Headphones / Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here.
Wins overall by 1.9 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.9-point gap makes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) the straightforward choice here. The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is $270 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($179 vs $449). On Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.9 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.5 vs 6.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. On Call & Mic Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.4/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.5/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $449.00 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling | 30 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 50✓ | 45 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 10✓ | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Weight (g) | 307 | 250✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 45 | Not published by Bose |
| Active Noise Cancelling | None | Adaptive ANC with updated ActiveSense and CustomTune ear-canal calibration, with manual ANC levels in the app |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Audio-Technica states dual beamforming mics; independent testing counted one | Not published by Bose for the Ultra |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.9 against 2.0 — a 7.9-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.2 against 6.8 — a 2.4-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. driver performance, tuning, and detail is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 6.0 — a 3.5-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are level here, at 7.0/10 each. latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $270 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is students.
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 9.9/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 9.5/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Call & Mic Quality matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls).
- • Features matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • Comfort matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 9.2/10 here (clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions).
Pros & Cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Pros
- +The M50x sound signature, one of the most trusted references in audio
- +LDAC hi-res support
- +Largest drivers here at 45mm
- +Low-latency mode genuinely helps for video
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling at $179
- −Bluetooth 5.0 on a headphone still sold in 2026
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 307g
- −The platform is now five years old
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +The most effective noise cancelling available, narrowly ahead of Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration genuinely improves both ANC and sound
- +aptX Adaptive and USB-C lossless added this generation
- +Lightest flagship here at 250g and superbly comfortable
Cons
- −Wired listening still requires battery power, unlike most rivals
- −Immersive Audio costs you seven hours of battery
- −No LDAC
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor microphone count
- −Only an iterative update over the first generation
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.9/10 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Travel, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Travel (9.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Which is better for Features, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Features (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 worth the price difference over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the cheaper option at $179 versus $449. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the better fit if you mainly care about students. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the better fit for travel or commute.
What's the warranty on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 vs the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Space One — $99.99
Premium Option
Sony WH-1000XM6 — $449.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.