Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Which Bose noise-cancelling headphones are better?

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 Ii: Which Bose racket-cancelling headphones are improve?

(Paradigm credit: Regan Coule/Future)

The Bose QuietComfort 45 just hitting store shelves and information technology's already considered one of the best noise-cancelling headphones bachelor. Some might even argue that it is Bose's best racket-cancelling model to date though nosotros're nevertheless taken with the Bose 700. This sequel comes with improved active noise cancellation, sound, and bombardment life, along with Bose Music app support to personalize the headphones

Its predecessor, the critically acclaimed Bose QuietComfort 35 II, remains a tiptop seller and is frequently viewed as the model that revolutionized the ANC category. Splendid noise neutralization combined with warm, crisp audio and unique features give these wireless over-ear cans mass appeal. The sleek, no-frills design and pleasant condolement also make them a commencement-class favorite.

Best wireless headphones in 2022
Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review
…and our total Bose 700 review

Simply put, these are two noise-cancelling goliaths that deliver satisfying listening experiences. Should y'all exist torn over which to buy, check out our Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 Ii comparing to get the full lowdown.

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 Ii: Price

In a surprise motion, Bose launched the QuietComfort 45 at a lower MSRP than previous QC releases: $329. Y'all're getting plenty of blindside for your buck, plus the addition of Bose Music ways more functionality is on the horizon via future firmware updates.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II was originally sold for $350, though it has seen several markdowns over the past year. It is currently available for $299 at major online retailers, though we've seen it for as low as $189 (in Rose Gold). We believe the level of performance warrants the sales cost at the moment.

1 of these models will more than than likely be part of this twelvemonth's best Blackness Fri headphones deals. Our coin is on the QC35 Ii. To see the QC45 with a sale tag just weeks after being released seems improbable.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 35 2

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Specs compared

	Bose QuietComfort 45	Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Price	$329.99	$299.99
Size and weight	7.25 x 6 x 3 inches, 8.5 ounces	seven.1 x 6.7 10 3.ii inches, eight.ii ounces
Battery life	24 hours (ANC on)	xx hours (ANC on); xl hours (ANC off, wired mode)
Processor	Unknown	Unknown
Connectivity	Bluetooth five.1	Bluetooth 4.ane, NFC
Special features	Active noise cancellation, transparency manner, Bluetooth 5.1, smart controls, tri-digital banana support, multipoint engineering science, SimpleSync	Active dissonance counterfoil, transparency mode, smart controls, sound sharing, tri-digital assistant back up, multipoint technology

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Blueprint

Very little has changed regarding advent. The QC45 and QC35 Ii share the same clean, minimalist, collapsible design with about of the construction and detailing remaining intact. This includes the glass-filled nylon, synthetic leather, and other affect-resistant materials, forth with the push and logo placements.

As far equally differences, the QC45 now comes with metal hinges at the pivot points that give the headphones a sturdier experience. We love this, particularly since the QC35 Two has a flimsier frame. The logo is no longer debossed or cogitating – instead, it'south laser-etched. More mics were stuffed into the earcups, which you can come across with the multiple dimples on each side. The headband padding is too covered in leather instead of suede. Color options are limited to two on the QC45 (Blackness and White Smoke), whereas the QC35 Two is available in five: Black, Silver, Midnight Blue, Rose Gilt, and Triple Midnight.

Comfort and fit are equally neat on these two pairs of headphones. The QC45 (8.5 ounces) is slightly heavier, but it feels just as light on the caput as the QC35 Ii (viii.2 ounces). The plush padding is gentle atop the skull and ears, and you can wear either model for lengthy stretches. Adjusting the extenders to the proper settings will ensure that neither set of cans sideslip off.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 2: Controls

Bose left the controls untouched, with one noticeable omission on the QC45. The Action Push button on the left earcup can no longer exist assigned to other functions; information technology is solely reserved for activating ANC mode. Y'all can program the QC35 II'south Action Button to easily access Alexa, Google Banana, or noise counterfoil.

The buttons operate well on both models, producing nice tactile feedback with every press. Having volume buttons is always a plus and makes raising/lowering sound more convenient. The lack of touch controls is forgivable, though we wish the QC45 and QC35 Ii came with on-ear detection for auto-pause/play.

Some other change is found in digital assistance. While each model supports the big four – Alexa, Bixby, Google Assistant, and Siri – the QC35 Ii comes with Alexa and Google Assistant integration. For Alexa users, that ways wake-word functionality, while Google Banana users tin enable the AI bot past pushing the Action Push button.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 35 Ii

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 2: Active noise cancellation

When it comes to ANC, it'south actually a no-lose situation when choosing between the QC45 and QC35 II considering yous're getting the all-time that Bose has to offer. However, a smarter algorithm and more mics give the QC45 stronger noise neutralization that nearly matches the industry-leading 700.

The QC45's 6-mic array is a animate being at blocking out low and mid frequencies, plus it minimizes high-pitched sounds at the highest level possible. Distractions like loud chatter, the humming sound from an ANC and engine rumble will go completely unnoticed. Baby cries and whistles volition catch your attention from several feet away, simply they aren't distracting plenty to pull you away from whatever is playing on your mobile device.

Even with ii fewer mics, the QC35 II handles ambient noises across the frequency spectrum incredibly well. The two-level ANC mode (Depression and High) offers personalization for how much racket you want to block out. For the boilerplate listener, the ANC feel will be like on both pairs of headphones, but those with detailed hearing volition notice high frequency sounds a bit more on the QC35 Ii.

