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Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM3 – The Showdown

Looking for a thorough comparison of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM3?

You’re in the right place. In this article we will break down:

In this article we will break down:

  • What are the key differences between the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM3?
  • Pros of each headphone
  • Our pick for the overall winner between these two headphones

These are two of the most popular noise cancelling headphones on the market. Let’s get right into the specifics of which product wins!

In A Hurry? Here’s The Quick Rundown

The important point to note is that both headphones are excellent and will serve noise cancellation needs without doubt.

There is a reason they both consistently receive glowing reviews on every website they’re sold on.

In truth, you could flip a coin where Sony is heads, and Bose is tails. Whatever the result, you would be highly satisfied with either product.

With that said, they do have their differences which we will break down in great detail below.

2 hour recharge time
Bose QuietComfort 35 II


$279 From Amazon $279 From Best Buy
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
38 hour run time
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

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What Are The Pros of Bose QuietComort 35 II?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are the ideal choice if you plan on frequent phone calls and need headphones that can connect to more than one device at a time (i.e. your tablet and your phone).

Are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Comfortable?

The Bose are exceptionally comfortable. With soft and well-padded ear padding, you can wear the Bose QC 35 II’s for long periods of time without any discomfort or fatigue.

Are the QuietComfort 35 II good for phone calls?

Yes, they are fantastic for phone calls. The incoming and outgoing audio quality is very crisp and clear.

The sidetone feature also allows you to hear your own voice so you can speak at a natural volume while on calls.

Other good stuff:

  • Bose Connect app allows seamless adjustment of noise cancellation levels, music sharing, and Bluetooth connections
  • Super fast 2 hour battery recharge
  • Very comfortable ear padding
  • Amazon Alexa quick access from the “action” button
  • Noise-rejecting dual-microphone system allows for clear sound and voice pick-up

Bose QuietComort 35 II Amazon and Best Buy Customer Reviews

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II have been reviewed thousands of times on Amazon and maintain a very star rating with over 21,500 total customer reviews.

Even more impressive is the star rating from customers on Best Buy. Clocking in with nearly as close to 5 stars as you can get, the QuietComfort’s maintain 4.8 Stars with north of 6,500+ customer reviews.

Overall great headphones that do the job right!

I feel like I’m in my own world when studying, and even watching shows/movies.

– Amanda on Amazon

I think the Bose QuietComfort 35 II are the best wireless headphones on the market right now.

I’ve officially made the switch over to them as my primary listening companions.

If you had the QuietComfort 35 that were released last year, I don’t know that the Google Assistant feature is enough to upgrade, but if you are using a different style or brand of headphone, I think you will be happy with the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

– Nickcal on BestBuy

What Are The Pros of Sony WH-1000XM3?

The Sony WH-1000XM3 is ideal if you are a frequent traveler or music lover. Their noise cancellation is absolutely superb and their battery life is an impressive 38 hours.

The secret behind these headphone’s amazing noise cancellation is Sony’s QN1 HD noise-canceling processor.

Are the Sony WH-1000XM3 Comfortable?

The Sony’s are definitely comfortable. The soft foamed ear pads are made from urethane that works to distribute pressure evenly across the ear.

Are the Sony WH-1000XM3 Good For Phone Calls?

The Sony can absolutely be used for phone calls, but it’s not their strongest feature. In fact, they definitely lose to the Bose QuietComfort. More on that here.

Other good stuff:

  • Swivel foldable structure for ease of transport
  • Unique and automatic personal noise cancellation ability
  • Atmospheric pressure optimization
  • Sony Headphones connect app allows smart listening and adaptive noise control

Sony WH-1000XM3 Amazon and Best Buy Customer Reviews

The Sony headphones have a fantastic 4.6 star rating on Amazon with upwards of 10,000 verified customer purchases.

Likewise, on Best Buy, their rating is just as remarkable at 4.7 stars with 4,500+ reviews.

I did a lot of research before I pulled the trigger on wireless headphones.

These worked great on the airplane. I have a hard time hearing in loud ambient noise but was able to turn the ambient noise function on and I could hear the flight attendant very easily.

Not the best for phone calls because I try not to be loud when on my phone but I honestly didn’t buy them for this feature.

Noise cancelling is great. I was seated right next to the engine and with these I watched all of my movie with no issue.

Very comfortable and would highly recommend

– Skr4ps from Amazon

Sony has hit an absolute home run. Better design. More comfortable. Better noise cancellation. Better sound quality.

I didn’t think any of these things could get much better compared to last year’s model, but I was wrong.

If you want the best noise cancelling headphones on the market, stop looking. You’re on the right page.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

– Ryanmcv on BestBuy

Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM3 Comparison

Which Is Better For Phone Calls?

BOSE

There are two reasons that the Bose beats out the Sony in terms of phone calls.

