundg.co/8dys38Bose has been the go-to name in noise canceling headphones for years, an
Published October 18, 2025
CNN
cnn.com › reviews
I tested the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 headphones for 3 weeks. Here’s what I think | CNN Underscored
October 19, 2025 - The most obvious difference between the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and this second-generation pair is superficial, as Bose changed the finish of the extending arms.
Amazon
amazon.com › Bose-QuietComfort-Bluetooth-Headphones-Cancelling › dp › B0FDKR293G
Amazon.com: Bose New QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen), Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio, Over Ear Noise Cancelling with Mic, Up to 30 Hours of Play time, Black : Electronics
Awaken your sound with QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Obsessively engineered with Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones, plus spatialized audio to expand sound, every beat hits harder and every melody takes up more space. Bose Immersive Audio takes what you’re hearing out of your head and places it in front of you for a more natural listening experience.
Quora
quora.com › How-does-the-audio-quality-of-the-Bose-QuietComfort-Ultra-headphones-compare-to-the-Bose-QuietComfort-35-II
How does the audio quality of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones compare to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II? - Quora
Answer: In general, Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are obliged to get the boost in the audio quality aspect due to both – additional hardware and software improvements from the previous model, Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
YouTube
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Bose QuietComfort vs QuietComfort Ultra: Best ANC ...
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