BoseQuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones for music with Spatial Audio, Over-the-Ear Headphones with Mic, Up to 24 Hours of Battery Life, Black

*Please be aware this review is being written from a totally blind person's perspective. *As I’ll be one of the first to review these headphones due to how new they are, I’ll try to go into as much detail as possible. First off, upon opening the box, you are greeted by a simple layout. The box purely contains the case and the manual. The case is more of an oval shape compared to the NC700, which is more of a square. Inside the case you’ll find the headphones, USB C to A charging cable and an audio cable if you want to connect it to a wired source.Opening the case up, the headphones feel very sleek, around the same size as other pairs, but the first thing I noticed was the fact the cushions mould seamlessly with the headphones, creating a complete seal. There is not that tiny gap like on the NC700 and others. What I liked immediately though was the fact the cushions slip into place with the use of six little tabs which simply snap into place. It’s a lot easier, for me at least, than trying to line them up with a tiny crack as with previous designs.When you turn them on, they have to be on both ears to activate, so Bose can use its tuning technology to personalise to the shape of your ears. This has to be done every time you put them on, turning them on with only one earcup in place won’t work.They truly live up to their name of ‘quiet comfort,’ I am wearing them right now as I type this, and you can almost forget you’re wearing headphones, you can hardly feel them, they almost mould to your head. They truly do hug your ears. The most comfortable pair I’ve ever owned. I also like how the Bluetooth and power button is slightly indented, whereas the multi-function button is perfectly smooth. The volume strip is also able to be felt, and I love how you just swipe it with a finger to change the volume, and you can also configure a shortcut to it, in the Bose Music App.Now moving on to connecting them, it’s just the same as with previous Bose headphones. Turn them on, you’ll hear the tone, and then the voice prompt will tell you they are ready to connect. Select your device and away you go. You can also store up to 8 Bluetooth devices in the headphones, which is a nice feature.The noise cancelling is without doubt the best I have heard yet. You can hardly hear anything when it’s on ‘quiet’ mode. You can also adjust the level of ANC you want, plus in aware mode, there are also ‘active sense’ settings, which block out loud noises by briefly turning on ANC, then turn it off again when the sound stops. This is good for if you're in a restaurant and a blender starts up, for example. These also have ‘wind block’ which mutes the microphones for NC while you’re on a call, so you don’t hear the wind against them. The person on the other end will still hear it though.Now the highlight, the immersive audio. I personally think it’s incredible. I’ve heard details in my music I’d never heard before, it gives the song or other content a completely new layer of depth. Bose weren’t kidding about that. I also have the Apple Air pods Max and these knock spots off those for their spacial audio and head tracking. It really does sound like the music is coming from a speaker in front of you, it sounds like the speaker nearest you when you turn your head, whichever way you turn it. I flicked between spacial and stereo, and I tell you what, I’ll never go back. Stereo sounds bland in comparison to this. I will always use spacial now wherever possible. The base is full, as is the treble and mid-range. You don’t miss anything, just like the artist intended. If you’re like me, you won’t go back either!As soon as I heard these were coming out, I just had to get them. It’s my birthday next month and my family said they would pay for them, but I just had to have them now and wow I do not regret it at all, and neither will you! Just one final note, I researched it last night and Bose will be releasing Ultra ear cushion kits for these headphones soon so we can buy replacements, if necessary, mine will probably wear quickly the amount I’m going to use them. I’ll probably use them on my work laptop too. All in all, yes, their pricey, but your ears will thank you, for both the superior comfort and second to none sound at the same time. Worth every penny, happy listening!Edit: (Because I struggled with this too,) if you want to clear the Bluetooth list and start over, press the power and multi-function buttons at the same time for a few seconds while the headphones are on, until the voice says 'bluetooth device list cleared.'

This summer, I found myself on a flight home from Mykonos, unfortunately seated next to some rather rowdy passengers still recovering from a weekend of clubbing. All I had on me was a basic pair of Apple AirPods, and despite maxing out the volume, I could still hear everything – the jet engines, the chatter, and the unwanted soundtrack of my neighbors. I knew I needed a better solution if my work travel was going to ramp up. After some research, I decided to invest in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.In short: If you’re looking for lightweight, incredibly comfortable headphones with top-tier noise canceling and excellent sound fidelity, look no further. Yes, they’re on the pricier side, but they deliver everything you could want from a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones.Design: Understated but PremiumCompared to competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5, Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e, or the Apple AirPods Max, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra has a more pared-back design. They’re not flashy – no metallic accents or bold branding – but they’re sleek and functional, which I actually prefer. They feel high-quality, with durable materials that give them a premium feel without any unnecessary bulk. This minimalist design is great for anyone who values performance over making a statement.Comfort: Outstanding for Long WearBose is known for comfort, and the QuietComfort Ultra headphones absolutely live up to the reputation. The ear cups are deep and made with incredibly soft, plush padding that makes long listening sessions a breeze. The design ensures that your ears don’t touch the interior drivers, which minimizes compression around the ears and adds to the overall comfort. Plus, these headphones are surprisingly light, which makes them easy to wear for hours without any strain or fatigue. I can wear them for an entire workday, on a long flight, or during editing sessions, and they stay comfortable throughout.Sound Quality: Clear, Balanced, and DynamicThe sound quality on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is truly impressive. They offer an exceptionally clear and balanced listening experience across all frequencies. The bass is punchy but not overdone, the mids are smooth, and the highs are crisp, making these headphones suitable for all genres and types of content. Whether I’m listening to rock, hip-hop, classical, or podcasts, the audio is immersive and precise.One thing to note is that these headphones always have some form of noise canceling or passthrough activated. As someone who’s not always been a fan of ANC, I was initially hesitant, but the implementation here is seamless, and the constant noise management actually enhances the listening experience rather than detracting from it.Noise Canceling: Bose at Its BestBose has long been a leader in noise-canceling technology, and these headphones set a new standard. The passive isolation from the well-sealed ear cups is already good, but once you turn on the active noise canceling, it’s incredible. Using them on a flight, I barely noticed the engine noise, which made listening to music and watching movies genuinely enjoyable. What’s especially impressive is the lack of “pressure” – that uncomfortable feeling that earlier noise-canceling models often produced. The Bose QCU manages to be highly effective at blocking noise without feeling obtrusive, which is a game-changer for long-term wear.Other Features: Thoughtful AdditionsBeyond the core functions, there are several other features worth mentioning. The headphones come with a sturdy, compact case that’s easy to travel with and offers excellent protection. The passthrough mode is another standout feature – it’s clear and natural, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings when needed. Some might argue that the AirPods Max has the best transparency mode, but in my experience, the Bose passthrough is every bit as good, if not better.The app is intuitive and offers useful controls, like the ability to adjust the level of noise canceling and switch between paired devices seamlessly. I often use these for video calls, and the mic quality is excellent, providing clear sound with effective background noise suppression. The battery life is also solid, lasting long enough for a few days of on-and-off use or an entire long-haul flight without needing a charge.Final Verdict: A Worthwhile InvestmentIn summary, these headphones are nothing short of amazing. Yes, they come at a premium price, but they deliver premium performance in every area that counts – sound quality, noise canceling, comfort, and additional features. If you’re looking for a high-quality, versatile pair of headphones that will meet all your needs, from travel to work to daily life, and if you don’t mind the cost, I can’t recommend the Bose QuietComfort Ultra enough. They’ve completely transformed my listening experience, and I can’t imagine traveling or working without them now.