| Customer Reviews Collected from bose.com |
Bose - QuietComfort® 20i Headphones (iOS) - Black
Average Customer Rating:
4.1
Rating breakdown 370 reviews
5 Stars
221
4 Stars
55
3 Stars
40
2 Stars
30
1 Star
24
Customer Reviews for Bose - QuietComfort® 20i Headphones (iOS) - Black
Customer Rating
5
Faithful companion across continents
on June 22, 2020
Posted by: Joey
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I purchased these in August 2015 before I was going to China. Long airline rides to and from Asia and Europe are transformed into pleasant soundscapes that by the top-notch noise cancelling technology in these headphones. They have been one of the best investments for entertainment I have ever made. I have used them for running for the past 5 years, and they have never missed a beat. The earbud cases came apart in 2017, but I just glued them back together and I haven't had an issue since. To avoid that problem, always remove the buds by grabbing them from in your ears, rather than tugging on the cord. It has taken this long (as of June 2020) for the battery to show any signs of age by not lasting quite as long as it used to. By that I mean it only lasts for 6-8 hours instead of 14-18. They are finally one their last legs, however, because the connection to the battery case and the cord to the earbuds has gone through too much pinching and bending over the 1000+ hours it has spent in my pocket. I have started to notice that the audio cuts out if it is not in the exact right position to complete the circuit over the worn out wires. If it weren't for that reason, these earbuds would last another year at least, until the battery would succumb to the fate faced by all batteries. Everyone should purchase Bose audio equipment. I will purchase another soon.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Never travel without them.
on August 4, 2015
Posted by: ChrisL
I was a happy QC15 owner. You couldn't tell me that there were better headphones. I couldn't seem to find them. Some sounded maybe a *little* better, but they didn't cancel the noise. And then Bose beat themselves at their own game. The QC15 was bulky, heavy, hard to travel with. I was flying 75-100 times a year. Carrying around that case and the ridiculous cable was getting old. The QC20s fit in my pocket. No more batteries to worry about. No more ridiculous cable. These are simply the best headphones you can buy in this price range. Period. I got mine the very first day they were on sale, and I've traveled over 200,000 miles with them, and I use them every single day. If this price range is where you're looking, and you want noise canceling, don't hesitate - they're the ones you want.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
The best noise canceling headphones you can buy
on August 4, 2015
Posted by: P_Devil
I was on the market for a new pair of noise canceling headphones and have been conducting research for a while now. I first looked at models from other companies and even the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones which were recently released. I went back and forth between the QC25 and QC20 headphones. It wasn't until I took them home and tried each one in different conditions when I decided on the QC20s.
There were a few reasons I went with the QC20s over the QC25s. First, the noise canceling is far superior with the OC20s over the QC25s. You would think that an over-the-ear headphone, running off of more power, would cancel out noise better. Well, they didn't. The comfortable StayHear+ tips included with the QC20s make complete seal with your ear canal and the noise canceling itself with the QC20s performs better. The QC25s were good with low, continuous humming noises but stopped right there. The QC20s do well at canceling out those along with higher pitches and even sounds that aren't continuous like the clicking of a computer keyboard, general office noise, etc. I was able to hear my office mates talk to each other through the QC25s. I am unable to hear them or anything else in our office with my QC20s.
Second, I prefer the sound quality of the QC20s as they are more balanced. The bass of the QC25s is a little muddier and tends to drown out the mids and highs. This does not happen with the QC20s as the mids, highs, and lows are all equally represented. The sound quality still isn't accurate but Bose has never focused on making accurate sound, just sound that people tend to prefer. The QC20s aren't going to give you a flat response but I wasn't looking for accurate IEMs that require an external amp to drive.
Third, the QC20s are more portable than the QC25s. The included carrying case easily fits into a backpack, carry-on bag, a small notebook bag, purse, or even pant pockets. TheQC20s can easily be taken anywhere and you won't have to worry about making room for them unlike all other over-the-ear headphones.
Lastly, these are rechargeable so you don't have to worry about bringing extra batteries with you and they continue to work when the noise canceling amp is discharged. I have been getting over 16 hours out of my QC20s averaging 18 hours of listening with noise canceling enabled.
Overall, these are the best noise canceling headphones you can buy if your main focus is getting rid of outside noise. You will not find a better brand or model than the Bose QC20 headphones. The StayHear+ tips are extremely comfortable and I can wear them for hours on end without feeling fatigue and without my ears warming up (like with most over-the-ear headphones). The QC20s are expensive but well worth the price for frequent travelers and/or anyone who works in a noisy environment/s (like myself).
