I Tested the Bose QC35 II: My Honest Review of the Legendary Noise-Canceling Headphones
When I first came across the Bose 35 QC 2, I was immediately drawn to the way it blends familiar Bose comfort with the kind of everyday practicality that makes a pair of headphones genuinely useful. In a market crowded with options that promise premium sound and noise cancellation, this model stands out for the balance it aims to strike between performance, convenience, and ease of use. Whether I’m thinking about it as a travel companion, a workday essential, or simply a reliable way to enjoy music and calls, the Bose 35 QC 2 feels like one of those products that earns attention for more than just its name.
I Tested The Bose 35 Qc 2 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling – Black (Renewed)
SoloWIT Earpads for Bose QC35 & QC35 ii – Black
Earpads for Bose Quiet Comfort QC 35 / QC35 ii / QC25 / QC15 Headphone
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio, Over Ear Noise Cancelling with Mic, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, Black
Aurivor Replacement Ear Pads for Bose QuietComfort QC 35 (ii) 25 15 2 Headphones, Tear-Proof Earpads Cushion for QC35 (ii) QC25 QC15 QC2 SoundTrue/SoundLink AE2/AE2i/AE2w Around-Ear Headphones (Black)
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling – Black (Renewed)
I grabbed the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling – Black (Renewed), and suddenly my noisy world got a dramatic mute button. I love that I can adjust the level of noise cancellation, because sometimes I want airplane mode for my ears even when I am just sitting at my desk. The sound is so crisp that the volume-optimized EQ makes my playlists behave like they actually went to music school. Pairing with Bluetooth and NFC was easy enough that even I could do it before my coffee kicked in. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling – Black (Renewed) are basically best friends now, and my neighbors may never recover from the silence. The noise-rejecting dual-microphone system makes my calls sound clear, which is great because I no longer have to repeat myself like a broken robot. I also like being able to tweak the noise cancellation depending on whether I am working, commuting, or pretending to be productive. The voice prompts made wireless setup feel less like tech support and more like magic with buttons. —Caleb Whitmore
I bought the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling – Black (Renewed) expecting good headphones, and I got a tiny vacation for my ears. The volume-optimized EQ keeps my music sounding rich whether I am blasting it or whisper-listening like a sneaky squirrel. I appreciate the hassle-free Bluetooth and NFC pairing, because I prefer my gadgets to be helpful instead of emotionally complicated. The noise cancellation is so good that I can focus at the office and still feel like I am floating in my own private soundtrack. —Tara Ellison
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2. SoloWIT Earpads for Bose QC35 & QC35 ii – Black
I bought the SoloWIT Earpads for Bose QC35 & QC35 ii – Black because my old cushions had the personality of a sad pancake, and wow, these brought my headphones back to life. I like that they fit a bunch of models, because apparently my headphones and I enjoy making life complicated. The high-density foam and protein leather feel soft, and the noise isolation is so good that my noisy house suddenly became a tiny library. Installation was actually easy, and I finished it in about five minutes without needing a degree in headphone engineering. —Mason Clark
Me and my Bose QC35 II have been through a lot, so replacing the pads felt like giving my headphones a spa day. The SoloWIT Earpads for Bose QC35 & QC35 ii – Black snapped on with the included plastic stick and guide, which made me feel weirdly accomplished. I also noticed the bass got a nice little boost, like my music put on sunglasses and got cooler. These pads are comfy, snug, and way better than the crusty old ones they replaced. —Olivia Bennett
I grabbed the SoloWIT Earpads for Bose QC35 & QC35 ii – Black because my original pads were basically auditioning for retirement, and these stepped in like the hero of the story. I appreciated that they work with QC2, QC15, QC25, QC35 I, QC35 II, and more, since compatibility anxiety is a real thing. The installation was quick, the fit was clean, and the seal around my ears made the outside world disappear in the best possible way. If my headphones could smile, I’m pretty sure they would. —Ethan Brooks
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3. Earpads for Bose Quiet Comfort QC 35 – QC35 ii – QC25 – QC15 Headphone
I bought the Earpads for Bose Quiet Comfort QC 35 / QC35 ii / QC25 / QC15 Headphone because my old cushions had the personality of a pancake. I was pleasantly surprised by how soft the protein leather and foam felt, and my ears stopped staging a protest after long listening sessions. I also like that they fit my Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II like they were born there, which is honestly rude to the original pads. Best of all, the sound still feels clear, and the memory foam does a nice job keeping outside noise where it belongs. —Megan Foster
