Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Noise cancellation and sound

Tom’s Guide measured the full 24 hours of ANC runtime and found the cancellation blocked close to 90% of unwanted sound in a construction-noise test; call quality beat the QuietComfort 45 but sat below the Bose 700. PCMag rated the ANC top-tier, better at cancelling mids and highs than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and about even on low-frequency rumble, with richer bass and smoother highs than the QuietComfort 45. It also noted a barely audible high-frequency hiss in some tests. Wirecutter’s lab measurement puts average noise cancellation at 20.0 dB in the 100 Hz–1,200 Hz airplane band, below the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen (26.9 dB) and the Sony WH-1000XM6 (26.2 dB), and above the Sony WH-1000XM5 (16.5 dB).

Bluetooth, codecs and controls

Bluetooth is 5.1 with SBC and AAC only; there is no aptX, no LDAC and no Snapdragon Sound, which is reserved for the Ultra models. Multipoint connects two devices at once but has to be switched on in the Bose app. There are no touch or motion controls, only physical buttons. Wind Block, when enabled, pushes the ANC to its highest level, so it adds little customisation.

Battery, charging and the spec conflicts

The 24-hour ANC battery figure holds up in Tom’s Guide’s test. Bose’s own pages disagree with each other on charging: the tech spec says a full charge takes 2.5 hours while the FAQ says up to 2 hours, and PCMag says roughly 2.5 hours. The quick-charge yield is split too, with the FAQ and Tom’s Guide saying 15 minutes buys 4 hours and Bose’s comparison table saying 2.5 hours. Bose’s box list includes a 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable even though the tech-spec row says no audio cable is included. Check the current specs before you rely on any of these numbers.

Running costs, warranty and repairs

The one-year Bose limited warranty covers mechanical breakdown and battery failure. BoseCare is sold at checkout: a 2-year plan for $49.95 starts after the first year, and a 3-year accident plan for $59.95 starts immediately and adds drops and spills. Bose sells exact-model accessories: a carry case for $29, an ear cushion kit for $49–55, an aux/mic cable for $20 and a USB-C cable for $10. Bose direct adds a 30-day return policy, a price-match promise within 14 days, and free shipping and returns on orders over $49.

Is it worth it?

Bose’s own page lists them at $359; Tom’s Guide recorded a $349 launch price in October 2023 and PCMag lists a $359 MSRP. Tom’s Guide noted only a $20 increase over the QuietComfort 45’s full price. Its page also showed a Best Buy listing at $241.99 for the black model. At $349–359 the model sits against the QuietComfort Ultra, now $449 for the 2nd Gen, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM6 class, trading away spatial audio, an ANC-off mode and modern codecs for Bose ANC and comfort. Wirecutter’s 20.0 dB measured cancellation is respectable but not class-leading as of their 2026 guide. A street price near that $241.99 listing would meaningfully improve the value.

Which model this is

This page covers the 2023 Bose QuietComfort Headphones, product ID QC-HEADPHONEARN, sold in Black, White Smoke and Cypress Green at launch, with later colors including Moonstone Blue (a Bose.com exclusive), Sandstone and Twilight Blue. The black US Amazon variant is ASIN B0CCZ26B5V. Do not confuse it with the QuietComfort Ultra, the QuietComfort 45 or the newer QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen.

Sources

Manufacturer:

• Bose QuietComfort Headphones product page

Independent reviews:

• Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review — PCMag

Owner reports:

None captured in this research pass; Reddit and forum owner discussions were not reachable.