How We Research
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want to restore a pair of Bose headphones you already own with a proper angled 2.5 mm-to-3.5 mm replacement cord, choose Aquelo Replacement QC35; if you need a complete, ready-to-wear pair of foldable on-ear headphones with a built-in mic for school, travel or a phone, choose ELECDER i45.
• Aquelo Replacement QC35 — biggest strength: it is a purpose-built replacement audio cable with an angled 3.5 mm plug on one end and a 2.5 mm plug on the other, sized for the recessed jacks on a long list of Bose models. Biggest trade-off: it is not a headphone at all, so it is useless unless you already own a compatible Bose pair.
• ELECDER i45 — biggest strength: a complete, self-contained wired on-ear headphone with 40 mm drivers, an in-line mic, a tangle-free braided cord and a folding, adjustable frame. Biggest trade-off: it is wired only, so there is no Bluetooth and no active noise cancellation.
• Who Aquelo is for: Bose QC35, QC35 II, QC45, QC25, OE2/OE2i, SoundTrue, SoundLink and NC700 owners with a lost, frayed or intermittent cable.
• Who ELECDER is for: anyone who wants one affordable pair of portable on-ear headphones for a phone, tablet, laptop or classroom setup — including kids and teens.
• The core difference: one is a fix for existing gear; the other is the gear.
This is a replacement cord, and it is honest about that. Both ends are male: an angled 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo plug that goes into your phone, laptop, tablet, DVD player or portable player, and a 2.5 mm stereo plug that goes into the headphone itself. That 2.5 mm end is the important detail, because it is the size many Bose on-ear and around-ear models use at the earcup. If your original cable has gone missing or the jack has started cutting out every time you move your head, this is the part you actually need.
Compatibility is the whole selling point, and it is broad: QC35, QC35 II, QC45, QC25, OE2, OE2i, SoundTrue, SoundLink and NC700, plus Apple, Android and Microsoft devices on the source end. The cord measures 4.6 ft (140 cm) — long enough to reach across a desk or into a seat pocket without a tangle of slack — and it comes in black with a round profile, so it disappears visually against dark headphones. It is plug-and-play: no adapter, no dongle, no setup. The package contains the cable only, so do not expect earpads or anything else.
Who should buy it: someone who already loves their Bose headphones and just wants the cable sorted out. Who should skip it: anyone who does not own a compatible Bose model, and anyone shopping for an actual pair of headphones. In my opinion, if your Bose cans still sound good and only the cord is the problem, replacing the cord is the sensible move rather than retiring the headphones.
The i45 is a finished product: a wired on-ear headphone built around a 40 mm dynamic driver, tuned for what ELECDER describes as Hi-Fi stereo bass with a crisp midrange — the kind of low-end-forward signature that suits pop, hip-hop, gaming audio and movie soundtracks more than critical listening. Sound isolation is part of the design, using the on-ear cushions to dampen background noise rather than any electronic cancellation.
Portability is the second pillar. The frame folds, the size slider adjusts to different head sizes, and the padded ear cushions and headband are there for longer sessions. The 1.5 m nylon-braided cord is designed to resist tangling, which matters if this lives in a school bag or a carry-on. There is an in-line media control with a built-in microphone, so you can take calls and skip tracks without touching the phone. ELECDER also states the ear cushions are designed to protect hearing up to 85 dB — a detail parents tend to care about. In the box: the headphones and a user guide, backed by a 24-month warranty.
Who should buy it: students, kids and teens, commuters, and anyone who wants one simple wired pair for a phone, tablet or laptop with a 3.5 mm jack. Who should skip it: frequent flyers who want active noise cancellation, and anyone who has moved to a phone without a headphone jack and does not want to deal with an adapter.
• You already own Bose QC35/QC25/OE2/SoundLink/NC700 and the cable is broken → Aquelo Replacement QC35.
• You want a complete pair of headphones, not a part → ELECDER i45.
• You want a microphone for calls → ELECDER i45 (in-line mic and media control).
• You want a specific angled 2.5 mm-to-3.5 mm fit → Aquelo Replacement QC35.
• You want foldability and easy packing → ELECDER i45.
• You need a longer reach from couch to TV or across a desk → ELECDER i45 (1.5 m cord vs 4.6 ft / 140 cm).
• You want a spare or backup cord for travel → Aquelo Replacement QC35.
• You want passive sound isolation from padded on-ear cushions → ELECDER i45.
• Best for reviving gear you already like → Aquelo Replacement QC35. Best as a first/only pair → ELECDER i45.
In my opinion, these two barely compete — they solve different problems, and the right answer depends entirely on what is already in your bag. If a compatible Bose headphone is sitting in your drawer with a dead cable, I would buy the Aquelo Replacement QC35; it is a targeted fix and the angled 2.5 mm connector is exactly what those models want. If you have no headphones at all, I would buy the ELECDER i45 — a complete, foldable, mic-equipped wired on-ear pair is the more useful purchase for most people, especially students and travelers. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your situation before deciding.
FAQ
what are the best open ear headphones
are on ear headphones good
They can be, and the i45 shows why: the on-ear format keeps the cups small and light, folds down for travel and uses padded cushions for isolation without sealing you off completely. The trade-off is that on-ear pads press against the ear, so comfort over very long sessions varies from person to person.
are open ear headphones good
They are good for situations where you want to stay aware of your surroundings — walking, commuting on foot, or keeping an ear open at home. They generally isolate less than on-ear or over-ear designs. The ELECDER i45 takes the opposite approach, using its cushions and sound isolation to reduce background noise.
what are the best in-ear headphones
In-ear models sit inside the ear canal and typically isolate more than on-ear designs, but they are a different category from both products compared here. If you specifically want in-ear, neither the Aquelo Replacement QC35 nor the ELECDER i45 fits — the i45 is on-ear, and the Aquelo item is a replacement cord.
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