Bose 789564-0020

The QC35 II still delivers 81st percentile ANC and 96th percentile build quality, with a 4.7-star average from 77,398 reviews backing up its reputation. Sound quality is the weak link at the 46th percentile, and the $153-$600 US price spread means you need to shop carefully. At the low end, these are a comfort and noise-cancellation bargain.

Let's talk about what these do well first. The ANC is the headline act, and it still holds up. Three levels of noise cancellation let you dial in how much of the outside world you want to block, and at the 81st percentile, it's genuinely impressive for a headphone that launched back in 2017. The dual-microphone system does a decent job for calls, landing at the 73rd percentile for mic quality. Not best-in-class, but you won't sound like you're calling from inside a tin can.

The sound signature is where things get honest. The 46th percentile ranking means roughly half the over-ear headphones in our database sound better. Bose tunes these for a warm, easygoing profile that's pleasant but not particularly detailed. The 32Ω impedance and SBC/AAC codec support tell you this is a convenience-first setup, not an audiophile rig. AAC is fine for iPhone users, but Android folks are stuck with SBC, which is the Bluetooth equivalent of a Honda Civic. It gets you there, just without much flair. The wired mode actually reduces bass according to multiple owners, which is a strange quirk for a headphone that ships with a 1.2m cable.

Against the Sony WH-1000XM5, the QC35 II loses on paper. The XM5 has better sound, better ANC, and longer battery life. But the Bose wins on comfort and build, and at the right price, it's a fraction of the cost. The Sennheiser HDB 630 is a different animal entirely, more of a budget play that can't touch the Bose on ANC or build quality. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 sounds better, no question, but you'll pay a premium for that British tuning. The Nothing Headphone (1) is cheaper and looks cooler, but its ANC is nowhere near the 81st percentile. The JLab Epic Lux is the budget alternative, and while it's fine for the money, it doesn't have the Bose's track record or comfort. The QC35 II's real competition is the used market, where its reputation and build quality make it a safer bet than most renewed headphones.

Here's where you need to pay attention. The US listings for this renewed model span from $153 to $600. That's a $447 gap for what is essentially the same product. At $153, these are an absolute steal. You're getting 81st percentile ANC, 96th percentile build quality, and legendary comfort for less than most mid-range wireless headphones cost new. At $600, you're getting fleeced. That's Sony WH-1000XM5 money, and the XM5 beats these in sound, ANC, and battery. The affordability ranking of 7th percentile reflects the higher end of that range, but the low end changes everything. If you can find these under $200, the value proposition flips from mediocre to excellent.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II sits in a weird spot in 2025. Its social proof is basically untouchable at the 99th percentile, and the build quality lands at 96th. People have bought these things in droves, and the 4.7-star average across 77,398 reviews tells you most of them are happy. But the sound quality? 46th percentile. Middle of the pack. For a pair of headphones that originally sold as a premium flagship, that's a real gap between reputation and raw performance.

What you're getting here is a comfort-first, ANC-first pair of cans. The noise cancellation ranks at the 81st percentile, which is still strong even by today's standards, and the 236g weight plus that classic Bose clamp means you can wear these for hours without your skull complaining. The 20-hour battery is solid but not exciting. The real story is that this is a renewed product now, and the price spread across US listings runs from $153 to $600. That's a huge range, and it changes the value math completely depending on where you buy.

Gamers should look elsewhere. The wireless latency is a dealbreaker for anything requiring quick reactions, and the dead microphone in wired mode means you can't fall back on a cable for voice chat. Audiophiles will also be underwhelmed by the 46th percentile sound quality. If you want detailed, reference-grade audio, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or even the Sony WH-1000XM5 will serve you better. And if you're seeing these listed anywhere near the $600 end of the US price range, just walk away. That's flagship money for a seven-year-old design, and the affordability ranking of 7th percentile exists for a reason.

The QC35 II is a comfort and noise-cancellation machine that happens to play music. If you commute, travel, or work in a noisy office, the 81st percentile ANC and all-day comfort are worth the price of admission, especially if you can grab these at the lower end of that $153-$600 range. The 46th percentile sound quality means you're not getting a reference listening experience, but for podcasts, calls, and background music, these are more than adequate. The 4.7-star average from 77,398 reviews isn't an accident. These are dependable, comfortable, and built to last. Just don't pay flagship money for a seven-year-old design.