Headphones / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Soundcore Space One
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Soundcore Space One
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
A 0.6-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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Soundcore Space One are both closely matched headphones models, and the Soundcore Space One is $349 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($99.99 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 Value, the Soundcore Space One leads (9.5 vs 7.5/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Call & Mic Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — 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 7.8/10 for the Soundcore Space One. 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) | Soundcore Space One |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $99.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2023 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 40✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 45 | 55✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 3.75✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 250✓ | 260 |
| 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 | Adaptive hybrid ANC with adjustable strength and an automatic mode |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Bose for the Ultra | 3 |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black, White, Blue |
Category Scores
Battery
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 9.2 against 8.0 — a 1.2-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 7.5 — a 2.4-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.2 against 7.8 — a 1.4-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.5 — a 2.0-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 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One 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).
- • 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).
- • Your main use case is professionals.
Choose the Soundcore Space One if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 9.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Battery matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 9.2/10 here (playtime, standby, and charging speed).
- • You want to spend less — it's $349 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
Soundcore Space One
Pros
- +LDAC hi-res codec support at a sub-$100 price
- +40 hours with ANC on beats every flagship here
- +Full 8-band EQ and hearing personalisation
- +Folds properly and comes with a case
Cons
- −Plastic build feels its price
- −ANC is good for the money but well short of Bose or Sony
- −No USB-C audio playback, charging only
- −No IP rating
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or Soundcore Space One 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 Soundcore Space One?+
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 Value, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Value (9.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Which is better for Comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Comfort (9.2/10 vs 7.8/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One is the cheaper option at $99.99 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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the better fit if you mainly care about professionals. The Soundcore Space One is the better fit for students.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs the Soundcore Space One?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Soundcore Space One 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-M20xBT — $89.00
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.