Short answer: the Fairphone Fairbuds XL, if you are buying new. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II measures as well as it (#83 vs #84 of 134 over-ear headphones, 3.4/5 vs 3.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Fairphone Fairbuds XL is still sold new at $229.99.
Why pick the Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Active noise cancelling and a 20 hour battery make it a practical choice for commuting and flights. The tradeoff: Bluetooth 4.0 and no aptX or LDAC support limit wireless audio quality and connection features compared with newer models.
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL is the longer-running option. Wireless with active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.1 and aptX HD, plus a 30 hour battery (26 hours with ANC on), so it covers travel and desk use. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Bose QuietComfort 35 II lacks. The catch: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 5.3 dB under target, with a 10.2 dB dip near 3.4 kHz, which pushes vocals and instrument attack back and makes music sound recessed.
Buy the Fairphone Fairbuds XL new; the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose QuietComfort 35 II | Fairphone Fairbuds XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.99 Discontinued | $229.99 |
| Ranked | #83 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #84 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.61 dB standard deviation | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wireless and wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (26 with ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX HD |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | - | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 99 dB at 1kHz |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | - | IP54 |
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- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Cooler Master MH752
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 35 II: $359.99 Discontinued Amazon 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
Fairphone Fairbuds XL: $229.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Wireless with active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.1 and aptX HD, plus a 30 hour battery (26 hours with ANC on), so it covers travel and desk use. An IP54 rating adds splash and dust resistance, which is uncommon among over-ears, and a wired connection at 32 ohms and 99 dB is available too. Mids and low bass track the target closely, within about 0.3 dB from 60 Hz to 1 kHz.
Cons: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 5.3 dB under target, with a 10.2 dB dip near 3.4 kHz, which pushes vocals and instrument attack back and makes music sound recessed. A 2.8 dB peak near 6.4 kHz adds some sharpness on top of that. Sub-bass is lifted about 2.9 dB, and at 330 g it is heavier than most wireless rivals such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
Full Fairphone Fairbuds XL review and specifications →
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (26 with ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB at 1kHz |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.2 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 | -7.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,409 Hz | +7.2 dB | 2.60 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +7.1 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 979 Hz | -2.0 dB | 1.35 |
| Peak | 242 Hz | -1.8 dB | 1.04 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,413 Hz | -4.2 dB | 5.06 |
| Peak | 2,037 Hz | -2.5 dB | 4.81 |
| Peak | 1,598 Hz | +1.3 dB | 4.26 |
| Peak | 2,813 Hz | +1.6 dB | 5.68 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples