QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Why it works as a gift

Good noise-cancelling headphones are one of the few tech gifts that change how a day feels. On a long flight or a loud commute, they turn background roar into quiet. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are Bose's top over-ear model: Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling, Aware Mode with ActiveSense to let surroundings in when he needs them, and Immersion Mode, which combines noise cancelling with Bose's spatial Immersive Audio. Bose has also added a Cinema Mode for watching video on the go.

The practical details make this an easy gift to live with. Bose rates the battery at up to 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio), and a 15-minute charge adds about three hours. They can play while charging over USB-C, and a USB-C wired connection carries audio and calls, which suits video meetings at a desk. A carry case is in the box, and Bose describes plush cushions and a metal headband designed to spread pressure for all-day wear.

Against earbuds at a similar budget, over-ear headphones are bulkier but stay comfortable for longer and run much longer on a charge. Against a cheaper pair, the reason to spend more is the strength of the noise cancelling and the call microphones. For a man who has everything, it's an upgrade to something he already does every day.

Who it’s for

• A husband or partner who flies for work and arrives worn out from cabin noise
• A man who takes long video calls from a home office and wants clear audio over USB-C
• A father who commutes by train and listens to audiobooks or podcasts every day
• A graduate heading to a first job in a city, as a gift he will use on every trip

Skip it if

• He prefers earbuds, wears glasses all day, or finds over-ear headphones too warm
• He already owns a recent premium noise-cancelling pair; the change would be small
• He needs something for the gym or running; these are built for travel and desk use
• You want a compact gift; even in its case, an over-ear pair takes real space in a bag

Giving it

• The Amazon listing is the 2nd Gen model in black and is sold by Amazon.com; check the color and return window before ordering
• A power adapter is not included; the USB-C cable will charge them from a laptop or any USB-C charger he already owns
• Order a week or more ahead of a holiday or birthday, especially in December
• For a travel theme, pair them with the Time Resistance Italian Leather Toiletry Bag

The facts

Model (this listing)

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), Black

Modes

Quiet, Aware (with ActiveSense) and Immersion; Cinema Mode for video

Battery

Up to 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio); 15-minute charge for about 3 hours

Wired audio

USB-C audio and calls; 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm cable included

In the box

Headphones, carry case, audio cable, USB-C cable; power adapter not included

Weight

0.583 lb (headphones only)

Warranty

1 year from purchase

Consider instead

• Bose SoundLink Flex Speaker — A smaller Bose gift for someone who listens out loud at home or outdoors
• Sonos Era 100 — A home speaker for a man who mostly listens in one room rather than on the move
• Garmin Venu 4 Smartwatch — A tech gift he wears all day, for the man who already has good headphones