Bose announced the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) on 6 August 2026. Pre-orders opened on 8 August and shipping starts on 13 August, which is today.

Spatial audio comes down a tier

The main change is Bose TrueSpatial Technology, which brings three Immersive Audio modes that were previously exclusive to the QuietComfort Ultra range. Still Mode keeps the audio anchored in the room as you turn your head. Motion Mode lets the sound follow your head, which is the one for walking and commuting. Cinema Mode widens the soundstage and keeps dialogue centred for video and podcasts.

There is also lossless playback over wired USB-C at up to 24 bit and 48 kHz, on top of the existing Bose SoundDesign processing.

Noise cancelling, and a fix for glasses

Bose has renamed its noise cancellation QuietControl and made a specific change worth calling out. New adaptive feedforward controls and a six microphone system now compensate for gaps in the earcup seal, which Bose says makes a noticeable difference for people who wear glasses, or whose hair or a hat stops the cups sealing properly. That is a real problem that most brands never mention.

Aware Mode also gets an improved ActiveSense response, softening sudden noise spikes like a train going past rather than clamping down hard. You can adjust the cancellation manually or turn it off entirely in the app, and build custom modes you cycle through with the action button on the left earcup.

Design, battery and connections

New oval earcups, a redesigned headband with smooth sliders, more plush synthetic leather cushioning and optimised clamping force. Colours are Black and White Smoke, plus three limited editions: Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint and Rosewood Mauve, each with a contrasting colour hidden inside the cups.

Battery is up to 24 hours, dropping to 18 with Immersive Audio on, and you can charge while wearing them so the music does not stop. A 15 minute charge gets you about 2.5 hours.

Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint for two devices at once and Google Fast Pair on Android. Two-way USB-C audio means the headphones work as a proper headset for Zoom and Teams calls, and Bose includes a USB-C to 3.5mm cable so they still work with plane entertainment systems.

Price

Bose's own press release gives United States pricing of $359. Australian outlets including EFTM and iTWire are reporting Australian pricing at A$549.95, held at the same level as the previous generation, with pre-orders through Bose Australia from 8 August and general availability from 13 August. I could not confirm the Australian figure on a Bose Australia release for this specific model, so treat A$549.95 as reported rather than confirmed.