Why these Bose headphones are still the best I've listened to – even though they're a year old

It’s been almost a year and a half since Bose released its latest flagship over-ear headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. I was loyal to the QC Ultra from their Oct. 2023 release until the new, shiny Sonos Ace stole my attention last June. But later that fall, I took my QC Ultra from their case, threw them on, and wondered why I ever forgot about them.

Also: The best headphones of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are still my favorite, from their sporty and casual design to their excellent sound and advanced noise-canceling properties. Since their fall 2023 release, Bose has implemented a series of app software updates and one headphone firmware update that’s enhanced the QC Ultra’s performance, but there’s always room for improvement.

All of the heavy hitters — Bose, Beats, Apple, Sony, and Sonos — have released flagship headphones within the last three years. They’re all great in their own right, but Bose’s check every box. If you’re in the market for a new pair of premium headphones, let me explain why the QC Ultra are still a worthy candidate in 2025. If you already own these cans, consider holding onto them for a few more years.

Immense comfort and convenient design

As their name suggests, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones won’t disappoint in comfort. They sport thick, plushy, breathable ear pads that provide a dense cushion while managing heat buildup.

Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra

The QC Ultra’s ear pads are so thick that bespectacled folks like me shouldn’t feel much pressure or discomfort while wearing these headphones with glasses. They also carry their weight very well; they’re not too heavy, and the aluminum headband extenders provide a premium and elevated look without making them too weighty.

The ear cups aren’t as bulky as the AirPods Max or Sony XM5 but still provide enough depth for comfort and enjoyable listening. Considering all of these factors, it’s easy to wear the QC Ultra for hours while traveling, working, studying, or watching videos on a personal device. 

Also: I’ve used my AirPods Pro 2 since they first launched. Here’s my buying advice for 2025

Additionally, the QC Ultra fold at the hinges, a portability feature that direct competitors from Apple, Sonos, and Sony lack. Should you need to save some space in your carry-on bag and leave the headphones’ case at home, they fold up neatly for short-term storage.

Still the king of the ANC throne

Compared to premium headphones of the QC Ultra’s caliber — Apple’s AirPods Max, Sony’s WH-1000XM5, and Sonos’ Ace — Bose beats everyone at noise cancellation. 

I love traveling with these headphones, but they’re not a popular model I notice in the sea of headphones in the airport security line. I always see plenty of heads donning the AirPods Max, Beats Studio Pro, and Sony WH-1000XM5, and I wonder if these people know what they’re missing.

Also: I travel with Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, and not the Sony XM5. Here’s why

While walking through the airport, I’ll enable the ActiveSense feature available when the headphones are in Aware mode. ActiveSense is Bose’s version of adaptive noise cancellation, and it works like a charm. This feature listens to your environment’s noises using the headphones’ microphones and employs noise cancellation if sudden loud noises, like a child’s airport tantrum, occur near you. 

An (actually) enjoyable headphone app

Most headphones come with a companion app, but it is usually so bad that I never want to use it. Confusing settings, an underdeveloped user interface, random crashes, and buggy controls typically define these companion apps, but Bose’s app is one of the more enjoyable ones.

The Bose app offers an easy-to-navigate hub for all your Bose devices, including headphones, earbuds, portable speakers, and soundbars. Upon launch, the app displays relevant controls, is easy to navigate, and is generally reliable.

What Bose could improve in the next generation

Although I love the QuietComfort Ultra headphones, when you love something, you should want it to be the best it can be. If Bose honors its usual headphone release cadence, the company could announce a new flagship headphone this fall.

I’d like the next premium Bose headphones to have a longer battery life. The QC Ultra offer up to 24 hours of listening time with battery-conserving listening conditions, while direct competitors, like the Sony XM5, promise upwards of 40 hours.

Additionally, it’s time for Bose to adopt USB-C audio. The QC Ultra headphones have a USB-C port but use a 2.5mm audio jack for wired listening. 

Also: Sonos just brought TV Audio Swap to more devices. Here’s why it’s my all-time favorite headphone feature

The QC Ultra sport a capacitive touch strip that you can slide your finger on to control volume. You can also create a tap-and-hold shortcut to cycle through audio modes, summon your voice assistant, or play music from Spotify. If Bose could grant me one wish, it’d be to ditch the touch controls and opt for an intuitive multifunction button, like the AirPods Max’s Digital Crown or the Sonos Ace’s Content Key.

Still, if you can stomach the QC Ultra’s relatively short battery life, they’re worth the money. The $429 price tag is steep, but they’re often on sale for $349 and as low as $329 during major holiday sales.