There are a handful of exceptionally well-known brands operating within the premium headphone space, and it’s often hard to tell a dramatic difference in quality between them. However, I’ve grown quite accustomed to my pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, which I gave a glowing review to earlier this year for its exceptional noise cancellation, build quality, and more.
So, it goes without saying that I jumped at the chance to test the new second generation of its more budget-friendly brother, the standard Bose QuietComfort. And after spending some time with this fresh $359 offering, I’m thinking the QuietComfort lineup from Bose is a winner for me all-around.
Aesthetics and build quality
While it lacks some of the premium vibes of the more expensive Ultra Gen 2, trading metal hinges and yokes for a sturdy but less visually attractive plastic, the QuietComfort Gen 2 is an attractive set of cans with a clean, minimalist design philosophy.
I checked out the White Smoke variant, but the QuietComfort Gen 2 also comes in some vibrant colorways, including Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint, and Rosewood Mauve. Of course, there’s always a Black Smoke option, too, if you really want to lean into the sleek look.
I’ve never had the opportunity to try the first generation of the standard QuietComfort, so it’s difficult to directly compare the previous iteration to this one in terms of comfort. But the QuietComfort Gen 2 fits snugly with adequate clamping force and features plush cushions that never caused me any discomfort during extended listening sessions. This is further helped by the fact that the headphones weigh only 0.5lbs (about 226 grams).
Functionality
The QuietComfort lineup is all about providing top-tier active noise cancellation, and this updated set doesn’t disappoint. As someone on the autism spectrum, I’m particularly fond of good ANC to ward off unwanted noise during times when I’m feeling a bit overstimulated. So, I’m particularly impressed by Bose’s ActiveSense technology, which automatically dampens sudden noises while using the headphones’ transparency-focused Aware mode, allowing you to be more present while still keeping the most aggressive noises at bay.
Plus, the battery life here is adequate at around 24 hours for regular use, and it fully charges in just 3 hours. Listening hours fall to around 18 when using Immersive or Cinema modes, which offer a more robust soundstage for enthusiasts looking to pick up every detail. For the average music listener and video watcher, though, these modes aren’t likely to be that important. I certainly prefer the better battery life, personally.
For volume control, the QuietComfort Gen 2 features tactile buttons rather than the Ultra’s capacitive volume slider. Though I adored the touch-based slider on the more premium model, I’m an analog boy at heart, so I’ve actually enjoyed the return of physical buttons here. They’re all located in easy-to-reach spots that make navigation a breeze, too.
Sound quality
There’s no denying that the QuietComfort Gen 2 sounds exceptional for its price range. My set served up a slightly brighter, less bass-heavy soundstage than the Ultra out of the gate, which meant I didn’t need to make many changes to get things exactly where I wanted them.
Speaking of adjustments, I had to go into the Bose app to manually add Cinema mode to my quick swap button, which was a minor annoyance. Still, it’s a cool mode that widens the soundstage to allow for clearer dialogue while watching videos, but I wouldn’t recommend it for music.
Also, the fact that the Bose app only offers 3-band EQ is further proof that the QuietComfort lineup isn’t designed for true audiophiles so much as casual listeners just looking for high-quality audio without any overwhelming settings to manage. It’d be nice to have a toggle for unlocking more customization, but I’m not necessarily an audio buff myself, so it’s a minor quibble.
Verdict
At $359, the QuietComfort Gen 2 provides many of the qualities you’d expect from enthusiast-level cans while cutting just enough corners to land squarely in the mid-tier segment. If you’re in the market for headphones with above-average ANC, exceptional comfort, and a minimalist aesthetic, this one should absolutely be on your radar.
That being said, the even better QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 is often found on sale for around the same price as this mid-tier model's MRSP. If you’re not in a rush and can catch the more premium model during one of said price cuts, it’s a substantial upgrade over this model that is worth the wait. Either way, though, you can’t go wrong with the QuietComfort series.
