Bose SoundLink Around Ear II
Score: 76/100
Bose QuietComfort 45
Score: 78/100Rankings
The Bose QuietComfort 45 are over-ear wireless headphones offering industry-leading active noise cancellation and up to 22 hours of battery life with ANC on. They fall short on high-resolution Bluetooth codecs and have a heavier feel than advertised. Ideal for travelers and office workers who prioritize ANC and comfort.
The Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless II headphones offer 15 hours of playback, dual-mic HD Voice, and a comfortable over-ear design. They lack active noise cancellation and use legacy Bluetooth 2.1, limiting modern features. Suitable for commuters and office users who value comfort and call quality.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
15 hours | 22 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 200 gbest | 444 g |
| ↓ lower better | 15 minutesbest | 15 minutesbest |
9 m | 9.14 mbest | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Battery Life (hours) | 15 hours | 22 hours |
Features(2) | ||
Active Noise Cancellation | false | true |
Noise Cancellation Type | Passive | Active |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 2.1 | 5.1 |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 200 g | 444 g |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the SoundLink Around-Ear II for its solid 15-hour battery life, clear call performance with dual-mic HD Voice, and comfortable, durable design, while noting the lack of ANC, some sound leakage, and the omission of a wall charger as drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for comfort, deep bass, reliable Bluetooth range, easy controls, and quick NFC pairing, but many report sound leakage, the absence of active noise cancellation, occasional multipoint glitches, and wish for a companion EQ app.
“Very light”
Professional reviewers commend the QC45 for its best-in-class ANC, lightweight comfort, solid build quality, and convenient USB-C charging, while noting that its sound signature is merely average and it lacks high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, keeping it a step behind the very top-tier competitors.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the headphones for being very light, comfortable for long periods, and effective at cancelling noise during travel, but they frequently mention that the packaged weight feels heavier than expected and that the audio quality is only average, with a desire for better codec support.
