Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 vs Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Between the ATH-M50xBT2 and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the ATH-M50xBT2 comes out ahead in battery life and driver size, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones wins on weight and active noise cancellation. Overall, the ATH-M50xBT2 scores 74.2 and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones scores 62.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The ATH-M50xBT2 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.3 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the ATH-M50xBT2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are battery life, driver size, ldac.
Pick the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, active noise cancellation, spatial audio.
Both ship with comparable multipoint, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the ATH-M50xBT2 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 wins
- ▲Battery life — 108.33% more. 50 h vs 24 h.
- ▲Driver size — 28.57% more. 45 mm vs 35 mm.
- ▲Has LDAC.
Why Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones wins
- ▲Weight — 54.00 g less. 253 vs 307.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 307 g | 253 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 45 mmlead | 35 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 38 Ωlead | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 99 dB | 100 dBlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | false | truelead |
| Transparency mode | false | truelead |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | truelead |
Battery
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 50 hlead | 24 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.0 | 5.3lead |
| Multipointⓘ | true | true |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | truelead | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, ATH-M50xBT2 or QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?+
ATH-M50xBT2 lasts 50 hours vs 24 hours.
Do ATH-M50xBT2 or QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have active noise cancellation?+
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones has ANC; ATH-M50xBT2 does not.
Which supports LDAC, ATH-M50xBT2 or QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?+
ATH-M50xBT2 supports LDAC; QuietComfort Ultra Headphones does not.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.