Headphones / QC Ultra Headphones vs Px7 S2e
QC Ultra Headphones vs Px7 S2e
QC Ultra Headphones
Bose's most comfortable, most immersive-sounding ANC headphone.
Wins overall by 0.4 points
Quick Verdict
The QC Ultra Headphones is the stronger all-around pick, beating the Px7 S2e by 0.4 points overall. Bose's most comfortable, most immersive-sounding ANC headphone.
The QC Ultra Headphones and Px7 S2e are both current-generation headphones, and the Px7 S2e is $30 cheaper than the QC Ultra Headphones ($399 vs $429). On comfort, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (9.4 vs 8.0/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. On noise cancelling, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (9.6 vs 8.6/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On call & mic quality, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (9.0 vs 8.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. Overall, the QC Ultra Headphones scores 8.6/10 across our 10 test categories versus 8.2/10 for the Px7 S2e. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | QC Ultra Headphones | Px7 S2e |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.00 | $399.00 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 24 | 30✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 24 | 30✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 254✓ | 307 |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 6 | 8✓ |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Sandstone | Anthracite Black, Cloud Grey, Forest Green |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The QC Ultra Headphones is rated for up to 24 hours with ANC on (24 hours with ANC off), while the Px7 S2e is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the QC Ultra Headphones roughly 3 hours of playback from a 15-minute top-up, versus a 15-minute top-up for the Px7 S2e.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the QC Ultra Headphones rates 9.6/10 versus 8.6/10 for the Px7 S2e. QC Ultra Headphones carries the ANC edge overall in this matchup based on the combined scoring above — see the Scores section for the full category breakdown.
Comfort
The QC Ultra Headphones weighs 254g and scores 9.4/10 for comfort; the Px7 S2e weighs 307g and scores 8.0/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: QC Ultra Headphones 9.2/10, Px7 S2e 9.5/10. Driver size is Not publishedmm on the QC Ultra Headphones versus 40mm on the Px7 S2e — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The QC Ultra Headphones uses a 6-microphone array and scores 9.0/10 for calls, while the Px7 S2e uses 8 microphones and scores 8.0/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The QC Ultra Headphones scores 8.8/10 and folds flat; the Px7 S2e scores 8.3/10 and folds flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 7.0/10 for the QC Ultra Headphones and 7.0/10 for the Px7 S2e. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
Choose the QC Ultra Headphones if…
- • You wear headphones for hours at a time and need superior comfort.
- • Noise cancelling is your top priority — the QC Ultra Headphones scores 9.6/10 for blocking ambient noise.
- • You're on calls constantly and need clear mic pickup with background noise rejection.
- • You want the deepest app ecosystem and extra features like spatial audio or multipoint.
- • Your main use case is commute.
Choose the Px7 S2e if…
- • You want maximum battery life — the Px7 S2e runs up to 30 hours on a charge.
- • You want to spend less — it's $30 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
QC Ultra Headphones
Pros
- +Best-in-class comfort, even during multi-hour wear
- +Immersive Audio head-tracking is unique in this class
- +ANC that rivals or beats Sony in wind and transit noise
- +CustomTune auto-calibrates sound to your ears and fit
Cons
- −Shortest battery life of the flagship competitors
- −Driver size not published, hard to compare on paper
- −Immersive Audio mode drains battery faster
Px7 S2e
Pros
- +Best build quality and materials in this comparison set
- +Reference-grade sound tuning from a hi-fi speaker brand
- +2-year warranty
- +24-bit audio processing for higher-resolution playback
Cons
- −Heaviest headphone here after AirPods Max
- −Premium price without premium-tier ANC
- −Smaller brand means fewer retail listening demos
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the QC Ultra Headphones or Px7 S2e better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the QC Ultra Headphones 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 has better battery life, the QC Ultra Headphones or the Px7 S2e?+
The Px7 S2e lasts longer, rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on versus 24 hours for the QC Ultra Headphones.
Is the QC Ultra Headphones worth the price difference over the Px7 S2e?+
The Px7 S2e is the cheaper option at $399 versus $429. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in comfort.
Which is better for travel, the QC Ultra Headphones or the Px7 S2e?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The QC Ultra Headphones scores higher here (8.8/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The QC Ultra Headphones has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.6/10 versus 8.6/10.
Can I use the QC Ultra Headphones and Px7 S2e for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the QC Ultra Headphones scores better for gaming use (7.0/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the QC Ultra Headphones and Px7 S2e support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the QC Ultra Headphones supports multipoint. Yes, the Px7 S2e supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The QC Ultra Headphones scores higher on comfort (9.4/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the QC Ultra Headphones weighs 254g and the Px7 S2e weighs 307g.
What's the warranty on the QC Ultra Headphones vs the Px7 S2e?+
The QC Ultra Headphones ships with a 12-month warranty; the Px7 S2e ships with a 24-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
Momentum 4 Wireless — $299.95
Premium Option
WH-1000XM6 — $449.99