The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones are good, but don’t stand out

<figure> <img alt="Gen 2 Bose QuietComfort Headphones sitting on a pale yellow surface next to a iPhone." data-caption="The Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen 2 look a lot like all other Bose headphones from the past few years." data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/268702_Bose_QuietComfort_Headphones_Gen_2_review_JHIGGINS_716A9403.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> The Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen 2 look a lot like all other Bose headphones from the past few years. </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph">Bose QuietComfort headphones used to be innovative. Bose's noise-canceling research is the reason the technology is where it is today, and its headphones set the standard. They were the ubiquitous traveler's accessory. But over the past few years, it's felt like Bose has rested on that reputation, as other companies have caught up. Sony and Apple have both surpassed Bose in noise-canceling performance, and even midrange headphones like the $130 Soundcore Space 2 are close for much less money. That means the $359 Bose QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen need to stand out in other ways - and I don't think they do. </p> <div class="product-block"><h3>Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen …</h3></div> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/984764/bose-quietcomfort-headphones-gen-2-review">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>