Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Fantastic ANC, but missing one big feature for travelers

Tom's Guide Verdict By inheriting Immersive Audio and two-way USB-C audio from the Ultra line, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) bring substantial upgrades. They offer an incredibly comfortable fit for long flights and feature highly intuitive physical controls, but the battery life is strictly average, and the lack of wear detection is a glaring omission. Pros +Incredibly plush, comfortable design +Physical buttons are intuitive and reliable +Highly effective active noise cancellation +Immersive Audio feature included +Lossless USB-C audio support Cons -Average 24-hour battery life -No wear detection -Not great for calls Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: SpecsPrice: $359Durability: Not waterproofConnectivity: Bluetooth 5.4; 3.5mm; USB-CCompatibility: iOS/Android (with Bose app)Multipoint connectivity: YesANC: YesWear detection: NoBattery life: 24 hours (18 with Immersive Audio)Weight: 8.1 ouncesColors: Eucalyptus Green; Dewdrop Mint; Rosewood Mauve; White Smoke; BlackThe Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) aim to deliver premium noise cancellation and comfort for commuters and frequent flyers. Sitting in the premium mid-tier of the category, they replace the first-generation QuietComfort Headphones and bring over standout features like Immersive Audio, from the pricier Ultra series.But it's a crowded market, and I can’t confidently say these are the best headphones $350 or so can get you when the Sony WH-1000XM5 are permanently discounted for less. The lack of wear detection means you have to manually power them down to save juice, and a 24-hour battery life is merely middle of the pack.On the positive side, Bose absolutely nails the comfort and ANC, providing 10 levels of highly effective noise isolation and plush padding that makes wearing them for hours a breeze. The addition of a color-matched 3.5mm-to-USB-C cable for lossless audio input is also a massive win for the variety of ways you can enjoy these cans.Latest Videos FromTom's GuideFind out more in my full Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Price and availability$359 MSRP but expect discountsCompetes closely with higher-end Bose models on saleThe Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) costs $359 at Amazon, direct at Bose, and other major retailers. While this still feels like a steep initial asking price, it is highly likely that it will eventually settle closer to $299 during sales events. For context, the original QC Headphones have dropped as low as $229. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)Bose's higher-end QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen Headphones have also been on sale for as low as $369. Meanwhile, the first-generation QuietComfort Headphones are still available and often discounted to around $250. You have to weigh the price against the newly added features, which I’ll elaborate more on now, starting with design.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: DesignSupremely comfortable with plush paddingIntuitive physical buttonsFolds into a convenient carrying caseAesthetically, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) maintain a familiar, somewhat plasticky build, but they are offered in a massive color selection. I tested the light green (officially, Eucalyptus Green) and it adds a fun, seasonal pop to an otherwise traditional frame.Tom's Guide: Direct to Your InboxGet instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Bose has become a master at the color game recently, regularly doing splashly color drops across its lineup of audio products, so I’d expect an even greater selection of options coming soon.What these headphones might lack in premium metal flair, they more than make up for in sheer wearability. They fold up conveniently into an included carrying case, though I’ve already resorted to hooking them around my luggage when traveling to save space. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)The headphones are not IP-rated for weatherproofing. This means there is absolutely no guaranteed protection against water or dust. I generally hate when people wear over-ear headphones to the gym, (specifically, AirPods Max) and it's especially risky here. They are not safe for workouts or getting caught out in the rain. Waterproofing over ears is difficult, so typically you need to spend more on something like the $899 Noble Audio FoKus Artemis or $1,250 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 to get an IP-rating.ComfortComfort is where these headphones truly shine. The earcups feature just the right amount of plush padding, and Bose extended the padding almost fully around the headband, whereas the previous generation only padded the top quarter. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)There are no clamping issues here; speaking from experience on my recent cross-country flights, they are genuinely comfortable to wear for 8-plus hours without experiencing pressure or fatigue.ControlsI love that Bose stuck with physical buttons, as they are overall intuitive and highly satisfying to touch. All playback and volume controls sit on the right earcup, while the power, Bluetooth, and ANC toggles are on the left. Because they are physical, there is no risk of accidentally changing the volume when I brush my hair out of the way or lean against a plane pillow. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)But there is a major downside: they lack wear detection. With no on-head detection, you have to physically turn them off, or the battery will just continue to drain. Call me crazy, but I firmly believe $300+ headphones should have some version of this feature.ConnectivityThese headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, a notable step up from the previous model's Bluetooth 5.1. It’s still behind the latest Bluetooth 6.0, though, which other mid-range headphones like the JBL Live 780NC launched with in 2026. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)Multipoint connectivity works flawlessly; I enjoyed great auto-playback detection while seamlessly switching between my iPhone and iPad.While they do not feature LDAC, they do support USB-C lossless audio input up to 24-bit/48kHz, and Bose thoughtfully includes both color-matched 3.5mm-to-USB-C and USB-C-to-USB-C cables nestled inside the carrying case.