Contrasting the Initial and Subsequent Generations of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The first generation Bose QC Ultra headphones (left) compared to the second generation QC Ultras (right).
Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 vs. Gen 1: Specifications

While these headphones appear alike, significant differences in their construction should be considered prior to comparison.

Battery duration

First generation: 24 hours of usage (18 hours with immersive audio), 15 minutes of quick charge provides 2.5 hours of playback
Second generation: 30 hours of usage (23 hours with immersive audio), 15 minutes of charge for

Listening settings

First generation: Aware, quiet, immersive (spatial audio), auxiliary cable (with headphones powered on)
Second generation: Aware, quiet, immersive (spatial audio), lossless with USB-C cable connection, passive playback via auxiliary connection

Bluetooth and connectivity

First generation: Bluetooth 5.3; supports SBC, AAC, and AptX Adaptive codecs; connects to two devices simultaneously
Second generation: Bluetooth 5.4; supports SBC, AAC, and AptX Adaptive codecs; connects to two devices simultaneously

Colors

First generation: Black, white smoke, lunar blue, deep plum
Second generation: Black, desert gold, driftwood sand, midnight violet, white

Weight

First generation: 0.56 pounds
Second generation: 0.583 pounds

Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 vs. Gen 1: Audio performance

The top-performing headphones of 2025 are likely the Sony WH-1000XM6 models. Audiophiles should certainly take them into account.

Nonetheless, the QuietComfort Ultra series remains noteworthy. Bose possesses an ability for producing balanced sound profiles, and the second-generation headphones improve upon this. Although the distinction isn’t dramatic, the second-gen headphones provide a richer and more rounded sound compared to the first-gen. (This enhancement is reminiscent of the contrast between the Sony XM5 and XM6 headphones).