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A lot of companies sell noise-canceling headphones, but there’s a lot more to them than just the noise-canceling feature. In fact, the design, the sound, and the comfort all have a lot to do with how well they work for you.
Bose is known for offering some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Many audiophiles who don’t like bose speaker systems or other audio accessories will still swear by the noise-canceling headphones because they really are the best.
If you’re in the market for noise-canceling headphones and you’re considering some Bose designs, the QuietComfort 25 and the QuietComfort 35 are both excellent options.
Main Differences Between Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort 35
The main differences between Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 are:
- Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones are wired, whereas Bose QuietComfort 35 are wireless.
- Bose QuietComfort 35 offers support for Google and Siri, whereas Bose QuietComfort 25 does not.
- Bose QuietComfort 35 gets automatic future updates via the Bose Connect app, whereas Bose QuietComfort 25 doesn’t.
- Bose QuietComfort 35 comes with the option to use either a wired or a wireless connection, whereas Bose QuietComfort 25 only has a wired connection.
How Does Noise Cancelling Work?
Active noise-cancellation (ANC) uses a series of microphones to alter sound rather than actually getting rid of it. It picks up on noises at low frequencies in your surroundings and neutralizes that sound so that when it reaches your ear, you can barely hear anything.
The sound that the headphones generate is inverted so that the two noises cancel each other out. The volume of the sound outside of your headphones can be reduced by between 20 and 45dB depending on what kind of sound it is.
In fact, you can turn on the noise-canceling feature of your headphones without turning on any other sound and it will still tune out unwanted noise rather effectively. You can walk down the street, ride public transit, and work using noise-canceling technology without ever listening to anything through them.
So, how does Bose noise-canceling technology measure up to these standards and which is better? Let’s take a deeper look at the QC25 and QC35 to find out.
Bose QuietComfort 25
The Bose QuietComfort 25 noise-canceling headphones are slightly more affordable, but they vary in design, sound, comfort, and extra features.
Design
Bose QC25 headphones are wired, which is something that doesn’t appeal to very many people these days. A lot of listeners are ditching the wires in favor of wireless options because they’re so much easier to deal with.
Other than the obnoxious wire, the design is average. Some people like simplicity, but honestly, these headphones don’t look very attractive. They just look like plain headphones.
Some noise-canceling headphones feature lush pads around the ears and thick bands across the top of your head that increases comfort, but the Bose QC25 doesn’t have any of those things. That’s not to say they’re not comfortable, but you would have to try them for yourself to know for sure. Some people may find them incredibly comfortable but not be able to tolerate the wire constantly in their way.
One nice thing about the design is that the earpieces collapse so the headphones fit nicely in a carrying case. This design feature makes them extremely portable and easy to take with you anywhere.
Comfort
Because headphones are built for extended use, you always want them to be comfortable. You should be able to wear them for long periods of time and not notice them at all.
Despite the fact that the headphones don’t look like they have a lot of padding, the Bose QC25 model has a ton of padding in the ear cups. They hold tight around your head to create a seal, but they don’t hug too tight. In fact, they feel great. The adjustable head strap ensures they fit correctly on any head, and this comfort enhances noise-canceling abilities.
Sound
When you do use the Bose QC25 headphones for music or TV, the sound flowing through the earpieces will be warm. Bose offers a bump when it comes to midrange sound, so you’ll enjoy full audio for most of what you might listen to.
When it comes to high-mids, guitars and vocals sound great, but the high-end sound is absolutely breathtaking. They are crisp and clear. It’s hard to match the sound of wired headphones because the audio is uninhibited by trying to create a wireless connection.
The basic noise cancellation on the Bose QC25 is awesome. Bose truly does implement their noise-canceling technology better than anyone else in the business. If you want a great pair of headphones to tune out the noise, this is it.
Performance
The battery life of the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones is 35 hours with only one AAA battery. That’s practically unheard of. Competitors boast only 8-12 hours on a single charge. The downside here is that the battery on the Bose QC25 is not rechargeable.
