Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Headphones
$429List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Headphones
$349List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
- Leads 2 of 2 rankable overall specs.
- Weight: 240 g vs 253 g
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Charging time: 2.5 hours full charge vs 3 hours
It is also $80 cheaper.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Bose QuietComfort Headphones has no LDAC or aptX. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
Your other devices
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Bose QuietComfort Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| WeightDesign | 253 g (8.9 oz) | 240 g (8.5 oz) |
| FoldableDesign | Yes (fully collapsible hinges) | Yes (collapses and folds inward into compact case) |
| Carrying caseDesign | Reinforced zippered hard carry case included | Hardshell zip travel case included |
| Active Noise CancellingAudio | Yes (Quiet Mode with CustomTune audio calibration) | Yes (Quiet Mode with adjustable noise cancellation levels) |
| Battery lifeConnectivity & Battery | 24 hours (ANC on) / 18 hours (Immersive Audio on) | 24 hours on a single charge |
Showing 5 of 14 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Reasons to choose it
- Exceptional noise cancellation in low-frequency rumble and vocal bands
- Folds completely compact into slim travel case
- Bose Immersive Audio provides wide virtual soundstage
Worth considering
- Battery life drops to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on
- Custom EQ in app is limited to 3 bands
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Reasons to choose it
- Foldable design collapses neatly into an ultra-compact travel case
- Legendary lightweight 240g comfort ideal for long flights
- Tactile physical buttons and reliable multi-point Bluetooth switching
Worth considering
- Lacks spatial audio head tracking found on QC Ultra
- No high-resolution LDAC or aptX codec support
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
Is the newer model worth it?
Adds Immersive Audio & Snapdragon Sound, but costs $80 more.
Our recommendation: Skip the Ultra if you just want classic Bose comfort and silence. Buy the Ultra if you want spatial audio and premium metal yoke styling.
What Actually Changed (Bose QuietComfort Headphones → Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones)
What Remained Identical
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Folds flat & collapses into compact travel case
QuietComfort Headphones
Folds flat & inward into small zippered case
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Ultra-plush gentle clamp (~4.1 N, best-in-class glasses comfort)
QuietComfort Headphones
Signature light clamp (~3.9 N, zero crown pressure)
Weight & Crown Pressure
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
253g (featherweight travel balance)
QuietComfort Headphones
240g (lightest in premium ANC class)
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: What to watch for
- Hardware Quirk
Capacitive touch volume strip can be overly sensitive.
- Software / Apps
Occasional Bluetooth multi-point audio handover stutter.
QuietComfort Headphones: What to watch for
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which is cheaper, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones costs $80 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort Headphones?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones has this deal-breaker: no LDAC or aptX. Android phones stream at standard AAC or SBC quality.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?
Too close to call on flights & commutes from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here. Active Noise Cancelling: Yes vs Yes Transparency mode: Yes vs Yes
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 12 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.