A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X offers excellent sound quality at a budget price, making it a great choice for high-quality audio experiences without breaking the bank, though they are wired with no detachment option and offer no active noise cancellation. On the other hand, the Bose Quiet Comfort 45, while priced at a premium, provides superior comfort, built-in controls, wireless connectivity, and active noise cancellation which is ideal for air travel and noise-heavy environments. If you're seeking the best possible comfort and the convenience of wireless listening, with effective noise cancellation, Bose is the way to go; however, if budget is a concern and you primarily listen in quieter environments, the Audio Technica might serve you well. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort 45
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
10.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is best in class for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
22.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has 22.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$260
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 costs $260.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Bose Quiet Comfort 45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $260 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 22.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 235.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Bose Quiet Comfort 45
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | November 2022
"If you want a set of wireless over-ear headphones you can put on, deploy noise-cancelling on your commute or at your desk and largely extinguish the outside world for up to 24 hours, the Bose QC 45 has the edge over most of the competition at the price."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Bose Quiet Comfort 45
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Koss Porta Pro
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort 45 vs. Apple Airpods Pro
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort 45 vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort 45 vs. Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,400
Recommendations made
19,110
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
