Bose’s headphones are the best for traveling – why I choose them over Sony and Apple

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) won a 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 the Bose QC Ultra 2’s sound to the Sony XM6’s because it is better suited for long-term listening, which helps avoid ear fatigue on long-haul flights. Their sound is characterized by a bass-heavy audio response, with good clarity in the high frequencies and a warm sound profile, complemented by comfortable earpads and a relaxed fit. These features, along with a smaller carrying case, make the Bose QC Ultra 2 an ideal travel companion. 

Also: Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra shows the company still outperforms Apple in one key area

I can watch my downloaded movies and listen to my favorite music on long-haul flights without worrying about comfort, and their 30-hour battery life is sure to last during my frequent international travels. When I’m done, I can store them in a comparatively smaller carry case, which saves space in my carry-on bag.

I also love the auto-standby power feature of these headphones, which allows them to enter an ultra-low-power mode when removed from my head. This means I don’t need to worry about depleting my 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 appreciate their warm sound profile, stylish design, robust ANC processing, comfortable fit, and 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, just released in Oct. 2025.. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) are a great blend 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?

According to Bose, this deal is valid from Nov. 20 to Dec. 27. That said, most deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time. You can find this deal at Bose<!–>, Amazon–>, Walmart<!–>, Best Buy–>, Target<!–>, and other participating retailers. 

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.