Bose QuietComfort headphones review
Noise cancelling that works on planes and in offices, with 24 hours of battery and a cable for when it runs out.
The verdict
Give the QuietComfort to someone who commutes, flies, works in an open office or shares a home with noise, because over-ear cancellation is meaningfully better than any earbud at blocking low frequency drone. Skip it for someone who exercises or wants something pocketable, where earbuds are the right shape and these are simply too big.
Bose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Black
~$249
Over-ear active noise cancelling headphones with Quiet and Aware modes, adjustable EQ, multipoint Bluetooth and a wired option.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Type | Over-ear active noise cancelling |
|---|---|
| Modes | Quiet and Aware |
| Battery | Up to 24 hours; 15 minute USB-C charge for up to 2.5 hours |
| Audio | Adjustable EQ for bass, mid-range and treble |
| Bluetooth | Multipoint, switch between devices without re-pairing |
| Wired | Included audio cable with in-line microphone, works with the battery flat |
| App | Bose app for software updates and settings |
Specifications above come from Bose's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Over-ear cancellation deals with low frequency drone, which is exactly what makes planes, trains and air conditioning exhausting.
- The included cable means they still work when the battery dies and on aircraft entertainment systems, which is a genuine advantage over earbuds.
- Multipoint means a laptop and a phone at the same time, which is the feature office workers use constantly.
- 24 hours of battery covers a long-haul trip in both directions without charging.
- They are comfortable for long sessions, which is the actual reason people reach for over-ear rather than in-ear.
Where it falls short
- They are large. They do not go in a pocket, and for someone with a small bag that is a daily annoyance.
- They are wrong for exercise. Over-ear cups get hot and slip, and there is no sweat rating here.
- Noise cancelling is very good at constant low frequency sound and much less good at speech, which surprises people who bought them for a noisy office of talkers.
- In hot weather over-ear cushions get uncomfortable in a way earbuds do not.
- Bose sell several similar models at different prices and the naming is confusing, so read the listing rather than the brand.
What owners report
Reports on Bose noise cancelling are consistent and have been for years: comfort and low-frequency cancellation are the reasons people keep them, and size is the reason some people switch to earbuds. The most useful thing to know before gifting is which of those matters more to the recipient, which is exactly what our noise cancelling headphones versus earbuds comparison is about.
The second theme is expectation about speech. Active cancellation works by inverting predictable waveforms, and human voices are not predictable. Someone buying these to block a chatty office will be partly disappointed no matter which brand they choose.
The third is that a cheaper pair of earbuds often makes a better gift for an active person, and our budget earbuds versus premium headphones comparison is honest about where the extra money does and does not show up.
Who it suits
- Commuters, frequent flyers and open-office workers.
- Anyone who shares a home with noise they cannot control.
- People who want one pair for a laptop and a phone at once.
Who should skip it
- Runners and gym users, who need earbuds with a fit and a sweat rating.
- Anyone who wants something pocketable.
- People hoping to block conversation, which no active cancellation does well.
Alternatives worth considering
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Workout Earbuds
~$200
Earhooks, IPX4 sweat resistance and 45 hours with the case, which is the right shape for anyone who exercises.
Check price on AmazonJBL Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Speaker
~$135
If they listen with other people rather than alone, a speaker is the more sociable gift for half the money.
Check price on AmazonTurtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 Wireless Amplified Gaming Headset
~$117
If most of their listening is gaming with a microphone, a headset with a boom mic is the better tool and costs half as much.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Noise cancelling headphones or earbuds as a gift?
Over-ear headphones cancel low frequency noise better and are more comfortable for long sessions. Earbuds are pocketable and suit exercise. Give the shape that matches how they listen rather than the one with the better specification.
Do noise cancelling headphones block talking?
Only partly. Active cancellation works best on constant predictable sound like engine and air conditioning drone. Speech is unpredictable and gets through, which disappoints people who bought them for a chatty office.
Can you use them on a plane?
Yes, and the included cable is what makes them work with an aircraft entertainment system. That wired option is also why they keep working after the battery is flat, which earbuds do not.
How long does the battery last?
Bose quote up to 24 hours, with a 15 minute USB-C charge giving up to 2.5 hours. That covers a long-haul flight in each direction without needing power at the seat.
What is multipoint and does it matter?
It lets the headphones stay connected to two devices at once, so a call on the phone interrupts music from the laptop without re-pairing. For anyone who works at a desk it is the feature they will notice most often.
Keep reading
- Noise cancelling headphones vs earbuds compared
- Budget earbuds vs premium headphones compared
- Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review
- JBL Charge 5 review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.