LIVV Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
LIVV Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Which Over-Ear is Right for You?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the gold standard for noise cancellation. The LIVV Pro is the gold standard for over-ears that can actually keep up with an athlete. Two excellent headphones — built for different lives.
The Short Version
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if your top priority is silence. It is, full stop, one of the best ANC headphones ever made. If you spend a lot of time on planes, in open-plan offices, or in cafes, that ANC quality is worth the premium.
Buy the LIVV Pro if you want one pair of over-ears that handles workouts, travel, the office, and everything in between. The Bose doesn’t have an IP rating and isn’t designed for active use. The LIVV Pro is IPX4-rated, holds a secure fit during training, runs more than 2x as long on a charge, and costs less.
Spec Comparison
| Spec | LIVV Pro | Bose QuietComfort Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $429.00 |
| Battery (no ANC) | 50 hours | 24 hours |
| Battery (ANC on) | 40 hours | ~24 hours (~18 with Immersive Audio) |
| Sweat / water resistance | IPX4 | None |
| Weight | ~280 g | 253 g |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes (up to −35 dB) | Best-in-class |
| Spatial audio | Standard stereo | Bose Immersive Audio |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | 35 mm angled |
| Microphones | 5 | 6 (8 with beamforming) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, multipoint | 5.3, multipoint |
| Wired audio | USB-C and 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm only |
| Replaceable ear pads | Yes, magnetic | Yes, not magnetic |
| Designed for | Active use and everyday | Commute, travel, quiet listening |
Sweat and Workout Use
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is a comfort-and-silence headphone. It has no IP rating, and Bose does not market it for workouts. Sweat will eventually break it, and damage is not covered by warranty.
The LIVV Pro is IPX4-rated, with a patented zig-zag headband and triangular earcups designed specifically to stay in place during training. If you plan to wear your headphones at the gym, on a run, or in any active context, this is the difference that matters.
Winner: LIVV ProNoise Cancellation
We’re not going to spin this one. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra has best-in-class ANC. Across nearly every professional review, it’s at or near the top of the category. If you want to silence a plane cabin or a noisy commute, Bose is the headphone built for that.
The LIVV Pro ANC is rated at up to −35 dB attenuation with a 3-level transparency mode. That’s well into the “very effective for gym, office, and most commutes” range. It will not beat the Bose at maximum-suppression listening. For most users, in most contexts, it’s more than enough.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort UltraSound Quality and Spatial Audio
Bose’s Immersive Audio is well-implemented spatial audio that adds a sense of room and dimension to music. It’s a genuinely cool feature for movies and acoustic recordings. The trade-off is that with Immersive Audio enabled, the battery drops from 24 hours to around 18.
The LIVV Pro tunes for the dynamic range and bass response a workout playlist actually wants, with a 40 mm dynamic driver. Both headphones sound great for music; they sound great in different ways. Bose leans cinematic and detailed. LIVV leans energetic and full-range.
Verdict: Even — depends on what you listen toBattery Life
This is one of the most underrated differences in the category. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers around 24 hours per charge — or 18 with Immersive Audio engaged. The LIVV Pro delivers 50 hours without ANC and 40 hours with ANC.
If you don’t want to think about charging your headphones, LIVV runs nearly twice as long with the same noise cancellation engaged.
Winner: LIVV ProComfort
Bose has spent decades building some of the most comfortable over-ears ever made, and the QuietComfort Ultra continues that tradition at 253 g with plush memory-foam cushions. For long stationary sessions, it’s hard to beat.
The LIVV Pro is a touch heavier and a noticeably more secure fit by design — it has to hold position when you move. For seated comfort, Bose has the edge. For active comfort and all-day wear that includes any movement, LIVV holds up better.
Bose for stationary use. LIVV for active and mixed use.Price and Value
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra retails at $429, with the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones at $349. The LIVV Pro retails at $349.99. Dollar for dollar, the LIVV Pro packs more battery, more durability, more microphones, and full active-use design at $80 less than the Bose Ultra.
Winner: LIVV ProWho Should Buy What
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…
- Your top priority is the best possible noise cancellation, period.
- You fly often, work in noisy environments, or do a lot of focused listening.
- You won’t use them for workouts.
- You want Bose Immersive Audio for movies and music.
Buy the LIVV Pro if…
- You want one over-ear that works for workouts and everything else.
- You’d rather pay $349 than $429 for the over-ear flagship in your life.
- You want 50-hour battery life so you stop charging headphones constantly.
- You want a sweat-rated headphone that holds a secure fit when you move.
- You want replaceable ear pads so the cushions outlast the rest.
Built for the Way You Actually Use Headphones
The LIVV Pro is one over-ear for every part of your day. Free shipping. 30-day returns.
Shop the LIVV Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones good for working out?
No. Bose does not market them for workouts, and they have no IP rating. The fit is comfortable but not designed to stay put during high-movement training, and the ear cushions will absorb and degrade from sweat over time. They are excellent for commute, travel, and focused listening.
Does the LIVV Pro have noise cancellation as good as Bose?
No. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra has best-in-class ANC. The LIVV Pro’s ANC (up to −35 dB) is very effective for gym, office, and most commute scenarios, but Bose is the reference point at the top of the category for noise cancellation alone.
Which has better battery life, LIVV Pro or Bose QC Ultra?
The LIVV Pro wins on battery by a wide margin: 50 hours without ANC and 40 hours with ANC, vs. Bose’s roughly 24 hours (18 with Immersive Audio).
Which is more comfortable?
For stationary listening, Bose has the comfort edge — it’s lighter and famously plush. For active use, the LIVV Pro’s more secure fit and removable ear pads make it the better long-haul choice.
Is the LIVV Pro cheaper than the Bose QC Ultra?
Yes. The LIVV Pro retails at $349.99. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra retails at $429. The standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones (a tier below the Ultra) retail at $349, matched with LIVV on price but still without IP rating or active-use design.