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Bose QuietComfort 45 · Photo source

Bose QuietComfort 45
Photo 1 of 21

Bose QuietComfort 45 · Photo source

Bose · QuietComfort

QuietComfort 45

Released September 2021

The QuietComfort 45 are Bose's 2021 noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, the successor to the QC35 II, suited to travellers and office workers who want simple controls and a 22-hour battery.

Model history · 5 models, 2009–2021
  1. 2009QuietComfort 15Compare
  2. 2014QuietComfort 25Compare
  3. 2016QuietComfort 35Compare
  4. 2017QuietComfort 35 IICompare
  5. 2021QuietComfort 45
Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Battery
22 h
With case
–
Best codec
AAC
Weight
240 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the noise cancelling is among the best and the headphones stay comfortable for long periods. What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys and TechRadar found the sound behind class leaders, while Tom's Guide found it improved; common complaints are sparse features for the price, with no adjustable noise cancelling, and Tom's Guide found it can't be switched off.

From whathifi.com, soundguys.com, techradar.com and tomsguide.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
Bluetooth codecs
SBC and AAC
Noise cancelling detail
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
TriPort acoustic architecture; Active EQ; adjustable EQ (bass, mid-range and treble) in the Bose Music app

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 22 hours
Battery life detail
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
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
240 g
Bluetooth
5.1
Two devices at once
Yes
Headphone cable
Yes
Controls
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
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
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
0.18 kg (carry case)
Water resistance detail
No water resistance rating published
Works with
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
Triple Black and White Smoke at launch
In the box
Headphones, carry case, 30.5 cm USB-C charging cable, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Up to 22 hours per charge, and 15 minutes of charging gives up to 3 hours
  • Multipoint connection to two devices over Bluetooth 5.1
  • Physical buttons, and a 2.5 mm audio cable in the box

Cons

  • Only Quiet and Aware modes at launch, with no adjustable noise cancelling
  • SBC and AAC only, with no aptX
  • No wear detection, and no water resistance rating

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
AppleAirPods Max (Lightning)
Over-earYes20 h–AAC384.8 gDec 2020
SonyINZONE H9
Over-earYes20 h–AAC330 gJul 2022
SonyWH-1000XM4
Over-earYes30 h–LDAC254 gAug 2020

Previous model: QuietComfort 35 II. Newer model: QuietComfort Headphones.

Sources

  1. web.archive.org/web/20230102043737/https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headph…
  2. bose.com/pressroom/bose-introduces-quietcomfort-45
  3. bose.com/pxp/bose-quietcomfort-45-headphones
  4. whathifi.com/reviews/bose-quietcomfort-45

Photo: assets.bosecreative.com

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