Bose QuietComfort Ultra First-Gen Headphones Are at an Unmatched Price

Among the innovations showcased at this year's CES were ground-breaking headphone designs, like Fender's first pair and those that transform into Bluetooth speakers to effortlessly play music out loud. Still, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra series remains our top travel companion. The fortunate news is that these first-generation noise-canceling headphones are now available for $279—a substantial $150 off—from stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and directly through Bose, matching their lowest-ever price.

Where to Purchase:

Get these at Amazon, Best Buy, or straight from Bose for $279, significantly reduced from the original $429.

Earlier this year, Bose released the second generation of the QC Ultra series. However, the initial units still stand strong, featuring the beloved design elements for $120 less at present. They offer a snug fit with a foldable structure suitable for extended use during flights or road trips. Their battery life impressively hits the 24-hour mark. Most notably, these headphones are built with state-of-the-art noise cancellation technology and deliver a sound that stays balanced across all volume levels.

Another highlight is their transparency mode, which seamlessly allows external sounds in as needed, accompanied by the Immersive Audio feature. Even though this feature can be somewhat inconsistent, it still enhances the listening experience for selected tracks.

Considering the Second Gen

Opting for the first iteration over the latest release means foregoing a few incremental updates. The second-gen QC Ultra Headphones elevate the battery life slightly to 30 hours and include advanced features like lossless audio via USB-C. The transparency mode also sees improvements along with Bluetooth 5.4 support and a new Cinema Mode, optimized for enhancing dialogue clarity. Despite these upgrades, most would find that an additional $120 isn't justified based on these differences.