Over-Ear
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
85Outstanding
$360
Full review dataBose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) vs HiFiMAN Edition Xs: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) - Outstanding overall at around $359.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Edition Xs
74Good
$270
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- HiFiMAN Edition Xs
HearWiki score
85
74
Sound
8.2
8.5
Noise cancelling
9.4
-
Battery
6.5
-
Calls
6.7
-
Value
7.5
9.3
Price (USD)
$360
$270
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) adds USB-C. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)20264 yr newer
- Edition Xs2022
What differsQuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)Edition Xs
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Everyday features
Specifications
QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)Edition Xs
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $360
- $270
- HearWiki score
- 85
- 74
- Released
- 2026
- 2022
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 80 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 80 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 8 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 18 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- -
- Codecs
- AAC, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- -
- Battery life
- 24 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 180 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 15 min → 2.5 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- -
- none
- Weight
- 236 g
- 405 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Microphones
- 6
- -
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are a refined over-ear wireless option that prioritizes all-day comfort and top-tier noise cancellation, with a noticeable bump in sound clarity over their predecessor. They pack a solid 24-hour battery, fast charging, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, and a lightweight 236g frame, though the premium price and limited EQ tweaks keep them from being a universal slam dunk. Overall, they're a strong pick for frequent travelers or office workers who value silence and ease of wear over cutting-edge extras.
- Pro:Exceptional comfort for long listening sessions
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear, improved sound quality with LDAC support
- Con:High price tag for a modest upgrade
- Con:Limited EQ controls in the companion app
- Con:Immersive Audio feature is underwhelming
HiFiMAN Edition Xs
The HiFiMAN Edition XS is a budget-friendly planar magnetic headphone that delivers impressive soundstage width, strong detail retrieval, and solid bass response for the price. It's best enjoyed in a stationary setting, as its open-back design leaks sound and the fit can be inconsistent, while its bright treble may not appeal to all listeners.
- Pro:Excellent value for planar performance
- Pro:Wide, open soundstage with good imaging
- Pro:Strong detail and fast transient response
- Con:Comfort can vary due to headband design
- Con:Bright upper treble may cause fatigue
- Con:Significant sound leakage; not portable-friendly
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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