Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen)
Bose's new top-of-the-line headphones are a welcome upgrade over past models.
noise cancelling & sound
8.5/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.5
0.010.0
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 74% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 61 of the 238 we've cataloged.
4.6/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.6
1.05.0
A 4.6 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 44 of the 238 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
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Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
27.62 hBelow average27.62 h
11 h100 h
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 238 we've cataloged.
Charging Method
USB-CMost commonUsb-c89%Micro usb8%Others3%
Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 135 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Bluetooth Version
5.35.028%5.325%5.216%5.411%
5.3 appears on 25% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Connection Type
Most commonWired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 27.62 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 15 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 18 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, wired-3.5mm
- Bluetooth Codec
- AptX Lossless
- Multipoint Devices
- Yes - 2 devices
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- USB Charging
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 253 g
- Color Options
- Black, white smoke
- Ear Pad Type
- Memory foam
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Features
- Spatial Audio
- Yes
- Companion App
- Yes
- Control Type
- Physical buttons and touch-sensitive
- Eq Customization
- Presets only
- Auto Pause
- Yes
- Voice Assistant Support
- Google Assistant, Alexa
Build
- IP Rating
- None
- Material Chassis Primary
- Metal frame with plastic and pleather
- Water Resistance
- Yes
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam, leather
- Material Headband
- Aluminum with leather padding
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Yes - adjustable level
- Anc Modes
- Off,anc,transparency,adaptive
- Driver Size
- 35 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Identity
- Model Number
- QuietComfort Ultra
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
- Type
- Microphone array
Release
- Msrp Usd
- 429 USD
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.0 |
| 25 | 8.2 |
| 32 | 9.1 |
| 40 | 8.2 |
| 50 | 6.7 |
| 63 | 4.9 |
| 80 | 4.2 |
| 100 | 3.4 |
| 125 | 2.1 |
| 160 | 0.3 |
| 200 | -0.9 |
| 250 | -2.0 |
| 315 | -2.7 |
| 400 | -3.1 |
| 500 | -2.9 |
| 630 | -2.1 |
| 800 | -1.6 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | 3.3 |
| 1600 | 2.8 |
| 2000 | 3.0 |
| 2500 | 5.5 |
| 3150 | 4.5 |
| 4000 | 4.5 |
| 5000 | 2.6 |
| 6300 | 4.9 |
| 8000 | 2.9 |
| 10000 | 1.5 |
| 12500 | -2.3 |
| 16000 | -11.0 |
| 20000 | -19.6 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen)
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -2.8 |
| 26 | 2.2 |
| 33 | 0.3 |
| 41 | 0.5 |
| 52 | 0.3 |
| 65 | -1.1 |
| 82 | -2.9 |
| 103 | -4.4 |
| 130 | -4.0 |
| 163 | 1.3 |
| 205 | 4.0 |
| 259 | 8.7 |
| 325 | 11.7 |
| 410 | 11.1 |
| 516 | 11.9 |
| 613 | 14.1 |
| 772 | 19.7 |
| 972 | 18.8 |
| 1220 | 21.3 |
| 1540 | 19.7 |
| 1940 | 24.6 |
| 2440 | 26.4 |
| 3070 | 24.7 |
| 3870 | 29.4 |
| 4870 | 40.2 |
| 6130 | 41.1 |
| 7720 | 51.0 |
| 9720 | 47.8 |
| 12200 | 46.7 |
| 15400 | 49.6 |
| 19400 | 36.2 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen)
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 9.1 |
| 26 | 13.1 |
| 33 | 21.3 |
| 41 | 26.8 |
| 52 | 24.4 |
| 65 | 19.8 |
| 82 | 22.2 |
| 103 | 24.9 |
| 130 | 27.3 |
| 163 | 27.9 |
| 205 | 27.2 |
| 259 | 26.7 |
| 325 | 29.8 |
| 410 | 33.8 |
| 516 | 38.4 |
| 613 | 34.4 |
| 772 | 34.4 |
| 972 | 28.3 |
| 1220 | 21.9 |
| 1540 | 24.3 |
| 1940 | 29.6 |
| 2440 | 26.7 |
| 3070 | 23.8 |
| 3870 | 28.2 |
| 4870 | 40.1 |
| 6130 | 42.3 |
| 7720 | 49.2 |
| 9720 | 44.5 |
| 12200 | 47.0 |
| 15400 | 50.0 |
| 19400 | 36.2 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen)
4.8
3.2
4.2
4.6
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Noise cancelling8.5
Isolation6.5
Battery life9.5
Comfort & fit9.0
Connectivity9.5
Design8.0
The verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy.
✓Liked: Great ANC, Good passthrough mode, Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless
✕Could be better: Price, No IP rating, Immersive audio, Some channel matching issues
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen) has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen)?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Bose ditched the headphone jack without ditching the headphone jackThis is the one cable I want every pair of USB-C headphones to include.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSkip the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro: Here are 2 look-alikes I'd buy for lessYou don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. Here's two I'd recommend instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBose SoundTouch is officially dead, but your speakers may still surviveBose didn’t completely brick SoundTouch speakers, but the shutdown still changed what owners originally paid for.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterApple just took down Bose at their own gameFor decades, Bose has prided itself on this one major advantage of their headphones and earbuds. Now, Apple has beat them at their own game.
Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSkip the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro: Here are 2 look-alikes I'd buy for lessYou don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. Here's two I'd recommend instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBose SoundTouch is officially dead, but your speakers may still surviveBose didn’t completely brick SoundTouch speakers, but the shutdown still changed what owners originally paid for.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterApple just took down Bose at their own gameFor decades, Bose has prided itself on this one major advantage of their headphones and earbuds. Now, Apple has beat them at their own game.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Over-Ear Headphones
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