Over-Ear
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
68Good
$449
Full review dataBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Focal Bathys: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Bathys comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Bathys - Outstanding overall at around $799.
Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling8.5
Battery7.0
Calls7.0
Value6.5
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $449 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver size | 35 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 h | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 18 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 180 min | - |
| Quick charge | 15 min = up to 3 h | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | built-in voice assistant support | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 254 g | 350 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 8 |
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are premium over-ear wireless headphones that excel at adaptive noise cancellation and all-day comfort. With 24 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and a lightweight 254g build, they're a solid choice for frequent travelers, though they lack high-resolution codec support and wireless charging.
- Pro:Outstanding adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Long 24-hour battery life with quick charge
- Con:Only supports AAC codec, no aptX or LDAC
- Con:No wireless charging option
- Con:Slightly heavy at 254g
Focal Bathys
The Focal Bathys are premium wireless over-ears that blend high-fidelity audio with everyday convenience. They feature adaptive ANC, a USB-C DAC mode for hi-res wired listening, and support for aptX Adaptive, making them a top pick for sound-focused users who also want wireless flexibility. While their noise cancellation is solid but not the absolute best in class, their impressive battery life and versatile connectivity options stand out in the premium segment.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with detailed, dynamic drivers
- Pro:USB-C DAC mode enables high-resolution wired audio
- Pro:Strong battery life, often exceeding rated figures in tests
- Con:ANC is competent but not class-leading
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Real-world wireless endurance may fall short of claims in some scenarios
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.