Bose QuietComfort 25 vs 15: Which Is The Best Bang For Your Buck?

Bose makes quality headphones. Everybody knows that. I personally have several pairs and I love them all.

In this post, I review two sets of headphones from Bose: the Bose QuietComfort 25 and QuietComfort 15.

Both these headphones have the signature Bose sound and are some of the best available in the market. Audiophiles in general love Bose headphones and these two are excellent choices if you want a good value.

Are Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones Any Good?

Yes, Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones are good headphones. In fact, they’re very high-quality headphones.

They have deep base, noise cancellation, and are also very durable.

I personally tested these headphones and I walked away very impressed. I was most impressed with how deep the bass sounded to my ears. It almost sounded like a sub woofer was setting next to my ear!

On top of that, I loved how well the noise cancellation worked.

To test the noise cancellation, I pumped some music from my iPhone to the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones and then walked around a few different noisy environments.

I was able to hear my tv through the headphones but I had to crank the tv’s volume louder than I normally would to hear it with my headphones on.

With the noise cancelling feature still turned on, I walked down the street where there was plenty of traffic. I was in musical bliss. The hustle bustle to my left didn’t register to my ears at all.

In fact, the noise canceling effects worked perfectly everywhere I went.

Are Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones A Good Value?

Yes, Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones are a good value.

Because these models have been replaced with newer ones like the QuietComfort 35 and 45, you can get amazing prices on Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones.

The best part is these older models are still amazing headphones.

Now, some people are about to buy a set of Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones but you’re curious about the older QuietComfort 15 headphones. Which ones are the better buy?

We’ll tell you! Read on.

Bose QuietComfort 25 vs 15: Pros & Cons

All headphones have their unique characteristics. Some might sound better and others will be more comfortable. Some burn through batteries like nobody’s business and others are more efficient.

This is why we will compare these two headphones across different categories and rate them in each category, so you can make the best choice.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Design

In my hands, the Bose QuietComfort25 headphones feel very well designed. Plus, they are very good-looking headphones. The ear pads are oval and comfortable. The finish is a metallic black which gives the headphones a very elegant look.

The ear pads of QC 15 is round whereas that of Bose QuietComfort 25 is oval. Both have a metallic finish on the outer side of the ear pads.

QC 15 is white in color overall and comes with mustard colored ear pads. The design is aesthetic and looks good.

Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones come in black and its variations with a metallic finish and in my opinion, this gives it a richer look when compared to QC 15 that scores high on elegance.

I took them outside to see how the light reflected off the metallic finish. It looks pretty cool. It’s not as metallic as a car’s paint job but it definitely looks classy.

Bose has aimed to fix some of the flaws that were pointed out by users in QC 15, in their Bose QuietComfort 25 model. One such drawback in the QuietComfort 15 is that it was hard to identify which ear cup was for which ear.

In the Bose QuietComfort 25 model, that flaw is fixed as it comes with clear markings for both the right and left side ear pads. There is an “R” and “L” printed on the inner side for this indication.

When I compared the weight of both pairs of headphones, I noticed that the Bose QuietComfort 25 feels a bit heavier. In today’s trend of going light, you would think that the subsequent version of a product would weigh lighter, but that’s not the case here. The heavier weight didn’t make the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones feel uncomfortable to me though. Once the headphones were on my head, I couldn’t really tell the difference.

One cool aspect about the design on Bose QuietComfort 25 is that although they’re solidly built, they can also collapse into a smaller form factor. I wasn’t able to fit them into my large cargo pants pocket when they were folded.

However, I was able to fit them in my small fanny pack. It can be handy if you don’t want to carry a backpack.

Both the headphones come in a nice-looking case, though the older QC 15’s case is better than that of Bose QuietComfort 25. The case of QC 15 is not really a case, rather it is a Velcro pouch. But it is super convenient to use while still offering good protection.

While the Bose QuietComfort 25 comes in a hard rectangular shaped case, it’s not very convenient to use. To get the headphones into the case, you have to fold it in a very particular way and it’s a little aggravating . So, overall I prefer the Bose QuietComfort 15 model.

