Bose QuietComfort 20 vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

QuietComfort 20 compared with QuietComfort Headphones

	BoseQuietComfort 20	BoseQuietComfort Headphones
Overview
Released
Released	2013	September 2023
Sound
Type
Type	In-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	SBC and AAC
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	A microphone inside and outside each earbud feeds the noise-cancelling processor in the in-line module; Aware mode lets more surrounding sound through without stopping music	Quiet Mode (full noise cancelling) and Aware Mode (full transparency), plus custom modes with adjustable noise cancelling in the Bose app; Wind Block can be added to any mode; microphones inside and outside the ear cups
Audio features
Audio features	Bose TriPort acoustic ports and Active EQ processing when powered	TriPort acoustic structure; three-band EQ (bass, mid-range, treble) with presets in the Bose app
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 16 hours	Up to 24 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the in-line module; around 16 hours from a two-hour USB charge; wired audio remains available with the power off	Up to 24 hours with noise cancelling on, tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL; the headphones don't play while charging
Fast charging
Fast charging	–	15 minutes gives up to 4 hours (Bose UK FAQ; Bose UK's comparison table says 2.5 hours); full charge in up to 2.5 hours (owner's guide and spec table; the FAQ says 2 hours)
Design
Weight
Weight	–	236 g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	5.1
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	–	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	Power switch and status lights on the battery module; Aware mode and call controls on the cable remote	Physical buttons on the back of the ear cups; on the right, a Power/Bluetooth switch, volume up and down and a multi-function button (play, pause, skip, calls); on the left, an Action button for modes, customisable as a shortcut to Spotify Tap or battery level
Microphones
Microphones	Two microphones per earbud for noise cancellation; an in-line microphone for calls	Built-in microphones for calls; the audio cable has an in-line microphone
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	StayHear+ tips rest at the entrance to the ear canal and come in three sizes	Around-ear (circumaural) with removable protein leather cushions; steel in the headband; metal and plastic build; folds for the carry case
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No water resistance rating published
Works with
Works with	3.5 mm wired connection; QC20 has a single-button remote for most Android and other smartphones, while the contemporaneous QC20i has an Apple-compatible three-button remote	Bose app (launched with Bose Music) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers; Spotify Tap
Colours
Colours	Grey at launch; Black and White variants followed in 2015	Black, White Smoke and limited-edition Cypress Green at launch
In the box
In the box	Earbuds, three sizes of StayHear+ tips, clothing clip, USB charging cable and carrying case	Headphones, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable with microphone, USB-C (A to C) cable (30 cm), safety sheet