Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), released in late 2025 at $449, are the closest thing the Sony WH-1000XM6 has to a true rival. Independent reviewers consistently place their active noise cancellation at the very top of the category — TechRadar calls it the best ANC you can buy at anything like the price — and Bose's CustomTune system adapts cancellation to the shape of your ears each time you put them on. Crucially for travel, they're also among the most comfortable over-ears ever made: at roughly 250 grams with plush pads and light clamping force, they earn near-perfect comfort scores from outlets like RTINGS. The second generation is a careful evolution rather than a redesign. Bose finally added USB-C wired audio for lossless playback up to 24-bit/48kHz, made ANC fully switchable off (stretching battery from 30 hours to as much as 45), and introduced a Cinema mode that widens the soundstage for films, podcasts, and spoken word on top of the existing Immersive spatial audio. Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive and multipoint round out connectivity, and the build now mixes a metal headband with plastic earcups. The honest trade-offs keep them from being an automatic pick over the XM6. The companion app is basic next to Sony's, with limited customization and no streaming-service integration; the microphones don't work over the USB-C connection; and there's no passive playback if the battery dies. Sound is rich and consumer-friendly with tightened bass, but reviewers agree it gives up a little detail and tunability to the best at this price. For buyers who rank comfort and silence above everything, they're the ones to beat; for value and control, the cheaper XM6 still edges ahead.