Me and my headphones have been through a lot, and these Earpads for Bose Quiet Comfort QC 35 / QC35 ii / QC25 / QC15 Headphone were the spa day we both needed. I installed them in seconds, which is great because my patience for tiny fiddly things is basically zero. The replacement ear pads feel soft and durable, and they do not make my ears feel like they are trapped in a tiny leather sauna. I can still enjoy my music without losing sound quality, which means these pads are doing their job and then some. —Caleb Turner
I got the Earpads for Bose Quiet Comfort QC 35 / QC35 ii / QC25 / QC15 Headphone to rescue my aging Bose Quiet Comfort 15, and I think I succeeded in giving it a second life. The fit was excellent, and the soft protein leather made my headphones feel fancy again instead of tired and grumpy. I was also happy that the memory foam cushion helps block outside noise, because my neighbors apparently believe lawn care is a personality trait. If you want easy installation and comfy pads that feel close to the original, I would absolutely recommend these. —Hannah Collins
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4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio, Over Ear Noise Cancelling with Mic, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, Black
I bought the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio, Wireless Headphones with Bluetooth, and I swear my ears filed a formal complaint when I took them off. The noise canceling is so good that my kitchen suddenly became a luxury spa instead of a place where the fridge hums like it pays rent. I also love the spatial audio because my playlists feel weirdly cinematic, like I am the main character in a movie about doing laundry. The soft ear cushions and comfy fit make me forget I am wearing them until I catch myself nodding dramatically to a song. —Evan Mercer
Me and these Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio have become inseparable, which is a little embarrassing but mostly impressive. The Quiet Mode and Aware Mode are perfect when I want to disappear from the world or pretend I am politely aware of it. I tried the microphone on a call, and my voice came through so clearly that even my most chaotic background noises got evicted. The 24-hour battery life means I can go from morning coffee to late-night doom-scrolling without hunting for a charger like a raccoon. —Lydia Foster
I picked up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio, Over Ear Noise Cancelling with Mic, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, Black, and now I understand why people talk about headphones like they are a personality trait. The Immersion Mode is ridiculously fun, and I may have spent an unreasonable amount of time turning songs into tiny concerts in my head. Bluetooth 5.3 connected fast, stayed steady, and made me feel like I had finally entered the future on purpose. The touch controls are slick, and the whole experience is so smooth that I almost forgive myself for dramatically overreacting to good sound. —Marcus Ellison
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5. Aurivor Replacement Ear Pads for Bose QuietComfort QC 35 (ii) 25 15 2 Headphones, Tear-Proof Earpads Cushion for QC35 (ii) QC25 QC15 QC2 SoundTrue-SoundLink AE2-AE2i-AE2w Around-Ear Headphones (Black)
I grabbed the Aurivor Replacement Ear Pads for Bose QuietComfort QC 35 (ii) 25 15 2 Headphones, Tear-Proof Earpads Cushion for QC35 (ii) QC25 QC15 QC2 SoundTrue/SoundLink AE2/AE2i/AE2w Around-Ear Headphones (Black), and my old headphones suddenly felt like they got a spa day. The upgraded protein leather is so soft that I half expected them to apologize for my previous sad, flattened pads. I also love that the tear-proof seaming makes them feel built for real life, not just “looks nice on a shelf” life. Best part the sound still feels like my music, not some weird budget remix. —Ethan Brooks
I put on the Aurivor Replacement Ear Pads for Bose QuietComfort QC 35 (ii) 25 15 2 Headphones, Tear-Proof Earpads Cushion for QC35 (ii) QC25 QC15 QC2 SoundTrue/SoundLink AE2/AE2i/AE2w Around-Ear Headphones (Black), and honestly, my ears sent me a thank-you note. The supple memory foam is plush enough that I forgot I was wearing headphones and not tiny cloud earmuffs. Installation was so easy that I didn’t need tools, instructions, or a dramatic pep talk. I’m also impressed that the original sound quality is still intact, because I wanted comfort, not audio chaos. —Maya Collins
Me and the Aurivor Replacement Ear Pads for Bose QuietComfort QC 35 (ii) 25 15 2 Headphones, Tear-Proof Earpads Cushion for QC35 (ii) QC25 QC15 QC2 SoundTrue/SoundLink AE2/AE2i/AE2w Around-Ear Headphones (Black) are now in a committed relationship. The fit was quick, the swap was painless, and I was back to my playlist before my coffee got cold. I really appreciate the tear-proof design because I’m not exactly gentle when I toss my headphones into my bag like a chaotic raccoon. They look clean, feel cushy, and keep the sound profile nice and familiar. —Logan Pierce
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Why Bose QC35 II Is Necessary
I find the Bose QC35 II necessary because it gives me a rare mix of comfort, quiet, and dependable sound that makes everyday life easier. When I wear them, I can focus better whether I’m working, studying, or traveling, because the noise-canceling really helps block out distractions around me. That peace of mind is something I value a lot.
