Bose has announced the second generation of its popular wireless QuietComfort Headphones.
The QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) were unveiled today and feature several upgrades that have trickled down from the firm's more premium flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
Intended to provide a “more immersive listening experience”, these include improvements to active noise cancellation (ANC), as well as new spatial audio features and wired listening capabilities.
When it comes to ANC performance, the new headphones feature an upgraded six-microphone array, which the company claims better compensates for gaps in the earcups' seal. Additionally, a revamped Aware mode is designed to soften sudden noise spikes from your environment more effectively.
As introduced in the flagship QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), noise cancellation can be completely switched off or manually adjusted via the Bose app. Users are also able to create customised noise cancellation modes, which can be cycled using a button on the left earcup.
Bose claims the second-gen model retains the brand’s “high-quality sound and proprietary SoundDesign digital signal processing”, but it hasn’t shared any specific details about what improvements have been made between the two generations, if any.
The second-gen QC headphones also feature wired lossless playback up to 24bit/48kHz via USB-C, with a USB-C to USB-C and 3.5mm to USB-C cables included in the box.
Previously exclusive to the QuietComfort Ultra series, Bose’s TrueSpatial technology is now available to the standard QC model, which features three immersive audio listening modes: Still, Motion and Cinema. These are Bose’s take on spatial audio playback, offering different three-dimensional effects.
The QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) have a quoted 24-hour battery life (18 hours with immersive modes enabled), which remains the same as the first-generation model released in 2023. That figure falls behind the 45-hour performance of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). However, the new headphones can be charged while in use, with a 15-minute fast charge yielding up to 2.5 hours of playback.
Additional features include support for the Bluetooth 5.4 and standard AAC/SBC codecs, Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously, and Google Fast Pair for Android users.
The over-ear headphones’ design has also been updated, with a new headband, improved clamping force for a “secure fit” and new oval-shaped earcups with plusher cushioning, promising “a seamless profile and modern look”. The QC Headphones (2nd Gen) will also be available in three new limited-edition finishes at launch: eucalyptus green, dewdrop mint and rosewood mauve, as well as the previous white smoke and black options.
The new Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are available to preorder now for MyBose members, with global shipping from 13th August. The new headphones cost £300 / $359, which is £150 / $90 less than the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
At this price, the new Bose’s main rivals are the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless (£330 / $400), which we gave a glowing five-star rating in May. We'll be curious to see how the two compare when we get the new Bose QuietComfort Headphones (Gen 2) into our listening rooms. Watch this space.
MORE
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review
Or browse our best wireless headphones 2026: reviewed and rated by our in-house experts
And our best noise-cancelling headphones 2026 – 6 sensational pairs picked by our expert reviewers
