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Bose QuietComfort Ultra — CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive

93
/ 100
From $429
VS
Bose QuietComfort Ultra wins by 5
HiFiMan Edition XS — Planar magnetic
HiFiMan

HiFiMan Edition XS

Planar magnetic

88
/ 100
From $499
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra lands at 93 and HiFiMan Edition XS at 88. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…

  • ✓Best comfort in class
  • ✓Excellent ANC
  • ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature

Pick HiFiMan Edition XS if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on sound (92 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 0).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 88).

Value for money

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QuietComfort Ultra more score per dollar ($429 vs $499).

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 93
vs
88 HiFiMan Edition XS

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
HiFiMan Edition XS
88
anc 0
sound 88
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bose QuietComfort Ultra versus HiFiMan Edition XS — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QuietComfort Ultra HiFiMan Edition XS
Driver
35 mm dynamic
—
Battery
24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on)
—
Weight
253 g
—
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
—
Type
—
Planar magnetic

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Pros
  • +Best comfort in class
  • +Excellent ANC
  • +Immersive Audio spatial feature
Cons
  • −Bose app fiddly
  • −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
  • −No LDAC support

HiFiMan Edition XS

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs HiFiMan Edition XS

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or HiFiMan Edition XS? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +

At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.

Is HiFiMan Edition XS worth the price? +

At $499, HiFiMan Edition XS delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.

Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra or HiFiMan Edition XS last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or HiFiMan Edition XS? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or HiFiMan Edition XS? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.