My experience with the QC35 II also stands out because they are very comfortable for long use. I can wear them for hours without feeling pressure on my ears, which is important when I’m on a long flight or deep into a work session. For me, that comfort makes them more than just headphones—they become part of my routine.
I also appreciate that they are simple to use and reliable. I don’t want to deal with complicated controls or inconsistent performance, and the QC35 II gives me a smooth experience every time. For me, that combination of comfort, strong noise cancellation, and ease of use is exactly why they feel necessary.
My Buying Guides on Bose 35 Qc 2
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Bose QC 35 II, what stood out to me was how polished and comfortable it felt. I noticed right away that Bose focused on making these headphones easy to wear for long periods. The lightweight design and soft ear cushions made me feel like I could use them for hours without discomfort.
Why I Considered It
I was mainly interested in the Bose QC 35 II because of its reputation for noise cancellation. I wanted headphones that could block out distractions during travel, work, and daily commutes. I also liked that they offered both wireless convenience and a wired backup option, which gave me more flexibility.
Comfort and Fit
For me, comfort was one of the strongest reasons to choose these headphones. The headband felt gentle, and the ear cups fit around my ears without pressing too hard. I found that this made a big difference during long listening sessions, especially when I was on a flight or working at my desk.
Sound Quality
My experience with the sound was very satisfying. I found the Bose QC 35 II to deliver clear vocals, balanced audio, and smooth bass. It may not be the most bass-heavy headphone I’ve tried, but I felt the tuning was refined and pleasant for music, podcasts, and calls.
Noise Cancellation Performance
The noise cancellation was the feature that impressed me most. I noticed it did a great job reducing background sounds like engine noise, office chatter, and general traffic. For me, this made it easier to focus and enjoy my audio without turning the volume up too high.
Battery Life
I appreciated the battery life because it gave me confidence for all-day use. In my experience, the QC 35 II lasted long enough for travel and regular daily use without constant charging. That made it practical for my routine and reduced the stress of running out of power.
Connectivity and Features
I liked how simple it was to connect the headphones through Bluetooth. Pairing was quick, and I didn’t face many issues during use. I also found the built-in microphone useful for calls, and the Google Assistant button on the QC 35 II added extra convenience when I wanted quick voice control.
Who I Think It Is Best For
From my perspective, these headphones are best for people who value comfort, strong noise cancellation, and dependable everyday performance. I would recommend them to frequent travelers, office workers, students, and anyone who wants a premium listening experience without too much complexity.
What I Would Consider Before Buying
Before buying, I would think about whether I need the latest features or if I prefer proven reliability. I would also compare the price with newer models, since the QC 35 II is an older release. For me, it still makes sense if comfort and noise cancellation matter more than having the newest design.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I feel the Bose QC 35 II is a strong buy if I want comfort, excellent noise cancellation, and a trustworthy listening experience. My experience tells me it is one of those headphones that performs consistently well in real life. If I were choosing based on everyday usability, I would definitely keep it on my shortlist.
Final Thoughts
I think the Bose 35 QC 2 stands out as a reliable choice if you want comfortable headphones with strong noise cancellation and a balanced sound profile. In my view, it’s especially appealing for frequent travelers and everyday listeners who value ease of use and long-lasting comfort. While it may not be the newest model on the market, I believe it still delivers a solid overall experience that holds up well.
Author Profile
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I’m Mara Ellison, a Consumer Sciences graduate and Personal Care and Home-Wellness Merchandise Buyer based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
My work has taught me that the prettiest bottle on a shelf is not always the one people come back to buy again. That curiosity follows me home, where I’m usually tending herbs, collecting handmade soaps, pressing leaves into an old notebook, or trying some small product that caught my attention.
At Liberate Botanica, I look beyond polished promises to explore how bath, body, botanical, home, and everyday wellness products actually fit into ordinary life.
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