Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Nothing Ear (1)
The Verdict
Bose QuietComfort 45 and Nothing Ear (1) serve different use cases at vastly different price points. The Bose delivers superior comfort for extended wear with its 240g over-ear design, exceptional 24-hour battery life on a single charge, and industry-leading ANC that creates a genuine sound bubble. Multipoint connection allows seamless switching between two devices simultaneously, a feature absent in the Nothing earbuds. However, Nothing Ear (1) earbuds offer impressive performance at one-third the price, featuring IPX4 water resistance, wireless charging, and dual ANC modes (Light and Maximum) that rival much pricier competitors. The 11.6mm dynamic driver handles mids and highs competently, though lacks the refined character of Bose's proprietary drivers. Battery life differs dramatically: Bose manages 24 hours continuously while Nothing provides only 4 hours with ANC active, requiring the charging case frequently. Choose Bose QuietComfort 45 if you prioritize all-day comfort, premium noise cancellation, and don't mind carrying over-ear headphones. Pick Nothing Ear (1) if portability matters more and you're willing to recharge frequently in exchange for exceptional value and water resistance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Bose QuietComfort 45 if…
- →Legendary Bose ANC is among the best in the industry
- →Incredibly comfortable for all-day wear with plush ear cushions
- →Lightweight at 240 g — easy to forget you're wearing them
Buy the Nothing Ear (1) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- →ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- →Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort 45
Pros
- Legendary Bose ANC is among the best in the industry
- Incredibly comfortable for all-day wear with plush ear cushions
- Lightweight at 240 g — easy to forget you're wearing them
- 24-hour battery handles long trips without charging
- Reliable Bose sound signature with warm, balanced audio
Cons
- No LDAC or aptX — limited to SBC/AAC codecs
- No water resistance for outdoor or gym use
- Cannot adjust ANC levels — only full ANC or Aware mode
- Aware mode sounds less natural than Sony's ambient mode
Nothing Ear (1)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
- Squeeze gesture controls are intuitive and precise
- Qi wireless charging case adds convenience
Cons
- 4-hour ANC battery life is quite short
- No multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
- ANC is mild — doesn't match premium competitors
- Limited codec support — AAC and SBC only
- Transparent case shows dust and scratches easily
Full Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort 45 | Nothing Ear (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | over-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 240 g | 4.7 g (each) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 hrs | 4 hrs (ANC on), 5.7 hrs (ANC off), 24 hrs total with case (ANC off) |
| Charging | USB-C, 15 min = 3 hrs playback | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | Bose proprietary driver | 11.6mm dynamic driver |
| Features | Active Noise Cancellation, Aware mode (transparency), Bose SimpleSync, Adjustable EQ via Bose Music app, Multipoint connection | Active Noise Cancellation with two modes (Light and Maximum), Transparency Mode, In-ear detection for auto play/pause, Nothing app with EQ customization, Squeeze gesture controls on stems |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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