Bose QuietComfort headphones: Classic comfort meets exceptional active noise-cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Headphones. Pictures: Bose.
Bose has long been a leader in noise-cancelling headphones with class-leading technology. Over the last year, my go-to headphones for travel have been the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. While class-leading for ANC, they don’t suit everybody's budget. This is where the non-Ultra QuietComfort headphones hit the mark by offering similar features for €100 less.
At first glance, the new QuietComfort headphones look almost identical to their predecessors, the QC45s and even the older QC35s. That’s not necessarily bad — Bose has stuck to a tried-and-tested design that prioritises comfort and usability.
The ear cups are well-padded, and the headband is lightweight, making them ideal for long listening sessions. At 240g, they’re lightweight, but the combination of soft padding and well-balanced weight distribution makes them feel even lighter when worn.
While I love the tech behind touch gestures, it’s hard to beat physical buttons. Unlike touch-sensitive controls, which can be finicky and prone to accidental activation, the tactile buttons on the right ear cup are easy to locate and use. Volume, playback, and noise-cancelling controls are all placed intuitively, ensuring a frustration-free experience. In particular, I love the simple slide to power on button. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference — unlike many other power buttons that require a press-and-hold gesture to turn on or off, leaving you guessing how long to press, this one is straightforward.
USB-C charging is standard, and Bose still includes an audio cable for wired listening – a 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable with an inline microphone. However, like most modern devices, there’s no charging brick in the box. You get a hard case, though — it’s not as compact as the oval-shaped case that comes with the QC Ultra, but it still fits easily into a rucksack or bag. The ear cups fold in, making the headphones more travel-friendly.
Bose has a very distinct audio philosophy. Unlike brands that push deep, thumping bass or ultra-detailed highs, Bose aims for a balanced, approachable sound signature. The QuietComfort headphones stay true to this approach, delivering clean mids, smooth highs, and a bass response that’s present but not overpowering.
However, if you like to tweak the sound signature, you can play with the equaliser in the Bose Music app. This allows you to tweak the sound to your preference. While I found the default tuning enjoyable, being able to adjust the bass, mids, and treble makes these headphones more versatile.
If there’s one area where Bose continues to dominate, it’s noise cancellation. The QC headphones deliver some of the best ANC on the market, effectively drowning out everything from aeroplane noise to chatty office environments.
While not as good as the QC Ultra’s, the standard QCs ANC feels natural and removes distractions without creating unnatural pressure in your ears, making it one of the most comfortable noise-cancelling experiences.
Transparency Mode is also well-implemented, allowing external sounds to pass through clearly when needed. Whether walking in a busy street or having a quick conversation, it works as expected.
The call quality is solid but not exceptional when using the built-in mic. Voices come through clearly, and background noise is minimised, though it doesn’t quite match the QC Ultra. However, using the mic on the audio cable significantly improves call clarity. While this is great for laptop calls, it’s less practical for phones — especially since most no longer have a headphone jack.
The QC headphones feature multipoint Bluetooth pairing, making it easy to switch between devices seamlessly.
Battery life is far from class-leading but solid at around 24 hours per charge. A quick 15-minute charge provides around 2.5 hours of playback, which is handy in a pinch.
One notable omission is support for high-resolution Bluetooth codecs like LDAC or aptX Adaptive. Bose sticks with standard SBC and AAC, which is fine for most users but might disappoint audiophiles looking for the best wireless audio quality.
The new Bose QuietComfort headphones refine a successful formula without reinventing the wheel. They offer excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a well-balanced sound profile, now with the bonus of EQ customisation.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense pair of noise-cancelling headphones that deliver comfort and reliability, the QuietComfort headphones remain one of the best choices.
€400 – bose.ie
