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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review

Tune out the world and wrap yourself in a luxurious, surround-sound-like experience
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review (The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is as good as it gets for an all-around top performer. Its quality build is apparent with...)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is as good as it gets for an all-around top performer. Its quality build is apparent with luxe materials packaged in a chic design that delivers all-day comfort.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Price:  $449 List
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Manufacturer:   Bose
Rachael Lamore
By Rachael Lamore ⋅ Senior Review Analyst  ⋅  August 1, 2025
86
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 16
  • Sound Quality - 35% 8.5
  • Comfort - 25% 10.0
  • Noise Cancellation - 20% 9.0
  • Call Quality - 10% 6.1
  • App & Controls - 10% 7.6

Our Verdict

World-class noise cancellation meets superb sound quality, all packaged in a design so comfy, you can wear them all day and then some. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones delivers one of the most powerful, detailed, and immersive listening experiences out there, fully cocooning you from the outside world with dramatic beats. The punchy lows, vivid mids, and sparkly highs complement all genres of music with a rich, full-bodied, bass-forward sound. If you can afford the steep price tag, these luxurious headphones are sure to impress, but if you prefer a lower price or a more natural sound, check out our other recommendations.
REASONS TO BUY
Immersive sound
Rich bass
First-class ANC
Excellent comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive

Our Analysis and Test Results

The luxe design of the QuietComfort Ultra is apparent as soon as you open the box. High-end craftsmanship in subdued colorways feels sophisticated. The TriPort venting system expands the acoustic space, making music sound bigger, bolder, and deeply immersive.

We put the QuietComfort Ultra to the ultimate test in our cutting-edge audio studio and had our crew of picky music experts assess sound, comfort, and more.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Sound Quality


The QuietComfort Ultra earned one of the highest sound scores for its all-encompassing, full-bodied, and well-balanced audio. The bass is clearly amped up, but never sounds bloated. The clarity is superb and remarkably consistent across the entire range of volumes. If you like punch and drama in your listening experience, the Ultra is it.

Sound Quality Ratings
ProductBassMid-RangeTreble
Best9.59.48.8
Bose QuietComfort Ultra8.68.68.1
Average77.26.4
Worst4.34.02.5

When you slip on these headphones, they calibrate the sound to your unique ear shape, ensuring that every listener receives the best audio quality. Music across all genres is relayed with an exciting and cinematic tone, energizing every track.

The bass is powerful yet tight and crisp across hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists like Doja Cat, The Weeknd, and the Notorious B.I.G. We even uncovered new details, like the low, computer-like thrum at 1:55 in Taylor Swift's “Glitch” which had previously gone unnoticed. While fun and punchy, it's important to note that some audiophiles may find the bass too strong for their taste.

The mids are beautifully developed, with a vivid range of color and pristine clarity. We loved listening to the nuanced details in folk, soft rock, and soul tracks like “Just a Letter” by James Keelaghan, “Tired of Being Alone” by Al Green, and “Helpless Hoping” by Crosby, Stills, & Nash. While the lows are turned up, the mids seem to hold their own and maintain a distinct presence in the mix.

The highs are lovely and clean, but feel a bit more distant. High-hitting vocals and instruments never sounded harsh and maintained a rich character across pop, twangy western, and opera. The harmonica solo in Mike Stevens' “Amazing Grace” is a prime example. Even when there's a crescendo on a high note at 3:42, these headphones maintained their dynamic balance, allowing us to bliss out without ever wincing. However, sometimes, vocals sounded veiled behind the lower frequencies, making them feel less developed than the other ranges. Still, they're incredibly pleasing.

bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - sound quality for the bose is assessed by multiple users with...
Sound quality for the Bose is assessed by multiple users with varying musical tastes.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Soundstage


We also consider the soundstage and how spacious the sound feels. The Ultra's have one of the best soundstages, making the music feel like a rich cinematic listening experience. Individual instruments and vocal lines are separated in space and relayed with outstanding clarity across a three-dimensional landscape. It's ever slightly more compressed than other top competitors, but it's still one of the most expansive soundscapes we have experienced.

Soundstage Ratings
ProductExpert ear Soundstage Score
Best9.5
Bose QuietComfort Ultra9.1
Average6.8
Worst3.0

Frequency Response


We backed our expert opinions with a frequency response analysis to visualize exactly how the Ultra is tuned.


Like our Target Response Curve, the Ultra brings more emphasis to the lows and highs, adding extra flair to exaggerate the performance. The lows get the most boost, bringing on that head-bobbing energy that makes you want to groove.

bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - with this level of supreme sound quality, you really only need to...
With this level of supreme sound quality, you really only need to consider if you prefer a bass-booseted sound mix or a neutral profile. The Bose is best for those who love the drama.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Comfort and Fit


When it comes to comfort, the QuietComfort Ultra reigns supreme. The luxe materials are top-of-the-line, providing 10 solid hours of blissful wear time, even with glasses on.


bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - generous padding around the headband and earcups makes the ultra...
Generous padding around the headband and earcups makes the Ultra feel like a soft hug.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The spacious earcups and adjustable headband feature plush cushions wrapped in a breathable, buttery-soft, faux leather material that feels luxurious and high-end. Combined with the headphone's gentle clamping force and lightweight design, make the Bose Ultra our favorite for long listening sessions.

bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - the bose app lets you choose how much noise to block out or let in...
The Bose app lets you choose how much noise to block out or let in, but it doesn't offer a true off switch.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Noise Cancellation


The noise canceling on the Ultras is one of the best. It places you on an island of peaceful tranquility, no matter the surroundings. The transparency mode is equally stunning, relaying ambient sounds so naturally that it felt like we weren't wearing headphones.


