Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones — Editorial Review

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones — Editorial Review & Use Cases

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II (789564-0010 Silver, 789564-0020 Black, plus the silver renewed variant) is Bose's flagship wireless ANC headphone — successor to the original QuietComfort 35, launched 2017 with the addition of a Google Assistant button alongside the carryover signature ANC + Bose tuning. Per Bose's official QuietComfort 35 II product page, the QC 35 II delivers ~20 hours wireless battery, dual-mic noise rejection for calls, 3 levels of adjustable ANC, Bluetooth 4.1 multipoint pairing (2 devices simultaneously), and a 2.5mm audio jack for wired use when battery dies.

What the QuietComfort 35 II Specifically Wins

• Industry-defining ANC quality — Bose's noise cancellation is the reference standard for travel + commute + office use. Cancels low-frequency rumble (jet engines, train, HVAC) significantly better than $50-100 alternatives
• 20-hour battery life on Bluetooth + ANC — adequate for transatlantic flights + multi-day travel without daily charging
• Bluetooth 4.1 multipoint pairing — pair with phone + laptop simultaneously; calls from phone interrupt music from laptop
• Comfortable all-day fit — Bose's over-ear earcup design + adjustable headband; consistently rated for 8+ hour wear without fatigue (vs Sony WH-1000XM5 which some users find heavier)
• 2.5mm wired backup — passive audio with cable when battery dies. Critical for travel + airline in-flight entertainment systems
• Google Assistant button — dedicated hardware key for voice queries (vs Apple Siri / Amazon Alexa requiring app integration)
• 3 adjustable ANC levels — High, Low, Off. Useful for varying environments without removing headphones
• Bose Music app for EQ + firmware updates on iOS / Android
• Carrying case included — folds flat for travel
• Compatible across all major platforms — iPhone / iPad / Android / Mac / Windows / Linux

Where the QuietComfort 35 II Specifically Fits

• Daily commute / public transit users needing reliable ANC for train / bus / subway
• Frequent business travelers — long-haul flights, hotel HVAC noise, airport lounges
• Open-office workers — cancellation of typing / conversation / HVAC ambient
• Work-from-home users in noisy environments (construction, dogs, children)
• Library / cafe / coworking space workers needing focus
• Audiobook / podcast listeners on long sessions
• Music listening for casual + workflow (not critical / studio monitoring)
• Phone call quality — Bose's dual-mic + voice isolation is best-in-class for call clarity
• Sleep / nap aid on planes / hotels (with appropriate volume + ANC level)
• Multi-device users — leverage Bluetooth multipoint to switch between phone + laptop
• Renewed / refurbished buyers — QC 35 II (2017) refurbished at $150-200 vs new WH-1000XM5 at $399 — substantial value tradeoff

Honest Limits Buyers Should Know

• Bose tuning is "musical / smooth", not audiophile-detailed. Bose's frequency response intentionally smooths the upper-mids + treble for fatigue-free listening. Audiophiles + critical listeners often prefer Sennheiser HD 6XX / Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's flatter response. Casual listeners + ANC users prefer Bose
• 2017 generation — newer Bose QC Ultra Headphones + Sony WH-1000XM5 supersede on raw specs. QC Ultra adds spatial audio + improved ANC; XM5 adds LDAC codec + 30-hour battery. QC 35 II is still excellent but no longer cutting-edge
• Bluetooth 4.1 vs current Bluetooth 5.3 standard. 4.1 lacks LE Audio + Auracast + higher-bandwidth codec support (no LDAC, no aptX HD). For high-resolution wireless audio, step up to Sony WH-1000XM5 (LDAC) or Bose QC Ultra (Snapdragon Sound)
• 20-hour battery shorter than newer competitors. Sony WH-1000XM5: 30 hours; QC Ultra: 24 hours. Daily charging may be required for heavy users
• No active touch controls on cups. Physical buttons only (vs Sony WH-1000XM5's touch surface). Some users prefer buttons; some prefer touch
• 2.5mm audio jack — non-standard size requires included cable. Lost cable = lost wired option. Replacement cables widely available but not 3.5mm-to-3.5mm standard
• USB-Micro charging vs USB-C. 2017 generation uses Micro-USB; modern accessories standardized on USB-C. Carry separate Micro cable for charging during travel
• Glasses-wearer comfort varies. The earcup pressure can press glasses frame against side of head; some users find this uncomfortable over 4+ hour sessions
• Limited customization vs newer Bose models. Bose Music app for QC 35 II offers basic EQ only; newer Ultra Headphones offer more presets
• Price stability — refurb at ~$150-200 is the value play. New at MSRP ($299) is supplanted by Sony WH-1000XM5 / QC Ultra at $399-449 for premium tier
• No wireless charging case. Carrying case included but no built-in charging

Where Buyers Should Look Elsewhere

• Newest Bose flagship → Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (USB-C, Snapdragon Sound, improved ANC, spatial audio)
• Sony LDAC + 30-hr battery → Sony WH-1000XM5 (current flagship, improved ANC, touch controls, LDAC codec)
• Apple ecosystem (AirPods Max) → Apple AirPods Max ($549 USD) — Apple H1 chip, computational audio, premium aluminum housing
• Audiophile-tuned wireless → Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (more reference-style frequency response)
• Wired studio monitoring → Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x / M50x (better for music production critical listening)
• Open-back home listening → Sennheiser HD 6XX (no ANC, open-back, ~$300, audiophile favorite)
• Gaming with mic → SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, HyperX Cloud III Wireless
• Sport / running → Beats Studio Pro, Beats Solo 4 (better fit for active use)
• Budget ANC under $100 → Soundcore Q30 / Q35, Anker Soundcore Life Q35

Sources & Citations

1. Bose, "QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II product page," bose.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
2. RTINGS.com, "Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless review and ANC comparison," rtings.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
3. The Verge, "Bose QC 35 II review and noise-cancelling headphone coverage," theverge.com (accessed 2026-05-19)
4. The Wirecutter (NYT), "Best noise-cancelling headphones buying guide," nytimes.com/wirecutter (accessed 2026-05-19)

Last verified: 2026-05-19