Bose QuietComfort 35 II Review | 93 Data compared

The reviewer, an audiophile looking for a noise-canceling headphone for long work sessions, ultimately chooses the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II over the Sony WH-1000XM3 due to superior long-term comfort and a less fatiguing sound profile. On the positive side, the Bose is praised for being lightweight, having a lighter clamping force that excels during extended use, and offering a wide sound stage with soft, precise bass that creates a relaxed, "playful," and clear listening experience. However, its drawbacks include a less rich and detailed sound in the upper frequency spectrum compared to its rival, making it less of a traditional "Hi-Fi" headphone. Both models are rated equally for active noise cancellation, though the Bose avoids a minor feeling of pressure present in the Sony. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is noted for its higher-quality, richer, and more detailed Hi-Fi sound, but it falls short in long-term wearability. Its primary cons include a heavier build, a tighter clamping force that causes fatigue after an hour, overly prominent bass, and a narrow sound stage that creates a small, oppressive "inside the...

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM2 are two top-tier wireless active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones that ended in a tie overall, as each caters to different preferences. The Bose QC35 II excels significantly in comfort and basic functionality. Weighing only 234g (compared to Sony's 275g), it provides a lighter, more flexible fit with less ear pressure and cooler wear. It also features reliable physical buttons, multilingual voice prompts, and highly useful Bluetooth multipoint pairing to connect two devices simultaneously. In terms of sound, it delivers a punchy, mid-forward profile with extended treble, though its highs can sound a bit "chemical" and fatiguing at high volumes. Its downsides include weaker passive isolation and a lack of a ambient awareness mode. Conversely, the Sony WH-1000XM2 dominates in battery life and advanced features. It boasts a massive 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled, easily beating Bose's 22 hours. It offers superior overall isolation, better wind-noise resistance, and a "Quick Attention" mode that lets you hear your surroundings simply by placing a hand over the right ear cup. Additionally, its companion app...

The Maison Adam expert review identifies the Bose QuietComfort 35 II as a versatile wireless headphone featuring natural, dynamic audio quality, physical controls, and seamless pairing. Key pros include exceptional comfort for long sessions, effective active noise cancellation (ANC) with three levels, and a dedicated action button for voice assistants. While the 20-hour battery life is average and the companion app is highly recommended for full functionality, the review praises the model's reliability, especially for commuting.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 IIGo is praised for its exceptional active noise-canceling capabilities, successfully blocking out ambient noise in demanding environments like trains and at home. Key advantages include a 20-hour battery life, multi-device Bluetooth pairing, a comfortable design for long-term wear, and convenient controls for media, calls, and voice assistants (Google Assistant/Alexa). On the downside, the headset is described as bulky, lacking the portability of smaller earbuds. The review notes the use of an older micro-USB port for charging and highlights significant price fluctuations based on color, with the standard price reaching €379. Additionally, those sensitive to strong ANC may find the "clogged ear" sensation uncomfortable, though this can be adjusted.

The Bose QC 35 II is recognized as a premium, lightweight, and highly comfortable headset designed for commuters, featuring integrated Google Assistant, robust build quality, and superior active noise cancellation (ANC). Key pros include the industry-leading, adjustable noise isolation, a 20-hour battery life, and fast, reliable Bluetooth pairing, though, on the negative side, the package lacks a wall charger, the audio can lack deep bass, and the microphone struggles in high-noise environments. Ultimately deemed a market leader for its comfort and silence, the reviewer highly recommends the QC 35 II despite minor, non-critical flaws.

The Labo Fnac review awards the Bose QuietComfort 35 II a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, highlighting its exceptional real-world usability and top-tier noise cancellation. On the positive side, the headset excels with best-in-class active noise cancellation that effectively neutralizes low-frequency ambient sounds, a highly optimized acoustic isolation score of 7.6, and a perfect 10/10 rating for minimal sound leakage, meaning your music will not disturb nearby colleagues or commuters. It retains a lightweight, 234-gram ergonomic design built with comfortable leather ear cushions and an Alcantara-lined headband that ensures strain-free, long-duration listening. Furthermore, it delivers an outstanding distortion score of 9.5 and exceeds its official battery specifications; lab tests clocked 24 hours of wireless playback and 21 hours with active noise cancellation engaged from a 1-hour and 50-minute charge. Conversely, the review notes a few critical drawbacks, particularly regarding pure audio reproduction and vocal clarity during calls in noisy surroundings. The laboratory measurements reveal a highly perfectible frequency response (scoring 7.3), characterized by an uneven audio curve that over-emphasizes the bass while under-performing in the high and ultra-high frequencies....

The CNET France review of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II (QC35 II) highlights it as an evolutionary update to the original model, with its defining new feature being a dedicated Action Button on the left ear cup. Priced at 380 euros at launch, it holds the distinction of being the first wireless headset to natively integrate Google Assistant, allowing users to check the news, handle phone calls, and manage smart home devices hands-free. While the reviewer questions if Google Assistant integration alone justifies upgrading for existing owners of the original QC35, they emphasize that this smart addition successfully keeps Bose competitive against rivals like the Sony MDR-1000X and Beats Studio3 Wireless. In terms of specific pros and cons, the review lauds the headset's ultra-comfortable, lightweight design and its excellent 20-hour battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled. It also praises the fact that the Action Button can be reprogrammed to manually cycle through different levels of noise reduction. Additionally, it maintains a convenient wired mode via an included cable if the battery dies. On the downside, the reviewer notes...

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II (QC35 II) is an over-ear wireless headphone that builds slightly upon its predecessor by introducing a dedicated "Action button" on the left ear cup. This button allows for seamless, fluid control of Google Assistant for notification reads and voice prompts, or it can be configured via the Bose Connect app to adjust active noise cancellation (ANC) levels. Structurally, the headphones remain compact and foldable, emphasizing high-end user comfort and offering a multi-device Bluetooth multipoint connection along with a strong battery life exceeding 20 hours with all features active. In terms of performance, the QC35 II excels with a well-balanced, musical audio delivery, highly clear and defined vocals, a spacious soundstage, and a highly effective active noise cancellation system. However, the review highlights notable downsides, including low-frequency bass response that is overly prominent and lacks punch, alongside a restrictive 2.5mm sub mini-jack connector for wired use. Additionally, high Bluetooth latency is present, making video synchronization delays noticeably more bothersome than on the original model, despite automated app compensation.