Lastly, let’s look at the cord. The cord of Bose QuietComfort 15 feels cheap and flimsy and it almost looks like it will start breaking down after a few weeks of use.

Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones, on the other hand, have a much better cord. It’s sturdier and thicker. As a result, it’s bound to last longer.

Another aspect when it comes to cables is that QC 15 uses two proprietary cables. This means if your cables are damaged, you’ll have to buy them from Bose. There is no option for third party cables.

Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones are better because you can fit an adapter at the end for some measure of flexibility.

That said, they are still proprietary and you have no flexibility in this aspect.

Also, it’s worth noting that both sets were designed to work with both Apple devices and Android Devices. You can answer calls perfectly from either one.

Now, time to decide which of the two is better in terms of design. With respect to design, both are good. While one looks more elegant, the other looks more professional and rich.

With respect to the case, the QuietComfort 15 is better while Bose QuietComfort 25 has a better cable. So, considering all these aspects as well as the convenience of ear cup markings, I definitely think the Bose QuietComfort 25 model edges out the QC 15, but only by a small margin.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Comfort VS 15

Bose is known to prioritize comfort in their headphones. I have personally given away headphones that sounded good but just weren’t comfortable to wear for long stints.

During my testing of both of these sets of headphones, I wore each pair for a couple of days each.

While the QuietComfort 15’s were nice for a little while, they bothered me after an hour or so. These headphones cause a weird pressure feeling in your ears and this makes them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It’s hard to explain this feeling, but it is definitely not something you can wear for more than a few hours.

You can replace the QuietComfort QC15 and QC earpads so maybe that might be worth a try.

Also, if you have any questions about your headphones after you buy them, you can always reach out to Bose directly with questions. Everybody has good things to say about Bose customer support.

QC 15s feel soft and comfortable and they’re made of good quality ear pads. They have a great fit too and the sit nicely on your head without making you feel uncomfortable (as long as it’s not for a long period of time).

Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones, on the other hand, are super comfortable. The clamp feel is also just right on the ears. If you have the habit of wearing your headphones around your neck, Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones are great because they don’t press in on your neck.

The ear pads are made out of soft and nice-feeling materials and have a nice and cushiony feel to them. The soft leather combined with memory foam cushion on the outside in incredibly comfortable.

Also, the ear pads are large, so they fit well into ears of any size and this makes it more usable and versatile, especially if you are used to sharing your headphones with other members in your family. This means, you and your kids can use the same pair of headphones and both of you will feel comfortable wearing it.

There is a significant difference in the materials used for headband too. The headband of QC 15s has a faux leather type of padding. While this is comfortable, the material used in QC 25’s headband is much better and softer than the ones used in QC 15.

The material used in Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones is called Alcantara and this is the same material used in some high-end sports cars. It contains about 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane.

Alcantara is used in Porsche cars for a reason. It’s luxurious. Take my word for it. It’s amazing. This one aspect makes the Bose QuietComfort 25 model seem twice as nice as the 15’s. It really adds a high-quality feel.

Though QuietComfort 15 is comfortable enough for short jam sessions, the Bose QuietComfort 25 that really shines in the comfort category.

The final word? Hands down, my choice for comfort is Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones because the padding, fit, and Alcantara all add up to a premium experience.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Battery Life vs QC15

Both the headphones require AAA battery to run. The noise cancelling feature will make the batteries drain faster too.

Though the use of AAA batteries may seem a bit outdated (as opposed to rechargeable batteries), some people still prefer real batteries because they can use the headphones whenever they want without having to wait for the rechargeable battery to charge.

I use rechargeable AAA batteries so I get the best of both worlds. I just carry some extras with me if I’m going on a road trip with my headphones.

Of course, you can use regular old school batteries if you like living like a cave man. It’ll cost you a few bucks a month to live like that though! You can expect your batteries to last about 35 hours in both the headphones, provided you don’t turn on the noise cancelling feature. If you do, it’ll last for quiet a bit less than that..

In this day and age of the rechargeable battery, it is surprising that Bose preferred AAA batteries for both these models.

I tested both pairs by logging my hours while listening to music without the noise cancel feature. The Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones lasted 32 and a half hours before the batteries died. Surprisingly, the older model QuietComfort 21 lasted 34 hours.

