ZDNET's key takeaways The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are available in seven colors for $349, and are often up to $100 off.
They are true to the QuietComfort namesake, providing excellent noise cancellation and all-day comfort.
However, like all of Bose's over-ear headphones, the QuietComfort have a short, 24-hour battery life. View now at Bose
I have an arsenal of premium consumer headphones. The Sony XM6, Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Beats Studio Pro, Sonos Ace, and more all sit in my home office for me to swap in and out for long-term testing. In between my testing, there's one pair of headphones I reach for when I want a simple, enjoyable, and reliable listening experience: The Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
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These headphones, released in 2023, are the successor to the QuietComfort 45. This headphone lineup features Bose's classic design and only the necessary software features. It stays true to its namesake, providing excellent noise cancellation and hours-long comfort.
They're simple and bare-bones without skimping on the essentials, which is why I often choose them over the others.
Comfort for days
Like all of the headphones and earbuds in Bose's QuietComfort family, the midrange QC headphones are comfortable enough to wear for a long-haul flight or an entire day sitting at a desk. They're only slightly lighter than the QC Ultra and Sony XM6, but significantly lighter than the Apple AirPods Max.
Their build is mostly plastic, which contributes to their lightweight frame. The headband yokes connect to the side of the earcups, giving them more flexibility to conform to your ears. The clamping force is firm without being tight, and the protein leather earpads are plushy and thick. They're no less comfortable than the QC Ultra, so you're not sacrificing comfort for a lower price.
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