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Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2023

93
/ 100
From $429
VS
Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black wins by 5
Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
Specdex verdict

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black lands at 93 and Bose QC45 at 88. That puts Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Bose QC45 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black leads on sound (93 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black leads on anc (91 vs 86).

Comfort

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Long-session wearability

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black leads on comfort (92 vs 87).

Value for money

Bose QC45

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QC45 more score per dollar ($329 vs $429).

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black 93
vs
88 Bose QC45

Score breakdown

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black
93
anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89
Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black versus Bose QC45 — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black Bose QC45
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2023
2021

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Bose QC45

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black vs Bose QC45

Which is better, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $429, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in sound.

Is Bose QC45 worth the price? +

At $329, Bose QC45 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Bose QC45 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black — leads on sound (93 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black — leads on anc (91 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.