Maybe because I was listening to faster music on the new model! Just kidding. I bet if I were to test them a few times, they would average out.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Sound Quality vs 15

The sound quality in both QuietComfort 25 and QC 15 are great. In fact, they’re about the best in the industry.

That said, there is a world of difference between how the same piece of music sounds on these headphones. In a way, it is a little surprising because QC 25 is supposed to be the next version of QC 15, so you don’t really expect much difference in sound quality. They do though!

But that’s the way Bose made them and it could also be because Bose wanted each headphone to have its own sound signature!

QC 15 is a slightly toned down version of QC 25. It offers balanced and smooth sounds that make for a pleasant listening experience. There is nothing too jarring and out of place and everything blends well together in a nice way.

There is nothing significant about the lows, highs or the mid-range tones. These tones simply sound the way they should and this is why you hear the right note for every sound.

The bass exists, but again it is not something that is prominent. There are many headphones that ruin the experience of listening by going heavy on the bass. QC 15 does nothing of the sort. It simply relays back great sound, as accurately as possible.

If you’re expecting something outlandish or bright, then QC 15 headphones are not the ones for you.

Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones has an amazing sound quality as well. Every detail is well-captured and there is a degree of crispness in every note. All the sounds are crystal clear and it truly takes listening to new heights.

Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones have decent bass but it’s not strong or overpowering. If you want the bass to rattle your eardrums, you should shop elsewhere. These headphones were designed to be acoustically balanced and to reproduce music accurately and cleanly. You won’t find crazy bass here.

Another aspect about QC 25 is the highs are not as clear as they could be, especially when you listen to it at high volumes. At times, you can notice sharp transitions at highs. But everything in the middle and lower notes are on point and make for an enjoyable listening.

Overall, QC 15 a well balanced, accurate sound. They sound great and I had no complaints. They just didn’t sound as nice as the QC 25’s.

On the other hand, QC 25’s clarity in the mid-range and lower tones, as well as the lack of white sound, make it ideal for genres such as acoustic, jazz, pop, Indie and other forms of laid-back music, as they have a balanced sound output.

Out of the two, which is better? Obviously, the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones sound better. Bose did their homework when they created this masterpiece.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Noise Cancelling vs 15

One of the signatures of Bose headphones is their noise cancelling feature. Over the years Bose has perfected it so well that today Bose is the leader in the area of noise cancelling technology. And this expertise reflects in its headphones as well.

QC 15 was one of the first headphones to come with noise cancelling technology. When it was released, QC 15 was the go-to headphone for anyone who wanted to listen to good music in a noisy environment.

But today, it is not one of the best headphones though some die-hard QC 15 fans will not agree to it! This is because newer models have made use of technological advancements to provide better noise cancelling.

The perfect example of that would be QC 25. It is considered to be one of the best noise cancelling headphones available in the market today.  When you turn on the noise cancelling mode, about 85% of the surrounding noises fade away and you can hardly hear anything except the music that’s playing in your ears.

This aspect makes QC 25 the perfect choice for noisy environments. It is ideal if you travel by public transport every day or if you have to take calls in public places or just about anywhere else that tends to be noisy.

Plus, the QC 25s have both active and passive noise cancellation, especially at the lower frequencies. Though the same feature is available in QC 15, there is a strange noise that comes out of the headphones when you turn on the active noise cancellation feature. Thankfully, that noise is eliminated in QC 25.

The winner is clearly the QC 25. They are simply one of the best noise cancelling headphones among all the different models across different manufacturers that I have tested so far.

QuietComfort15 Advantages vs Disadvantages

QuietComfort 25 Advantages VS Disadvantages

These are the strong pros and cons of the Bose QuietComfort 15 and 25 headphones. We hope this chart provides a broad understanding on what to expect from these headphones.

The Bottom Line

The Bose QuietComfort 25‘s sound better, they’re more comfortable, and they look better. These are all advantages. Disadvantages? The 25’s will cost a bit more.

They are worth it. They are definitely the more premium headphones.

Bose updated the older QuietComfort 15 for a reason. They had a better design. Don’t settle for the older model when the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones are clearly the better choice.