Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are strong alternatives to the AirPods Max. Recently, the company launched the second‑generation QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, bringing notable Bluetooth headphone enhancements. Even better, they’re now cheaper for Cyber Monday, down to $399 from $449 at Amazon and Best Buy.

That’s a modest $50 saving, but considering they were only released a couple of months ago, it’s still a big win for fans. All colorways of the over‑ear headphones are included in the deal: Black, Desert Gold, and Driftwood Sand.

Why Pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2?

The first QuietComfort Ultra Headphones delivered phenomenal noise cancellation but were let down by a dated design that felt behind rivals like the AirPods Max or Sony WH‑1000XM6. The second generation addresses many of those shortcomings while also improving sound and adding new features.

The exterior of the QC Ultra Headphones 2 looks sleeker and more premium. The polished metal yokes add a unique shine, while the headband has been reworked for a more comfortable fit with a luxe leather finish. The ear cushions now use ultra‑plush foam. There’s no water resistance, but that’s not a deal‑breaker since most over‑ear headphones lack it.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 or QC Ultra 2nd Gen in Midnight Purple colorway
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 or QC Ultra 2nd Gen in Midnight Purple colorway. Image source: Bose

Sound quality remains true to Bose’s balanced signature, but it’s refined with greater clarity and smoother mids and treble. An adaptive equalizer lets you customize the profile to your liking. The QC Ultra Headphones 2 also introduce Cinema Mode for spatial audio and support lossless listening via wired connection.

Noise cancellation has been further improved, with Bose claiming this is its best ANC yet. Calls are clearer thanks to a new microphone array. Transparency mode has also been refined, offering a more natural listening experience when you want awareness of your surroundings.

Battery life is another area of improvement. The second generation delivers up to 30 hours of playback, or 23 hours with immersive audio enabled.

Which color of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2 are you picking up? Share your choice in the comments.

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