Bose QuietComfort 3 vs Bose QuietComfort 45

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QuietComfort 3 compared with QuietComfort 45

	BoseQuietComfort 3	BoseQuietComfort 45
Overview
Released
Released	2006	September 2021
Sound
Type
Type	On-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	–	Yes
Back
Back	Closed	–
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	SBC and AAC
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Noise cancellation can run with the audio cable detached; the power switch is on the right earcup	Two modes, Quiet (full noise cancelling) and Aware (full transparency); microphones inside and outside the ear cups with a proprietary digital chip, tuned for mid-range frequencies such as voices
Audio features
Audio features	–	TriPort acoustic architecture; Active EQ; adjustable EQ (bass, mid-range and treble) in the Bose Music app
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 22 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	The 2006 Bose battery instructions state approximately 20 hours per charge; a later Bose owner guide states approximately 25 hours. The battery is removed from the right earcup and charged in a separate mains charger	Up to 22 hours on Bose's current product page, tested with noise cancelling on at 50% volume in continuous playback; Bose quoted up to 24 hours at launch (2021 press release); wired listening with the audio cable extends play time
Fast charging
Fast charging	–	15 minutes gives up to 3 hours; full charge in up to 2.5 hours (Bose UK; the launch press release said two hours)
Design
Weight
Weight	–	240 g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	5.1
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	–	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	Power switch and indicator on the right earcup; audio volume is controlled at the source	Physical buttons; on the right ear cup, power, volume up, volume down and a multi-function button (play, pause, calls, voice assistant); on the left ear cup, an Action button to switch modes and mute the microphone on calls
Microphones
Microphones	–	Four external microphones for voice pickup in a beamforming array with a noise-rejection algorithm; What Hi-Fi counts six microphones in total
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	On-ear cushions and rotating earcups that fold flat into the carrying case	Around-ear with plush synthetic leather ear cushions and headband; impact-resistant nylon with cast-metal hinges; folds flat for the carry case
Case weight
Case weight	–	0.18 kg (carry case)
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No water resistance rating published
Works with
Works with	Detachable audio cable with 3.5 mm source plug; supplied dual-plug airline adapter	Bose Music app for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; remembers up to seven paired devices; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers; Spotify Tap
Colours
Colours	–	Triple Black and White Smoke at launch
In the box
In the box	Headphones, removable battery, battery charger, audio cable, airline adapter and carrying case; later packages included an Apple-compatible remote and microphone cable	Headphones, carry case, 30.5 cm USB-C charging cable, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable