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Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
VS
Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold wins by 2
Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

Over-ear · 2023

90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC45 lands at 88 and Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold at 90. That puts Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC45 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold leads on sound (90 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold leads on anc (88 vs 86).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold leads on comfort (89 vs 87).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Bose QC45 88
vs
90 Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

Score breakdown

Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC45 versus Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC45 Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2021
2023

Bose QC45

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Bose QC45 vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold

Which is better, Bose QC45 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC45 worth the price? +

At $329, Bose QC45 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Is Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QC45 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold 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 QC45 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold — leads on sound (90 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC45 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Rose Gold — leads on anc (88 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.