Bose QC45 vs …
Every headphones worth comparing against the Bose QC45 — side-by-side specs, benchmarks, and the full Specdex verdict on each pairing.
Step-up options (higher score)
Close matchups (within 3 points)
Cheaper alternatives
Budget alternatives (≤70% of price)
Cross-brand rivals (Bose vs the field)
The closest non-Bose matchups by Specdex score — the ecosystem-crossing comparisons spec sites usually skip.
Other Bose options
Frequently asked
What's better than the Bose QC45? +
Higher-scoring headphones include Audeze LCD-5, HiFiMan Susvara, Focal Utopia 2022. Each scores above the Bose QC45's 88/100 on the Specdex weighted rubric.
What's a cheaper alternative to the Bose QC45? +
Cheaper alternatives in the same category include Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition), Sennheiser HD 6XX, Moondrop Blessing 3 — ranked by Specdex score among options priced below the Bose QC45's $329 MSRP.
What's the closest competitor to the Bose QC45? +
The closest matchups (within 3 Specdex points) are Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, Bowers & Wilkins Px8, Sony WH-1000XM4. These are the head-to-head rivals where sub-score differences matter most.
What are the non-Bose alternatives to the Bose QC45? +
The closest non-Bose rivals by Specdex score are AirPods Max (USB-C), AirPods Max, HiFiMan Edition XS. Cross-brand pairings compare on the same weighted rubric, so ecosystem differences show up in the sub-scores rather than hiding behind marketing tiers.