Bose QuietComfort Headphones Are On Sale at Near-Record-Low Prices — Both Generations
It’s not every day that some of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy are available for more than half off. But right now, both generations of Bose QuietComfort Headphones are discounted at Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose, and the savings are significant. The first-generation model is on sale for $169.99, which is $190 off and matches the best price we’ve ever tracked. The second-generation model, which launched in August, is also down to $199 — $160 off — and available in multiple colors at the same major retailers. That puts it just $20 away from its all-time-low price. If you’ve been considering a pair of premium wireless headphones, this is an especially good time to act.
Let’s start with the first-generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones. At $169.99, they are an absolute bargain. They may no longer be the newest model in Bose’s lineup, but they still offer the core strengths that made the QuietComfort line famous in the first place. The active noise cancellation is highly effective, capable of taming the roar of an airplane engine, the hum of an office HVAC system, and the chatter of a busy café. The sound quality is solid too, with a warm and balanced signature that works well across a wide variety of music genres. And the battery life is excellent: up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge, which is more than enough for a full day of listening or a long international flight.
The first-generation model also supports multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect it to two devices at the same time. That’s a genuinely useful feature in a world where many of us constantly switch between a laptop and a smartphone. If you’re on a video call and your phone rings, you don’t have to fumble with settings or manually disconnect and reconnect — the headphones simply handle both connections. Another major plus is the design. The first-gen QuietComfort Headphones are lightweight, foldable, and easy to pack, making them an excellent travel companion. You won’t find the same premium materials or extra features as Bose’s more expensive models, but for $169.99, this is one of the best values in the entire noise-canceling headphone market.
Now let’s talk about the second-generation model. The new QuietComfort Headphones launched in August and have already earned strong praise from reviewers and early adopters. At $199, they cost just $30 more than the first-generation model, but they offer several meaningful upgrades. The most noticeable improvement is the sound quality. The Verge’s reviewer, John Higgins, described the default sound profile as the best he’s heard from Bose — even better than the flagship $449 QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. That’s a remarkable statement, because the Ultra is Bose’s top-tier model with premium spatial audio and a much higher price tag. For the second-gen QuietComfort Headphones to outshine it in pure sound quality is a major selling point.
Another important upgrade is lossless audio support over USB-C. When you connect the second-generation QuietComfort Headphones to a laptop, phone, or other compatible device with a USB-C cable, you can listen to lossless audio without the compression that comes with Bluetooth. That’s a big deal for audiophiles who want to hear every detail in their music. It won’t matter to everyone, of course — casual listeners will be perfectly happy with standard Bluetooth streaming — but it’s a nice feature to have at this price point. Combined with the improved default tuning, it makes the second-gen model feel like a genuinely next-generation product rather than a minor refresh.
Higgins did note one small issue: vocals sounded a bit muted out of the box. It wasn’t a fatal flaw, but it was noticeable enough that he recommended using the three-band equalizer in Bose’s companion app. A quick adjustment can bring vocals forward and make the sound more to your liking. The fact that Bose includes an EQ in the app is helpful, and it means you can tailor the headphones to your personal preferences. This is a minor trade-off for otherwise excellent sound quality, and it can be fixed in less than a minute.
Comfort is another area where the second-generation QuietComfort Headphones stand out. Higgins found them more comfortable than the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, largely because they don’t cause what’s often called “eardrum suck.” If you’ve ever worn a pair of active noise-canceling headphones and felt a weird pressure or suction on your eardrums, you know exactly what that is. It can be uncomfortable and even distracting, especially during long listening sessions. The second-gen QuietComfort Headphones manage to deliver powerful noise cancellation without that sensation, which is a big win for anyone with sensitive ears. Bose seems to have refined the ANC system to create a more natural, less claustrophobic experience.
The comparison to the Ultra is worth exploring further. The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 costs $449, which is more than double the current price of the second-generation QuietComfort Headphones. The Ultra offers immersive spatial audio and a more luxurious design, and for some people those features will be worth the extra money. But if you don’t care about spatial audio and simply want great noise cancellation and excellent sound, the second-gen QuietComfort Headphones are the smarter buy. The fact that a reviewer preferred the default sound of the cheaper headphones only reinforces that point. Bose is effectively offering most of the Ultra experience at less than half the price.
So which deal should you take advantage of? If you’re on a tight budget, the first-generation model at $169.99 is a no-brainer. It’s a proven pair of headphones with reliable noise cancellation, 24-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth, and a foldable design. It might not have the latest features, but it does the basics exceptionally well. If you can spare an extra $30, though, the second-generation model is the better choice. The improved sound quality alone is worth the upgrade, and the USB-C lossless audio and refined comfort make it a stronger long-term investment. At $199, it’s only $20 away from its lowest price ever, so you’re not sacrificing much by buying now instead of waiting for a future sale.
These discounts also come at a great time of year. With the holiday season approaching, a pair of noise-canceling headphones is a practical and appreciated gift for many people. Whether you’re buying for a frequent traveler, a remote worker, a student, or just someone who loves music, either generation of the QuietComfort Headphones would be a wonderful present. And because both are currently on sale, you can get a premium audio experience without blowing your budget. Just be aware that deals like this don’t always last long. If you’re serious about picking up a pair, it might be wise to act sooner rather than later.
The broader context is also worth noting. The headphone market has become incredibly competitive, with Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, and others all vying for attention. Bose has responded by pricing its QuietComfort line aggressively and focusing on the fundamentals: great noise cancellation, comfortable design, and reliable performance. These sales show that Bose is willing to compete on value, and for consumers that’s a huge win. You’re getting a pair of headphones from one of the most respected brands in the audio industry, with the brand’s signature noise-canceling technology, for a price that used to be unthinkable.
In conclusion, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to buy new headphones, this is it. The first-generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones are available for $169.99, matching their best price ever, while the second-generation model is just $30 more at $199. Both are excellent in their own ways, but the second-gen model’s superior sound and added features make it well worth the extra cost. Whether you choose the tried-and-true first-gen or the newer, more refined second-gen, you’re getting a lot of headphone for the money. Don’t sleep on these deals — at these prices, they’re likely to sell out quickly.
