Headphones / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here.
Wins overall by 2.2 points
Quick Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) takes this by a clear 2.2 points. The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is $360 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($89 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 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. On Features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (8.5 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.4/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.2/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $89.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2022 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 45 | 60✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 10✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 250 | 216✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by Bose | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC with updated ActiveSense and CustomTune ear-canal calibration, with manual ANC levels in the app | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Bose for the Ultra | Not published by Audio-Technica |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-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-M20xBT 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 Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT 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 Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.5 — a 3.0-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 5.0 — a 4.5-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.0 — a 1.0-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 8.2 against 7.5 — a 0.7-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
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 Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 4.0 — a 4.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
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).
- • Features matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • 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).
- • 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).
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $360 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is students.
Pros & Cons
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
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Pros
- +Genuine studio-monitor tuning at $89
- +60 hours of battery
- +Multipoint at a budget price
- +Light at 216g
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling
- −No companion app and no EQ — Audio-Technica's app does not support this model
- −Bluetooth 5.0 is dated
- −Earcups rotate but do not fold for packing
- −No carry case
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT 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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Travel (9.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Features (8.5/10 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (8.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the cheaper option at $89 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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the better fit if you mainly care about travel or commute. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the better fit for students.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT 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.
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.