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Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2017
Bose

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2017

84
/ 100
From $349
VS
Bose QC45 wins by 4
Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
Specdex verdict

Bose QC45 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black lands at 84 and Bose QC45 at 88. That puts Bose QC45 ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Bose QC45 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Bose QC45

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QC45 leads on sound (88 vs 84).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC45

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC45 leads on anc (86 vs 82).

Comfort

Bose QC45

Long-session wearability

Bose QC45 leads on comfort (87 vs 83).

Value for money

Bose QC45

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QC45 more score per dollar ($329 vs $349).

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black 84
vs
88 Bose QC45

Score breakdown

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black
84
anc 82
sound 84
comfort 83
battery 82
features 80
Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black versus Bose QC45 — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black Bose QC45
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2017
2021

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Bose QC45

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black vs Bose QC45

Which is better, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in sound.

Is Bose QC45 worth the price? +

At $329, Bose QC45 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Bose QC45 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 — leads on sound (88 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 — leads on anc (86 vs 82). ANC strength for commute and travel.