First and foremost, the incoming and outgoing sound quality from the Bose is simply higher quality.

Second, the Bose can pair to two devices at once, versus the Sony that can only pair to one device at a time.

Why does that matter?

Imagine you’re on a train watching your favorite show using your headphones connected to your tablet. All of a sudden, you receive a phone call that you need to answer. If you’re using the Sony WH-1000XM3, you have to disconnect your audio from your tablet, and then connect to your phone to take the call.

With the Bose, you can be connected to both your tablet and your phone simultaneously. No interruption or disconnection needed.

2 hour recharge time
Bose QuietComfort 35 II


$279 From Amazon $279 From Best Buy
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Which Is Better For Active Noise Cancellation?

SONY

In terms of actual active noise cancellation performance, Sony’s edge out Bose.

This is thanks to Sony’s SENSE ENGINE technology. Essentially this technology uses pulse-like measuring system that detects your ear and compensates as needed to the level of noise cancellation necessary for whatever situation you’re in.

SENSE ENGINE also accounts for any breaks in the ear padding (i.e. glasses or hair) and counteracts with the relevant amount of noise-reduction.

38 hour run time
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Which Is Better For Comfort?

BOSE

The Bose are simply more comfortable and cause less fatigue on the ears when worn over long periods of time.

The ear-padding is very soft and shapes nicely around the ear.

Also, the headband is very lightweight and exerts very low pressure on the skull.

Which Is Better For Music?

SONY

Bose has punchy and more controlled type of bass. However, Sony is more ideal for vocal and more instrumental listening. Each have their own unique characteristic.

If you prefer more bass in your music, go with the Sony. If you prefer more soft, Bose QC35 II’s is the are better if you prefer a more even range of tonality.

What Else?

The Bose and Sony noise cancelling head phones are relatively neck and neck in terms of their specs. However, there are some key differences worth highlighting in comparing the Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM3.

1. Run Time

The run time for Sony is a staggering 18 hours longer than the Bose. This is the most stark difference between the two noise cancelling headphones.

2. Battery Recharge Time

The Bose can recharge to full battery life an hour faster than the Sony

3. Compatibility

In terms of compatibility, both headphones can sync up to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but Sony can also connect to Siri, while Bose cannot.

4. Included Accessories

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II comes with a few more accessories.

Included Accessories in the Bose:

  • Carrying case
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Audio cable for wired connection
  • Plug adapter for in-flight use

Included Accessories in the Sony:

  • USB charging cable
  • Audio cable
  • Carrying case
AccessoryBoseSony
Carrying case
USB charger
Audio Cable
Plug adapter

Bose Specs

SpecsBose QuietComfort 35 II
ColorBlack
Silver
Rose Gold
Run Time20 hours
Recharge Time2 hours
Weight10.9 oz
Width6.7 in
Depth6.7 in
ConnectivityWireless
Warranty1 year
Cushion MaterialSynthetic Leather
Bluetooth Version4.1
Cable Length4 ft
Wireless Range32.8 ft
Works WithAmazon Alexa
Google Assistant
Voice Assistant Built-inAmazon Alexa
Google Assistant
2 hour recharge time
Bose QuietComfort 35 II


$279 From Amazon $279 From Best Buy
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Sony Specs

SpecsSony WH-1000XM3
ColorBlack
Silver
Run Time38 hours
Recharge Time3 hours
Weight9 oz
Width7.3 in
Depth7.3 in
ConnectivityWireless
Warranty1 year
Cushion MaterialSynthetic Leather
Bluetooth Version4.2
Cable Length4 ft
Wireless Range32.8 ft
Works WithAmazon Alexa
Google Assistant
Siri
Voice Assistant Built-inAmazon Alexa
Google Assistant
38 hour run time
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Bose vs Sony Specs Compared

I have bolded the specification differences so you can easily see where the headphones differ.

SpecsBose QuietComfort 35 IISony WH-1000XM3
ColorBlack
Silver
Rose Gold
Black
Silver
Run Time20 hours38 hours
Recharge Time2 hours3 hours
Weight8.32 oz8.96 oz
Width6.7 in7.3 in
Depth6.7 in7.3 in
ConnectivityWirelessWireless
Warranty1 year1 year
Cushion MaterialSynthetic LeatherSynthetic Leather
Bluetooth Version4.14.2
Cable Length4 ft4 ft
Wireless Range32.8 ft32.8 ft
Works WithAmazon Alexa
Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Assistant
Siri
Voice Assistant Built-inAmazon Alexa
Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Assistant

Final Verdict

Determining which headphone prevails in the showdown between Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM3 ultimately comes down to your specific needs.

At the end of the day, if you are seeking super high quality noise cancellation, the Sony’s are the way to go.

If you need sharper phone call audio quality and prefer the convenience of dual connections, the Bose are for you.

Either way, both are excellent choices. Thank you for reading!

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