Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Bose's flagship noise-canceling headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer the company's best noise cancellation ever. If you know their history, that's saying a lot. These premium over-ear headphones are also made from high-grade, lightweight materials and feature Bose Immersive Audio — the company's 3D spatial audio technology.

You can listen in traditional stereo mode or expand the soundstage with two optional "immersive" modes, including one that uses the QC Ultra's built-in head-tracking capabilities. Sound comes at you from all sides, behind you, and even above your head. Those spatialized effects are created by Bose's special processing, which works with any type of music (or music service).

Manually adjust your noise cancellation, awareness, and sound

Bose says they've re-engineered their noise-canceling circuitry with an updated chipset, better processing, and an advanced array of microphones. The company's CustomTune technology — also found in their excellent QC Ultra earbuds — calibrates the noise cancellation and sound to you and your surroundings. It account for external noises and even the physical properties of your ears, then adjusts itself in real time.

You also have control over how much sound you let in and out. "Quiet" mode delivers the maximum level of noise cancellation, while "Aware" mode lets in external sounds, or you can choose a blend of both. Use the Bose Music app, a free download for Apple® and Android™, to choose from 11 discrete levels of noise-cancellation and awareness, along with your immersive audio preference.

Strong, reliable wireless connection to multiple devices

Music plays wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3, one of the newest versions of Bluetooth that offers a strong, reliable connection. Multipoint connectivity means you can pair your laptop and phone at the same time. A game changer for work — you can quickly hop from music to podcasts to calls to meetings.

And here's another touch: Bose's SimpleSync feature lets you pair the headphones directly to compatible Bose Smart Soundbars. Connecting the headphones lets you watch TV late night without disturbing others.

Easy on-ear controls and clear calls

There's a combination of buttons and touch panels that let you control music, calls, volume, and noise cancellation. The multi-function button on the right ear cup can be customized in the app. The powerful microphone array that makes the noise cancellation so effective helps make for clear calls, too. Bose's processing can home in on your voice and eliminate background noise.

Lightweight, relaxed fit

Bose QuietComfort models have a great track record when it comes to comfort. The previous-generation QC 45s were named one of our top 5 most comfortable headphones. They earned high marks on our in-house tests for feeling "ultra-light."

The QC Ultra headphones sport the similar iconic design, but Bose says the premium materials make them even sturdier without adding significant weight. I can wear Bose QC headphones for entire work shifts without fatigue or strain on my head or ears. And of course, work and travel are even more bearable when you have world-class noise-canceling circuitry hushing loud distractions.

24 hours of wireless use with noise cancellation

The QuietComfort headphones have a built-in rechargeable battery and include a charging cable. On a full charge, you can get up to 24 hours of standard wireless listening with noise cancellation on or 18 hours of immersive audio. A voice prompt tells you how much battery life you have left every time you power them on.