Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 vs SoundSport Wireless: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Products

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20

Bose SoundSport Wireless

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Apr 21, 2025 02:43 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 05, 2025 07:08 PM

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Picture

Bose SoundSport Wireless Picture

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingYes

MicYes

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureSemi-Open

WirelessYes

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

Our Verdict

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20

Bose SoundSport Wireless

The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a similar design and overall score as the Bose QuietComfort 20 but have much different use cases. The SoundSport Wireless are a bit more practical for every day use and sports since there are no cables to hinder your movements. They also have a better-balanced sound quality that does not sound as bass-heavy/dark as the QC 20. The QC 20, on the other hand, are better travel and commuting headphones thanks to the strong noise cancellation that blocks a lot more noise than the semi-open of the SoundSport Wireless. They also have a longer battery life and no latency for watching videos since they are wired.

Variants

QuietComfort 20 (Android, Black)
QuietComfort 20 (Android, White)

SoundSport Wireless (Aqua)
SoundSport Wireless (Black)

Review

See Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Review

See Bose SoundSport Wireless Review

Check Price

Android, Black

QuietComfort 20

Aqua

SoundSport Wireless

Android, White

QuietComfort 20

Black

SoundSport Wireless

iOS, Black

QuietComfort 20

Citron

SoundSport Wireless

iOS, White

QuietComfort 20

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

Lock ft (Lock m)

PC Latency (SBC)

N/A

Lock ms

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

N/A

Lock ms

Android Latency

N/A

Lock ms

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bose SoundSport Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

N/A

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

N/A

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Android, Black

QuietComfort 20

Aqua

SoundSport Wireless

Android, White

QuietComfort 20

Black

SoundSport Wireless

iOS, Black

QuietComfort 20

Citron

SoundSport Wireless

iOS, White

QuietComfort 20

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20

Bose SoundSport Wireless

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 vs Bose SoundSport Wireless: Main Discussion

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