Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 review: Exceptional comfort, and class-leading active noise cancellation

After years of chasing better noise-cancellation for travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 proves just how far the technology has come, combining comfort, control, and rich, immersive sound.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 build on a familiar design with subtle refinements that feel more polished. Picture: Bose.

I used to travel a lot and always hated the constant drone of aeroplane engines, so I picked up what I thought were the best ANC headphones at the time. Since the original Sony MDR-1000X Mark 1, the technology has come a long way. Over the past year, my go-to for travel has been the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but after using the Gen 2 for the last month, these have taken their place.

Design