Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM3 - Which Headphones Have the Best Noise Cancelling?

October 22, 2021

Are you tired of hearing noises when you're trying to enjoy your favorite music or a podcast? Look no further because we have two of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market: Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM3. But which one truly has the best noise cancelling? Let's compare them.

Noise Cancelling Capabilities

Let's start with what we're here for - the noise-cancelling capabilities. Both headphones have an Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) feature, which uses microphones to analyze the sound around you and create an opposite sound to cancel it out.

According to many reviews and tests, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones are the winner in this category - they have better noise cancelling overall compared to the QuietComfort 35 II. The difference may not be significant, but the Sony headphones take the crown.

Numbers Talk

We can't just say that the Sony headphones have better noise cancelling - we need to provide some numbers. The noise attenuation at 200 Hz and 1000 Hz for the Bose headphones is around -16 dB and -24 dB, respectively. The Sony headphones, on the other hand, have a higher noise attenuation of around -20 dB and -31 dB for the same frequencies. These numbers may not mean much to a regular person, but they are a significant difference that can make a world of difference in noisy environments.

Comfort and Design

When it comes to comfort and design, both headphones are at par with each other. Both are comfortable for long listening sessions and are designed to be worn for extended periods without any issues. However, the Bose is slightly lighter, which may make it more comfortable for some users.

The design is subjective, but we give the crown to the Bose. They look sleek and professional, while the Sony headphones have a more casual look to them.

Additional Features

Both headphones have some additional features that may interest some users. The Sony headphones have a Quick Attention feature that allows you to lower the volume and listen to the surrounding sounds by placing your hand over the right ear cup. The Bose headphones have a "Bose Connect" app that allows you to control various settings such as the noise-cancelling feature, connecting to other devices, and much more.

The Verdict

After comparing the two headphones, we have come to a conclusion - the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones have the best noise cancelling of the two. Although the difference is not significant, it is still a crucial factor when picking noise-cancelling headphones. However, if you're looking for something that's more comfortable and looks sleeker, then the Bose QuietComfort 35 II would be a better option.

Before we go, here's a bonus. Even if you do not purchase any of these headphones, you can still appreciate the fact that they both have clever names. Bose QuietComfort 35 II? Sony WH-1000XM3? We love a good pun.

References

  1. RTINGS. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless 2018 Review.
  2. RTINGS. Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless 2018 Review.
  3. SoundGuys. Sony WH-1000XM3 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Battle of the best ANC headphones.

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