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Don't fix what ain't broke.
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 70% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 63 of the 241 we've cataloged.
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below average for over-ear headphones — based on 158 of 241 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 139 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
5.1 appears on 6% of the 151 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 43% of the 249 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 241).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -0.5 |
| 25 | 2.7 |
| 32 | 4.6 |
| 40 | 5.1 |
| 50 | 4.5 |
| 63 | 3.5 |
| 80 | 2.9 |
| 100 | 2.5 |
| 125 | 1.8 |
| 160 | 0.7 |
| 200 | -0.1 |
| 250 | -0.9 |
| 315 | -1.7 |
| 400 | -2.2 |
| 500 | -1.8 |
| 630 | -1.0 |
| 800 | -0.3 |
| 1000 | -0.0 |
| 1250 | 1.5 |
| 1600 | 4.8 |
| 2000 | 7.0 |
| 2500 | 13.6 |
| 3150 | 15.5 |
| 4000 | 14.0 |
| 5000 | 12.0 |
| 6300 | 13.0 |
| 8000 | 5.3 |
| 10000 | 10.8 |
| 12500 | 14.0 |
| 16000 | 4.3 |
| 20000 | -26.3 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.1 |
| 26 | -0.4 |
| 33 | -0.6 |
| 41 | -0.7 |
| 52 | -0.5 |
| 65 | -0.8 |
| 82 | -2.5 |
| 103 | -3.0 |
| 130 | -3.3 |
| 163 | -1.0 |
| 205 | -0.8 |
| 259 | 3.9 |
| 325 | 9.7 |
| 410 | 8.1 |
| 516 | 10.8 |
| 613 | 11.5 |
| 772 | 11.5 |
| 972 | 12.7 |
| 1220 | 18.5 |
| 1540 | 21.6 |
| 1940 | 34.2 |
| 2440 | 32.8 |
| 3070 | 33.4 |
| 3870 | 39.5 |
| 4870 | 40.9 |
| 6130 | 36.0 |
| 7720 | 39.8 |
| 9720 | 43.1 |
| 12200 | 28.9 |
| 15400 | 33.3 |
| 19400 | 37.5 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.8 |
| 26 | 4.0 |
| 33 | 12.4 |
| 41 | 18.2 |
| 52 | 20.5 |
| 65 | 20.3 |
| 82 | 18.3 |
| 103 | 22.7 |
| 130 | 23.4 |
| 163 | 24.3 |
| 205 | 26.5 |
| 259 | 27.4 |
| 325 | 26.5 |
| 410 | 27.0 |
| 516 | 28.5 |
| 613 | 27.1 |
| 772 | 21.3 |
| 972 | 18.6 |
| 1220 | 14.2 |
| 1540 | 14.6 |
| 1940 | 22.0 |
| 2440 | 29.3 |
| 3070 | 29.2 |
| 3870 | 41.2 |
| 4870 | 41.2 |
| 6130 | 35.6 |
| 7720 | 40.0 |
| 9720 | 43.8 |
| 12200 | 31.5 |
| 15400 | 35.7 |
| 19400 | 37.7 |
The verdict
The Bose QuietComfort 45 has all the parts to be a great ANC headset, but it doesn't quite have the finish. Sound quality isn't all that great, even if the ANC is among the best in class.
✓Liked: Outstanding noise-cancelling, USB-C port, Comfortable over long periods of time, Wired and wireless playback
✕Could be better: Sound quality, SBC and AAC only, no aptX, Only way to turn off ANC is to turn on Aware mode; no true off listening mode
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What readers ask about the Bose QuietComfort 45, answered by the people who own it.
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Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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Tom TriggsContributor
2 of 3 would buy again
3 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort
0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations
