Headphones / Beats Studio Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Beats Studio Pro 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 1.0 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.0-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 Beats Studio Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are both closely matched headphones models, and the Beats Studio Pro is $99 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($349.99 vs $449). On Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.9 vs 7.5/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.2 vs 7.0/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. On Travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.5 vs 7.5/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.4/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 7.4/10 for the Beats Studio Pro. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $449.00 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 24 | 30✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 40 | 45✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 7.5✓ | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Weight (g) | 260 | 250✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | Not published by Bose |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Fully Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling with real-time environment sampling, plus Transparency mode | Adaptive ANC with updated ActiveSense and CustomTune ear-canal calibration, with manual ANC levels in the app |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes, but on Android and ChromeOS only | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Beats | Not published by Bose for the Ultra |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Three fixed profiles over USB-C; no free-form EQ | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet |
Category Scores
Battery
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.9 against 7.5 — a 2.4-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.2 against 7.0 — a 2.2-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.8 — a 0.7-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.5 — a 2.0-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Beats Studio Pro 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 Beats Studio Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. features and performance relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Durability
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Beats Studio Pro if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $99 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).
- • 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).
- • 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).
Pros & Cons
Beats Studio Pro
Pros
- +One of very few headphones that pairs natively on both iOS and Android
- +USB-C lossless audio
- +Folds properly for travel
- +Street price is routinely far below the $349.99 list
Cons
- −No wear detection, so it will not auto-pause when you take them off
- −Multipoint works on Android but not on Apple devices — you cannot have both multipoint and Spatial Audio
- −AAC and SBC only, no LDAC or aptX
- −Earpads are not user-replaceable
- −Runs warm over long sessions
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 Beats Studio Pro 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 Beats Studio Pro or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.9/10 vs 7.5/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Comfort, the Beats Studio Pro or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Comfort (9.2/10 vs 7.0/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions.
Which is better for Travel, the Beats Studio Pro or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Travel (9.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Beats Studio Pro 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 7.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Is the Beats Studio Pro worth the price difference over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Beats Studio Pro is the cheaper option at $349.99 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 Beats Studio Pro is the better fit if you mainly care about students. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the better fit for professionals.
What's the warranty on the Beats Studio Pro vs the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Beats Studio Pro 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
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 — $179.00
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.