Our Verdict
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.
Why trust 247Verdict? We don't run a physical test lab — every recommendation is built from verified Amazon owner data (rating, review volume, and recurring themes across owner reviews) checked against manufacturer specifications, and every review says plainly who it's not right for. Every product needs 4.0+ stars from 200+ verified reviews before we'll recommend it. Full detail on our methodology page.
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
4.6★ from 28,400 verified Amazon owners
Key Specifications
| Comfort | Industry-leading ergonomics |
|---|---|
| ANC | Quiet Mode (excellent) |
| Transparency | Aware Mode (natural) |
| Battery | 24 hours |
| Fold | Yes (travel compact) |
| Codec | aptX + AAC |
How It Compares to the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
The closest alternative in this category is the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones (9.4/10). Here's how the two stack up on the specs they share:
| Bose QuietComfort 45... | Sony WH-1000XM5... | |
|---|---|---|
| ANC | Quiet Mode (excellent) | Industry-leading (8 mics) |
| Battery | 24 hours | 30 hours ANC on |
| Codec | aptX + AAC | LDAC (990kbps) |
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. Owners often find an adjustable laptop stand a worthwhile addition to this setup.
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Owner Essentials
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. For those looking to complement it, a screen cleaning kit is commonly paired with this product. 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. Setting up a new device? NordVPN is worth considering to secure it on public networks.
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 Look elsewhere if you're among
Final Verdict
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.
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.
Who should NOT buy the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones?
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).
What's the biggest drawback of the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones?
ANC is excellent but doesn't match Sony XM5's industry-leading cancellation depth
What do owners say about the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones?
4.6★ from 28,400 verified Amazon owners. Most comfortable over-ear headphones available — Bose's 30-year headphone ergonomics expertise
How does the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones compare to similar techs?
At 9.1/10, it ranks among the strongest options we've reviewed in this category. See our Bose QuietComfort 45 comparisons for direct head-to-head detail against specific alternatives.
Alternatives to Consider
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
9.4/10Industry-leading ANC, 30hr, Multipoint, LDAC, speak-to-chat. The ANC headphone benchmark.
Read Full Review →
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones
9.1/10250Ω open-back, analytical treble, wide soundstage, 3m cable. The reference studio monitoring headphone.
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Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless Headset
9.0/1010-mic ANC, UC certified, 37hr, Busylight, USB dongle. The professional headset.
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