Beats Studio Buds+ vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The Verdict
Beats Studio Buds+ and Bose QuietComfort 35 II target different listening scenarios and user preferences. Beats delivers compact in-ear design with modern 5.3 Bluetooth connectivity, fast USB-C charging (5 minutes for 1 hour playback), and solid ANC in a lightweight 5g form factor, ideal for portability and Apple ecosystem integration. Bose's over-ear headphones offer superior comfort for extended sessions with industry-leading ANC across three levels, substantially longer 20-hour battery life with wireless ANC, and wired audio fallback capability. Sound quality favors Bose's larger 40mm drivers and acoustic engineering, though Beats provides competitive performance in a fraction of the size. Choose Beats Studio Buds+ for active lifestyles and commuting where portability matters; select Bose QuietComfort 35 II for office work, flights, and users prioritizing comfort and extended listening without charging.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Studio Buds+ if…
- →Works equally well with iOS and Android — rare for Beats
- →Transparent case is a unique, eye-catching design
- →36 hours total battery with case is exceptional
Buy the Bose QuietComfort 35 II if…
- →Legendary Bose noise cancellation that set the industry standard
- →Extremely comfortable for all-day wear with plush ear cushions
- →20-hour battery life is solid for travel and commuting
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Studio Buds+
Pros
- Works equally well with iOS and Android — rare for Beats
- Transparent case is a unique, eye-catching design
- 36 hours total battery with case is exceptional
- Improved ANC over original Studio Buds — blocks significantly more noise
- Lightweight at 5 g per bud with comfortable fit
Cons
- No Apple H2 or W1 chip — misses some Apple ecosystem features
- SBC/AAC only — no aptX or LDAC for audiophile Android users
- No multipoint Bluetooth connection
- Transparency mode still not as natural as AirPods Pro 2
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Pros
- Legendary Bose noise cancellation that set the industry standard
- Extremely comfortable for all-day wear with plush ear cushions
- 20-hour battery life is solid for travel and commuting
- Dedicated Google Assistant button for quick voice commands
- Foldable design and included hard case for portability
Cons
- Bluetooth 4.2 lacks modern codecs like aptX and LDAC
- Micro-USB charging port is outdated — not USB-C
- Sound quality is beaten by newer XM4 and XM5 models
- No multipoint Bluetooth for connecting two devices simultaneously
- Plastic build shows wear over time
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Studio Buds+ | Bose QuietComfort 35 II |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 5 g (each) | 235 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 hrs ANC on (9 hrs off), 36 hrs total with case | 20 hrs (wireless with ANC), 40 hrs (wired with ANC) |
| Charging | USB-C, 5 min = 1 hr playback | Micro-USB, 2.25 hrs for full charge, 15 min = 2.5 hrs playback |
| Drivers | Custom 9.5mm dual-element driver | 40mm Bose custom drivers |
| Features | Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Enhanced Apple and Android compatibility, One-touch pairing on both iOS and Android, Custom acoustic platform with dual-element driver, Find My (iOS) and Find My Device (Android), Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking (Apple) | Three levels of ANC (High, Low, Off), Google Assistant built-in (dedicated button), Bose AR (augmented reality) compatible, Volume-optimized EQ, Foldable design with carry case |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 4.2 with NFC pairing |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | None |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Bose products. View full details for the Beats Studio Buds+ or the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.