Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) gets a full redesign and spatial audio — here's the price
Bose is overhauling its entry-level QuietComfort headphones for the first time since 2023, adding spatial audio and lossless USB-C audio to a line that previously only charged over that port. The new QuietComfort (2nd Gen) goes up for pre-order on August 7, 2026, with a full release on August 13. Pricing lands at $359 in the US and £300 in the UK — putting it below the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($398) and Sennheiser Momentum 4 (around £350).
The redesign
This is not a minor refresh. Bose has reworked the ear cushions into a pill shape, widened the sliding headband, and added more synthetic leather throughout. Button placement on the ear cups has been rethought for easier one-handed control. According to a Dealabs exclusive from leaker billbil-kun, the USB-C port now supports lossless audio transmission — a meaningful upgrade for anyone using a portable DAC, since the first-gen port was charge-only.
New audio modes include Bose TrueSpatial (spatial audio), Cinema Mode for video content, and a full ANC toggle that replaces the older custom-settings system. The updated ActiveSense noise cancellation smooths out sudden loud sounds in transparency mode. Battery life stays unchanged at 24 hours with ANC on, or 18 hours with spatial audio running — Sony's XM6 claims 30 hours, which may come up in direct comparisons.
Colors and availability
Six colorways are available at launch: Black, White Smoke, Rosewood Mauve, Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint, and Hazelnut Taupe. The US price of $359 matches the current Gen 1 retail price, while the UK's £300 undercuts most direct competitors at launch.
In the UK, availability through major retailers — Currys, John Lewis, and Argos — has not been officially confirmed yet, but is expected alongside the August 7 pre-order announcement. Bose.com will take pre-orders in the US from that date.
Worth noting
The 2nd Gen base model is a separate product from the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), which launched in late 2025 at a higher price point. If the base model's spatial audio and lossless USB-C performance hold up under testing, $359 / £300 looks like a strong position in a crowded market. Independent reviews should follow shortly after the August 7 announcement.
