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Which Bose QuietComfort headphones fit your wired listening routine?

QuietComfort (2023) is the more resilient choice for listening from an analog source with a depleted battery: its included cable still plays and has an inline microphone, though noise cancellation and Active EQ stop when the headphones have no power. Ultra 2 suits buyers who want Immersive Audio, Cinema Mode, USB-C listening while charging, or USB-C voice on a supported PC/app setup. Bose’s USB-call notes specify firmware 8.2.20 or later and certain VoIP apps; 10.12.12 improves web-conferencing compatibility and adds PC/mobile game-chat support, excluding consoles. If its battery is empty, connect USB-C to an external power source and turn it on; no call-quality result is established.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-01

Source checked 2026-10-01 12:26 UTC

Products compared

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The buying question

Do you need passive analog listening and cable-mic calls when the battery is depleted, or do you want USB-C audio, spatial modes, charging playback, and USB-C voice calls on a supported PC/app setup?

QuietComfort (2023) offers passive analog playback with its included cable when power is gone; Ultra 2 adds USB-C audio and spatial features, while its analog cable requires power. Bose documents USB-C two-way PC calls from firmware 8.2.20 for certain VoIP apps, with later web-conferencing compatibility improvements and PC/mobile game-chat support in firmware 10.12.12; USB-C power is needed to continue after the battery is depleted.

Quick verdict

Choose Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) if

  • You want an analog source to keep playing with no battery charge or external power available.
  • You need an inline microphone on the included analog cable for wired calls, including with a depleted or powered-off headset.
View Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) on AmazonPaid link

Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if

  • You want Bose Immersive Audio or Cinema Mode and USB-C audio for a compatible source.
  • You need USB-C calls on a supported PC/app setup: Bose documents PC web calls with firmware 8.2.20 or later and certain VoIP apps only; firmware 10.12.12 improves web-conferencing compatibility and adds PC/mobile game-chat voice, excluding consoles.
  • You can connect a USB-C power source when needed and want to keep listening while charging, including after a depleted battery is connected to power.
View Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) on AmazonPaid link
When to skip: You need active noise cancellation to remain available with a fully depleted battery and no external power; QuietComfort's passive mode turns ANC and Active EQ off, and Ultra 2 requires power to operate.
When the recommendation changes
  • If the battery is empty and no USB-C power source is available, the 2023 QuietComfort can still play from an analog source; Ultra 2 must be connected to external USB-C power and powered on.
  • If you need calls while connected by USB-C, Bose documents two-way PC web calls and video conferencing with firmware 8.2.20 or later, supported only by certain VoIP apps; firmware 10.12.12 improves compatibility with web-conferencing apps and adds game/chat voice for compatible PCs and mobile devices, excluding consoles. Check firmware and app support for your setup; no call-quality comparison is claimed.

The differences that matter

Wired Audio And Depleted Battery

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023)

The included 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable has a built-in microphone and supports audio and calls when the battery is depleted or the headphones are powered off; in passive mode ANC and Active EQ are unavailable and source-device controls are required.[1, 2]

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

The analog AUX cable requires Ultra 2 to be powered on; with a depleted battery, connect USB-C to an external power source and then power on. AUX mode disables headphone microphone pickup and call controls. Bose’s Canada support page for QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), sold from 2025, documents USB-C two-way PC audio for web calls and video conferencing beginning with firmware 8.2.20 (released 10 February 2026), supported only by certain VoIP apps and not all communication software. Firmware 10.12.12 (released 8 September 2026) improves USB compatibility with web-conferencing apps and documents game/chat voice over USB-C on compatible PCs and mobile devices, excluding consoles. Check the installed firmware and your app/device; these notes do not guarantee support on every US unit, host, or communication app, and no call-quality comparison is claimed. USB-C audio can continue while charging, including after depletion when connected to external power.[3, 6]

What this changes: QuietComfort (2023) is the documented choice for passive analog backup and inline-mic calls with no external power. Ultra 2’s analog cable requires power; Bose also documents USB-C PC calls under firmware and app conditions, with later web-conferencing and PC/mobile game-chat support. Choose that workflow only if your firmware, device and app fall within Bose’s stated scope; no call-quality comparison is made.[1, 2, 3, 6]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Spatial Audio And Power Workflow

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023)

Bose's product comparison lists no Immersive Audio and up to 24 hours for QuietComfort Headphones. Its manual says not to wear it while charging.[2, 1, 4]

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Ultra 2 offers Bose Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode, with up to 30 hours in standard noise-cancelling mode or 23 hours with Immersive Audio. USB-C audio can continue while charging, and Bose permits use while charging.[4, 3, 5]

What this changes: Ultra 2 fits buyers who value spatial modes and USB-C listening while charging. The runtime figures are published maxima, not comparative test results, and Immersive Audio lowers Ultra 2's stated maximum from 30 to 23 hours.[2, 1, 4, 3, 5]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

Listening from an analog source after the battery is depleted, without an external power source

Best fit: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Bose documents passive cable playback on QuietComfort (2023). Ultra 2 must be powered and its manual says to connect USB-C to external power when depleted.

View Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) on AmazonPaid link

USB-C source listening with spatial audio and continued use while charging

Best fit: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Bose documents USB-C audio, Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode on Ultra 2, plus audio use while charging. The 2023 QuietComfort comparison page lists no Immersive Audio and its manual says not to wear it while charging.

View Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) on AmazonPaid link

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

Consider any current Ultra 2 premium only if you expect to use its spatial modes, USB-C audio, or powered listening workflow. Prices are dynamic and are not embedded in this article.

The available price history is too short to judge timing; compare the current offers against the features you expect to use.

