Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones

When background noise makes a playlist or podcast hard to follow, these Bose QuietComfort headphones offer active noise cancellation plus a passive over-ear seal to help quiet distractions. Switch to Aware Mode when you want to hear more of your surroundings, or use Quiet Mode for fuller noise cancellation. The padded band and plush ear cushions are designed for longer listening sessions, while adjustable EQ lets you change bass, midrange, and treble to suit your taste.

Quick overview

These are wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones with a useful mix of listening controls. The listed battery life is up to 24 hours per charge, and a 15-minute USB-C charge is said to add up to 2.5 hours of playback. Those figures make them suited to a long stretch of listening without frequent charging, though actual battery life can vary with use.

The choice between Quiet and Aware modes is more practical than a single noise-canceling setting: Quiet is for reducing distractions, while Aware is intended to let outside sound through. For example, you could use Quiet while focusing at home, then switch to Aware before walking through a busy public space. Adjustable EQ is another helpful touch if you prefer more bass or want to tune the midrange and treble rather than stick with one fixed sound profile.

How to use it

Pair the headphones over Bluetooth for wireless listening, and use the multipoint feature to switch between connected devices without disconnecting and reconnecting each time. That can be handy when moving from a computer to a cell phone during the day. The included audio cable provides another route: plug it in to listen without a Bluetooth connection, including when the battery is depleted.

The Bose app is available for software updates and access to the latest features. Keep in mind that the product information does not give a weight or specific fit measurements, so you can’t judge how the padded band will feel on your head without that measurement. The cushions and band are described as plush and padded, but individual comfort can still depend on fit.

Practical tips

Choose Quiet when blocking distractions matters most, and Aware when hearing more of your environment is the priority. If the sound balance isn’t to your liking, adjust bass, midrange, and treble with the EQ controls instead of assuming the default profile is your only option. For a long listening session away from a charger, the stated battery life is a useful planning guide, for a drained battery, the included cable means Bluetooth isn’t the only way to listen.

Compared with basic headphones that lack noise-canceling modes, these give you more control over how much outside sound you hear. They also offer a wired fallback, but shoppers who need detailed fit measurements or a stated weight may want that information before choosing an over-ear design.

Questions before you buy

Can you use them without Bluetooth? Yes. The included audio cable has an in-line microphone and can be used without a Bluetooth connection, including when the battery is depleted.

Can you hear your surroundings without removing them? Aware Mode is designed to let outside sound through, Quiet Mode provides fuller noise cancellation.

What does the Bose app add? It provides software updates and access to the latest features. The product details don’t specify further app functions.

When it makes sense

It suits you if you want over-ear headphones with noise-canceling and awareness modes, adjustable EQ, multipoint Bluetooth, and a wired listening option. The combination works well for someone who moves between focused listening and situations where hearing the environment matters. It might not be a great match if you want an open-ear style, need specific fit or weight figures before buying, or prefer a simpler pair without app-based updates and sound controls. Choose them for flexible listening options, look elsewhere if those added controls don’t address a real need for you.