Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise Cancelling Headphones Unveiled

For years, the Bose QuietComfort 35 and QuietComfort 35 II noise cancelling headphones have been the gold standard for business travelers. But with the Sony WH-1000XM4, Apple AirPods Max, and Sennheiser Momentum 3 all challenging Bose’s dominance in the ANC space, it was time for a new model to put them back on top.

Introducing the new Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, which builds on QuietComfort 35 II with improved noise cancellation for instant quiet anywhere, new AWARE Mode to let you hear what’s going on outside, better voice isolation for easier conversations, and an impressive 24-hours of battery life on a single charge.

The QuietComfort 45 maintain the hallmarks of its predecessor with great audio performance, all-day comfort and stability, super- simple controls, rock-solid connectivity, and an update to the iconic design that made Bose QuietComforts one of the most recognizable wearables ever.

“QuietComfort headphones are legendary for a reason,” said Mehul Trivedi, category director, Bose wearable audio. “What started as a product for traveling became a product that makes every day better and easier for millions of people all over the world. Our customers have told us for years that it’s the balance of benefits that make a QuietComfort so different and indispensable. They’ve always been a great example of excelling where it matters most. And the QC45s are no different.”

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones feature just two settings, both achieved using a new active noise cancellation system and new electronics package. In QUIET Mode, microphones inside and outside the earcups combine with a proprietary digital chip to sense, measure, and respond to more unwanted sounds in mid-range frequencies (like those found in commuter trains, busy office spaces, and cafés). The now famous “whoosh” associated with Bose noise cancelling technology happens in a fraction of a millisecond to tune out entirely, or enjoy music, podcasts, or movies with lifelike clarity, detail, and no distractions.

In AWARE Mode, the QC45 headphones switch to full transparency, where everything is heard again – just as naturally, clearly, and quickly — without ever taking them off. This feature can be particularly useful when you want to hear overhead announcements in a plane, airport, or train station. I have this feature in another set of headphones I have and love it, so I’m thrilled to see Bose adopting this functionality as well.

For phone calls and commands, QC45 owners can share their noise cancellation. A beam-form array isolates their voice, while a rejection array dampens and blocks the audible distractions around them — like a coffee grinder or barking dog — from being picked up and transmitted to whomever they’re talking to, making for more productive Zoom meetings, happier video chats, and more accurate VPA responses on everything from text dictation to getting directions to controlling a smart home.

Physically, the Bose QuietComfort 45 builds on the iconic look of its predecessor, maintaining all the design elements that made it an identifiable classic, and all the comfort and stability that made it an all-day-everyday headphone. Pleats and puckers have been removed from soft materials, gaps between components have been replaced with smooth transitions, and they’re durable, lightweight, and fold flat to store in an included compact carrying case. QC45 colors are timeless — Triple Black and White Smoke, both with a beautiful matte finish.

QuietComfort 45 headphones are decidedly practical, keeping it simple with controls you can feel. There are 4 buttons on the right earcup: volume up, volume down, power, and Bluetooth pairing, and one for the most common tasks — to answer and end calls, play and pause music, and access to native VPAs. There’s another button on the left earcup to toggle between Modes and to mute the mic during calls.

Last but not least, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones have up to 24 hours of battery life — outlasting the longest flights in the world, 20 back-to-back conference calls, or all-night study sessions with time to spare. They now charge via USB-C. A full charge takes two hours, while a quick 15 minutes gives you three hours of playback.

The QuietComfort 45 headphones will be available starting September 23rd for $329.95, and you can pre-order them now at Bose.com, Amazon.com, and other select resellers.

What do you guys think of the Bose QuietComfort 45 noise cancelling headphones?