Bose doubles down on comfort and ANC prowess. The QC Ultra remain the easiest over-ears to wear for long flights; clamping force is relaxed yet secure. ANC performance is superb in low-frequency suppression, with natural transparency when you need awareness.
Tonally, the signature is smooth and slightly warm, ideal for extended listening. Spatial audio is present but not a deciding factor for music; it’s more compelling for movies. Multipoint connectivity proved stable across laptop and phone.
Battery life in testing: ~22 hours ANC on. No water resistance, so keep them out of the gym. The hard case is bulky, but protection is excellent.
Strengths
- Class-leading comfort
- Excellent ANC with natural transparency
- Balanced, fatigue-free tuning
- Reliable multipoint connectivity
Limitations
- No water resistance
- Spatial audio is nice-to-have
- Case adds bulk in a backpack