Released in September 2017, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II remains to be one of the top picks for wireless noise cancelling headphones. While there may be other models that can arguably sound better than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, like the Sony WH-1000XM2, the former still gets our vote because it is lighter and much more comfortable to wear. Right now, the Beats Studio3 Wireless is the closest rival of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.   

Bose QuietComfort 35 II – What’s In The Box?

Upon opening the box of the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, the sturdy looking carrying case will welcome you. The headphones are tucked safely inside and the positioning of the headphones in the box highlights how flexible the headphones are designed. You’ll also get product  accessories such as the 3.5mm audio cable and the micro USB charging cable. In some reviews, users have voiced out that it would have been nice if the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II had a USB-C charging port, but on the bright side, at least this model has a headphone jack. Fortunately, the latest version now supports USB-C charging, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II – Google Assistant, Action Button

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II wireless noise cancelling headphone greatly looks, performs and sounds just like its predecessor except for one key feature – it has an all new “action” button located on the left earcup that allows users to connect or activate Google Assistant without needing to access or touch their phone. A little trivia, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is actually the first headphone model to integrate Google Assistant – talk about pioneering. In short, this headphone – available in silver or black – is truly one for the books, and is still proving that it is here to stay.

The Google Assistant is available for iOS and Android and works pretty much the same like the Amazon Alexa voice assistant. With this feature, you don’t have to use your phone to access Google Assistant but instead, you just press and hold the Action button on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Just download the free app and you can issue commands or simply use voice control to fiddle with music playback and other compatible smart devices that you own (smart watches, laptop, smart TV, etc).

There’s another way for you to access Google Assistant without pressing the Action button. You can do this by accessing the Bose Connect app and choose to map the Action button to noise cancelling levels that can toggle between Off, Low and High with each button press. With the Bose Connect app, users can also adjust the noise cancelling settings on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. The noise cancelling feature is considered to be important for individuals who are sensitive to the sensation of light pressure brought about by active noise cancellation.

The Action button is quite a handy addition most especially during winter season. With the Action button on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, it is simpler to make calls or respond to texts rather than removing your gloves and creating a message or navigate phone controls with frozen fingers.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Design, Comfort, Battery Life

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II offers the same comfort fit and top rating noise cancelling technology with the original version. Siri can still be accessed on iPhones with a touch of the right earcup and the battery life is still exemplary at 20 hours with noise cancelling in wireless mode.If the battery runs out, users can still use the headset in passive mode but don’t expect the sound performance to be the same. Users also get a cord so they can plug it in if the headphones are really needed.

How do the Bose QuietComfort 35 II sound?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is pretty good in producing smooth and pleasant sounds regardless of the genre, instruments or volume. The sound signature of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is well balanced with a punchy bass. For a Bluetooth headphone, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is quite impressive.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II supports AAC, among other codecs, removing latency for iOS users. Perhaps one weakness of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is the fact that it does not support some high quality codecs. However, don’t take this as a sign that it’s going to sound bad, in fact, the average user will find the sound quality to be more than great.

How’s the battery life of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II?

The battery life of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II runs for 20 hours and the USB-C charging option is an icing to the cake. Now that users have more control over the ANC levels, specifically 11 different levels of active noise cancellation.

With the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, you get a pair of top of the line headphones that offer effective active noise cancellation and wireless operation. Bearing these features is not an easy feat considering that a lot of issues arise that links audio quality and Bluetooth.

The ear pads of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II are also amazing, blocking out tons of ambient noise even with the ANC feature turned off. This is ideal for individuals who want to preserve battery or simply listen to music with noise cancellation turned off. It is worth noting that the battery of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is not removable so it would be wise to always bring a battery pack or a micro USB charging cable just in case you run out of juice.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Limitations

While the Action button may be one of the best highlights of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, there are also some limitations. For one, you can use the Bose QuietComfort 35 II to play and control music but you will have to use Spotify for Google Assistant to work. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II can connect to two devices at once. Some users have experienced that if one is connected to both a smartphone and a laptop, activating the Google Assistant may also start up iTunes on MacBook.

Another issue with the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is its noise cancellation. Some users have been sharing stories and experiences where they wished that the noise cancellation feature could have been a little more intelligent. In this perspective, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is better as the headphones automatically disable noise cancellation when users hold a hand over one of the housings.

The plastic build of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is also a bit disappointing for consumers who have a high regards for aesthetics. However, the plastic build is actually aimed to make the device lighter. Of course, when compared to luxury or high-end headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II may look and feel a bit tacky.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Microphone

Bose has always been one of the top performing brands when it comes to the audio business and the quality of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is exceptional. The brand is also known to effectively silence or reduce constant hums or rumbles and with the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, the microphone located outside and inside the headphones are known to effectively eradicate unnecessary ambient noises and background chatter.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Build and Quality

One of the critical factors that influence our choice to purchase a pair of headphones is its comfort. The AirPods Pro are marketed to have an innovative vent system that helps in equalizing pressure in the ears to minimize or reduce any discomfort that’s commonly caused by in-ear designs. Basically, Apple was aiming to give AirPods Pro users the experience of feeling like there’s nothing in their ears while listening to music or taking calls. The Apple AirPods Pro also comes with an expanded mesh microphone port designed to improve quality of calls in windy situations. Apple has been marketing the AirPods Pro to have a customizable fit, but realistically speaking, there are other brands and models in the market that provide a better and magical fit.

 

Apple AirPods Pro Transparency Mode

Apple AirPods has a transparency mode option that allows users to still be able to listen to the environment around them even with ANC. The life of the transparency mode benefits from the vent system of the AirPods Pro to help tone down the ANC and allows users to hear traffic, terminal announcements and more while still listening to their favorite podcast, TV shows, YouTube videos or while making a call.

Another obvious reason why iOS users prefer the AirPods Pro than most headphones or earbuds available in store is because it is compatible with Apple products such as the iPod, iPod Touch,iPhone, iPad and Mac OS computer.

Airpods ANC and Transparency modes can be automatically activated on the AirPods Pro or by pressing the volume slider in the Control Center of the iPad or iPhone so you can be directed to the Control Center settings. The Transparency mode can also be activated by pressing or  holding the Force Sensor on the AirPods Pro stem. This tech can effectively switch between the dynamic Transparency mode and ANC technology.