Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
After trying the new headphones from Sony, Bose, Bowers and Wilkins, JBL, and more this year, I have landed on my favorite pair of cans. I love the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)<!–> for their sound, style, and easier-to-carry case. While Sony’s XM6s remain the king of ANC, the QC Ultra 2 are not far off – and they are on sale for Black Friday within a month of launch, at both Bose–> and Amazon<!–>.
Bose is offering $50 discount on its latest generation of flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for Cyber Week. As a result, you can get these flagship headphones for $399. The sale runs now to Dec. 27. If that’s not in your budget, you can opt for the first-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for $298–> or the QuietComfort headphones for $199<!–>. These deals should be available while stock lasts.
Also: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: I compared the two headphones, and this pair wins
Why the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are my favorite travel cans
The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) won the ZDNET Editors’ Choice Award. As noted by my colleague Jada Jones in her review, “the QC Ultra 2 deliver useful, everyday features that their competitors don’t, notably in power management, user customization, and USB-C audio support.” I love these extras alongside their refined audio and ANC performance for long-term listening.
I prefer Bose QC Ultra 2’s sound to Sony XM6’s because it is better suited for long-term listening. It offers a bass-heavy audio response with good clarity in the high frequencies and a warm sound profile, which is combined with a more comfortable-to-wear design. These two features, along with a smaller carry case, make the Bose QC Ultra 2 an ideal travel companion.
I can watch my downloaded movies and listen to my favorite music on long-haul flights without worrying about comfort or battery life. And when I’m done, I can store them in a comparatively smaller carry case, which saves space in my carry bag.
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
I also love the auto-standby power feature on my Bose QC Ultra 2 headphones. It allows the device to enter an ultra-low-power mode when removed from my head. This means I don’t need to worry about depleting battery when going through check-in, security, and immigration at the airport.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are my pick for the headphones to buy under $400 this holiday sale season. I like their warm sound profile, stylish design, strong ANC processing, comfortable fit, and the ultra-low-power mode. These are my go-to travel cans.
Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
How I rated this deal
Based on $50 off savings being offered, ZDNET’s rating system gives this a 2/5 Editor’s deal rating. I added one point because these are all-new flagship headphones. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) are one of the best combinations of sound and features amongst the flagship headphones of 2025. Amazon’s deal price is the most enticing discount on this Bose product.
When will this deal expire?
Bose’s Cyber Week deals went live today, Nov. 20. That said, most deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time. The company will be offering more discounts on other products as we head into the holiday sale season. ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.
How do we rate deals at ZDNET?
We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech.
In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor’s deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.
At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members’ expertise and several factors like frequency, brand, or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts.
ZDNET Recommends
<!–>
–>
