Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is the better pick: it ranks #122 of 249 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.7/5), against #153 (rated 3.4/5) for the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. If you want one new, the Dan Clark Audio E3 ranks #1 at $2,299.
What the Bose QuietComfort 35 II does well: 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.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the better-sounding choice. Excellent noise cancelling and a comfortable, light 0.5 lbs (240 g) build. The tradeoff: Discontinued.
Buy the Bose QuietComfort 45 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Dan Clark Audio E3 instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose QuietComfort 35 II | Bose QuietComfort 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $378.99 Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #153 of 249 in Over-Ear Headphones | #122 of 249 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.61 dB standard deviation | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wireless and wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | - |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Bose QuietComfort 45 compares with other leading options:
- Focal Azurys vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
- Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
- Sony MDR-CD900ST vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
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
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Discontinued eBay
Pros: Excellent noise cancelling and a comfortable, light 240 g build. The measured tuning scores 76 on the Harman scale with a 2.29 dB spread, with clean bass about 2 dB above target that extends to 20 Hz and mids close to neutral.
Cons: Discontinued. A 9.1 dB dip near 8.7 kHz and an upper treble lift make cymbals sound uneven, and the original release had no EQ beyond a later bass and treble slider. There is no high resolution codec beyond AAC.
Full Bose QuietComfort 45 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (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 | -0.63 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.2 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 | -1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 161 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.15 |
| Peak | 5,490 Hz | -7.7 dB | 2.06 |
| Peak | 4,242 Hz | +3.5 dB | 0.24 |
| Peak | 2,328 Hz | -5.2 dB | 2.15 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,352 Hz | +2.9 dB | 1.93 |
| Peak | 390 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.32 |
| Peak | 6,508 Hz | -1.0 dB | 5.04 |
| Peak | 70 Hz | -0.1 dB | 1.97 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples