If you searched for bose comfort 25, you’re almost certainly looking for the Bose QuietComfort 25 (QC25) — Bose’s legendary wired noise cancelling headphones. Two things to get straight up front. First, Bose never sold a product literally called the “Comfort 25”; every result for this keyword points to the QuietComfort 25, and this guide covers it under both names. Second, the QC25 has been discontinued for years, so this is a legacy buying guide, not a new-product review: our analysis is built on published specifications, retailer listings, and long-running owner reports, because no new units exist to lab-test. Here’s what the QC25 still does well, where you can find one, and which modern Bose models genuinely replace it.
| Sound Quality | 9.0 |
| Noise Cancelling | 8.8 |
| Comfort & Design | 9.2 |
| Battery & Power | 8.0 |
| Call Quality | 7.8 |
| Value (Renewed) | 7.4 |
This 8.6 reflects the QC25 as a product. In 2026, buying one means the renewed/used market — read the discontinued-status section first.
Bose QuietComfort 25 Specs at a Glance
| Specification | Bose Comfort 25 (QuietComfort 25) |
|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear, closed-back, wired |
| Noise control | Active noise cancelling (analog ANC, on/off switch on earcup) |
| Driver | Dynamic driver with Bose TriPort acoustic architecture |
| Sound processing | Bose Active EQ |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz–20 kHz (per retailer listings) |
| Battery | 1 × AAA; up to 35 hours of listening with ANC on |
| Unpowered listening | Yes — music keeps playing without ANC when the battery dies |
| Connection | Detachable wired cable; 3.5mm plug (device side) |
| Inline remote & mic | Answer/end calls, volume up/down, play/pause — separate Apple/iOS and Samsung/Android cable variants |
| Bluetooth | None — wired only |
| Weight | ~196 g (approx. 6.9 oz) |
| Colors | Black, White |
| Design | Foldable earcups that pivot flat; hard carrying case included |
| In the box | QC25 headphones, 56-inch inline remote/mic cable, airline adapter, AAA battery, carrying case |
| Status | Discontinued — replaced by the wireless QuietComfort 35 |
Bose Comfort 25 Design & Build
The QC25 is a straightforward wired over-ear headphone. The earcups pivot to fold flat into a compact hard carrying case — exactly why it became a travel-bag staple. Build quality was a strong point in its era: owners routinely report pairs surviving many years of commuting and flights.
One practical detail matters when buying today: Bose sold the QC25 in two cable variants — an Apple (iOS) version and a Samsung/Android version. The difference is the inline remote: volume and music controls on each cable are optimized for its platform. Both pass audio through any 3.5mm jack, so either works for listening — but match the remote variant to your phone.
Noise Cancelling Performance
The QC25’s reputation was built on its noise cancelling. This is analog ANC — no app, no modes, no firmware updates: one switch on the right earcup turns cancellation on, and Bose’s circuitry monitors ambient noise and cancels it out. At release it was the best-performing wired ANC on the market, and it still handles constant low-frequency noise — airplane cabin drone, office hum — convincingly.
The wired nature is actually a hidden strength here. Because the signal arrives over a cable, there’s zero Bluetooth latency — the QC25 is genuinely usable for video editing and gaming, where wireless ANC headphones can lag. And the AAA battery detail is a feature, not a bug, for travelers: you can swap a fresh cell mid-trip instead of hunting for a USB port. ANC runs up to 35 hours per AAA cell. When the cell dies, the music keeps playing passively — only the noise cancellation drops out.
Sound Quality
Bose’s pitch for the QC25 was crisp, powerful sound driven by two proprietary technologies: Active EQ, which adjusts the balance as volume changes, and TriPort, Bose’s acoustic porting design for fuller low end. In practice the QC25 is tuned the way Bose tuned everything in that era — warm, enjoyable, slightly bass-forward rather than studio-neutral, a signature that flatters pop, hip-hop, and movie soundtracks.
The wired connection gives the QC25 a quiet edge over budget wireless pairs: with no Bluetooth codec compression in the chain, lossless files arrive intact. Modern flagships out-resolve it on detail and soundstage, but the QC25’s presentation is still pleasant — and for a renewed-market price, it’s a lot of listenable sound.
Comfort & Fit: Where the “Comfort 25” Name Earns Its Keep
The keyword says “comfort,” and this is the section the QC25 was made for. At roughly 196 grams with soft cushions and modest clamping force, the QC25 is famously an all-day headphone — owners consistently describe wearing it through entire long-haul flights without fatigue. The over-ear cups fully enclose the ear rather than pressing on it, and the lightweight frame avoids the hot-spot pressure heavier ANC flagships can cause.
This matters for buying advice: comfort is the single most durable advantage a legacy Bose pair has over cheap modern ANC headphones. Sound can be matched; sustained wearability is harder to copy. If your use case is hours of continuous wear — flying, office work, long study sessions — the QC25’s comfort engineering is exactly what you’re paying for on the renewed market. Compare current travel picks in our best noise cancelling headphones for travel roundup.
Battery & Power: The AAA Advantage
The QC25 runs on a single AAA battery — up to 35 hours of ANC listening per cell. There’s no USB charging, no battery-percentage readout, and no modern battery anxiety: when the cell runs down, you replace it in seconds from any corner store.
