The Bose QuietComfort 35 is a follow up to the previous wired but much loved Bose QuietComfort 25. It’s the wireless headphone from Bose with insanely effective noise cancellation capabilities. If you ask anybody who is even vaguely familiar with noise-canceling headphones, chances are the Bose's QuietComfort series would be the first to come to mind. Here is our Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphone Review to help you decide.
For a long time, we’ve been seeing the Bose QC15s and the Bose QC25s dotted all over on planes, trains, and subway cars. But those have now been quickly overtaken by the even more advanced Bose QuietComfort 35 (QC35) wireless headphones, which marks the first time Bose is combining its noise-canceling technology with wireless capabilities.
The QC35s have succeeded where most competitors stumble. While most headphones in the market excel in either sound quality or Bluetooth reliability, the Bose QuietComfort 35 ticks both boxes and combines these with exceptional portability and comfort.
The QC35s might seem a little expensive, and of course, there are a number of other cheaper options like the Sony MDR-1000X and Elux Sports Headphone, but there aren't many options that nail noise cancellation, sound quality, and Supper fast Bluetooth connectivity seamlessness as the QC35s.
In the box, you’ll get a hard shell carrying case, the headphones, a 3.5mm audio cable, a micro USB charging cable, airplane adapter, and the instruction booklet.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphone Review
Build & Design
When it comes to looks and design, there isn’t much difference between the latest QuietComfort 35s and its previous wired version, Bose QuietComfort 25s. In fact, they are almost identical. The outer shell of the ear cups is made of metal, while the frame and headband are thick plastic.
Just when I was trying to find out why these guys included the word “comfort” in the Q35s, I noticed the ear cups are neatly covered in a beautiful faux-leather that manages to stay quite cool, even in muggy weather.
The Q35 is available in two colors; the classic Bose silvery-grey and black. All the controls are located on the right earcup. There is a switch that turns on the headphones and sets up Bluetooth connections, which also allows you to connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time.
You can also navigate between connected devices by using the Bose app. There is a multifunction button on the side that plays and pauses music, initiates voice commands and accepts calls. And then there a volume button next to it.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphone Review
The oval-shaped ear cup design is also much more fitting to the ears and offers a heightened level of comfort compared to the fully rounded ear cups. The QC35s are surprisingly lightweight, weighing just 234g without the wires. Add this to the tightly fitting and steady but comfortable clamp of the headband and you can wear them the whole day without your ears feeling fatigued or uncomfortably hot and sweaty.
If you do a lot of traveling, you will appreciate the hard carrying case provided into which they fold down and fit snugly. There is also an airplane adapter and a 3.5mm cable for recharging when your battery runs low.
The Bluetooth range for the QC35 is quite reasonable. Within the standard 33 foot range, your connection will work great. The headphones won’t drop your connection within the recommended range unless you place a few walls in between. The intuitive Bose app tells you how much battery is left, initiate Bluetooth connectivity and you can even set a timer to automatically turn off the headphone to save battery life.
The QC35s's non-removable battery promises 20 hours of use, but as usual, this will vary depending on the volume and features used. Generally speaking, the QC35s aren't exactly slim, but they deserve some credit from successfully combining comfort, minimalism and noise cancellation.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, the QC35's are what some reviewers have described as the aural equivalent of a filet cooked to medium-rare perfection. Turning on the noise cancellation option reveals a fantastic sound profile without any sign of distortion. The QC35 does not overdo the bass either; this is why it appeals to both the audiophiles and casual listeners. You will be impressed by how versatile these headphones hit across all music genres.
The noise cancellation is so good at blocking out the world around you such that you will need to look both ways severally before crossing the street. Even with the noise cancellation turned off, the tight seal between the cups and the ears keeps the sound isolated and free from noise pollution. Rather than clamping the ears themselves, the seals rest in the area around the ears creating a comfortable hugging experience. With ANC (active noise cancellation) this good, you forget about repeatedly skipping tracks backward to replay missed punch lines.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphone Review
The Bose QC 35's does not have a robust bass but throw a bass-heavy track in the mix at a nearly maximum volume and you will get some serious clean bass. You may, however, get a slight rattle at maximum volume with this kind of music, but if you ask me, you should probably not be blasting this kind of volume in your ears anyway.
The vocals and strings in the mid-range have a great deal of detail and just sound gorgeous. Nothing gets lost in the mix and there isn’t any muddiness either. The highs sound great too, and you don’t get any harshness or piercing experience even at max volume. The overall sound quality is incomparable, thanks to the noise cancellation capabilities. And by the way, the call quality is really good too.
Bose QuietComfort 35
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Bose App, Helps easily manage device
- Longer than average battery life
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Excellent Noise Cancellation
- Optional wired mode
Cons
- No option to turn off ANC
- Flatter sound that may not be for everyone
Conclusion
It was so difficult finding anything to complain about, the QuietComfort 35s are near-perfect pair of headphones. They are great and their ANC is exceptional, nothing like I have heard on any wireless headphones before. The headphones also perfectly combine sleek minimalist design, exceptional noise cancellation, and gorgeous sound quality.
If you're after comfort and noise-canceling but can’t quite get yourself to commit to its steep price tag, feel free to explore the slightly cheaper options such as the Elux Sports Headphone and Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless.
Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort 35 remains the top-of-the-line premium noise-canceling smart headphones. If money's not that much of a challenge, I wholeheartedly support your decision to invest in the Bose QuietComfort 35.