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Bose QuietComfort Headphones — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Over-ear · 2023

90
/ 100
From $349
VS
Bose QuietComfort Headphones wins by 2
Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Headphones takes it — here’s why.

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

Pick Bose QuietComfort Headphones if…

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

Pick Bose QC45 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

Tuning, detail, and staging

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

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

ANC strength for commute and travel

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

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Headphones 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 QuietComfort Headphones 90
vs
88 Bose QC45

Score breakdown

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

Specs side-by-side

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

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

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 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

FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Bose QC45

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Headphones or Bose QC45? +

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

Is Bose QuietComfort Headphones worth the price? +

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

Is Bose QC45 worth the price? +

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

Does Bose QuietComfort Headphones or Bose QC45 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 Headphones or Bose QC45? +

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

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

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