Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones

Pros

• Weight comfort ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 5.0
  At around 240 grams the QuietComfort Headphones feel very light on the head, and both earlier impressions and this review stress how little fatigue they cause even after hours of continuous wear, making weight-related comfort a clear strength.
• Comfort during long use ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.9
  Comfort is a standout strength: large earcups with plush padding, a well-cushioned headband, and a light overall feel make them easy to wear for hours at a desk, on transit, or on long flights. Several reviewers describe them as among the most comfortable over-ears they’ve worn, with minimal pressure points when properly adjusted.
• Volume output ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.8
  Volume output is very high, with multiple reviewers noting they can listen comfortably well below max volume because the headset gets loud quickly. There’s ample headroom for noisy environments or quiet recordings.
• Clamping force comfort ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.8
  Clamping force on the QuietComfort Headphones strikes a comfortable balance between secure and gentle, with this review again noting that they stay stable on the head for commutes and flights without creating painful pressure over long listening sessions.
• Button control usability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 10 reviews 4.7
  Physical buttons for volume and playback plus an action/shortcut control for mode switching are frequently praised as tactile and dependable, especially versus touch-only rivals. Some reviewers appreciate voice prompts and simple operation, while also noting shortcut customization is limited (often to battery announcements or Spotify Tap).
• Active noise cancellation effectiveness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.7
  Across reviews, active noise cancellation is repeatedly described as excellent/top-tier for commuting and travel, strongly reducing low-frequency engine and street rumble; one lab-style measurement reports roughly 10–30 dB attenuation below 1 kHz. Multiple sources still note it isn’t always class-leading versus the very best flagships (including Bose’s own Ultra model), and some higher-pitched sounds can remain faintly audible.
• Portability/foldability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.7
  The QuietComfort Headphones fold and rotate to pack small, and together with their compact travel case this review confirms they remain particularly easy to carry in backpacks or carry-on luggage compared to bulkier over-ear designs.
• Carry case quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.6
  The included zippered hard-shell case is repeatedly praised as compact yet protective, with a contoured interior and pockets that keep cables organized. Several reviewers contrast it favorably with bulkier or less protective competitors’ cases, making it particularly travel-friendly.
• Ear cup padding quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.6
  Soft, pillow-like earpads (memory-foam style with vegan leather in several reviews) contribute heavily to comfort and sealing. A long-term owner also notes that swapping to aftermarket pads is possible but can slightly change the seal and reduce ANC performance, suggesting pad foam quality matters.
• Noise isolation (passive) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.5
  A snug over-ear fit and well-proportioned earcups create a strong passive seal that limits leakage and helps block external noise even before ANC kicks in. Several reviews highlight that this seal materially boosts perceived ANC performance in cafés, transit, and other everyday environments.
• Multi-platform compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5
  The headphones work well across common platforms—iOS/Android phones and laptops—thanks to Bluetooth pairing, multipoint, and a fallback wired analog connection. Reviewers commonly describe day-to-day switching and setup as straightforward once configured.
• Headband adjustability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  The QuietComfort headband offers a wide adjustment range that helps different head shapes find a secure yet comfortable fit, supporting long sessions without excessive pressure on the crown.
• Maximum volume clarity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  At least one long-form impression notes the headphones remain clean at very high volumes, with little obvious distortion even near maximum output. Practical listening still benefits from lower volumes given how loud they can get.
• Replaceable earpads ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  Earpads are replaceable, and long-term owners report using aftermarket pad options to customize feel or refresh worn pads. Because pad foam affects seal, some replacements may slightly change isolation and ANC performance versus stock pads.
• Noise cancellation adjustability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5
  Noise control is highly adjustable with core Quiet and Aware modes plus up to two custom modes, typically offering a multi-step slider and an optional Wind Block setting. Controls can be accessed from the app and cycled with the action button, though some reviews note you can’t fully disable both ANC and transparency at once—modes blend the two rather than turning everything off.
• Detachable cable convenience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.4
  A detachable analog cable enables passive wired playback when the battery is drained or the headphones are off, which multiple travel-focused reviews highlight as a key advantage for flights and low-latency use. Some also note that passive mode loses ANC and active EQ features, so it’s best seen as a backup option.
• Audio-video sync accuracy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.4
  Real-world video watching is generally reported as free of distracting delay, with several reviewers describing latency as not noteworthy for movies or streaming. One review still acknowledges some lag is conceivable over Bluetooth, so those sensitive to sync (or gaming) may prefer a wired connection.
• Multipoint connectivity reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.4
  Multipoint connectivity allows pairing to two devices at once for work/travel use, and reviewers report smooth switching between a phone and laptop once enabled/configured in the app. Some also note convenient behavior like automatically prioritizing an incoming phone call over computer audio.
• Bluetooth connectivity stability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.3
  Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity has proven stable for music and video across phones and laptops, and this review again finds wireless performance reliable in everyday use, even though it lacks the very latest radio features or high-resolution streaming options.
• Transparency mode quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
  Aware/transparency mode is widely viewed as useful and natural-sounding for travel and conversations, with at least one reviewer calling it among the best they’ve tested. That said, customization can be limited (for example, some note you can’t freely tune Aware level without also engaging ANC), and it lacks more advanced adaptive features found on pricier models.
