Between the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II; which wireless headphones are the best?
Here it is ladies and gentlemen. Two highly popular headphones side-by-side facing off. While each pair has its standard ups and downs, they also have their own unique benefits.
Depending on what you’re looking for in a pair of headphones will determine which of these might be the best choice for you. After extensive research, personal experience, and reviews; We formulated an in-depth comparison between each one. May the battle commence!
But first…
What Makes A Pair Of Headphones Good?
- Sound Quality: How good the overall audio quality of music, phone calls, or video.
- Comfort: The ability to remain comfortable for extended periods of time without itchiness, annoyance, or ear pain.
- Build Quality: The overall durability and longevity. Able to withstand harsh conditions for extended periods of time.
- Noise Isolation/ Active Noise Cancelling: If any at all, how well the active noise cancelling or noise isolating abilities are.
- Battery Life: How long the battery life of the pair of headphones is at a full charge.
- Added Features: A few examples of added features headphones offer can be Bluetooth capabilities, built-in AI assistant, headphone controls, built-in microphone for phone calls, flexibility, rotatable ear cups, etc.
We compared and contrasted each of these factors for the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 & Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Sound Quality
Especially for music listeners, the overall quality of sound is a massive factor in finding your perfect pair of headphones. There are various factors that impact a pair of headphones’ sound quality.
Plantronics Pro 2
With high-res sound, these headphones offer a fantastic balance between all frequencies. The music sound very detailed and crisp. While it still has a great bass response, it does not take away from the punchy mids and sparkly highs. Overall, these headphones have much better sound quality than their price. I give the sound quality a 9 out of 10.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The sound quality is absolutely brilliant. It automatically adjusts the EQ levels depending on what type of music or audio you’re listening to. I wouldn’t change a thing about the sound, even if I could. Every single instrument and frequency are nicely separated without any cluster. Like the Sony, I give the sound quality a solid 9.8 out of 10.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has better sound quality than the Plantronics Pro 2.
Comfort
The ability for headphones to remain comfortable for extended periods of time without itchiness, annoyance, pressure, or ear pain. Considering many people use headphones for commute, air travel, or work; Comfort is a vital factor.
Plantronics Pro 2
Both the perforated mesh and faux leather contribute a massive amount to the Plantronics Pro 2’s high-level comfort. The earpads are breathable and don’t get the skin itchy or hot. The headband and earcups are well cushioned. These headphones are able to be worn for 7-9 hours at a time without any need for a break. Overall, I give it a 9 out of 10 for comfort.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The comfort level with these headphones is stunning. Again, it’s almost as if you were putting a cloud on your head that plays music. Considering its one of the lightest headphones on the market, putting these headphones on feels next to nothing. Another thing I like is the open and breathable space earcups that apply zero pressure or annoyance to my ears. I give these headphones a solid 10 out of 10.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is more comfortable.
Build Quality
What good are your amazingly sounding headphones if they break in a few months? The overall durability and longevity are crucial for any investment you make. Especially for those who need headphones for commute, it’s important they’re able to withstand vigorous traveling conditions consistently.
Plantronics Pro 2
The Plantronics Pro 2 has a very unique build quality in which I’m a big fan of. It has a textured and sturdy plastic, metal, and a comfortable pleather while maintaining its lightweight. In terms of longevity, the only thing that may be an issue further down the road is the material that covers the ear cups. Overall, I give it an 8 out of 10 for the build.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Built for longevity, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is one of the most well-designed and durable headphones I have ever used in my life. You can pull it as hard as you can without a peep or squeak. These headphones are much lighter than the Sony, however, have the same amount of durability. Keep in mind; they are one of the lightest pairs of headphones on the market. What amazes me the most is its ability to remain extremely light without negatively impacting its durability.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a better build quality.
Noise Isolation/ Active Noise Cancelling
Don’t be confused between active noise cancelling and noise isolation headphones. They are both entirely different. Noise-cancelling technology is very unique. Unlike noise-isolating headphones, noise-cancelling headphones do not eradicate outside noise by physical insulation. Within the ear cups, they have a mini microphone that picks up the outside environmental noise. It then triggers a frequency entirely opposite to the outside ambient noise. Thus, canceling out most outside ambient sound.
Plantronics Pro 2
The active noise-cancellation is very good. In my experience, the noise-cancelling abilities are good enough to block out most chatter, office work, coffee shops, and a vast amount of airplane travel. However, it is not enough to fully block out a busy subway or train ride.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is the king of active noise-cancelling on the market period. Overall, compared to every other ANC headphone on the market, I give these headphones a perfect 10 out of 10 for active noise cancelling.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II provides the best active noise cancelling.
Battery Life
Battery life is an overlooked subject when speaking about over-ear headphones. Obviously, the only headphones that have a battery life are those which are wireless. Many headphones on the market do not have wireless capabilities. But for those who do, a more extended battery-life becomes a convenient factor.
Plantronics Pro 2
The Plantronics Pro 2 has a battery life of 24 hours.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
These headphones give you a decent battery life of 20 hours with active noise canceling turned on. Twenty hours may not be as high as many Bluetooth headphones, but it’s still a decent amount. A 15-minute charge gives you 2.5 hours of battery life.
Overall, the Plantronics Pro 2 has a more extended battery life than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
Added Features
Here we summarize each pair of headphones and talk about some of the added features.
Plantronics Pro 2
A very unique feature these headphones offer is the wireless range of 330 feet. However, many claim the range is only 70-100. Keep in mind, nearly every other pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market has an average of 30 feet of wireless range. Something that I find unique about the Plantronics Pro 2 is its automatic pause to music once the headphones are taken off. I also like the multifunction button on the right ear cup as it allows you to access the virtual assistant and answer phone calls. On the left ear cup are various controls as well, such as the pause/play, skip a song, previous song, volume, and ANC switch. Overall, the Plantronics Pro 2 is an incredible pair of noise-cancellation headphones that will not let you down.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
It has a very reliable built-in microphone for just about any application. You will not have any problems with phone calls regardless of how noisy or windy of an environment you’re in. Another I like is the controls are highly intuitive and effortless to use. These headphones do not have touch-sensitivity controls. However, the buttons are easy to use and get the job done effortlessly. Bose has both Google Assistant and Alexa built-in. Able to pair with two separate devices at a time. It comes with a high quality carrying case.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has more added features and a better built-in mic for phone calls.
Our Winner Between The Plantronics Pro 2 & Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Keep in mind that our opinion is not the end all be all. Like mentioned earlier, everyone has different needs, requirements, and budgets for their headphones. However, our winner is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II due to its superior sound quality, comfort, active noise cancelling, and build quality. It’s arguably the best pair of headphones on the market.
