Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

### Overview

The QuietComfort Ultra is Bose's flagship over-ear noise-cancelling headphone, retailing at $429 and featuring Bluetooth 5.3, a 24-hour battery, and Bose's proprietary Immersive Audio technology — the brand's answer to spatial audio. Bose has brought its best game here: these headphones deliver class-leading, customisable ANC while offering sound quality that is both accomplished and entertaining. They sit at the top of Bose's lineup and compete directly with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.

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### Standout Features

- **Active Noise Cancellation:** Testing shows the ANC dramatically reduces background noise in real-world environments, and reviewers consider it to have the edge over the Sony WH-1000XM5 — no small feat. - **Immersive Audio (Spatial Audio):** The headline Immersive Audio feature applies a spatial audio effect to any song, not just those available in Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality Audio. - **Multi-Point Bluetooth:** The QC Ultra introduces multi-point Bluetooth to Bose's lineup for the first time, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices with seamless switching between them. - **aptX Lossless Support:** The headphones support aptX Lossless, a higher-bitrate codec capable of transmitting CD-quality audio — though this requires compatible Android hardware. - **Comfort & Build:** Generous padding around the headband and earcups gives the Ultra a plush feel, with spacious earcups wrapped in a breathable, buttery-soft faux leather material. - **Call Quality:** Bose has improved call quality with more advanced microphones in a beamform-array that reduce the impact of external noise.

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### Who It's For

These are a high-end premium set suited to anyone who wants immersive sound, impressive noise cancellation, and a standout user experience — including those who need to block ambient office sound for focused work or online meetings. The foldable design also makes them ideal for portable use and long commutes. Frequent travellers, remote workers, and audiophiles who prioritise ANC performance and comfort over all else will find the most value here.

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### Important Considerations

- **Battery life is a known trade-off:** Battery life is rated at 24 hours, but drops to 18 hours when Immersive Audio is enabled — shorter than some rivals at this price point. - **aptX Lossless is Android-only:** You'll need an Android smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or newer to take advantage of aptX Lossless — Apple iPhone users are excluded. - **No waterproofing:** The lack of any waterproofing rating is a letdown for a flagship headphone at this price. - **Premium price:** At $429, the cost is high compared to most rivals, though sales and refurbished options from Bose's official store can bring the price down meaningfully.

Key features

Seen at 4 retailers from $249.99 to $359.00 as of 2026-06-14. Prices change — check the retailer for the current price.

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