Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Bose QuietComfort 20 ranks #468 of 668 in-ear headphones by sound quality; the Bose QuietComfort 35 II ranks #178 of 308 over-ear headphones by sound quality at $378.99.
What the Bose QuietComfort 20 does well: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 69 with a 2.63 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Why pick the Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Active noise cancelling and a 20 hour battery make it a practical choice for commuting and flights. Watch for: Bluetooth 4.0 and no aptX or LDAC support limit wireless audio quality and connection features compared with newer models.
One note: the Bose QuietComfort 20 is discontinued and no longer widely available new.
Buy the Bose QuietComfort 20 for a in-ear headphones, or the Bose QuietComfort 35 II for a over-ear headphones instead.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose QuietComfort 20 | Bose QuietComfort 35 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $378.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #468 of 668 in In-Ear Headphones | #178 of 308 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | Over-ear |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless and wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.63 dB standard deviation | 2.61 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.1 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Back | - | Closed |
| Weight | - | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose QuietComfort 35 II:
- Bose QuietComfort 25 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Bose QuietComfort 45
- Focal Azurys vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Bose QuietComfort 20 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 69 with a 2.63 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. A 5.6 dB peak near 7.5 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Full Bose QuietComfort 20 review and specifications →
| Released | 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 888 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.32 |
| Peak | 1,798 Hz | -5.3 dB | 2.41 |
| Peak | 5,947 Hz | +4.8 dB | 3.69 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,134 Hz | -3.1 dB | 4.32 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.29 |
| Peak | 209 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.78 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.44 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Bose QuietComfort 35 II: $378.99 Wireless Discontinued Amazon $378.99 eBay
Pros: Active noise cancelling and a 20 hour battery make it a practical choice for commuting and flights. Bluetooth with SBC and AAC suits iPhones, and a wired connection is available when the battery runs out. At 240 g it is light for an over-ear with a built-in microphone, and its preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement is respectable for a noise cancelling model.
Cons: Bluetooth 4.0 and no aptX or LDAC support limit wireless audio quality and connection features compared with newer models. The Focal Azurys has a higher rating as a wired closed-back, though it lacks wireless and noise cancelling. The design dates from 2017, and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL offers newer Bluetooth, aptX HD and a longer battery at a lower price. Discontinued.
Full Bose QuietComfort 35 II review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.61 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 99 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 1,332 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 2,633 Hz | -4.5 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 5,938 Hz | -5.2 dB | 6.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,646 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 4,334 Hz | -2.3 dB | 3.66 |
| Peak | 7,076 Hz | +2.6 dB | 5.94 |
| Peak | 6,213 Hz | -3.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons