Twice the rated battery
Sony WH-CH730N
- Rated about 50 hours
- Even lighter, at 207 g
Cheaper alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Three cheaper pairs with longer battery: Sony bass, Sony value, or Soundcore features.
Updated November 5, 2026
Also has a hard case
Sony ULT Wear
- Hard case in the box
- Takes a headphone cable
Smallest price
Soundcore Space One
- Hushes voices well
- Soft, gentle fit
The original
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
Worth it if: You fly often and want deep quiet
- Exceptional noise canceling for travel
- Very light at 230 g, comfy for hours
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What are you actually paying extra for with the QuietComfort (2nd Gen)?
What the extra money buys
- Exceptional noise canceling for travel
- Very light at 230 g, comfy for hours
- Real buttons, not touch controls
- Folds into a hard case
Worth it if
- You fly often and want deep quiet
- You want the lightest fit for long wear
Not worth it if
- You hate charging every few days
- You want hi-res Bluetooth on Android
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Sony WH-CH730N
Tom's Guide found its battery claim held up across a week, and it calmed trains and cafés well. What Hi-Fi praised its calls after switching to the Clear preset. TechRadar thought voices and keys still leak in, and the headband feels cheap.
Sony ULT Wear
What Hi-Fi loved the comfort and features but found the forceful bass held the sound back. TechRadar found it balanced with the ULT button at level one and the Bright EQ. Its noise canceling suits streets and trains, not flights.
Soundcore Space One
Trusted Reviews found it strong against voices and traffic but measured about 30 hours, under the 40 claimed. T3 heard rich bass where Trusted Reviews heard lean bass and crisp detail. Both liked the comfort; the folding joints are plastic.
Final recommendation: Pick the Sony WH-CH730N for twice the rated battery at a much lower price. The Sony ULT Wear suits bass fans who still want a hard case. The Soundcore Space One costs least and quiets chatter well. Stay with the Bose if long flights in near silence are the point.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Budget | Budget | Budget |
| Battery, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 50 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 40 hours |
| Weight | 230 g | 207 g | 255 g | 265 g |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Two devices at once | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Folds / case | Folds, hard case | Folds flat, no case | Folds, hard case | Folds, soft pouch |
| Headphone cable | USB-C audio, 3.5 mm adapter cable | No | Yes, 3.5 mm | – |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
How long does the Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) battery last?
Bose rates it at up to 24 hours. Reviewers called that short next to rivals, and every pick here is rated longer.
Is the QuietComfort (2nd Gen) worth it over the Ultra?
Often, yes. T3 and SoundGuys found it close to the Ultra on quiet and comfort, with buttons many prefer. The Ultra adds a nicer finish and longer battery, so compare the two prices first.
Can I use the Bose with a plane's headphone socket?
Yes, with the included USB-C to 3.5 mm cable. The ULT Wear has a normal socket; the WH-CH730N can't play wired.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Bose: QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), SoundGuys: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review, T3: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review, Sony: WH-CH730N product page, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WH-CH730N review, TechRadar: Sony WH-CH730N review, Tom's Guide: Sony WH-CH730N review, Sony: ULT Wear product page, TechRadar: Sony ULT Wear review, What Hi-Fi?: Sony ULT Wear review, Soundcore: Space One, Trusted Reviews: Soundcore Space One review, T3: Soundcore Space One review.