The noise cancelling headphones I’m going to take on holiday

What are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2?

Bose has led the market for noise cancelling headphones since the QuietComfort 3 launched in the mid-noughties. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2 are the latest model in this long-running series.

Although they look almost identical to the first-generation Ultras released in 2023, Bose has introduced important updates. Noise cancellation has been refined, sound performance improved, and new features added that close the gaps in the original specification.

The QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are premium headphones and are priced as such at £449. That places them slightly above rivals such as the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, though still below Apple’s AirPods Max. Do they justify their high price? If listening to your favourite music in blissful silence is your priority, then, yes, they do.

JUMP TO:

To assess the Bose QC Ultra Headphones 2, I compared them with leading models, including the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, from our best headphones buying guide.

Sound quality was the first priority. I used familiar tracks to evaluate balance, clarity and timing, paying attention to treble, midrange and bass frequency. I also judged whether the presentation was tonally accurate and rhythmically engaging.

Noise cancellation was tested in real-world conditions. I wore the headphones on public transport and while walking in busy pedestrianised streets to assess how well the Bose headphones’ active noise cancellation blocked disruptive surrounding sounds.

I compared the real-world battery life against the manufacturer’s claimed figures and, using compatible phones and laptops, tested any additional features, such as spatial audio, Bluetooth Multipoint and wired USB-C listening.

Finally, I wore the headphones for several hours at a time across a week to check comfort during extended use.

Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended

Our tech experts continuously conduct in-depth, independent, real-world tests, scoring devices against pre-set testing metrics and industry benchmarks, so we can deliver definitive and comprehensive buying advice.

Telegraph Recommended reviews are never shared with product manufacturers before publication, we don’t accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more.

Score: 9/10