I like my peace and quiet, both things I never get living in Los Angeles. As if people, cars, and sirens aren’t loud enough, helicopters seem to love flying above my room. I’ve been on the search for the headphones with the best active noise canceling, and after asking multiple co-workers here at Sound Guys, they all agreed nothing beats the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Right now, you can get them for $349 thanks to Prime Day, which is equivalent to an $80 discount.

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for $349

This offer applies to all color variants of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Black, Sandstone, and White Stone. Also, keep in mind this is a Prime Day deal, which means it is exclusive to Amazon Prime members. You might want to sign up for at least one month to take advantage of these offers. You can also grab a 30-day free trial if you’re a new Prime member!

As ANC headphones, these headphones are amazing. We pointed out in our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review that the large and dense earpads work as the first layer of noise reduction, offering great audio isolation. Additionally, the ANC system does a great job reducing most noises, even loud ones like bus engines, train screeches, and airplane whines. We found that these noises are reduced by 87%! You can also bring the sound back using passthrough mode if needed.

ANC aside, these are great headphones in every other department. The design is very nice, and the headset is very comfortable. These headphones also did great in our internal battery tests, lasting over 27 hours with ANC on. There’s also support for great features like Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless. The sound quality is also outstanding.

The $429 MSRP was our main complaint with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, but at $349, these are looking much more enticing. If you want the best ANC available, go get these. Today is Prime Day’s last day, so you don’t have much time left!

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for $249.99 ($180 off)

While it’s from the wireless provider, this isn’t a deal for subscribers or anything like that — it’s from the online store, so you can jump right in. The massive price drop equals the Black Friday 2023 offer we saw on the device but hasn’t been seen since.

Bose’s latest flagship headphones are designed with comfort in mind, featuring wide ear cups, angled dynamic drivers, and soft padding that accommodates glasses wearers, all while maintaining a light weight of 253g. Although lacking an ingress protection rating, they come equipped with a practical carrying case. User control is streamlined through a multifunction button, a power button, and a touch-sensitive volume strip. The headphones offer Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and support for Snapdragon Sound, and they are one of the few devices to support aptX Lossless for high-quality audio streaming.

The Bose Music app enhances functionality with equalizer settings and firmware updates, while the ANC performance is robust, significantly reducing ambient noise. With a battery life of over 27 hours and fast charging capabilities, the headphones are positioned as a top choice for casual users and travellers alike.

We can only assume that this deal is going to be extremely popular, so don’t say you weren’t warned. Hit the widget above to find out more.

The Shure SM7dB is the most important microphone of the year

Professional microphones don’t often see big refreshes, but we saw a really important one in 2023: the Shure SM7dB. A successor to the popular Shure SM7b (but with a preamp built-in), Jasper had this to say about the mic:

Many audio interfaces don’t have enough preamp gain for the original (SM7b), or do — but introduce noise. A lot of people use the SM7b already, so we know that one is virtually the standard for podcasters. Is it expensive for a dynamic mic? Yes, but it sounds good, and should be less of a hassle.

As noted in David Carr’s review, this product takes one of the previous market-leading mics and adds functionality to prevent a novice buyer from needing additional equipment. That’s a significant way to reduce the barrier to entry into the high-quality voice mic world, and should take the amateur (and professional) podcasting scene by storm in the coming year. In production, any links to the chain you can cut out mean less opportunity for failure, and cutting out a separate preamp for your mic is significant.

Snapdragon Sound makes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones futureproof

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have soft padding that is very glasses-friendly.

Chris isn’t generally a fan of mass-market products, but with the advent of Snapdragon Sound, things will be changing over the next few years when it comes to personal audio. Even a curmudgeon like him will admit that wireless audio is overcoming its weaknesses, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are among the first headphones to do so. Chris had more to say:

Snapdragon Sound is going to become more important as time goes on for headphones, providing the first real competitor to LDAC. Over time the platform is going to be more and more important for Android users who want higher-quality wireless listening. So if you want headphones that will get better over time as you upgrade your phone, it’s a no-brainer: pick one of the only two products on the market that support aptX Lossless.