Ambient listening comes every bit part of both packages, though Bose labels them differently on each prepare of cans. Low Mode on the QC35 II is effective for hearing ecology fracas. Aware Mode on the QC45 is much meliorate at increasing your awareness of environment, piping in more noises that audio distinctive and loud.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 Two: Sound Quality

Some people similar Bose'south warm-heavy sound signature and others don't. Well, if you fall nether the latter, take joy in knowing that Bose went to piece of work refining sound on the QC45, employing proprietary TriPort acoustic architecture and a volume-optimized Active EQ for ameliorate bass definition and clarity. You get a squeamish mix of punchy lows and crisp mids, along with detailed highs that shine on almost tracks. We besides similar how the bass is handled, which is tamer, but withal loud and impactful to enjoy contemporary music genres like alternative rock, EDM, and hip hop.

The QC35 II produces well-baked and make clean sound and has an overemphasized low finish. If you desire the more boom-sounding headphones, these are information technology, but that comes at the cost of less dynamic range. Orchestral recordings can sound tedious at times, plus highs are often flat or veiled on Jazz records.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 2: App and special features

Features are limited on these two models, and each 1 is compatible with a different Bose app. The QC45 works with the new Bose Music app and the QC35 II employ the soonhoped-for-phased-out Bose Connect app. These apps share many of the same functions, including a music player, volume slider, standby timer, bombardment level indicators, toggle controls, and firmware updates.

The QC45 boasts newer, more innovative features. Entering the Settings page will requite you lot admission to an important calling feature known as Self-Vox, a special mode to adjust and hear your vocalisation more naturally on calls. Information technology comes in handy when taking voice or video calls in loud environments. SimpleSync is the QC45's other large feature. This lets yous pair the headphones to a Bose Smart Soundbar, providing listeners with independent volume controls, so they can raise, lower or mute sound when watching Idiot box.

Don't remember that Bose left the QC35 II hanging out to dry out on exclusive features. There is Music Share to share music between two sets of Bose wireless headphones, forth with the power to bandy out Activity Button commands, which, once more, the QC45 does not allow. That'southward nigh information technology.

Exterior of the app experiences, the QC45 and QC35 Ii demonstrate solid wireless performance, granted they each operate on unlike Bluetooth versions. The QC45 runs on Bluetooth 5.1 and provides a longer range, achieving upward to 50 feet of wireless listening, while the QC35 II runs on the outdated Bluetooth 4.1 and can go upwardly to 32 feet before dropout occurs. However, the QC35 2 has congenital-in NFC, meaning y'all can easily connect the headphones by tapping the dorsum of a compatible smartphone onto the NFC logo located on the right ear cup.

Winner : Tie

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Battery life

Bose addressed the company's biggest complaint on the QC45: battery life. ANC playtime has been increased to 24 hours, four hours more than than previous Bose ANC headphones, including the flagship 700. USB-C charging was also added for faster charging. Nosotros appreciate the longer battery life, but there is 1 caveat, which is that you can't disable ANC. That means the headphones volition either operate in ANC or transparency mode, not assuasive you to preserve power.

Bombardment life on the QC35 2 is rated at 20 hours, which was considered standard when it launched back in 2022, but it falls short of what other high-stop ANC models offer these days. Oddly plenty, these headphones can go you up to 22 hours on a full charge, depending on how you apply them. Furthermore, the QC35 Ii allows you to plow off ANC and extend playtime to xl hours. The one large complaint that tin can be made is that they take micro-USB charging.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 35 Two

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Phone call quality

Y'all're guaranteed some of the all-time call quality in the category, no thing the headphones. If we must cull the better calling headset, surprisingly, it's the QC35 Two. Our reason: wind resistance. It performs better in gusty conditions and does a better chore of eliminating whisking furnishings caused by wind or speeding cars. Nosotros had a few callers compliment how crystal clear nosotros sounded over the phone and on video chats.

Much of the same applies to the QC45. Likewise its struggles with wind, these headphones produce loud and clear vocals for engaging conversations. Having the Self-Style feature available to control how loud y'all hear yourself is beneficial as well.

Winner : Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Movie going up against a fresher, younger, and more powerful version of yourself. That's the battle the QuietComfort 35 Two faces confronting the QuietComfort 45, and one that it loses in noble fashion.

The QC45 gives yous meliorate dissonance cancellation, audio quality, and longer bombardment life (on a single accuse). It besides achieves this at a lower price point than ANC powerhouses like the Bose 700, AirPods Max Pro, and Sony WH-1000XM4. Noise counterfoil and sound are elite, and advancements in connectivity (how-do-you-do, Bluetooth 5.1) promise stabler wireless functioning. But these headphones aren't without their flaws, specifically the dip in call quality and inability to disable ANC manner. Even so, the overall performance is well worth the premium.

	Bose QuietComfort 45	Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Value (5)	4	5
Blueprint (15)	xiii	11
Controls (10)	7	eight
Agile racket counterfoil (twenty)	19	17
Sound quality (xv)	13	eleven
App and special features (15)	11	11
Battery Life (ten)	seven	8
Call quality (ten)	eight	9
Total Score (100)	82	80

It's astonishing to run across how well the QC35 II performs against newbies, harnessing ANC that puts most models without a Bose logo to shame. Sound isn't as refined as what comes out of the QC45, only information technology is still elevation tier, delivering detailed mids and punchy lows. Condolement is excellent. Even special features like Music Share and NFC give information technology unique selling points when compared to newer brand offerings. As much of a fight as the QC35 2 puts up, the QC45's stronger spec sheet makes information technology the superior model.