You can't make a blanket statement, but as the owner of both, I'll try to give a brief breakdown.

They are two very different headphones, both very good. The sound quality is excellent with both, especially the noise cancelling.

The QC 25 has the computing and control unit for the noise cancelling in one ear cup and there is also its power supply (AAA battery, which you have to replace). The QC 20 has the same unit as a small box at the end of the cable, which (from my point of view the only disadvantage) hangs a bit stupidly out of the trouser pocket when the mobile phone is there. But if you have the player in your handbag, jacket pocket or suit pocket anyway, it doesn't matter. You can charge it via micro-USB on your PC or mobile phone charger.

I'm usually a hater of in-ears. They either hurt my ears or fall out after 3 seconds, not so with the QC 20, which have attachments for all kinds of ear sizes/shapes. Wearing comfort at 25 is also very good, but you sweat a bit after 1-2 hours.

Noise cancelling is very helpful, especially on planes, as it can filter out monotonous engine noise. If you are only travelling with hand luggage, space is often at a premium, which is why I got the QC 20.


I wouldn't make it an either/or question. Would be like Porsche or Range Rover. Both expensive, beautiful masterpieces of cars, but for very different needs.

In addition, I would like to note that the QC20 works better with glasses. With the QC25, the frame inevitably does not seal cleanly. That's why I bought the QC20 for flying and am very satisfied.

Then there is the obvious: The in-ear headphones can be worn while sleeping, e.g. on a plane, whereas the over-ear are rather impractical here. I also have both, and this advantage, as well as the possibility to charge the in-ear headphones with mini-USB instead of using batteries, speaks for the in-ear headphones.