Limitations

  • This is a manufacturer-documented feature-fit comparison, not a controlled sound, noise-cancellation, microphone-quality, comfort, or runtime test. No measured winner is established.
  • Bose documents USB-C two-way PC calls for Ultra 2 beginning with firmware 8.2.20, supported only by certain VoIP apps; firmware 10.12.12 improves web-conferencing compatibility and adds game/chat voice on compatible PCs and mobile devices, excluding consoles. Check your firmware and app/device support. The page is Bose Canada support for this exact model; these notes do not guarantee every US unit or call quality.
  • QuietComfort (2023) can play passively through its analog cable with a depleted battery, but ANC and Active EQ are unavailable in that state. Ultra 2 requires the headphones powered on; a depleted battery needs an external USB-C power source for continued use.
  • Current offer prices are dynamic. The available history covers a short September observation window and does not support a longer low-price baseline or purchase-timing recommendation.
  • No owner-experience findings are included; the comparison is limited to behavior Bose documents for these models.

Questions shoppers ask

Can the 2023 QuietComfort keep playing when its battery is empty?

Yes. Bose says the included analog audio cable can play audio with the battery depleted or the headphones powered off. In passive mode, active noise cancellation and Active EQ do not work, and call/media controls are handled on your source device.

Can Ultra 2 play audio when its battery is depleted?

Yes, if you connect USB-C to an external power source and turn the headphones on. Bose documents USB-C audio and use while charging. Its analog AUX cable itself requires the headphones powered on.

Can I take calls over Ultra 2's USB-C cable?

Bose’s support page for QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) says firmware 8.2.20 enables two-way USB-C audio for PC web calls and video conferencing with certain VoIP apps only. Firmware 10.12.12 improves USB web-conferencing compatibility and adds game/chat voice on compatible PCs and mobile devices, excluding consoles. Check your firmware and app support; Bose does not promise compatibility with every communication app, and this comparison does not test call quality.

Methodology and sources

Compared Bose QuietComfort Headphones (model 884367-0100, Black) with Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen, model 890101-0100, Black), using Bose's US product pages and each model's owner guide. Bose Canada's exact-model support update page was opened and its firmware FAQ expanded for USB voice call scope. The comparison covers documented cable/depleted-battery behavior, USB-C audio/calls and charging, and spatial modes. Firmware notes are model support guidance, not a guarantee for every US unit, host or app. Battery maxima are manufacturer estimates under model-specific conditions, not results from a controlled head-to-head test.

Web research and structured drafting organized manufacturer-documented facts into conditional buyer scenarios; no audio, call-quality, noise-cancellation or runtime measurement was performed.

View 6 sources
  1. 1.QuietComfort Headphones Owner's GuideBose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 11:29 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • pp. 10, 29–30, 26, and 3: box contents identify the 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable with microphone; section 'Connect the audio cable and microphone' confirms calls/listening with depleted battery or power off and source-controlled calls/media; battery section states up to 24 hours; safety instructions say do not wear while charging.: Exact QuietComfort Headphones owner guide. Supports cable/microphone contents, cable use with depleted or powered-off headphones, source-side controls in passive wired mode, maximum battery statement, and charging-use limitation.
  2. 2.Shop QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones | BoseBose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 11:29 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Product overview and FAQs, including 'Can I listen to music when the battery runs down?' and the built-in microphone cable feature.: The Bose US QuietComfort Headphones product page states that the audio cable includes an inline microphone; with depleted battery, headphones operate passively and ANC and Active EQ do not function. It identifies up to 24 hours with noise cancelling enabled.
  3. 3.QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Owner's GuideBose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 11:29 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • pp. 33–36: 'Connect the AUX Audio Cable', 'USB Audio', charging and playback time; p. 17: phone-call controls; p. 22–24: Immersive Audio modes.: Exact Ultra 2 guide: AUX requires powered-on headphones; when battery is depleted, connect USB-C to external power and power on; AUX mode disables headphone mic and call controls; USB-C audio works while charging and can continue from battery depletion when powered externally; Immersive Audio-on/off runtime limits. The guide describes phone calling but does not establish USB-C call/mic operation.
  4. 4.Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | BoseBose · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 11:29 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • US product overview and direct product-comparison table: QuietComfort Headphones is listed beside QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen); table states no Immersive Audio for QuietComfort and describes Ultra 2's spatial/Cinema features and charging use.: Bose US product page directly compares QuietComfort Headphones with QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), including Immersive Audio availability; the Ultra 2 overview documents Cinema Mode, spatial listening and charging while in use.
  5. 5.Bose Unveils the Next Generation of the QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesBose · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 11:29 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • 2025-09-10 release: paragraphs on lossless USB-C audio, low-latency listening, Cinema Mode, Immersive Audio and up-to-30-hour battery life with 23 hours when Immersive Audio is on.: Bose launch announcement identifies Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and the assigned feature set: USB-C lossless audio, Cinema Mode, immersive playback and manufacturer-stated battery figures. Used as a corroborating feature source, not as a measured comparison.
  6. 6.Updating Your Headphones | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Bose Canada Support · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 12:26 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Expanded FAQ “What updates are available for my product?”; firmware 8.2.20 (10 February 2026) and 10.12.12 (8 September 2026). The page identifies this exact model as sold from 2025.: For the exact QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), Bose documents two-way USB-C PC web-call/video-conferencing audio from firmware 8.2.20 with certain VoIP apps only, not all communication software. Firmware 10.12.12 improves USB compatibility with web-conferencing applications and documents game/chat voice on compatible PCs and mobile devices, excluding gaming consoles. The source does not promise universal US-device/app compatibility or call quality.

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