Product Review · Noise-Cancelling Headphones · #1 Ranked
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Over-ear ANC headphones with Quiet and Aware modes · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 82
At $248.99, $110.01 under its $359.00 list price, the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones take the top spot on balance rather than on any single headline spec. Satisfaction sits at 90 from a 4.5-star average across 21,850 ratings, reliability at 87 and quality at 86, backed by Bose's long run of QuietComfort models. Features trail at 78, and that is the honest caveat: battery tops out at 24 hours, there is no spatial audio, and the EQ is a simple three-band control. For a traveler who wants proven cancellation and comfort without paying flagship prices, it is the safest pick here.
What you're getting
- Active noise cancelling with Quiet and Aware modes
- Up to 24 hours of playtime per charge
- 15-minute USB-C charge adds up to 2.5 hours
- Multipoint Bluetooth to switch between two devices
- Adjustable EQ for bass, mid-range and treble in the Bose app
- Wired mode with included audio cable and in-line mic
- Plush over-ear cushions and padded headband
- Limitation: no spatial audio and a shorter 24-hour battery than rivals
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 24-hour battery
- Quiet and Aware modes
- Multipoint Bluetooth
- Price$248.99
- TierOver-ear ANC headphones with Quiet and Aware modes
- Category rank#1 of 10
Should you buy the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones suit commuters and frequent flyers who care most about quiet, comfort and a brand with a long service record. At $248.99 it ranks #1 of 10 in our Noise-Cancelling Headphones category. If you want spatial audio and Bose's strongest cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) costs $151.00 more. If budget matters most, the Soundcore Life Q30 at $55.99 gets you most of the way for less than a quarter of the price.
Where it earns its score
- Proven comfort. Plush cushions and a padded band keep clamping pressure low, which matters on long flights and full workdays.
- Strong owner scores. A 4.5-star average across 21,850 ratings gives it a satisfaction score of 90, tied for second-best in the category.
- Wired backup. The included cable with in-line mic lets you keep listening, and take calls, when the battery runs flat.
- Multipoint switching. It stays connected to a phone and a laptop at once, so you can move between them without re-pairing.
What to know first
- Warranty is the lowest factor at 55, Features next at 78. Bose covers it for 1 year in the US, and there is no spatial audio, head tracking or hi-res codec.
- 24 hours is short. The Soundcore Life Q30 claims 50 hours with ANC on and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 claims 60.
- Not the current flagship. This model launched in 2023; the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is Bose's top headphone now.
Our verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones score 82, a Good Buy and the top score in our Noise-Cancelling Headphones category, carried by Satisfaction (90), Reliability (87) and Quality (86). Buy it if you want dependable cancellation and all-day comfort at $248.99. If you want spatial audio and the stronger Bose flagship, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) scores 81 at $399.99.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
Questions buyers ask
Do the Bose QuietComfort Headphones have multipoint?
Yes. They can stay connected to two devices at once and switch between them.
How long does the Bose QuietComfort battery last?
Bose rates it at up to 24 hours per charge, and a 15-minute USB-C charge adds up to 2.5 hours.
Can you use the Bose QuietComfort Headphones wired?
Yes. The included audio cable with in-line mic works without Bluetooth, even when the battery is dead.
Ready to check it out?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones · ViperScore 82 · Good Buy · $248.99
How the other 9 noise-cancelling headphones scored
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