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Travel gadgets – I love them and but don’t like to spend on them, until now that is. I am in the market for headphones that are travel (and pocket) friendly. Its hard to look past the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 for its sheer popularity amongst travellers. I spot at least a couple on every flight I have boarded.
This is a big deal for me since I have NEVER bought a pair of headphones more than $50. Honestly, I pride myself in taking good care of everything I own, so things last a long time under my care. My old-school wired headphones have lasted more than 5 years!!
My stone age era wired earphones
Now that they are kaput, I am really keen on investing in premium headphones which will be my travel buddy. I tried the Bose QC 35 wireless headphones and am blown away with its quality and sleek design. But is it really worth $350?
Bose Quite Comfort 35 wireless headphones. Image Source: bose.com
I am also considering the Bose SoundSport wireless headphones that retails at $150. Minus the noise cancelation feature, I like that they are easy to carry and seem much more portable than the QC 35’s.
Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones. Image Source: bose.com
Some common features that I love in both products;
- Amazing sound quality and smooth bluetooth interface (I have never experienced such quality on any of my previous headphones, so its night and day for me)
- Can take calls from paired phones
- Easy USB charging, even on a laptop!
I know its comparing apples and oranges but I am primarily trying to decide if the $200 difference between the two Bose products is worth it. Is the noise cancelation feature worth paying an extra $200? Because I have never dabbled in this price-range/quality of products, its hard for me to ascertain.
If you have used either of these products as your travel companion and can share some feedback, it would definitely help. Please leave a comment below. Either way, I am excited that I am finally upgrading!!
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18 comments
I have the QC20 in-ear noise cancelling headphones and have to say that they are better at noise cancelling than the quietcomfort models. At least in my opinion. I have the first generation and I’ve read in many places that newer generations are much better. The comfort is great and the best part is that they can fit right into your pocket in the included travel pouch. When on packed flights this can make a big difference. Very happy with them. A bit pricey but worth it.
Thanks Chad, qc20 is a strong alternative – tried them on yesterday. Cheers!
[…] Travel gadgets – I love them and but don’t like to spend on them, until now that is. I am in the market for headphones that are travel (and pocket) friendly. Its hard to look past the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 for its sheer popularity amongst travellers. ( read original story …) […]
You could go middle of the road and do the qc 20 but those are $250. I’ve heard the Sony mdr-1000x headphones are super good. Paul at the layovers podcast brags about his.
I prefer a cheap pair of buds and figure the business long hauls will have them included on the plane.
Exactly what I used to do, content with cheap earphones and was happy with the ones included in Business. Until I experienced the QC 35, now I am in love with the experience but also holding my wallet tight. Will check out the Sony mdr. QC 20 are pretty good as well, tried them yesterday…thanks for the reco!
soundsport is the wrong comparison, you need to compare it with the neckband style quietcontrol 30. I own all of these and used the QC30 on flight only because it is smaller to carry, and I still use my wired QC20 because it is wired.
Agreed, its apples and oranges. were you allowed to use QC30 during take off and landing?
I use it, since it is still Actively noise cancelling even without the bluetooth connection (phone in airplane mode)
Short & sweet: Try Etymotic Research ER 4XS; pricey/$349, but if you’re a purist, & want TOTAL NOISE ISOLATION; even on airplanes, & the NYC Subway, you can’t go wrong.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Anything but a purist 😉 Looking at bose because other travelers recommended it and used a wired $40 earphones for 5 years – haha
Thanks a lot for the reco, will definitely check em out. That price tag is heavy though, just like QC35..
You have to go QC35. I’ve had mine since they were released and they’re GREAT for travel. Literally can’t hear anything outside of the headphones. Highly recommend.
Spoken like a true traveler. I am so tempted to pull the trigger…but $350!! How does it compare to LH F? 😉
I have Bose QC35 and the NC is just way better than others I have tried. I am quite pleased with them, and got them at a small discount due to Amazon deal.
However they are “hanger queens”. I like to travel light. I like the QC35 a lot but…..
What gets more play are LG Infinim. There is much to recommend the “horse collar” design. They are so comfortable that at least once I’ve gone to security and FORGOTTEN I have them on. Battery lasts a LONG time. If I wear a polo-type shirt, they will fit near-invisibly under the collar. I bought them at Costco on a lark to try “around town”, but find they are constant companions. Give them a try!
Agreed, I tried a few headphones on demo and the qc35 was easily the best in terms of NC feature.
The LG looks a good choice as well, will definitely try em on – thanks for rhe recommendation! Cheers.
Bose’s NC is the best. Standard for pilot. But offcourse you gain something, sacrifice another. Sound quality not as good as other headset with same price
Try shure in ear monitor. Sound quality far surpassed bose. Plantronics and sony have good quality noise cancelling overear headphones cheaper than bose.
Oh wow, never even heard of shure until now, thanks for the reco. Looks like they are not wire-free? Will look up detailed reviews online – cheers!
Most traveller use bose because of noise cancelling. Nothing beats bose here, they own patented tech for it. But NC sacrifice sound quality. Shure have detachable wires. If bose’s price is too much, try other brand with NC feature. Off course, not as good as bose, but maybe better in value for money.