Headphones / Sonos Ace vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Sonos Ace 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
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 Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are both closely matched headphones models, and the Sonos Ace is $50 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($399 vs $449). 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 7.5/10) — 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 Sonos Ace. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sonos Ace | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $449.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 30 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | Sonos publishes only the 30-hour ANC-on figure | 45 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 3✓ | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Weight (g) | 312 | 250✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | Not published by Bose |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC using an 8-microphone array; on/off only, with no user-adjustable intensity | 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 | Bass, treble, balance and loudness controls only — not a graphic or parametric EQ | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Soft White | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet |
Category Scores
Battery
The Sonos Ace 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 Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.2 against 7.5 — a 1.7-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. driver performance, tuning, and detail is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
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 Sonos Ace 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 Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
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 Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-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 Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Sonos Ace if…
- • Durability matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 9.0/10 here (build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity).
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
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).
Pros & Cons
Sonos Ace
Pros
- +Best build quality here — aluminium and stainless steel, and it feels it
- +aptX Lossless plus USB-C lossless
- +TV Audio Swap with a Sonos soundbar is genuinely useful
- +List price has been cut from $449 to $399
Cons
- −No Wi-Fi — despite the Sonos name it cannot join a Sonos system or stream from the Sonos app, which surprises most buyers
- −TV Audio Swap requires you to already own a Sonos Arc
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 312g
- −Only a four-slider EQ
- −Does not fold in for packing
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 Sonos Ace 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 Sonos Ace 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 Sonos Ace 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 Sonos Ace or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Comfort (9.2/10 vs 7.5/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions.
Which is better for Durability, the Sonos Ace or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Sonos Ace scores higher on Durability (9.0/10 vs 7.5/10) — build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity.
Is the Sonos Ace worth the price difference over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Sonos Ace is the cheaper option at $399 versus $449. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Travel.
What's the warranty on the Sonos Ace vs the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?+
The Sonos Ace 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
Beats Studio Pro — $349.99
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.