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Bose QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen review: Good but not outstanding

Bose's $359 QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen offer solid noise canceling and good sound, but lack standout features against rivals, per The Verge.

AI News Feed · 2026-08-27 00:00

The new model resembles last fall's QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 but uses more plastic in the headband and joints. Available in black, white, mauve, light avocado green, and a two-tone mint color, the headphones offer colorful options, though such variety is no longer novel in the industry.

The default listening mode on the QC Gen 2 is the best The Verge has heard from Bose, with a balanced profile that most users will enjoy. However, the midrange is muted, causing vocals and snare hits to lose impact. The reviewer found that boosting the midrange by +4 in the app's 3-band EQ fixes the issue, adding presence without disrupting the mix.

Active noise canceling is solid but not as strong as the flagship Ultra Headphones. The Verge notes this is actually a positive, as the Ultra's aggressive ANC caused an uncomfortable "eardrum suck" sensation. The QC Gen 2's ANC is sufficient for blocking airplane noise and air conditioners, though it trails the Sony XM6 and Apple AirPods Max 2.

The headphone jack is removed, but USB-C audio supports lossless up to 24-bit/48kHz. Bose includes both USB-C-to-USB-C and USB-C-to-3.5mm cables, allowing connection to analog sources. However, the headphones lack AptX Lossless or LDAC wireless high-res codecs, unlike some competitors.

Call quality has improved over previous Bose headphones but still lags behind major rivals and Soundcore's Liberty 5 Pro earbuds. The Verge says extra sibilance and compression in loud environments can make the user hard to understand.

The biggest issue is the price. At $359, the QC Gen 2 sits awkwardly between flagship models that often go on sale for around $400 and older but capable models like the Sony XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum 4, which can be found for $250 or less. The Verge concludes that while the headphones have few flaws, they offer nothing exciting to justify their price.