Our verdict
Bose puts comfort and quiet ahead of the longest feature list. The ear cups are roomy, the clamping pressure is well judged, and Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), which uses microphones to cancel steady outside sound, is very effective on engines, ventilation and office hum. Bose rates the battery at up to 30 hours, or 23 hours with Immersive Audio switched on, and 15 minutes on charge gives about 3 hours of playback. That covers normal travel, but the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is rated at 57 hours. Bluetooth 5.4 handles wireless listening, and a USB-C cable gives a wired connection. At £449 at launch, comfort needs to matter to you.
Buy it if
- You find most headphones press too hard or get hot on long journeys
- Engine, ventilation or open-plan office noise is a daily problem
- You prefer a rich, relaxed sound to a strictly neutral one
Skip it if
- You want the longest battery life you can get
- Value for money is the priority
- You want a battery you can replace yourself when it wears out
How it would fit your home
Long flights
Comfortable ear cups and strong reduction of engine drone are where Bose does best. The battery covers a long flight, and a USB-C cable gives you a wired option.
Open-plan offices
Useful quiet and clear everyday calls help you concentrate. Aware mode lets voices in when you need to hear a colleague.
Keeping headphones for years
If a replaceable battery matters to you, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is the safer choice, because this Bose battery is not user replaceable.
The details, in plain English
Comfort
Soft cushioning, sensible weight distribution and a secure fit make these easier to wear for hours than many tightly clamped rivals. Glasses, heat and individual head shape still affect comfort, so trying them in a shop is worthwhile when you can. Bose lists the headphone unit at about 0.58lb. An on-head detection sensor pauses and resumes playback when you take them off and put them back on.
Quiet and sound
Bose remains excellent at reducing engine, ventilation and office noise. It offers four listening modes: Quiet for full noise cancelling, Aware to let outside sound in, Immersion and Cinema. Music has generous bass and smooth voices rather than strict studio neutrality. Immersive Audio makes recordings feel wider, but ordinary stereo is often the more natural setting, and using Immersive Audio cuts battery life to 23 hours.
Battery and charging
Bose rates up to 30 hours in standard modes and 23 hours with Immersive Audio, with about 3 hours for a full charge. A 15-minute quick charge gives 3 hours of playback, which helps if you forget to charge. It is enough for several commutes or a long flight, but no longer a strong result at this price, and the battery cannot be replaced by the owner.
Connections and controls
The headphones use Bluetooth 5.4, with a range Bose gives as 30 feet. A USB-C audio connection is available for wired listening, which Bose describes as lossless. Three controls sit on the right ear cup: a Bluetooth and power button, a multi-function button and a touch-sensitive volume strip. Bose's specification sheet does not say whether they can connect to two devices at once, so check before buying if that matters.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- Very effective noise cancelling on engine, ventilation and office noise
- Roomy, soft ear cups with well-judged clamping pressure for long sessions
- Rich, easy-listening sound with generous bass and smooth voices
- Physical buttons and a volume strip on the right ear cup for important controls
- 15-minute quick charge gives about 3 hours of playback
What to watch out for
- Expensive next to the Sony and Sennheiser alternatives
- Up to 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio) is modest beside the Momentum 5's rated 57
- The battery is not user replaceable, unlike the Sennheiser Momentum 5
- Immersive Audio will not appeal to everyone
Sony offers the strongest all-round blend of noise cancelling, sound and smart features. Sennheiser wins on battery life and value. Bose is the easiest recommendation if you have already found other ear cups uncomfortable.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) (this one) | The comfort-first choice for noisy journeys and offices, with very effective noise cancelling and roomy, soft ear cups. | £449.95RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Bose QuietComfort SC | A strong choice if you mainly want to shut out steady travel and office noise, provided you are happy with a bass-heavy sound and check the fit during the returns window. | £289.95RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony WH-1000XM6 | Worth considering if quieter journeys and one pair for music and work calls matter to you, as long as you try the fit and your real call setup first. | £399RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | A great choice for natural sound and very long battery life, with a battery you can replace yourself. | £329.99RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
This research-based review combines Bose's published operation and battery details with independent comfort, sound and noise cancelling testing. Value is judged against current Sony and Sennheiser models, not against Bose's previous price alone.