The trade-off is that you’re buying batteries forever, and the ANC switch must be on for cancellation (the headphones still play music passively when it’s off or the cell is dead). One caution when buying renewed or used: check the battery compartment for corrosion from old cells — a quick visual inspection before purchase saves a headache.
The Honest Truth: The Bose Comfort 25 Is Discontinued
Bose discontinued the QuietComfort 25 years ago, replacing it with the wireless QuietComfort 35. Bose no longer sells the QC25 new, and no new units exist. What you’ll find today are renewed and third-party marketplace listings — Amazon still carries live QC25 listings, but they come and go as individual sellers list stock, and condition grades vary.
If you buy one, buy smart:
- Check the listing type. Renewed/marketplace offers are the norm; stock fluctuates, so confirm availability and seller ratings before paying.
- Match the cable variant. Apple and Android inline remotes differ — pick the one for your phone.
- Inspect the cushions. Ear pads wear out over the years; replacement cushions are widely available, so a worn pair isn’t a dealbreaker if the price reflects it.
- Check the battery compartment. Look for corrosion from old AAA cells in used units.
- Be skeptical of “new” listings. No new QC25s exist. A listing claiming brand-new stock at retail price is a red flag.
- Confirm returns. With any renewed audio gear, a workable return policy is part of the price.
We checked Amazon’s live listings for this guide: both variants are listed, but only through renewed and third-party sellers — not Bose retail stock. Availability shifts, so verify the current offer before committing.
Modern Alternatives to the Bose Comfort 25
If you want the QC25 experience without the renewed-market gamble, here is where the line actually went:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The current Bose flagship over-ear ANC — wireless, with far stronger noise cancelling, modern comfort, and immersive audio. This is the direct spiritual successor for most buyers. We compared it head-to-head against Sony’s best in our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 guide.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023 refresh) / QC45. The wireless QuietComfort line that replaced the QC25’s position in the lineup — same comfort-first philosophy, modern Bluetooth and battery.
- No current wired ANC from Bose. This is the honest gap: the QC25’s exact wired formula has no modern equivalent. If you want wired — zero latency, no charging, in-flight entertainment systems — the niche is orphaned, which is exactly why renewed pairs still sell.
For flight-specific picks, compare the current field in our best headphones for airplane guide. And if you’re weighing the whole legacy Bose lineup, our Bose QC20 review covers the QC25’s in-ear sibling, which shares the same AAA-era design philosophy.
Bose Comfort 25 FAQs
What is the “Bose Comfort 25”?
It’s the Bose QuietComfort 25 (QC25). Bose never sold a model literally called the “Comfort 25” — the keyword is shorthand, and every search result for it points to the QC25, a wired over-ear noise cancelling headphone now discontinued.
Is the Bose QuietComfort 25 discontinued?
Yes. Bose discontinued the QC25 years ago, replacing it with the wireless QuietComfort 35. Bose does not sell it new; available units come from renewed and third-party marketplace sellers.
Is the Bose QC25 worth buying in 2026?
It can be — if you want a comfortable wired ANC headphone and find a well-graded renewed unit at a price reflecting its age. Buy with eyes open: check cushions, the battery compartment, the cable variant, and the return policy. If you want modern wireless performance and a warranty, buy a current Bose model instead.
Does the Bose QuietComfort 25 have Bluetooth?
No. The QC25 is wired only — a detachable cable with a 3.5mm device-side plug. There is no Bluetooth, no app, and no wireless mode.
What’s the difference between the Apple and Android QC25 versions?
The inline remote cable. The Apple variant’s remote is optimized for iOS devices; the Samsung/Android variant’s remote is optimized for Android. Both pass audio through any 3.5mm jack — only the remote controls behave differently per platform.
What replaced the Bose QuietComfort 25?
The wireless QuietComfort 35 took its place in the lineup. Today, the current Bose flagship is the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Bose has no current wired ANC over-ear, so the QC25’s exact wired formula has no direct modern equivalent.
Can I still use the QC25 if the AAA battery dies?
Yes. When the battery runs out, noise cancelling stops but music keeps playing passively over the cable. Swap in a fresh AAA cell and ANC comes back.
Verdict: A Travel Classic You Can Only Buy Secondhand
The QC25 earned its reputation — best-in-class wired ANC for its era, a warm enjoyable sound, comfort that frequent flyers still talk about — but its discontinued status is equally real. Our verdict: the QC25 is worth chasing on the renewed market only if you specifically want a light, comfortable, wired ANC headphone and you verify condition, cable variant, and returns before buying. For everyone else, the money is better spent on a current wireless Bose with a warranty. The QC25 remains a classic; it just isn’t a current product, and this guide won’t pretend otherwise.
I am the founder of Sound Mavericks, where I provide the polite truth about audio equipment. I started this site because consumer electronics reviews are often too technical. Instead of using a silent lab, I test headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers in the real world – like on a noisy subway or in a busy coffee shop.
To stay independent, I buy my own review units (mostly from the United States) rather than accepting free gifts from brands. Once I finish testing a product, I sell it locally to our community. My goal is to help you understand sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life without the marketing hype.