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Sound qualityBose’s Immersive Audio addedLossless USB-C supportWarm bass but slightly capped trebleBose hasn't upgraded the actual drivers here, yet these headphones somehow manage to sound better than the original QC Headphones. The biggest addition is the Immersive Audio feature with head tracking, which was previously exclusive to the Ultra series. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)When listening over Bluetooth, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)’s overall profile is warm and engaging. To test the bass and soundstage, I played Milky Chance's Stolen Dance. The intro beats were incredibly punchy. While the soundstage isn't the absolute largest I've heard, the depth and separation during the bass drum build-up in Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car hits beautifully, offering a controlled, thick low-end. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)Moving to the mid-tones, I cued up Bon Iver's Wash. to see how the headphones handled instrumental separation. The contrast between the layered vocals and the piano had a haunting, distinct clarity. Mid-tones are powerful and well-defined, and listening to David Bowie’s Heroes revealed excellent instrumental distinctions that kept his voice sounding true to the original recording. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)However, the treble and higher vocals can feel a bit restrained. When testing Michael Jackson’s P.Y.T., the high notes were slightly capped, reinforcing the fact that the highs here don't have quite the same sense of openness. Tracy Chapman's angelic voice on Fast Car has definitely sounded a bit brighter on other high-end models, establishing that while these cans offer great bass, they are somewhat limited on the highs.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: AppClean and easy to navigate10 levels of ANC adjustmentControls for Immersive AudioThe companion Bose app is simple, professional and essential for getting the most out of these headphones. Available on iOS and Android, it allows you to tweak connections, check battery life, and apply basic EQ tailoring. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)I also found a little easter egg that suggests inventive names for your headphones based on the color, if you’d like them labeled as something other than the comparatively-sterile product name.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: ANCIncredibly effective isolation10 adjustable levelsImmersive audio modesBose continues to be one of the best in the business when it comes to ANC, and the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) easily earn their name. The ANC here is next-level effective. While testing on flights, I felt completely tuned out from the roaring engines and cabin chatter. I even switched between these, the Sony WH-1000XM6, and the Apple AirPods Max 2, and found the Bose to be noticeably stronger at blocking out environmental noise. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)While the app offers Bose’s signature 10 levels of ANC adjustment, the implementation is so subtle that I rarely wanted anything less than full effectiveness.The added Immersive Audio feature offers excellent "Still" and "Motion" modes, providing a spatial audio experience that acts as a fantastic alternative to standard stereo listening. People are usually torn on this kind of feature, but I’ve personally liked Bose’s implementation of it since I tested the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Call quality24 hours maximumDrops to 18 hours with ANC and Immersive AudioMiddle of the pack performanceBose rates the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) battery life at up to 24 hours on a single charge, which drops to up to 18 hours if you have both noise canceling and Immersive Audio activated. In real terms, this means you can get through a few days of commuting or a very long international flight, but it sits squarely in the middle of the pack. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)For comparison, the Ultra version gets up to 30 hours, and rivals like the Marshall Monitor III or CMF Headphone Pro can reach up to 100 hours. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)In my testing, the battery drained exactly as expected based on Bose's claims. I used them heavily with full ANC and Immersive Audio engaged, and the resulting 18 hours of playback felt a bit limiting if you're someone who often forgets to charge their devices. The lack of wear detection exacerbates this issue, as leaving them powered on while fumbling to disembark will quickly eat through whatever juice you have left.Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: VerdictThe Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are an incredibly comfortable set of travel cans that successfully integrate the excellent Immersive Audio feature from the brand's flagship lineup. They provide some of the absolute best noise cancellation on the market, easily hushing noisy plane cabins, and the tactile physical buttons are a joy to use when you need to make quick adjustments on the fly.But the lack of wear detection is a frustrating omission that requires you to babysit the power button, and a 24-hour battery life feels quite average given the $359 price tag when compared to modern stamina champions. Additionally, the lack of an IP rating means you'll want to keep these strictly for commuting and desk work rather than gym sessions.Ultimately, if you prioritize wearing comfort, physical controls, and world-class ANC over battery longevity, these headphones are a solid travel companion. Managing Editor, Social and Video Kate Kozuch is the managing editor of social and video at Tom’s Guide. She writes about smartwatches, TVs, audio devices, and some cooking appliances, too. Kate appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account, which you should be following if you don't already. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her taking up a new sport, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.