QuietComfort Headphones (2023)

Reviewer verdict

Across 19 YouTube reviews, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) earns an Index score of 3.7/5, ranking #44 among Over-Ear Headphones. Reviewers most often praise its noise cancellation, features, comfort, while the most common criticisms concern features, other.

The QuietComfort Headphones (2023) are repeatedly praised for their industry-leading noise cancellation, with many reviewers (47 mentions) calling the ANC world-class, excellent at low-frequency hums, and highlighting strong transparency/aware modes and new Wind Block options. Comfort is another frequently noted strength (41 mentions): reviewers describe very light weight, plush deep earcups, gentle clamping force and suitability for long flights or workdays. Reviewers also like the feature set (39 mentions) — especially immersion/spatial audio, customizable EQ, CustomTune, physical controls, and convenient app integrations — and many note consistently good sound quality (26 mentions) characterized as balanced with clear highs, warm vocals and improved bass. Connectivity, battery life and build quality receive additional positive comments, with multipoint/bluetooth stability and roughly a day’s battery life cited across reviews.

Criticisms cluster around missing or limited features (26 mentions) such as lack of ear detection/auto-pause, no USB-C audio or wireless charging, and constrained app EQ or control customization. Many reviewers also raise broader concerns (25 mentions) including channel imbalance reports, limited passive wired use (requiring battery), and disappointment that the upgrade feels incremental for owners of QC45s. Value is questioned by a sizable group (19 mentions) who call the pricing high relative to the improvements and competitors, and connectivity/codec limitations, plasticky build impressions, and mixed comments on bass or tonal choices are recurring downsides noted by reviewers.

Analysis based on 19 YouTube reviews (2h 58m of video) with 293 pros and 140 cons extracted.

Pros (293)

Cons (140)

Review sources

• Don’t take it from me - Bose QuietComfort Ultra by ShortCircuit — 32 pros, 7 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Problems & Best Features after 1 Month) by Mike O'Brien — 30 pros, 7 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Review - Why Does It Exist? by Babbling Boolean — 11 pros, 23 cons
• 16 BIGGEST ISSUES with the Bose QuietComfort ULTRA Headphones by The French Glow — 17 pros, 15 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra After One Year: Still Worth $430? by Oscarmini — 23 pros, 7 cons
• Bose QC Ultra Headphones Review: New ANC King? by CNET — 19 pros, 11 cons
• My Favorite Headphones Ever, Bose QuietComfort (2023) by Fstoppers — 21 pros, 7 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Headphones: Move Over Sony? by Smart Home Sounds — 18 pros, 9 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review In Five Minutes! by SoundGuys — 21 pros, 6 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Headphones: Overview by Abt Electronics — 12 pros, 8 cons
• Bose QuietComfort Unboxing And First Impressions - Hopefully This Isn't A Downgrade by GYMCADDY — 12 pros, 8 cons
• The New Bose QC Ultra Headphones by Unbox Therapy — 18 pros, 1 cons
• Bose Quietcomfort II True Wireless Review: The Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds? by Review Boss — 10 pros, 8 cons
• Bose QuietComfort 2023 - Flawed Design by The Headphone Show — 10 pros, 7 cons
• Are the Bose QC45 the PERFECT headphones? by Mark Ellis Reviews — 12 pros, 3 cons
• New Bose QuietComfort - Long Term Review by Vladimir Kostek — 7 pros, 7 cons
• Unboxing and Review - Bose New QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones by The Digital Basket — 11 pros, 2 cons
• Get these if you want a BOSE HEADPHONE - Bose Quietcomfort SE Review by LeechTM — 5 pros, 3 cons
• The Latest Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Audio Samples with App Walkthrough by Tools. Electro. DIY — 4 pros, 1 cons

Frequently asked questions