# Bose QuietComfort Headphones (Sandstone) review: comfort before features

A soft, folding travel design remains appealing, but bass-heavy tuning, limited connectivity, and call-quality caveats make the price important.

- Canonical: https://reviewblip.com/reviews/bose-quietcomfort-headphones-sandstone-review/
- Published: 2026-10-29T12:00:58.892Z
- Updated: 2026-10-29T12:00:58.892Z
- Author: ReviewBlip
- Category: Audio
- Type: Review. No hands-on testing claimed.

![Bose QuietComfort Headphones in Sandstone, complete official product view](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/161f5fdd5ceef7e188788f36d63856bc8a18023ad42f57e3dada40ff99a541d6)

Image credit: Bose official product image

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones in Sandstone are the 2023 over-ear model in a muted color finish, not the newer second-generation headphones or the Ultra series. They suit travelers and desk listeners who want a light, folding pair with physical controls and noise cancellation. Their appeal depends on price: comfort remains a reason to choose them, but limited audio connectivity and battery life make a substantial discount more persuasive than paying a premium for the color.

## Cushioned earcups and a compact travel case

The padded headband and soft ear cushions spread the roughly 240-gram weight comfortably. Light clamping pressure helps during extended listening, while the earcups fold into the included hard case. That compact package is easier to accommodate in a carry-on than headphones that only swivel flat. The Sandstone finish changes the appearance; it does not turn these into a different generation of QuietComfort hardware.

Buttons handle volume, playback, and listening modes without relying on touch gestures. The left earcup's action button switches between noise cancellation and Aware mode, which lets surrounding sound through. Aware is useful when a conversation matters more than shutting out distractions. There is no water-resistance rating, so these belong in a work bag or airplane seat rather than a sweaty workout.

Noise cancellation reduces steady transport rumble and everyday background noise, although its effectiveness should not be confused with complete silence. Assessments vary over how well it suppresses nearby conversation and wind. The comfortable fit helps form a seal, but voices and sudden sounds can still intrude. Listeners chiefly concerned with travel comfort have a stronger reason to buy than someone expecting every office interruption to disappear.

## Warm bass with limited tuning control

The sound leans warm, with prominent bass and vocals that can sit farther back in the mix. That weight can make electronic music enjoyable, but it also risks obscuring the midrange. Judgments on the tuning differ substantially: the fuller presentation can sound pleasing and detailed, or overly bass-heavy with uneven treble. It is not a safe recommendation for listeners seeking a consistently neutral balance.

The app's three-band equalizer adjusts bass, mids, and treble. It allows broad changes rather than precise correction of individual frequency regions, so it cannot guarantee that every listener will resolve those tonal reservations. Owners of the QuietComfort 45 should not assume that the newer tuning alone justifies replacing a comfortable, functioning pair.

## Bluetooth convenience, older wired limitations

Bluetooth 5.1 supports SBC and AAC, with multipoint for connecting two devices. There is no aptX or LDAC support. Wired listening uses the supplied analog cable; USB-C handles charging but does not carry audio on this generation. Buyers comparing similarly named Bose models should check that distinction before purchasing.

Bose rates playback at up to 24 hours. That is useful for commuting, but longer-lasting rivals reduce the appeal for people who dislike frequent charging. Calls are another caution: background-noise rejection and unusual microphone artifacts have drawn criticism. These are easier to recommend for listening than for someone whose workday revolves around calls.

## Verdict

The Sandstone QuietComfort Headphones fit buyers who prioritize soft cushions, straightforward buttons, and a folding travel design. Their noise cancellation and comfortable fit support long listening sessions, and the warm sound may appeal if bass weight matters more than analytical precision.

Buy them at a price that reflects their older hardware. Limited EQ, inconsistent call performance, and the absence of USB-C audio weaken the case at premium pricing. Consider the Sony WH-1000XM5 for broader audio features or the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless for a competing listening option; existing QC45 owners have little reason to upgrade solely for this finish.