Listen to the verdict
The QC45 is the right buy unless you specifically want Immersive Audio. Both have nearly identical comfort and ANC.
Bose's product lineup has the QC45 (now sold as QuietComfort SE) and the QC Ultra. They share 80% of the same engineering: same dynamic driver, similar comfort, near-identical ANC strength. The Ultra adds Immersive Audio, adaptive ANC tuning, and Snapdragon Sound. If you don't specifically value those three features, the QC45 saves you €220 with the same daily experience.
€449 · Immersive Audio + adaptive ANC + Snapdragon Sound
Check QC Ultra on Amazon →Both clips below are the manufacturers’ own product videos — marketing by the two parties this page compares, not independent evidence. The verdict here is ours.
Official Bose
Bose's QC45 launch overview — comfort and ANC pedigree the QC Ultra builds on.
Official Bose
Bose QC Ultra product overview with Immersive Audio and the physical volume slider.
| Metric | QC45 | QC Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| ANC strength (planes/trains) | Excellent | Slightly better (adaptive) |
| ANC strength (office) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Comfort | Best-in-class (240g) | Best-in-class (253g) |
| Immersive Audio (spatial) | No | Yes (head-tracked) |
| Codec support | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint Bluetooth | 2 devices | 2 devices |
| Volume slider | Buttons only | Physical slider on right cup |
| Battery | 24h | 24h / 18h Immersive |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Price | €229 | €449 (+€220) |
The QC45 still has effectively best-in-class ANC for daily use. The "adaptive" ANC of the Ultra is a marginal improvement most listeners don't consciously notice; it shines mostly on planes, where the Ultra ramps cancellation strength higher when it detects engine drone. For office, cafe, and home use, the two are indistinguishable.
Comfort is also identical — same headband, similar weight (240 vs 253g), same earpad materials. If you've tried the QC45 in store and liked them, the Ultra feels exactly the same.
Immersive Audio is the headline. Bose's head-tracked spatial mode adds a perceived "front of you" stage to any stereo source. It's genuinely transformative for podcasts and audiobooks; it's also good for movies. For pure music listening, opinions are split (some producers' mixes break with the processing). If you primarily listen to spoken word content, the Ultra is worth the upgrade for this alone.
Snapdragon Sound (aptX Adaptive codec) gives Android users low-latency lossy audio. The physical volume slider on the right cup is unusual for an over-ear headphone — you run a thumb along it like a fader rather than pressing buttons.
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the cheapest Bose with great ANC | QC45 |
| Listen to podcasts/audiobooks 1+ hour/day | QC Ultra (Immersive) |
| Use Android and want aptX Adaptive | QC Ultra |
| Fly more than 10x/year | QC Ultra (adaptive ANC edge) |
| Fly less than 5x/year | QC45 (savings > benefit) |
| Are upgrading from QC35 II or older | QC45 (huge jump already) |
| Already own QC45 and considering upgrade | Skip unless you need Immersive |
| Want the best physical volume control | QC Ultra (slider) |
| Budget <€250 | QC45 |
| Want Bose flagship without considering price | QC Ultra |
Buy the Bose QC45. Same comfort, same ANC for daily use, €220 cheaper. The most honest recommendation is: pocket the savings unless you specifically use Immersive Audio enough to care.
Buy the QC Ultra only if you (a) listen to spatial-friendly content (podcasts, films, audiobooks) daily, (b) fly often enough that the adaptive ANC tuning matters, or (c) want the physical volume slider. For most upgraders from a QC35 II, the QC45 is the smart pick.
Read our full reviews: Bose QuietComfort 45 review · Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
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