If you want wireless listening with adjustable noise cancellation, choose Bose QuietComfort 35; if you need an open-back, wired listening experience with detailed, balanced sound, choose Sennheiser HD 598. For a kid, I would lean toward Bose when everyday portability and noise control matter more than an open listening style.
If you want wireless listening with adjustable noise cancellation, choose Bose QuietComfort 35; if you need an open-back, wired listening experience with detailed, balanced sound, choose Sennheiser HD 598. For a kid, I would lean toward Bose when everyday portability and noise control matter more than an open listening style.
These two over-ear headphones solve different problems. Bose is the practical choice for moving between a noisy room and a quieter one; Sennheiser is built around a wired, open-back design that favors a spacious presentation at home. Here is how I would choose between them without pretending they are interchangeable.
Bose QuietComfort 35 vs Sennheiser HD 598 at a Glance
• Bose QuietComfort 35: Its strongest advantage is wireless listening with three noise-cancellation levels; its trade-off is that it depends on battery power for wireless use.
• Sennheiser HD 598: Its open-back design and E.A.R. acoustic layout are intended to produce a natural, detailed, spatial presentation; its trade-off is that it is wired and has no noise control.
• Bose offers Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, Alexa voice access, and a dual-microphone system for voice pickup.
• Sennheiser uses a 3.5 mm wired connection, with velour-covered ear cushions and a padded leatherette headband.
• Choose Bose for travel, shared spaces, and listening where background noise is a concern. Choose Sennheiser for wired listening in a quiet room where an open-back presentation is the priority.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 is the more adaptable pick for everyday listening. It connects wirelessly through Bluetooth or NFC, and its three noise-cancellation levels let the listener adjust how much outside sound to reduce. That makes it a natural fit for someone who moves between home, commuting, and other noisy surroundings. The included 3.5 mm audio connection also gives it a wired option.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
I would choose Bose for a kid who will use headphones in different places and may benefit from adjustable noise cancellation. I would skip it if the main goal is an open-back sound presentation for quiet, stationary listening, or if the listener would rather not manage battery power and wireless pairing. Noise cancellation is useful for reducing distractions, but it is not a reason to ignore the need to stay aware of surroundings when appropriate.
The Sennheiser HD 598 takes the opposite approach. It is an open-back, wired over-ear headphone with a 3.5 mm connection and no noise control. Its design is aimed at listening in a calm environment, where an open presentation and the described natural, balanced sound can take center stage. E.A.R. technology positions the transducers to direct audio toward the ears for a more spatial listening experience.
Comfort-focused details include velour-covered ear cushions and a padded leatherette headband. The product information lists a weight of 270 grams. For someone settling in with music, videos, or other audio at a desk or at home, those materials and the open design are more relevant than wireless convenience. The supplied details also list a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range, a dynamic driver, and a 3.5 mm jack.
I would pick the HD 598 for a listener who values a wired connection and wants an open-back style for home use. I would skip it for travel, noisy shared rooms, or situations where a listener wants Bluetooth or active noise cancellation. Its open design is a meaningful trade-off: it does not offer the isolation features found on the Bose, and the wired connection keeps the listener physically connected to the audio source.
• Best for adjustable noise cancellation → Bose QuietComfort 35. It has three noise-cancellation levels, while the HD 598 has no noise control.
• Best for wireless listening → Bose QuietComfort 35. It supports Bluetooth and NFC; the Sennheiser is wired through a 3.5 mm connection.
• Best for an open-back listening style → Sennheiser HD 598. Its open-back design is intended to contribute to tonal balance, detail, and definition.
• Best for a long session at home → Sennheiser HD 598, if you want wired open-back listening. Its velour ear cushions and padded leatherette headband are comfort-focused details.
• Best for voice access and calls → Bose QuietComfort 35. Alexa access and a dual-microphone system for voice pickup are listed features.
• Best when you do not want to rely on wireless pairing → Sennheiser HD 598. It uses a straightforward wired 3.5 mm connection and does not require wireless connectivity.
• Best for moving between listening environments → Bose QuietComfort 35. Bluetooth, a wired audio option, and adjustable noise cancellation give it more ways to adapt.
• Best for someone who wants both earphones and a jogging setup → neither is an in-ear or clip-on design. These are over-ear headphones, so I would not choose either as a substitute for the best in ear headphones for teachers, head phones for running, or the best clip on earbuds for work.
For a kid, I would also think about where the headphones will be used. Bose makes more sense if listening happens in different rooms or on the move, because it can connect wirelessly and adjust noise cancellation. The HD 598 is a more focused choice for a quiet place and a nearby source with a headphone jack. Neither design removes the need to set sensible listening habits.
One useful distinction is how each model handles the space around the listener. Bose is designed to reduce outside noise, and the user can choose among three cancellation levels. Sennheiser leaves noise control out and uses an open-back construction instead. That is not a small feature difference; it changes which surroundings suit each pair. A quiet room favors the Sennheiser's intended listening approach, while a noisy setting points toward Bose.
The cable question is just as important as sound preference. Bose supports Bluetooth and also includes a 3.5 mm audio cable. Its battery life is listed at 20 hours, so wireless use still involves keeping the headphones charged. The HD 598 avoids wireless setup and battery management, but it must remain connected by cable. If the listener values freedom to move around, Bose has the clearer advantage. If a consistent wired connection is preferable, Sennheiser is the simpler fit.
I would choose the Bose QuietComfort 35 for the broader range of everyday situations. Adjustable noise cancellation, Bluetooth, a wired option, and voice features make it the more flexible pick. For a kid, I would favor Bose when the headphones need to move between different environments. I would choose the HD 598 instead for quiet, wired listening where its open-back design is the priority.
The Bose is the clear fit for noisy surroundings because it has three levels of active noise cancellation. The HD 598 has no noise control and uses an open-back design, so it is better suited to quieter listening spaces.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 supports Bluetooth and NFC. The Sennheiser HD 598 is wired and connects through a 3.5 mm jack, so choose Bose if wireless listening is important.
It can suit home listening if you want a wired, open-back headphone and value its described natural, detailed presentation. Its lack of noise control and wireless connectivity make it less suited to noisy or mobile use.
I would choose based on where the child will listen. Bose offers wireless connectivity and adjustable noise cancellation; Sennheiser is a wired open-back option for a quieter setting. Neither is an in-ear model, and noise cancellation should not replace awareness of the surroundings.
• KETAKY Plus USB C vs ACANDYA USB C Earbuds
• VibeTune Kids vs Orancu Earbuds comparison
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.