• Android compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3
  Android use is supported through standard Bluetooth pairing and the Bose Music app on Android, and at least one reviewer reports smooth use with a Samsung phone. The main Android-specific drawback is audio: without LDAC or aptX, Android listeners miss higher-quality codec options available on some competitors.
• Charging ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3
  USB‑C charging supports quick top-ups (often cited as about 4 hours of playback from ~15 minutes), and full recharge is commonly described as taking around 2.5 hours. A few reports quote smaller quick-charge gains, but overall charging speed is considered convenient for travel.
• Design and Aesthetics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.2
  A minimalist, classic Bose look comes in multiple colorways (often including Black, White Smoke, and a standout green), staying unobtrusive in most settings. Several sources say the styling is familiar and conservative—great for fans of the QuietComfort aesthetic—while noting the Ultra model looks a bit more premium.
• Instrument separation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2
  Instrument separation is generally reported as good for a consumer ANC headphone, keeping busy mixes understandable and vocals distinct even with the bass tilt. It’s not positioned as an audiophile detail monster, but clarity is strong enough for everyday listening and travel.
• Software/setup simplicity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.2
  Setup and pairing are generally simple through normal Bluetooth menus, with the app available to streamline configuration and enable features like multipoint and custom modes. One reviewer reports occasional initial pairing friction, but most describe the overall experience as fuss-free after first setup.
• Included accessories ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.1
  In-box accessories usually cover the essentials for travel: a hard case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and an analog audio cable (often with an inline mic). Multiple sources note an airplane adapter is typically not included, but cable storage inside the case is convenient.
• Voice assistant integration ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.1
  Voice assistant use is supported through button-press shortcuts that can trigger the phone’s assistant (e.g., Siri/Google Assistant) and through spoken prompts that announce connections and battery status. Integration is practical and reliable, but not deeply customizable beyond the available shortcut options.
• Simultaneous wireless + Bluetooth audio ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
  Bose SimpleSync enables pairing the headphones with compatible Bose soundbars/speakers to play audio simultaneously and control volumes independently. It’s a niche ecosystem feature, but a meaningful perk if you already own supported Bose gear.
• Soundstage width ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
  Soundstage is described as reasonably open for a closed-back, helped by Bose’s vented/TriPort-style acoustic design, giving music a bit of width for movies and casual listening. It isn’t presented as an especially expansive stage versus the most spacious competitors, but it avoids feeling claustrophobic.
• Stability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
  Stability is reported as good for daily wear: the light weight and balanced clamping keep the headphones secure for walking and even some light jogging. Because there’s no sweat rating, most reviewers still discourage workouts despite the stable fit.
• App ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.0
  The Bose Music app is described as clean and user-friendly for firmware updates, device naming, EQ tweaks, and configuring noise-control modes and multipoint. Several sources stress the app is optional for basic use, but at least one notes you must accept a privacy prompt to proceed, which can be off-putting.
• Sound quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.9
  Across reviews, the QuietComfort delivers a warm, bass-forward sound that many listeners find rich and enjoyable for travel, with some praising a more natural high end than the QC45. However, one measurement-focused review argues the sub-bass boost and treble irregularities can make certain tracks sound odd, and the limited EQ can’t fully correct the tuning for critical listening.
• Bass performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.7
  Bass is deep and punchy with strong sub-bass extension that suits pop, EDM, movies, and bass-lovers, and several reviewers call it satisfying out of the box. At the same time, others find the low end over-emphasized and potentially boomy, sometimes masking mids unless you dial bass down in the app.
• Build quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.7
  Build quality is generally viewed as solid but not luxurious: the chassis is largely plastic with soft-touch/leatherette padding, which keeps weight down but can feel a bit plasticky for the price. Most reviewers still describe the headset as robust enough for travel when handled with normal care.
• Microphone quality for calls ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.7
  Call mic quality is generally rated okay-to-good: speech is understandable and works well for typical phone or video calls, though some listeners find it a bit faint compared with the best beamforming headsets. Several reviews also point out the included analog cable’s inline mic as a helpful option for wired calling.
• Cable quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.7
  The included analog cable works for wired listening/calls, but it uses a 2.5mm plug on the headphone end and 3.5mm on the source end, which some users find nonstandard. Others view it as a useful, practical add-on thanks to the inline microphone.
• Battery ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 3.6
  Battery life is typically framed as mid-pack: Bose often quotes around a day of listening (roughly 24 hours), and independent testing ranges around 26–27 hours in some cases. That’s enough for several workdays or a week of commuting, but multiple reviewers note rivals can double that endurance; one long-term owner also mentions Bose later listing a lower rated figure.
• Microphone noise reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.6
  Noise reduction on calls is serviceable: wind handling is often decent (and Wind Block can help), but general background chatter and street noise may still leak through. Overall it’s adequate for commuting calls, but not a standout versus the strongest conferencing-focused headphones.
• Treble clarity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.5
  Treble has enough energy for detail and sparkle, yet some listeners hear notable peaks (around the upper-treble presence region) that can make cymbals or hi-hats sound unnatural. Others describe the highs as crisp and more natural than previous models, so treble presentation varies by listener sensitivity and content.
• Sidetone adjustment quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5
  Sidetone controls in the app let you adjust how much of your own voice you hear during calls, which can make conversations feel more natural. The setting is useful but fairly basic compared with dedicated conferencing headsets.