Extra Features
With the inline microphone and remote, you can control your music as well as all of your calls on Apple devices. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on Android devices, but if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you’re in luck.
Bose QuietComfort 35
The Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are a slight upgrade over the QC25 with a wireless Bluetooth connection and Google and Siri support, among other things.
Design
As far as design goes, the primary difference is the absence of the wire on the QC35 headphones. They’re a lot more convenient because you don’t have to mess with the wire always being in the way.
The look of them is relatively plain and virtually identical to the QC25. While they don’t look particularly attractive, some may prefer the simple design and lack of frills. They also feature an adjustable headband for comfort. Once again, you’ll enjoy collapsible earpieces so you can tuck them away in their case and carry them anywhere.
Comfort
While they don’t look very comfortable, there is still a lot of padding in the earpieces, so you’ll enjoy wearing QC35 headphones for long periods of time. They hug your ears to seal out excess noise and feel firm, but not too tight.
Sound
The sound quality falls off a bit from the QC25 to the QC35, which you might not expect from a higher-priced item. However, a wired connection will always beat out a wireless one for several reasons. Maintaining a wireless connection takes a lot more work and you lose sound detail and quality in the process. That’s the price you pay for convenience.
The sound is still warm, crisp, and clear. You’ll be pleased with it in comparison to other wireless headphones, and these still produce high-quality audio worth listening to. The implementation of the noise cancellation technology is still incredible, and Bose beats out most competitors in that regard, hands down.
Performance
Battery life on the QC35 headphones is between 20 hours and 40 hours. If you’re using a wireless connection, your headphones are going to have to work harder, so the battery life is diminished. Fortunately, you can also use your QC35 headphones with a wired connection when you want to, to either enhance the sound quality or improve battery life.
The QC35 headphones are higher quality, and especially with the freedom to use the wired connection, you’re going to have a much better experience.
Extra Features
The QC35 set comes with a cable that you can use to set up a wired connection if you choose not to use wireless functionality. It also comes with a carrying case and Google and Siri integration.
It also features auto on/off and smart pause functionality. The automatic pairing makes setting your headphones up easy. Three simple buttons make them easy to control and Google and Siri integration means you can control them with your voice. Personalized settings and access to updates through the Bose connect app also might make the QC35 worth the extra money.
Comparison Chart
For visual learners, here’s a quick rundown of how the QC25 and the QC35 measure up.
| QC25 | QC35 | |
| Wired connection | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless connection | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Google/Siri | No | Yes |
| Control music and calls with voice | Yes | Yes |
| Carrying case | Yes | Yes |
| Bose Connect app | No | Yes |
| Future upgrades | No | Yes |
| Personalized settings | No | Yes |
FAQ’s About Bose QuietComfort 25 vs 35
How long does Bose Quietcomfort 25 last?
The Bose Quietcomfort 25 noise-canceling headphones last up to 35 hours with AAA battery. When the battery dies, you will still be able to play music, however, you will miss features such as noise-canceling and Active EQ technology.
Is Bose better than Beats?
This decision is all up to personal preference. The Beats provide more bass and are louder than the Bose noise-canceling headphones, however, the Bose headphones provide much clearer tones and thanks to the built-in equalizer that makes the sound smoother. The only downside of the Bose noise-canceling headphones is that sometimes the sound is a bit altered and different from the original artist’s voice.
Are Noise-Cancelling Headphones Safe?
Yes. Noise-canceling headphones are safe to use and they do not emit radiation and are better than regular headphones because they isolate the sounds and provide quality listening to music without playing it on a higher volume which can be dangerous for our hearing.
The Verdict
When it comes to noise-canceling headphones, you can’t beat Bose. However, the QC25 headphones are clear winners if you want to save some green. They’re great headphones featuring excellent sound quality. The wired connection ensures you always have access to the best sound.
If you’re willing to shell out some additional dough to ditch the wire, the QC35 headphones will provide the flexibility of a wireless connection, support from a digital assistant, and future upgrades through the Bose Connect app.
Both are comfortable, and you can’t go wrong with either. It’s up to you what you want to spend and which features are the most important to you.