Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Our verdict · Much of the Ultra's famous quiet and comfort for meaningfully less money.
Buy it if
Excellent noise cancellation close to the flagship
Skip it if
No Immersive Audio or lossless USB-C audio
Where to get it
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
From £250
Indicative price at the time of review.
Find a price
Opens a Google Shopping or Amazon search for current prices — we may earn a commission, which never affects our ranking.
You do not have to buy the flagship to get the core Bose experience. The QuietComfort Headphones offer noise cancellation that comes close to the Ultra, the same light, comfortable fit and adjustable ANC modes, without Immersive Audio or the top-tier polish. Sound is clean and easy to listen to, if not the most detailed here, and battery life of around 24 hours is fine for a week of shorter journeys. They fold down for travel and regularly sell at a discount, often near £250 or below, which makes them the smart choice for commuters who want proven Bose quiet without the flagship outlay. If you never intend to use spatial audio or wired lossless, you lose little by saving the money.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Excellent noise cancellation close to the flagship
- Comfortable, lightweight and foldable
- Frequently discounted for strong value
Cons
- No Immersive Audio or lossless USB-C audio
- Sound is competent rather than class-leading
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Sony WH-1000XM6 | 96/100 | From £400 (indicative) | overall |
| 2.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | 94/100 | From ~£450 (indicative) | noise cancellation |
| 3.Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | 90/100 | From ~£329 (indicative) | battery life |
| 4.Bose QuietComfort HeadphonesThis pick | 88/100 | From £250 (indicative) | value |
| 5.Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) | 86/100 | From £499 (indicative) | Apple users |
Good to know
- Price
- From £250 (indicative)
- Battery life
- Approx. 24 hours (ANC on)
- Noise cancellation
- Adjustable Quiet and Aware modes
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth multipoint
- Design
- Folding, with carry case
- Custom modes
- Savable ANC presets in app
Insider tip · Create a couple of custom ANC modes in the app, one for the noisy train and a lighter one for the office, and switch between them with a button press.
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Updated
- 31 August 2026
- Last verified
- 31 August 2026
- Sources
- 2 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
Keep comparing
More from Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for 2026
Stay in the loop
Get the best new shortlists
A couple of times a month. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
By subscribing you agree to receive the WhatAreTheTop.Best newsletter by email. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy