Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) review 2027

What problem does the Bose QuietComfort Headphones solve for budget travellers?

The QuietComfort is the pair we would recommend to someone who wants Bose quiet and comfort without paying for spatial audio they will not use. That is the whole pitch: the same cushions and most of the same cancelling as the more expensive Bose model, at a lower price. Our test found cancelling within 3 dB of the Ultra, and the pair is the lightest in the test at 240 g. Physical buttons and a 2.5 mm cable for planes round out the travel case. On sale it is the best deal in the ranking.

How did it score in our tests?

Noise cancelling earned 28 out of 30. We measured attenuation of recorded cabin, train and office noise at the ear simulator, and wind handling outdoors. The measured cabin noise cut was 29 dB.

Sound quality earned 19 out of 25, judged on frequency response against a target curve, distortion at volume, and blind listening on the same playlist. Comfort & build took the full 15 out of 15, covering clamp force, weight, heat after two hours, and hinge and case quality. Battery & features scored 11 out of 15, based on measured battery with ANC on, multipoint, codecs, call quality, wear detection and app controls. Value added 13 out of 15, comparing street price against the field.

Where does the QuietComfort stand out?

At 240 g it is the lightest pair in the test, and the Bose cushions are the reason it stays comfortable. Cancelling is within 3 dB of the Ultra, so the cheaper model gets close to the flagship on the measurement that matters most for travel. The controls are physical buttons rather than a touch surface, and the 2.5 mm cable is there for plane entertainment systems. It is frequently on sale under $250.

What is inside, and how is it built?

The spec sheet lists a 24-hour battery with ANC on, and our measured figure was 25 h. Weight is 240 g. Codecs are SBC and AAC, with no aptX or LDAC. Multipoint is supported. The headphones fold, the wired input is 2.5 mm, charging is over USB-C, and the model was released in September 2023.

How does it compare with the rivals we tested?

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless scored 8.9 at $379.95, with a 60-hour battery, 293 g, SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, multipoint, no folding, a 3.5 mm wired input, USB-C charging and an August 2022 release. It is ahead on battery and codecs, behind on weight and folding.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 scored 8.8 at $449.99, with a 30-hour battery, 254 g, SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3, multipoint, folding, a 3.5 mm wired input, USB-C charging with 3 min for 3 h, and a May 2025 release. It edges Bose on voices and wind, and it folds.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones scored 8.6 at $449, with a 30-hour battery, 250 g, SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive, multipoint, folding, a 2.5 mm wired input and USB-C audio, USB-C charging, and a 2025 (2nd gen) release. It has the strongest low-frequency cancelling we measured, the most comfortable headband, and Immersive Audio that works without a special track.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 scored 8.6 at $399.99, with a 30-hour battery, 250 g, SBC, AAC and LDAC, multipoint, no folding, a 3.5 mm wired input, USB-C charging and a May 2022 release. It offers nearly the XM6's cancelling and calls without the folding hinge.

The Anker Soundcore Space One scored 7.9 at $99.99, with a 40-hour battery, 265 g, SBC, AAC and LDAC, multipoint, folding, a 3.5 mm wired input, USB-C charging and an August 2023 release. It is the budget pair that embarrasses some $300 ones.

Where does the QuietComfort fall short?

Features and codecs are where it lost ground. There is no aptX or LDAC, and no Immersive Audio. The 24-hour battery is the shortest apart from AirPods Max. Sound is pleasant rather than precise.

Is the price fair?

The price summary is $349, and value scored 13 out of 15. It is frequently on sale under $250, which is when it becomes the best deal in the ranking.

Who should buy the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

Travellers on a budget. If you want Bose quiet and comfort without paying for spatial audio you will not use, this is the pair to get, especially on sale.