Bose just launched the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones for $429, but they’re only slightly better than last year’s model. The company added minor improvements to noise canceling and spatial audio, yet bumped the price up by $100.
The new headphones do block out noise a bit better and make music sound more immersive when you’re watching movies. But early reviews suggest the differences are so small that most people won’t notice them during daily use.
Same Design, Higher Price
Bose kept almost everything else identical to the original Ultra headphones. The design looks the same, battery life is unchanged, and they still fold up the same way. The company essentially tweaked the software that powers the noise canceling and called it a new generation.
This follows a pattern where headphone makers release barely-updated versions each year with premium price tags. Apple did something similar with recent AirPods releases, and Sony has been criticized for the same approach.
Wait For a Sale
Tech reviewers are telling people to stick with the original QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which now cost $100 less and work almost as well. The Gen 1 model frequently goes on sale for around $279, making it a much better deal. Unless you absolutely need the latest model, the older version delivers 95% of the same experience for significantly less money.
