Which has better noise cancellation?

The QuietComfort Ultra is Bose's flagship for cancellation and adds CustomTune, which adapts to your ears. The QuietComfort Headphones II uses Bose QuietControl and ActiveSense, which is strong but a step below the Ultra.

Which lasts longer on a charge?

The QuietComfort Headphones II runs 24 hours with ANC on. The Ultra gives about 6 hours per charge, or about 4 with Immersive Audio, plus extra charges from the case.

Is the Ultra worth the extra $50?

At $200 versus $150 at eBay as of November 6, 2026, the Ultra is worth it if you fly often or want spatial audio and a pocketable design. Otherwise the over-ears give more battery and comfort for less.

Can I wear either one for workouts?

Only the Ultra has an IPX4 rating for sweat and water. The QuietComfort Headphones II has no official water or sweat rating, so keep it for commuting and desk use.

Which is better for calls?

Both have built-in mics and noise-cancelling microphone arrays. The Ultra adds dynamic mic mixing, which helps in windy or noisy places.

Do both support spatial audio?

Yes. The Ultra uses Bose Immersive Audio and the QuietComfort Headphones II uses Bose TrueSpatial Tech for music and video.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones II

Buy the QuietComfort Headphones II if you want over-ear comfort and the lower price: $150 at eBay as of November 6, 2026, versus $200 at eBay for the QuietComfort Ultra. Buy the QuietComfort Ultra if you need the strongest noise cancellation, spatial audio, or a more compact earbud design for travel. The Ultra costs about $50 more at the best new price and has a much wider price swing, from $29 to $324.99 in recent weeks.

Today the Bose QuietComfort Headphones II costs $60.00 less at its best price.

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