Name: Bose QuietComfort SC Headphones
Brand: Bose

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Short verdict: The Bose QuietComfort SC is the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones in a different box – identical noise cancelling, sound, battery and comfort, but bundled with a soft case instead of a hard one and sold only in black. Because retailers regularly discount it well below the regular QuietComfort, it's one of the best-value ways to get genuinely great Bose noise cancelling in 2026. If you want the very best ANC, longer battery life and spatial audio, step up to the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen); if you want the best price-to-performance, the SC is hard to beat.

Rating: 4.5/5

Check the current price on Amazon

What is the Bose QuietComfort SC?

"SC" simply stands for soft case. Bose sells the QuietComfort SC (model number 884367-0900) through selected retailers such as Costco and Best Buy. The headphones themselves are the same Bose QuietComfort Headphones launched in 2023 – the only differences are:

a soft carry pouch instead of the hard zip case
black only (the regular QuietComfort comes in several colours)
usually a lower price – the SC is frequently discounted well below the regular model's list price

So when you read a review of the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023), everything about sound, noise cancelling and battery life applies to the SC too.

Key specs at a glance

Spec	Bose QuietComfort SC
Model number	884367-0900
Type	Over-ear, closed-back, wireless
Noise cancelling	Active (Quiet mode) + Aware mode, custom modes in the app
Battery life	Up to 24 hours
Quick charge	15 minutes = up to 2.5 hours of playback
Charging	USB-C
Bluetooth	5.1, multipoint (two devices at once)
Wired listening	2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable included (works with the battery flat)
EQ	Adjustable bass, mid and treble in the Bose app
Weight	Approx. 240 g
Colour	Black
In the box	Headphones, soft case, USB-C cable, audio cable

Design and comfort

The QuietComfort SC keeps Bose's comfort-first design: plush protein-leather ear cushions, a padded headband and low clamping force, so it's comfortable for long flights and full workdays. At around 240 g it's light for a noise cancelling over-ear, and the earcups rotate flat and fold in so it packs small – useful, because the soft pouch offers less protection than a hard case.

Is the Bose QuietComfort SC good for glasses wearers?

Yes – it's one of the better noise cancelling headphones for people who wear glasses. The gentle clamp means your frames aren't pressed hard into your temples, and the soft, deep cushions mould around the arms of your glasses. You'll get a slightly weaker seal (and therefore a little less bass and noise cancelling) with thick acetate frames, as with any over-ear headphone. Thin metal frames work best. See our best headphones for glasses wearers guide for more options and fit tips.

Noise cancelling

Noise cancelling is the main reason to buy Bose, and the QuietComfort SC is excellent at it. It uses microphones inside and outside each earcup to cancel low, constant noise – aircraft engines, train rumble, air-conditioning – and the passive seal of the cushions handles higher-pitched sounds.

Quiet mode: full noise cancelling
Aware mode: lets outside sound in so you can hear announcements or conversations without taking the headphones off
Custom modes: set your own noise cancelling level in the Bose app

The newer QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) cancels noise even more effectively, but for most commuters and travellers the SC is more than good enough.

Sound quality

Out of the box the QuietComfort SC has a clean, balanced sound with a warm, controlled bass that suits pop, rock and podcasts. The adjustable EQ in the Bose app lets you tweak bass, mid-range and treble if you want more punch or brighter vocals. It supports standard Bluetooth codecs, which is fine for streaming services; audiophiles chasing high-resolution wireless audio should look at the QC Ultra or Sony's flagships instead.

Battery life and charging

Up to 24 hours of playback per charge with noise cancelling on
15-minute quick charge gives up to 2.5 hours of listening
USB-C charging
You can still listen with the included audio cable when the battery is flat (passive wired mode)

24 hours covers a long-haul flight with room to spare, but rivals have moved on – the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) both offer around 30 hours.

Controls, calls and connectivity

Right earcup: multi-function button for play/pause and calls, plus volume buttons
Left earcup: Action button to switch between Quiet and Aware modes or trigger a shortcut
Multipoint Bluetooth: stay connected to your phone and laptop at the same time
Voice assistant access and SimpleSync pairing with Bose smart speakers and soundbars
The microphone system is good for calls in offices and at home; very windy streets are more of a challenge

Latency on Bluetooth is fine for video, but like most wireless headphones it isn't ideal for competitive gaming – use the cable, or a dedicated gaming headset.

QC SC vs QC vs QC Ultra

	QuietComfort SC	QuietComfort (2023)	QuietComfort (2nd Gen)	QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
Headphones	Same as QC (2023)	–	Upgraded	Flagship
Case	Soft pouch	Hard case	Hard case	Hard case
Colours	Black only	Several	Several	Several
Battery	24 h	24 h	Up to 24 h	Up to 30 h
Spatial audio	No	No	Immersive Audio	Immersive Audio + Cinema mode
USB-C audio	No	No	Yes (lossless)	Yes
Price (US list)	Frequently discounted	Varies	$359	$449

Which should you buy?

