The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are versatile wireless over-ears with a very comfortable fit. They have a long 20-hour battery life, and their outstanding noise isolation performance can easily block out lots of background noises, so they're ideal for long days on-the-go. They don't come with any sound customization features, but their neutral sound profile is suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content.
Our Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are good for neutral sound. They have a very neutral and balanced sound profile, especially in the mid-range. While there's a slight overemphasis across the bass range, it shouldn't be too overwhelming for neutral sound. Unfortunately, there aren't any sound customization features.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- No sound customization options.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are impressive for commute and travel. Their comfortable fit and their 20-hour battery life are ideal for long days on-the-go. They can also block out the sound of bus and plane engines or chatter from other passengers. However, their bulky design isn't very portable.
- Comfortable fit.
- Outstanding noise isolation.
- Bulky design.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are decent for sports and fitness. They're comfortable and well-built, but they aren't stable enough for high-intensity exercises and may fall off your head during your workout. Also, their bulky design isn't very easy to bring on-the-go.
- Comfortable fit.
- Bulky design.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are very good for office use. They're comfortable, and their 20-hour battery life should easily get you through your shift. They can also block out background noises typically found in an office, like chatter from nearby coworkers. However, they leak a bit of noise, which can be annoying for those around you.
- Comfortable fit.
- Outstanding noise isolation.
- Leak some noise.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II aren't wirelessly compatible with the PS4 or the Xbox One, so they aren't suitable for wireless gaming.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are good for wired gaming. You can plug them into your Xbox One or PS4 controller, but you can only receive audio. They're comfortable enough for long gaming sessions, and they have negligible latency over a wired connection.
- Comfortable fit.
- Low latency over wired connection.
- Can't use microphone over wired gaming connection.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are fair for phone calls. Their integrated microphone has a mediocre recording quality, so your voice is thin and muffled, especially if you're calling from a noisy setting. Fortunately, their ANC feature can block out background noises that might distract you during a call.
- Outstanding noise isolation.
- Mediocre recording quality.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 11, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless in Compared To Other Headphones.
- Updated Nov 14, 2022: We have changed Mic Mute to 'Yes' in Controls, and changed the wired connection to '1/16" TRRS' in Wired.
- Updated Sep 21, 2022: We've added a note regarding audio while charging while also using the analog cable. However, the Battery score hasn't changed.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
These headphones come in four different color variants: 'Black', 'Silver', 'Rose Gold', and 'Triple Midnight'. We tested the 'Black' variant, but we expect the other models to perform similarly.
If you come across another version of these headphones, let us know in the discussion section below.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are a minor update to the Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 Wireless 2016 with a better control scheme that gives you a bit more control over the noise cancellation and allows you to easily access Google Assistant/Alexa. They're among the best wireless headphones we've tested thanks to their very comfortable design and well-balanced sound profile. However, their sound can't be customized like some of the competing models, like the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless or Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless.
See also our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones and the best noise cancelling headphones.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Bose are very comfortable, and their sound profile is well-balanced. Their ANC feature noticeably blocks more background noise than the Beats. On the other hand, the Beats will be slightly better suited for bass-heavy genres, and they leak less than the Bose. They also have an in-line microphone for calls, which the Bose are lacking. The battery life of the Beats is about three hours longer than the Bose, but they don't have a power-saving feature.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless are ANC headphones with different strengths. While both over-ears are well-built, the Bose are more comfortable. However, the Sony have more customizable sound, thanks to their graphic EQ and presets. They also have a virtual soundstage to help create a more immersive audio experience, though you need to subscribe to services that support this feature. Both headphones have a fantastic ANC performance, but the Sony have the edge in noise isolation, particularly when attenuating mid- and treble-range noises, like voices or crying.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 have a slight edge over the Apple AirPods Max. The Bose are significantly more comfortable and come with an AUX cable if you want to use an analog wired connection. They also support multi-device pairing if you want to stay connected to your smartphone and PC at the same time. However, the Apple headphones charge a bit quicker, and their ANC system is much better at reducing background noise.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are a later generation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. While they look similar, the Ultra are better built and have CustomTune technology, so the headphones automatically adjust their sound and noise isolation performances based on your unique hearing capabilities and the environment around you. They also have a head tracking feature, whereby audio follows your head movements for a more immersive experience and a longer continuous battery life. However, the QC35 II have a more balanced sound, which some users may prefer, and they support passive playback. You have to turn on the Ultra to playback audio via analog.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
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