Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones Review (2026): 9.1/10

Name: Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones
Brand: Bose
Rating: 4.6 (28400 reviews)

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

Most comfortable over-ear headphones available — Bose's 30-year headphone ergonomics expertise
Folds flat for travel — smaller packed footprint than Sony XM5
Aware Mode is Bose's best transparency implementation — natural ambient passthrough
24-hour battery is adequate for most use cases
Bose's neutral, accurate tuning is preferred by those who find Sony XM5 too bass-heavy

✗ Cons

ANC is excellent but doesn't match Sony XM5's industry-leading cancellation depth
No multipoint connection (connects to one device at a time)
No LDAC — Bluetooth codec limited to aptX and AAC

Key Specifications

Comfort	Industry-leading ergonomics
ANC	Quiet Mode (excellent)
Transparency	Aware Mode (natural)
Battery	24 hours
Fold	Yes (travel compact)
Codec	aptX + AAC

Performance

Bose QC45 is the comfortable ANC headphone for those who wear headphones all day. Bose's ergonomic heritage produces the most naturally comfortable over-ear fit available — Sony XM5 has better ANC and features, but Bose wins on all-day wearability. For listeners who want balanced sound without bass emphasis and maximum comfort, QC45 is the right choice. On paper the headline numbers are comfort of Industry-leading ergonomics, anc of Quiet Mode (excellent), transparency of Aware Mode (natural), battery of 24 hours, fold of Yes (travel compact), codec of aptX + AAC. Its standout is that most comfortable over-ear headphones available — bose's 30-year headphone ergonomics expertise

Build Quality & Design

Beyond that, owners and the spec sheet point to a few more genuine strengths. Folds flat for travel — smaller packed footprint than Sony XM5. Aware Mode is Bose's best transparency implementation — natural ambient passthrough. We can't bench-test durability, but the depth of positive long-term owner feedback is the best available proxy for how it holds up.

Value for Money

It isn't flawless. ANC is excellent but doesn't match Sony XM5's industry-leading cancellation depth. No multipoint connection (connects to one device at a time). No LDAC — Bluetooth codec limited to aptX and AAC. Whether those matter depends entirely on how you'll use it. At the premium price point, the trade-offs are easy to live with for the right buyer. It's the right call for Bose QC45 is the comfortable ANC headphone for those who wear headphones all day. Bose's ergonomic heritage produces the most naturally comfortable over-ear fit available — Sony XM5 has better... Look elsewhere if you're among Those needing multipoint dual-device connection or LDAC hi-res audio — Sony XM5 provides both.

Final Verdict

9.1/10 Excellent

★★★★★ 4.6★ (28,400 Amazon reviews)

Bose QC45 is the comfortable ANC headphone for those who wear headphones all day. Bose's ergonomic heritage produces the most naturally comfortable over-ear fit available — Sony XM5 has better ANC and features, but Bose wins on all-day wearability. For listeners who want balanced sound without bass emphasis and maximum comfort, QC45 is the right choice.

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FAQ

Is the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones worth the money?

Bose QC45 is the comfortable ANC headphone for those who wear headphones all day. Bose's ergonomic heritage produces the most naturally comfortable over-ear fit available — Sony XM5 has better ANC and features, but Bose wins on all-day wearability. For listeners who want balanced sound without bass emphasis and maximum comfort, QC45 is the right choice. Bose QC45 is the comfortable ANC headphone for those who wear headphones all day. Bose's ergonomic heritage produces the most naturally

Who should NOT buy the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones?

Those needing multipoint dual-device connection or LDAC hi-res audio — Sony XM5 provides both.

Is the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones available in the UK and US?

Yes — we list both Amazon UK and US links. Always verify voltage compatibility (UK 230V, US 120V).