Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless vs QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen): Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

FEEDBACK

Products

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Sep 01, 2026 04:34 PM

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Sep 01, 2026 02:59 PM

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Picture

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Very Emphasized (5 dB)

WirelessYes

Treble Amount Balanced (0 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Warm

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Emphasized (4 dB)

WirelessYes

Treble Amount Slightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Warm

Recommended in 1 article:
Over-Ears For Working Out

Our Verdict

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

In most ways, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are an improvement over the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless. But not in all ways. The newer model improves noise isolation, especially against real-world noises like airplane engines and chatty coworkers, and its microphone does a better job keeping your voice clear when there's background noise. It also adds USB-C audio with microphone support. That said, the original QuietComfort Headphones Wireless still have a few advantages: they feel better built, support passive analog playback if the battery dies, and have ever-so-slightly easier-to-use controls.

Variants

QuietComfort Headphones (Chilled Lilac)
QuietComfort Headphones (Cypress Green)

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) (Black)
QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) (Dewdrop Mint)

Review

See Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Review

See Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Review

Check Price

White Smoke

QuietComfort Headphones

White Smoke

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Chilled Lilac

QuietComfort Headphones

Black

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Cypress Green

QuietComfort Headphones

Dewdrop Mint

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Moonstone Blue

QuietComfort Headphones

Eucalyptus Green

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Sandstone

QuietComfort Headphones

Rosewood Mauve

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Steve Lacy

QuietComfort Headphones

Triple Black

QuietComfort Headphones

Twilight Blue

QuietComfort Headphones

Main Differences for

Sports And Fitness

Threshold

0.10

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

Travel

0.0

0.0

Office Work

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Audio Reproduction Accuracy

0.0

0.0

Noise Isolation

0.0

0.0

Microphone (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Frequency Response Consistency

0.0

0.0

Sound

Sound Profile

Sound Profile

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Normalization Frequency

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Bass Amount

Locked

Locked

Treble Amount

Locked

Locked

Sound Signature

Locked

Locked

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Mismatch

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock°

Lock°

PRTF

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Harmonics Levels

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

THD Ratio

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 94 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

Electrical Aspects

Impedance

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V

Lock dB SPL

N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL

Lock dB

Lock dB

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

Test Instrument

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Airplane Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio

Office Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio

Street Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling

Female Voice 1

Male Voice 1

Female Voice 2

Male Voice 2

ANC Wind Handling

ANC Wind Handling Graph

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

ANC Wind Noise

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Connectivity

Wired Connection

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector

Locked

Locked

Latency - Analog

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - USB

N/A

Lock ms

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Connection

Locked

Locked

Bluetooth Connection

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (Android)

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS)

Locked

Locked

Latency - SBC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)

N/A

N/A

Latency - LDAC

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Codec

Locked

Locked

AAC Support

Locked

Locked

Wireless Connection (Dongle)

N/A

N/A

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Latency - Dongle

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Check Price

White Smoke

QuietComfort Headphones

White Smoke

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Chilled Lilac

QuietComfort Headphones

Black

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Cypress Green

QuietComfort Headphones

Dewdrop Mint

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Moonstone Blue

QuietComfort Headphones

Eucalyptus Green

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Sandstone

QuietComfort Headphones

Rosewood Mauve

QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Steve Lacy

QuietComfort Headphones

Triple Black

QuietComfort Headphones

Twilight Blue

QuietComfort Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Comments

Comparison

Active 11 days ago

·

• Posted 1 month ago

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen): Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.

Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide

Sort by:

newest first

2

1

0

Dylan Crete

• Posted 11 days ago

Sep 19, 2026 12:18 PM By neptune612
13

What’s happening Bose? Don’t tell me you’re falling to enCRAPification too?! Glad I got the first Gen headphones.

What’s your experience been like with the first gen headphones?

Reply

Copy link
2

1

0

neptune612
13

• Posted 12 days ago

What’s happening Bose? Don’t tell me you’re falling to enCRAPification too?! Glad I got the first Gen headphones.

Reply

Copy link