Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs. Beats Studio Pro Which headphones are best for you?

This article is part of our series?Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra have been on a tear since they launched earlier this year. We’ve pitted them against former category leaders such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the sibling Bose 700 Headphones, with the QC Ultra coming out victorious in each battle. Now, Bose’s flagship is ready to complete the noise-canceling trifecta by going up against another major release: the Beats Studio Pro.

You’re looking at two of the best noise-canceling headphones money can buy. Dynamic ANC, remarkable spatial audio and sleek craftsmanship make each set of cans equally appealing. They also boast unique feature sets that differentiate one from the other in both positive and negative ways.

Which is the better noise-canceling investment? Our in-depth Bose QC Ultra and Beats Studio Pro comparison has the answer.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs. Beats Studio Pro at a glance

Quick comparison

Bose wins on ANC and spatial audio

Bose added more mics and fine-tuned its adaptive algorithms for active noise cancellation, which allows the QC Ultra to eliminate 95% of external sound across the frequency spectrum. I’ve worn them around the house, in shopping districts and on airplanes, and I barely heard any peeps. It took a loud ambulance siren zipping past my block to draw my attention. In the companion app, you can choose between the default ANC mode (Quiet) or adjust the feature among 10 levels when selecting from several other user modes. A Wind Block feature is available to reduce harsh wind effects at the highest level. Aware mode (ambient listening) is just as fantastic for keeping tabs on your surroundings. Bose’s mic array demonstrates excellent vocal capture and presents incidental sounds clearly.

What really elevates the QC Ultra over the competition is Immersive Audio. This universal 3D audio format works with any form of stereo content and isn’t tied to any hi-fi music streaming subscription tier or Dolby Atmos. All processing is done directly on the device. The QC Ultra’s 360-degree sound balance makes live performances and orchestral tracks livelier while movies sound more realistic. Listening to music with Immersive Audio off is just as rewarding. Bose’s proprietary CustomTune technology automatically calibrates sound by scanning your ear, and Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec delivers clearer, more detailed sound with minimal latency.

Meanwhile, Beats continues to improve its ANC and sound quality. Most noises remained silent when testing the Studio Pro in multiple environments. Only the highest pitched sounds and some drilling found their way onto the soundscape. Beats’ Transparency Mode was useful for increasing situational awareness at home and during nightly strolls. I carried out full conversations with the missus and picked up on bikers and cars that passed. Fully custom 40mm active drivers and advanced digital processing delivered energetic, full-bodied sound with minimal distortion. Bass hit hard and left plenty of room for mids and highs to shine. These headphones gain full spatial audio support with head tracking to create an immersive, concert-like soundstage, even if the AirPods Max and QC Ultra have wider 3D sound.

TL;DR: The Studio Pro are great-sounding noise-cancellers, but the QC Ultra have them beat in both audio categories.

Two attractive headphones, though the QC Ultra is comfier and sturdier

A mix of hard plastics and metal were used to compose the Studio Pro, which come in several alluring hues: black, Deep Brown, navy and Sandstone. The materials feel sturdy, but the metallic hinges are a bit flimsy and may trigger some old-school Beats users who have taped their headband back together after effortlessly breaking it. I’m not sold on the Studio Pro’s wearability either. The earcups’ “Ultra Plush” memory foam is pleasant, but the headphones’ clamp force is extremely tight, causing soreness after two hours of use.

The QC Ultra bears resemblance to past QC releases and incorporates certain elements from the ultra-modern 700 headphones. Aluminum makes up most of their composition. Premium leather is used on the headband and earcups and feels gentle on the skull. The accented yokes, matte finish and properly placed mic holes are nice details. Bose’s carrying case has also been upgraded with cutouts to collapse and store the headphones properly when not in use. Color options are limited to black and White Smoke.

TL;DR: While the Studio Pro are an eye-grabber, the QC Ultra are the better blend of fashion, form and function.

Beats dominates in battery life and features

These two pairs of headphones come with the same ANC playtime: 24 hours. This is sufficient for a week’s worth of moderate use (3.5 hours daily). Immersive Audio drops battery life on the QC Ultra to 18 hours, and there’s no way to turn off ANC. Spatial audio doesn’t affect the Studio Pro’s power levels and disabling ANC extends playtime to 40 hours. Beats’ Fast Fuel charging technology gets you 4 hours of use on a 10-minute charge, whereas Bose’s quick-charging technology generates 2.5 hours of listening time on a 15-minute charge.

Beats proprietary chipset provides access to many of the same Apple features found on the AirPods Max. It also extends compatibility to Android devices. Staples like audio sharing, automatic switching, EQ, Find My, “Hey Siri” voice activation, Live Listen and spatial audio are all accounted for. Many of our must-know AirPods Max tips also apply here. Google features like one-tap Fast Pair and Find My Device are supported, plus you can enable listening modes in the Beats Android app.

The QC Ultra let you adjust ANC levels, customize sound, enable Immersive Audio mode and toggle different functions via the Bose Music app. There’s even a sidetone feature called Self Voice that increases vocal volume so you hear yourself louder on voice and video calls. Multipoint technology to pair to two devices simultaneously and the volume strip on the right earcup for seamless operation round out Bose’s functional perks.

TL;DR: The Studio Pro is the longer-lasting and more feature-heavy model.

Satisfying call quality, no matter the headphone

Voice calling on the QC Ultra and Studio Pro are top tier. Bose’s advanced mic array eliminates most background noise for loud, clear-sounding calls, while Beats’ advanced voice mic architecture and updated machine-learning algorithm produce superb clarity for distraction-free conversations. The occasional breeze or high-frequency noise can be heard, but it’s nothing too distracting.

TL;DR: Both models are ideal for personal calls and virtual meetings.

Bottom line

The Bose QC Ultra wins this battle based on overall performance. Their high price and short battery life might be of concern to some consumers, but there’s no denying their terrific sound and unbeatable noise cancellation. Stronger algorithms and mics prevent unwanted noises from ruining your listening experience. Music sounds great through aptX Adaptive support and Immersive Audio is a stellar 3D audio mode that enlivens the soundstage. Ingenious features like Wind Block and the integrated volume strip add to their value.

That said, Beats showed out with the Studio Pro. This is a noteworthy release that keeps the company’s legacy headphone series going, powered by top-notch noise cancellation and vibrant sound performance. Apple’s spatial audio technology makes music and movies more engrossing. Battery life and special features are also much more robust than what you’ll find with the QC Ultra; however, the Studio Pro’s fragile design and tight clamp force are compromises you might not want to deal with.