Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023): problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
Bose’s 2023 QuietComfort Headphones give top-tier noise cancellation and up to 24 hours of battery, but cannot turn ANC off, use SBC/AAC-only Bluetooth and have no spatial audio. There is no subscription; upkeep is limited to optional BoseCare plans and occasional replacement ear cushions. At the $359 Bose list price they compete with the QuietComfort Ultra and Sony rivals, while a street price near $241.99 would improve the value.
Common problems and fixes
- ANC cannot be turned off — by design there is no off state; only Quiet, Aware and Custom blends, so you cannot run without ANC to save power. No workaround; not a warranty issue. [2][3]
- No spatial or Immersive Audio — reserved for the QuietComfort Ultra; no fix on this model. [1][2][3]
- SBC/AAC-only Bluetooth — no aptX or LDAC, which PCMag flags against the Sony WH-1000XM5; no firmware fix. [2][3]
- No touch or motion controls — physical buttons only; the Action button has limited assignability. [2][3]
- Barely audible high-frequency hiss — PCMag heard it in some tests; no fix reported. [3]
- Call quality slightly faint — PCMag found the mic signal fainter and less clear than true wireless earphones. [3]
- Spec conflicts on charging — Bose’s own pages disagree on full-charge time (2.5 h vs up to 2 h) and quick-charge yield (4 h vs 2.5 h); verify before relying. [1][2][3]
Parts and consumables
- Ear cushion kit — $49–55 from Bose; replaceable protein-leather cushions. [1]
- Carry case — $29 from Bose. [1]
- Aux/mic cable (3.5 mm to 2.5 mm) — $20 from Bose. [1]
- USB-C cable — $10 from Bose. [1]
- BoseCare 2-year plan — $49.95 from Bose, starts after year one. [1]
- BoseCare 3-year accident plan — $59.95 from Bose, starts immediately and adds drops and spills. [1]
Yearly running cost
No subscription or consumable is required, so a typical owner spends $0 per year unless they buy BoseCare or replacement cushions. BoseCare is optional at $49.95 for two years or $59.95 for three years with accident coverage; replacement ear cushions are $49–55. [1]
When it is a good buy
Bose.com lists them at $359; Tom’s Guide recorded a $349 launch price in October 2023 and PCMag lists a $359 MSRP. Tom’s Guide’s page showed a Best Buy listing at $241.99 for the black model. A street price near that $241.99 level would meaningfully improve value. Choose the QuietComfort Ultra if you want spatial or Immersive Audio; the Sony WH-1000XM5 or XM6 class if you want modern codecs such as LDAC or higher measured ANC (26.2 dB on the XM6); the QuietComfort 45 predecessor if you want a lower price. [1][2][3]