Headphones / Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 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 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.6 points. The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are both current-generation headphones models, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is $30 cheaper than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ($449 vs $479). On Travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.5 vs 7.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. On Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.9 vs 8.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.2 vs 7.8/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 8.4/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 7.8/10 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $479.00 | $449.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 30 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | Bowers & Wilkins quotes only the 30-hour figure | 45 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 6.4✓ | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Weight (g) | 300 | 250✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | Not published by Bose |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Advanced adaptive ANC using 8 microphones, with a Pass-Through mode | Adaptive ANC with updated ActiveSense and CustomTune ear-canal calibration, with manual ANC levels in the app |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 8 | Not published by Bose for the Ultra |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue, Canvas White | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet |
Category Scores
Battery
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are level here, at 8.0/10 each. playtime, standby, and charging speed is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.9 against 8.0 — a 1.9-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 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 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) 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 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.0 — a 2.5-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 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 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) 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 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 if…
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 9.5/10 here (driver performance, tuning, and detail).
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if…
- • 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).
- • 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).
- • 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).
- • You want to spend less — it's $30 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Pros
- +The best pure sound quality of any headphone here
- +aptX Lossless with a dedicated discrete amplifier
- +Earpads and headband padding are user-replaceable, which extends its life considerably
- +Both 3.5mm analog and USB-C digital wired listening
Cons
- −Does not fold, so the case is bulky
- −300g and you notice it
- −ANC is good but clearly behind Bose and Sony
- −The most expensive non-Apple option here
- −No LDAC
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 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 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 Travel, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Travel (9.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.9/10 vs 8.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Comfort, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
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.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores higher on Sound Quality (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — driver performance, tuning, and detail.
Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 worth the price difference over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the cheaper option at $449 versus $479. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Travel.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is the better fit if you mainly care about professionals or office. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the better fit for commute.
What's the warranty on the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 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
Sony WH-1000XM6 — $449.99
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.