I replaced my premium headphones with this classic Bose pair – and didn't regret it

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are on sale for $249, $100 off their retail price. According to Bose, this deal is valid until June 15, 2025.

I have an arsenal of premium consumer headphones. The Sony XM6, Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Beats Studio Pro, Sonos Ace, and more all sit in my home office for me to swap in and out for long-term testing. In between my testing, there’s one pair of headphones I reach for when I want a simple, enjoyable, and reliable listening experience: The Bose QuietComfort Headphones.

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These headphones, released in 2023, are the successor to the QuietComfort 45. This headphone lineup features Bose’s classic design and only the necessary software features. It stays true to its namesake, providing excellent noise cancellation and hours-long comfort.

They’re simple and bare-bones without skimping on the essentials, which is why I often choose them over the others.

Comfort for days

Like all of the headphones and earbuds in Bose’s QuietComfort family, the midrange QC headphones are comfortable enough to wear for a long-haul flight or an entire day sitting at a desk. They’re only slightly lighter than the QC Ultra and Sony XM6, but significantly lighter than the Apple AirPods Max. 

Their build is mostly plastic, which contributes to their lightweight frame. The headband yokes connect to the side of the earcups, giving them more flexibility to conform to your ears. The clamping force is firm without being tight, and the protein leather earpads are plushy and thick. They’re no less comfortable than the QC Ultra, so you’re not sacrificing comfort for a lower price.

A simple and reliable user experience

The QuietComfort headphones are a solid option for people who want a no-frills headphone experience without feeling like they bought a pair of cheap headphones. They don’t have spatial audio, touch controls, or a bunch of fancy software features. 

You get an on/off switch, volume and track control buttons, and a multifunction button that hardly has multiple functions anyway. They’re a solid option for people looking for a pair of everyday headphones that can accompany them on their morning commute to the office. 

Also: Why these headphones are still the best from Bose – even though they’re a year old

The noise cancellation is sufficient, and I don’t have to worry about accidentally triggering touch controls or fiddling around with my phone to get my settings right.

Uncomplicated design features

The QuietComfort headphones have a straightforward design, consisting of physical buttons and a metal headband extender that clicks into place instead of slides. I’m a staunch touch control hater, and it’s one of the few issues I have with the QC Ultra and XM6, which rely heavily on swipes and taps. Buttons and sliders will always be my preference, especially when they’re well-situated on the earcup. 

Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra: How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones

Although their design is very simple, Bose gives these headphones lots of love with frequent color refreshes. Aside from the Open Ultra earbuds, the QuietComfort headphones have the most color options to choose from. These headphones feature a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired listening, an almost ancient relic in many new consumer headphones. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

For the everyday person who wants excellent noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and few distracting or unnecessary software features, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the way to go. Do they offer the most sophisticated listening experience? No, you can certainly find better audio quality elsewhere. However, they’re adept for daily commuting, working in the office, or frequent flying. 

If you’re still rocking the Bose QuietComfort 45s, you know that these headphones can do the job for years. Bose may experiment with the design and naming scheme of its flagship over-ears, but the company knows the midrange QuietComfort line doesn’t need much tweaking, which should tell you how solid they are.

As I always say, the best time to buy headphones is when they’re on sale. On a good day, you can find the QuietComfort headphones for as low as $249. When that happens, snag a pair, and you won’t regret it.