The Ultra blocks out an astounding 20-40 decibels of noise across the entire frequency spectrum, reducing office chatter to blissful silence. People had to tap us to get our attention. Even roaring airplane engines and kitchen blenders were diminished to a whisper. While most headphones struggle to block out common everyday mid-range sounds, Bose excels.


In a bustling cafe, they do an incredible job of insulating the user from monotonous low-frequency hums and background chatter. A sudden, high-pitch dish clash at 0:16 comes through slightly louder but is barely audible.

Unmute the audio in this clip to hear the Ultra's impressive noise-cancelling capabilities.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

While we love Bose's ANC and aware modes, unlike most competitors, you must choose either noise-canceling or transparency mode; you can't go without one or the other. Despite all the ANC customization options in the Bose app, there isn't an option to turn off the ANC without simultaneously turning on Aware mode. It's an odd choice for such an expensive headphone and may be a deal-breaker for those who are sensitive to full-powered ANC.

bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - in a vast sea of options, the quietcomfort ultra shines.
In a vast sea of options, the QuietComfort Ultra shines.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ease of Use


The Ultra are one of the most user-friendly. The controls are intuitive and reliable, and the app has plenty of useful features that are easy to navigate.


We only wish the sound were a bit more customizable, which is why it didn't score higher.

bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - the ultra features a swipe control for volume and button controls...
The Ultra features a swipe control for volume and button controls for everything else.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Controls


The controls on the Ultras are one of our favorites because they are reliable and intuitive. A standard Bluetooth/Power button powers the headphones, connects to your phone, or cycles between two connected devices. The Multifunction button controls media playback, phone call actions, and noise-canceling modes. A touch strip on the back of the earcup lets you adjust the volume. Normally, we find touch controls finicky, but this one worked well.

In addition to hand-activated controls, the Ultra also supports hands-free head detection, which automatically pauses or plays the audio when it senses if you are wearing them. For us, this feature is a must on premium headphones, ensuring you never lose a second of your favorite song or podcast.

Customization


The most important features in an app are the sound equalizer (EQ) and presets. They should allow you to fine-tune the sound, but in Bose's case, the adjustments feel limited. The three-point EQ slider wasn't very sensitive to changes, and there are only four presets. If you like to tinker with the ranges, you might find the limited customizations disappointing.

Besides sound adjustments, users can make custom noise canceling modes, manage connected devices, and customize the headphone's controls.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

When used in conjunction with a compatible audio file and device, Bose's Immersive Audio feature adds more dimensionality to your listening experience. It's basically the headphone equivalent of surround sound. The headphones can also track the motions of your head and move the imaginary field of speakers relative to its position. Some find this disorienting, but this experience is fun and exciting for others.

Android users with compatible devices that support Snapdragon Sound can unlock the Ultra's aptX Bluetooth codec for lossless audio, which promises better audio clarity.

Head detection automatically pauses the music when taking the headphones off. Put them back on, and it will continue exactly where you left off.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Battery


Battery life could be a purchasing factor if you travel regularly or don't enjoy frequent plug-ins. The Ultra has one of the shortest battery lives in our lineup, lasting about 24 hours. It's likely enough to get you through, but it falls short next to competitors that push 50-70 hours.


The Ultra does support fast charging, so 15 minutes of plug-in time will give you a couple of hours of play. For a full charge, you'll need to keep it plugged in for two to three hours. You can use the headphones while charging.

While you can make phone calls with the Ultra, these aren't our first choice for frequent or lengthy conversations.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Call Quality


The QuietComfort Ultra call quality is about average. The voice isolation technology does a decent job of removing distracting background sounds in noisy public spaces, but the baseline voice quality itself isn't the cleanest. You might find the Bose unimpressive if you rely on your headphones for Zoom meetings or calls.


The Bose handled phone calls from our simulated subway better than most, but fell short of the best. Loudspeaker announcements and whirring trains are clearly audible, but our callers' voices are at least pushed to the forefront without significant distortion.

Listen in to hear the recording from our subway stress test.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Similarly, background voices, mouse clicks, and keyboards are reduced in a noisy shared office space, but are audible to the person on the other end. Plus, the caller's voice sounds slightly robotic, which could be distracting.

Here's the lab recording from our office stress test.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

When calling from a quiet space, the Ultra's grainy voice quality became more apparent. The caller's voice sounded dampened, making it hard to hear. Sometimes, words randomly cut out, which was frustrating. We'd rather use a cell phone than the Bose for phone calls.

bose quietcomfort ultra headphones - the included case, charging cable, and audio cable are color-matched...
The included case, charging cable, and audio cable are color-matched for aesthetically pleasing vibes.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?


It's really hard to go wrong with the QuietComfort Ultra. It's an investment, but in return, you'll get a wonderfully rich and immersive sound, world-class noise cancellation, and unparalleled comfort. At this level of premier quality, you only need to ask yourself two questions: 1) Do you enjoy a powerful bass? 2) Are you okay with mediocre call quality? If the answer is yes, and you can afford the price, we think you'll love the Ultra for years to come.

What Other Wireless Headphones Should You Consider?


If you prefer a more refined bass, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 delivers a more natural, magnificently detailed listening experience. However, it's best enjoyed in quiet spaces, as the ANC isn't nearly as good as the Ultra. If call quality is important to you, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is one of the best for phone calls. Like the Bose, it has a head-bobbing mix, but the sound quality, ANC, and comfort fall just short of the Bose.

Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones versus top competing products:
Or, compare up to 5 products side-by-side here.
Rachael Lamore, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Lissette Velasquez


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