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Too good not to give 5 stars but quibble with case
on April 22, 2016
Posted by: Marie
Gender:Female
I had previously owned the original QC2s and found them to work very well, but after losing them a few times on the airplane I decided to stop buying expensive headphones and looked for a less expensive option. I found a pair of noise cancelling earbud headphones that cost less then my QC2s, didn't work as well, but were more comfortable to sleep in or rest one's head and began to wish for Bose to develop and sell noise cancelling earbud style headphones. And now they have and while they've been out for a while now and the price has been a issue. But since I've flown a lot of miles and I had a multi-city trip with 6 flights and little sleep coming up I gave in and purchased the latest series QC20s for the iPhone/iPad. I was instantly happy remembering that like the old Rolls-Royce slogan that quality remains long after the price is forgotten.
The QC20s work so much better than the ones I had been using after losing my cherished QC2s. The amount of quiet on the plane is almost breathtaking. Of course they aren't silent - and I understand why. But the noise cancelling actually had me feeling joy while riding on the plane and looking out the window feeling "this is what flying can be like!" They are comfortable, if a bit odd looking with the little "Spok ears" sticking up.
Here are my quibbles:
Like others I wish the cord from the battery to the plug were longer (or had extended included)
My original QCs came with accessories and wonderful case as befitted the price. The QC20 don't even come with an airplane adapter let alone extended length cables.
The case, while conveniently compact, could be a tad bigger and stiffer to fit accessories and headphones better.
I wish the volume control worked on regular, non-iProduct inputs as well.
Like others I wish the cord from the battery to the plug were longer (or had extended included)
My original QCs came with accessories and wonderful case as befitted the price. The QC20 don't even come with an airplane adapter let alone extended length cables.
The case, while conveniently compact, could be a tad bigger and stiffer to fit accessories and headphones better.
I wish the volume control worked on regular, non-iProduct inputs as well.
Final note: I can't believe I waited as long as I did to finally get the QC20s but I am very happy I have them now and look forward to my next flight.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
3
Poor Quality Aesthetics
on January 19, 2018
Posted by: crystal
Gender:Female
I bought the white version a year ago and use them daily for work and listening to podcasts/music/etc. This is my first Bose headphone product and I was instantly in love it and thought the noise cancelling was fantastic.
However, I've learned over the past year that the quality/durability is terrible for the price. Although I'm careful with storing them in the nice zipper pouch that comes with the product, within 9 months the rubber connecting the cord with the piece that plugs into the phone has worn away, exposing the wires inside. Additionally, there's a rubbery film that covers the rectangular battery part that has torn and is falling away. I've had the wires becoming exposed with other headphone products, but they were a tenth of the price of these headphones so less of an investment. I'd consider other options for headphones unless you're ok with buying a new pair of these each year.
However, I've learned over the past year that the quality/durability is terrible for the price. Although I'm careful with storing them in the nice zipper pouch that comes with the product, within 9 months the rubber connecting the cord with the piece that plugs into the phone has worn away, exposing the wires inside. Additionally, there's a rubbery film that covers the rectangular battery part that has torn and is falling away. I've had the wires becoming exposed with other headphone products, but they were a tenth of the price of these headphones so less of an investment. I'd consider other options for headphones unless you're ok with buying a new pair of these each year.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
QC20i is a sanity saver
on August 7, 2015
Posted by: Len
This was my first noise canceling device. The demo at the Bose store was excellent and I bought the QC20i. The true test of these earphones, however, was on a 6-hour flight with a stranger's "boisterous" 2-year old kid sitting behind me who was active the whole time. Turning on the noise canceling without inserting the plug into my iPhone, the jet engine drone and the kid's too loud voice were reduced to nearly a whisper. Connected to my iPhone with music turned on to low volume effectively masked the the engine and kid, and I could relax and go to sleep. Bliss! Totally worth the price for the sake of my sanity when traveling.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Best headphones ever!
on June 12, 2016
Posted by: Ayden Weaver
Gender:Male
I bought this about a couple weeks ago and this is a great product. I use it to cut the lawn and I cannot get a enough of the fact that you can barley hear the mower, I hope to buy more of your products.
THANKYOU!
THANKYOU!
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
BEST earphones ever!!
on September 13, 2016
Posted by: kaywhy
Bought these for my girlfriend.. She loved them so much that she got a pair for me!
Cannot travel without these anymore.. absolute necessity on a plane!
Cannot travel without these anymore.. absolute necessity on a plane!
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com