Best value: QuietComfort SC – the same great QC experience for less, if you don't need a hard case.
Want the newest features for a moderate premium: QuietComfort (2nd Gen) adds USB-C lossless audio and Immersive Audio.
Want the best noise cancelling and longest battery: QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – read our QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) review.

Bose QuietComfort SC vs Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony's WH-1000XM6 is the QC SC's biggest rival, and the choice mostly comes down to price and comfort:

Noise cancelling: both are excellent on planes and trains. The XM6 is slightly stronger on voices and mid-range noise; the QC SC is so close that most people won't notice in daily use.
Comfort: the QC SC is lighter (about 240 g vs around 254 g) with a gentler clamp, which is why many glasses wearers prefer the Bose. The XM6 has a snugger fit that some find tiring after a few hours.
Sound: the Sony has a more detailed, bass-forward sound and supports higher-quality codecs; the Bose sounds smoother and more relaxed.
Battery: around 30 hours on the XM6 versus 24 hours on the QC SC.
Price: the XM6 launched at around $450, while the QC SC is usually far cheaper.

Our take: if you want the most features and best sound quality, pay for the Sony (see our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra comparison). If you want excellent noise cancelling and all-day comfort for the least money, the QC SC is the smarter buy.

Best settings and tips

A few simple tweaks help you get the most out of the QuietComfort SC:

Install the Bose app and update the firmware first – updates have added features and fixed connection bugs.
Set up a custom mode with slightly reduced noise cancelling for the office, so you can still hear colleagues without switching fully to Aware mode.
Use the EQ sparingly: a small bass boost (+1 to +2) adds warmth without muddying vocals; lift treble slightly if spoken word sounds dull.
Assign the Action button to the feature you use most – switching modes is the most useful for commuters.
Use multipoint to pair your phone and laptop, so calls automatically switch to the headphones.
Charge before flights, and pack the audio cable – you can plug into seat-back entertainment even with a flat battery.
Store them folded in the pouch and away from sharp objects in your bag, since the soft case won't stop crushing.

Where to buy and what to pay

The QuietComfort SC is sold mainly through warehouse clubs and big-box retailers, and it's frequently discounted – deals have often landed around the $170–$230 mark in the US, well below the regular QuietComfort. Prices move quickly, so compare Amazon, Costco and Best Buy before you buy, and check that the listing shows the model number 884367-0900 so you know you're getting the SC version.

Pros and cons

Pros

Excellent noise cancelling for the price
Very comfortable, including with glasses
Balanced sound with adjustable EQ
Multipoint Bluetooth and a wired option
Often much cheaper than the regular QuietComfort

Cons

Soft case gives less protection than a hard case
Black only
24-hour battery trails newer rivals
No spatial audio or USB-C audio
Not ideal for gaming over Bluetooth
No official water-resistance rating

Check the current price on Amazon

Who should buy the Bose QuietComfort SC?

Great for: frequent flyers and commuters, office workers who need to focus, glasses wearers, and anyone who wants proper Bose noise cancelling without paying flagship prices.

Look elsewhere if: you want spatial audio, 30+ hours of battery, or high-resolution wireless codecs (consider the QC Ultra 2nd Gen or Sony WH-1000XM6), or you mainly game on a console or PC.

Frequently asked questions

What does "SC" mean on the Bose QuietComfort SC?

SC stands for soft case. The headphones are the same as the Bose QuietComfort Headphones; only the carry case (soft instead of hard) and the colour options differ.

Is the Bose QuietComfort SC the same as the QuietComfort 45?

No. The QuietComfort SC is based on the 2023 Bose QuietComfort Headphones, which replaced the QuietComfort 45. It adds more customisable noise cancelling modes, adjustable EQ and a longer battery life than the QC45.

How long does the Bose QuietComfort SC battery last?

Up to 24 hours per charge, and a 15-minute quick charge gives up to 2.5 hours of playback.

Can you use the Bose QuietComfort SC with a cable?

Yes. A 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cable is included, and the headphones work wired even when the battery is empty.

Are the Bose QuietComfort SC good for glasses?

Yes. The low clamping force and soft, deep cushions make them one of the more comfortable noise cancelling headphones for glasses wearers.

How do I clean the ear cushions?

Wipe the protein-leather cushions with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth and let them dry fully – never soak them. See our full guide on how to clean headphones and earbuds.

Final verdict

The Bose QuietComfort SC delivers exactly what most people want from noise cancelling headphones: excellent ANC, all-day comfort and a balanced sound – at a lower price than the identical regular QuietComfort. The soft case is the only real compromise. If you're not sure wireless is right for you, read are wireless headphones worth it? – otherwise, the QC SC is one of the smartest headphone buys of 2026.