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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Shure Srh440a: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 79. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones - Great overall at around $279.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
  • Shure Srh440a
HearWiki score
79
67
Sound
8.5
7.0
Noise cancelling
9.5
-
Battery
6.9
-
Calls
7.9
-
Value
8.6
7.5
Price (USD)
$280
$110

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?

Half a step newer

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2023) against Shure Srh440a (2022). The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.

  • QuietComfort Ultra Headphones20231 yr newer
  • Srh440a2022
What differsQuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesSrh440a

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No

Specifications

QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesSrh440a
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$280
$110
HearWiki score
79
67
Released
2023
2022
Availability
Discontinued
Discontinued
Driver
35 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
35 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
10 Hz - 22 kHz
Sound signature
-
neutral
Impedance
-
40 Ω
Sensitivity
-
97 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
-
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
-
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Battery life
24 h
-
Battery life (ANC on)
18 h
-
Full charge time
180 min
-
Quick charge
15 min → 3 h
-
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
both
-
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
254 g
268 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
-
Yes
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
No
Connector
2.5 mm balanced
3.5 mm
Microphones
2
-

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

Shure Srh440a

The Shure SRH440A is a refreshed wired studio headphone that pairs a 40mm dynamic driver with a 40-ohm impedance, making it easy to drive from phones, laptops, and audio interfaces. Its tuning emphasizes present mids and controlled bass, which suits dialogue-heavy content, vocal monitoring, and general mix work. Built as a practical, closed-back tool with passive isolation and a foldable frame, it offers a neutral, no-frills option for entry-level studio use.

  • Pro:Easy to drive from most devices thanks to 40-ohm impedance
  • Pro:Clear, present midrange ideal for vocals and speech
  • Pro:Controlled low end suitable for monitoring
  • Con:Lacks wireless or ANC features
  • Con:No USB-C connectivity
  • Con:Sensitivity is modest, so may need more volume on quiet sources

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonBose QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesShure Srh440a