If you are looking for a pair of over-the-head wireless headphones then the Bose QC35II and Beats studio 3 are definitely the best two options in the market. Today we look at the pros and cons of both these headphones and try to find which one scores more brownie points over the other.
Preview
Bose
Beats
Title
Bose QC35ii
Beats Studio 3
Price
$344.78
$242.49
Rating
Built quality
Premium, strong and lightweight
Heavy but premium finish
Style
Professional yet dated look
Extremely stylish
Durability
Bulky but stretchy
Rigid design and sleek
Earcups
Ear cups swivel and lies flat on the ground; comfortable
Less swivel on ear cups and clampy on ears
Weight
232 grams
260 grams
Carry Case
Easy to carry case
Bulky carry case
Comfort
Highly comfortable for long hours
Not suitable for long hours compared to Bose QC35ii
Drivers
Angled driver for better audio and airy earpads
Rigid driver and heating experience
Battery life
Same battery life on iOS and Android Devices (20 hours max)
Lesser battery life on Android devices (22+ hours for iOS devices)
Chip set
NA
WI chip enables faster pairing for iOS devices
Voice prompts
Virtual assistant
Easy accesses to Google assistant/ Alexa without unlocking phone
Phone needs to be unlocked for accessing Google assistant and Siri
Physical controls
Physical buttons for easy control and good feedback
Controls are hidden and feels a bit cheap and hollow
The Bose QC35II has lightweight earcups and fits in a comfortable position over the ears. The grip is not too tight and provides ample support to the ears while listening.
This makes it extremely comfortable for using them for long periods. On the other hand, the Beats Studio 3 headphones are a bit clampy and you can feel your ear warming up after using for an hour or so.
Built quality of Bose QC35II & Beats Studio 3
Both these noise-cancelling headphones are of premium quality but the Bose QC35II is much lighter than the beats Studio 3. The bose quietcomfort 35 ii feels much luxurious, comfortable and durable too.
On the other hand, the Beats Studio 3 is sleek, stylish and comes in a variety of colors and including matte finish options. Personally, I prefer the Bose to the other because of its comfort. However, if Bose could update its professional yet outdated design, then it will appeal to a wider customer base.
Sound quality of Bose QC35II & Beats Studio 3
Choosing the best pair of headphones based on sound quality is very subjective. However, the Studio 3 headphones are very loud and it has high bass, which the Bose QC35II does not possess.
But, it is difficult to listen to high-volume high-bass audio for long periods. Therefore, I prefer the Bose QC35II to the Beats headphones. The Bose QC35II has a rich, warm and balanced sound quality, wider soundstage and balanced frequencies all throughout the audio spectrum.
Both the headphones portray an individual character to themselves depending and the choice may vary depending on the person using it.
Connectivity and controls
Both of the headphones use Bluetooth 4.2 but the Beats Studio 3 headphones have a dedicated W1 chip for better connectivity.
The Studio 3 headphones have better reception, audio quality, good connectivity through walls and doors and have approximately 100 feet of Bluetooth range. Bose QC35II has a lesser Bluetooth range of only 30 feet and often creates lags and breaks when listening to streaming videos.
The controls on the Bose feel luxurious and the feedback is impressive. On the other hand, controls on the Studio 3 headphones feel ‘plasticky’ and a bit cheap. The feedback is ‘okayish’ and leaves a feeling of a lot more to be desired.
Noise cancellation
The Bose QC35II headphones have the best active noise cancellation feature. Beats Studio3 headphones use adaptive noise cancellation, which seems average, after listening to the Bose QC35II.
While working out or jogging, the Beats have enough level of noise-cancelling for listening purposes and also allow surrounding sounds in to keep you alert. With the Bose QC35II there is a constant feeling that the headphones might slip and fall during workout or jogging.
Battery and fast charging
The Beats Studio 3 headphones give 22+ hours of battery life in one single charge while the Bose QC35II manages 20-hour battery life.
However, the Bose battery life remains the same for both iOS and Android devices. The Beats gives better battery life on iOS devices than Android and this may be one of the deciding factors, as people who use iPhones may generally prefer the Beats Studio 3 for its long battery life.
When it comes to fast charging the beats gives you 3 hours of battery with 10 minutes of fast charging while Bose QC35II manages only 2.5 hours of usage on a 15-minute fast charging.
Bose QC35ii
Pros
Pleasantly comfortable for long time use
Excellent Active Noise Cancellation performance
Durability
Built-in voice assistant
Replaceable ear pads
Balanced, wider soundstage and built in equalizer for better audio (subjective)
Same battery life on iOS and Android Devices
Voice prompts for battery levels
Cons
Feels a bit loose and can feels they might fall while jogging
Lucas is a freelance media designer for image and sound also works for various production companies as a motion designer. He is regularly testing new wireless headphones on in the rehearsal room and there are now more than 70 wireless headphones on the shelves.
Last update on 2023-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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