At WIRED, we’ve tested a lot of audio gear over the years, and Bose has consistently remained one of our favorite names in the business. There’s a reason for that: the brand has a knack for delivering crisp, detailed sound and reliable designs that feel polished from the moment you unbox them. Whether you’re listening to music, taking calls, or trying to drown out the world on a long flight, Bose products tend to just work, and they work beautifully. The catch, as you might expect, is that all that quality comes with a premium price tag. Bose rarely positions itself as the budget option, and its flagship headphones, earbuds, and speakers often sit at the higher end of the price spectrum. That’s why, as someone who is always on the lookout for a good deal, I get genuinely excited when I see the brand’s products go on sale. Today is one of those days. Many of Bose’s best headphones, speakers, and soundbars are currently steeply discounted, and the highlight is the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), which have dropped to their lowest price ever. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in a premium audio experience, this might just be it.
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are the star of the show right now, and for good reason. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for these headphones since they launched over the summer, and it marks their first major discount. The pricing is a little fluid at the moment, with the black colorway fluctuating, but if you’re flexible about which color you choose, you can snag an even better deal. Depending on the shade you pick, you’ll find prices ranging anywhere from $199 to $219. That’s a significant drop from their usual asking price, and it makes them far more accessible to people who might have been hesitating. In my original review of these headphones, one of my biggest complaints was the price. They seemed to float in a strange middle ground between midrange and premium, offering excellent performance but at a cost that made you wonder if you should just spring for something even fancier. That concern completely flies out the window with this discount. At this price, the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) feel like an absolute steal. They deliver the signature Bose sound, with rich, balanced audio and noise cancellation that makes the outside world disappear. The comfort is exactly what you’d expect from the QuietComfort line, meaning you can wear them for hours without feeling fatigued. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading your audio setup, this is the kind of deal that makes the decision a lot easier.
Of course, the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) aren’t the only Bose products worth your attention right now. If you’re looking for the absolute best over-ear noise-canceling experience, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are also on sale. These are the headphones I recommend when someone tells me they want the best of the best. They’re the most comfortable over-ear headphones for noise cancellation that we’ve tested, and their premium design and top-tier sound quality more than make up for the fact that they have a bit of a mouthful for a name. The Ultra headphones take everything that makes Bose great and dials it up, with immersive audio features that make your music feel bigger and more spacious. They’re built for people who want to feel like they’re in their own little world, whether they’re on a crowded commute or just trying to focus at home. This isn’t the deepest discount we’ve seen on these particular headphones, but it’s still worth highlighting simply because they’re so good. Sometimes a deal doesn’t need to be the absolute lowest price to be worth jumping on, especially when the product in question is this impressive. If you have the budget for a premium pair of headphones and you want the best that Bose has to offer, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are a fantastic choice, and getting them at any discount is a win.
If earbuds are more your style, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are also available at one of the better prices we’ve seen outside of major shopping holidays like Prime Day or Black Friday. These earbuds are the gold standard for noise-canceling earbuds, and I’ve said many times that I test other models against them in my reviews. They set the benchmark for what true wireless earbuds should sound like, and their noise cancellation is nothing short of remarkable. Whether you’re on a noisy airplane, walking through a bustling city, or just trying to get some work done in a busy coffee shop, these earbuds do an incredible job of tuning out the chaos around you. They’re also comfortable and secure, which is crucial for earbuds you might be wearing for long stretches. The sound quality is detailed and immersive, with a clarity that makes you hear details in your favorite songs that you might have missed before. For anyone who prefers the portability and convenience of earbuds over bulky headphones, this is the pair to get. They’re perfect for travelers, commuters, and anyone who wants premium audio without having to carry around a large case. At this price, they’re a much more attractive option than they usually are, and they make a strong case for themselves as the ultimate everyday audio companion. If you’ve been holding out for a good deal on high-end earbuds, this is a great time to pounce.
Beyond headphones and earbuds, Bose has some other excellent deals worth considering, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your home audio setup. The Bose SoundLink Plus is a fantastic portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers excellent sound quality in a compact package. It’s a great option if you want something you can take with you to the park, the beach, or a friend’s house, but you don’t want to sacrifice audio fidelity for portability. The SoundLink Plus produces clear, detailed, and robust sound across the full range of bass, mids, and treble, so your music sounds full and lively no matter where you are. It’s currently available at a more appealing price than usual, making it a smart buy for anyone in the market for a new portable speaker. Then there’s the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen), which is a compact soundbar that we loved in its first-generation form because of its tiny-but-mighty size. It’s a simple and streamlined way to upgrade your TV sound, giving you clearer dialogue and a more immersive audio experience without the complexity of a full surround sound system. If your TV’s built-in speakers are leaving you underwhelmed, this is an easy fix that won’t take up too much space or require a complicated setup. Both of these products show that Bose’s current sales aren’t just about headphones; there are plenty of ways to bring that signature Bose quality into different parts of your life.
Finally, let’s talk about the one deal I would avoid, because not every sale is worth jumping on. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (1st Gen) are also on sale right now for $169, down from $359. That looks like a massive discount, and it’s tempting to see that big red price tag and think you’re getting a bargain. But here’s the thing: for just $30 more, depending on the colorway you choose, you can get the new second-generation version instead. That $30 difference is small enough that I would strongly recommend splurging for the upgrade. The 2nd Gen headphones offer improvements that make them worth the extra money, and when you’re buying something you’ll likely use every day for years, it’s worth spending a little more to get the better product. Saving $30 now might feel good in the moment, but you’ll probably regret it later when you realize you could have had the newer model for just a bit more. It’s the kind of decision that comes down to long-term value, and in this case, the upgrade is clearly the smarter choice. So while the 1st Gen deal might look appealing at first glance, I’d steer you toward the newer version. And if you want to stay on top of deals like these in the future, consider powering up with unlimited access to WIRED, where you’ll get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. For now, though, there’s plenty to be excited about, and this is a great moment to get your hands on some truly excellent Bose gear without breaking the bank.
