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Bose

Bose QuietComfort 45Specs, rankings & alternatives

  • Bose Quiet Mode / Aware Mode
  • 24-hour battery with ANC
  • Comfortable fit for extended wear
  • USB-C charging
  • Multipoint Bluetooth
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Is the Bose QuietComfort 45 worth it?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Bose QuietComfort 45 ranks #2 in our Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel 2026 list. Its biggest strength: best call quality microphone in the over-ear ANC category. The main caveat: aNC is excellent but slightly below XM5 for very low-frequency noise (aircraft).

Overview

What the Bose QuietComfort 45 does well

If you are on 12+ hour flights regularly, the QC45 ear cushion comfort advantage compounds over time. Its case rests on most comfortable ear cups of any ANC headphone for extended wear and folds flat for better bag packing than XM5. The tradeoff: aNC slightly less aggressive than Sony XM5 at low frequencies.

The microphone outperforms the Sony XM5 for voice clarity, and the physical button controls are more reliable than touch surfaces during calls. What earns it a place here: best call quality microphone in the over-ear ANC category and comfortable for the longest wear periods, ear cushion material breathes well. The tradeoff: aNC is excellent but slightly below XM5 for very low-frequency noise (aircraft).

Eight hours in the QC45 causes less ear fatigue than any competitor. It stands out for most comfortable ear cups for 8+ hour workdays and awareness mode works naturally for desk-side conversations. Keep in mind that no multipoint Bluetooth.

The Bose QC45 is the right headphone if you wear headphones for extended periods, 6+ hours of daily use, and want to forget they are on your head. The ANC is excellent for the majority of noise environments. The awareness mode is better than any competitor except AirPods Max.From our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review
Specs that matter

Key features

  • Bose Quiet Mode / Aware Mode
  • 24-hour battery with ANC
  • Comfortable fit for extended wear
  • USB-C charging
  • Multipoint Bluetooth
The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Best call quality microphone in the over-ear ANC category
  • Comfortable for the longest wear periods, ear cushion material breathes well
  • Simpler control interface than Sony, physical buttons, no touch surface

Cons

  • ANC is excellent but slightly below XM5 for very low-frequency noise (aircraft)
  • 24 hours battery vs XM5's 30
  • No high-res audio codec support (LDAC)
Fit check

Should you buy the Bose QuietComfort 45?

Buy it if you're…

  • Buyers prioritizing Noise cancelling headphones that fit their specific use case and budget.

Think twice if this matters to you

  • Buyers who need a different feature set, check the alternatives below.
Where it ranks

Featured in 3 best-of lists

ListRank
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel 2026#2 / 10
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones 2026· Best For Calls#2 / 8
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Office 2026#4 / 10
Cross-shop

Alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort 45

Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.

Head-to-head

Compared with

Buying advice: noise cancelling headphones

  1. Over-ear designs typically block more noise.
  2. Check clamping force and cushions.
  3. Look for 20+ hours.
  4. Good mics help in noisy places.
  5. Multipoint and app EQ add convenience.

Read the full guides

Answers

Bose QuietComfort 45: common questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort 45 worth buying?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Bose QuietComfort 45 ranks #2 in our Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel 2026 list. Its biggest strength: best call quality microphone in the over-ear ANC category. The main caveat: aNC is excellent but slightly below XM5 for very low-frequency noise (aircraft).

Who is the Bose QuietComfort 45 best for?

Based on our research it suits travel 2026 and office 2026. It's ranked #2 of 10 in our Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Travel 2026 list.

What are the downsides of the Bose QuietComfort 45?

The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: aNC is excellent but slightly below XM5 for very low-frequency noise (aircraft); 24 hours battery vs XM5's 30; no high-res audio codec support (LDAC).

What are the key features of the Bose QuietComfort 45?

Bose Quiet Mode / Aware Mode, 24-hour battery with ANC, Comfortable fit for extended wear, USB-C charging and Multipoint Bluetooth.

What are the best alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort 45?

Worth comparing: Sony WH-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Max and Jabra Evolve2 85. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.

Where can I buy the Bose QuietComfort 45?

It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.

Why did my ANC suddenly stop working?

The most common cause is a firmware update that reset the ANC settings, or the ANC toggle being accidentally turned off via the headphone's control app or physical button. Check the ANC mode in the companion app first. If that is correct, try a firmware check and then reset to factory defaults.

Why does my ANC headphone sound like the noise is louder with ANC on?

This is usually caused by a broken or obstructed external microphone. The ANC system needs to sample the incoming noise through the external mics before generating anti-noise. If a mic is blocked or damaged, the system generates incorrect anti-noise that can amplify rather than cancel certain frequencies.

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