The headphones aren’t without their foibles, but with excellent ANC, decent sound quality, and good battery life, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are an easy win.

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless made top-flight ANC headphones much more affordable

In late 2023, Sennheiser made waves with its ACCENTUM Wireless headphones: a set of active noise cancelers that were priced below competitors, but with comparable performance to higher-end models. Though these headphones aren’t perfect for everyone, we wager that they’ll make even the picker people in your life happy. Heck, Adam Birney uses them quite often in his day-to-day life:

I think honestly the (headphones) I’ve used most at the office are the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless. The sound quality is great, and I am sensitive to the pressure that the strong isolation on things like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra create, so the ANC is adequate enough for me. Very light and comfortable and given the price.

We’re big supporters of the idea that not all headphones are right for everyone, and the Sennheiser ACCENTUM are an excellent alternative for those looking for ANC on a budget. There’s very little in the way of downsides, and it’s good to know that sometimes you really can have it all.

The Jabra Elite 8 Active are our favorite earbuds of the year

The Jabra Elite 8 Active is a great set of all-around earbuds.

Jabra is well-known for its commitment to earbuds and headsets, so it’s no surprise that its latest set of Elite Active earbuds had a lot to like. Chase, in particular, found them to be the most appealing earphones to him this year. He explains:

Jabra Elite 8 Active (are the) best all-around earbuds and best workout earbuds. (They’re) extremely durable, good sound with EQ, good noise canceling, good battery life, for $100 less than the flagship competitors.

The testing bears this out in our review, as the earbuds scored well in sound quality, battery life, and ANC. AirPods may get a lot of headlines, but you should take the Jabra Elite 8 Active for a spin if you get the chance.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless Earbuds are affordable, surprisingly good

Our video star Harley has seen his fair share of products pass through the office — more than anyone else on the team. He had one standout to praise for people who may not be as nerdy as the rest of us.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless Earbuds really surprised me this year, and I mean that in a good way! These earbuds offer A LOT of features, including good fit, good ANC performance, LDAC support, and great app support — all for less than $100. It’s a great AirPods alternative that will play nice on both Android and iOS, and I’d recommend it for anyone looking for great earbuds without having to sell an arm or a leg.

So there you have it: if you’re looking for earbuds, but don’t want to spend much money, you want to check out the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless Earbuds.

The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is our favorite portable speaker

Though it’s a very recent release, our staff has had a lot of fun with the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. In particular, David Carr has been using it on his adventures outside. He had this to say about it:

As an avid camper, it’s my ideal outdoor Bluetooth speaker. The Motion 300 is built like a tank, waterproof, and designed to sound great wherever you place it around camp. The Soundcore app is also handy. You can access the customizable graphic EQ to really fine tune your settings if you like to tweak. At $79, you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s durable and versatile with great sound.

Just be aware that we like this speaker primarily for its portability and unexpectedly good performance — not because it will replace your studio monitors or anything. Still, sometimes you just need that cheap speaker, and this is a great option.

The gaming headset of the year is the Audeze Maxwell

You get a lot of headset with the Maxwell, and a lot of little parts.

If you want a gaming headset that can do it all, the Audeze Maxwell was our favorite this year. Released shortly before Audeze was purchased by Sony, the Maxwell represents some seriously cool audio tech in a package that really does cram in every feature a gamer could want. Chris had this to say in the review:

Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws … The battery life is excellent, the sound is a cut above, and the features are about as future-proof as you’ll find. Under the hood, the Audeze Maxwell has everything necessary to satisfy the pickiest person out there.

Just be aware that this gaming headset is not only pricy at $299-329, but it’s also quite hefty. You’re not going to be taking this out and about with you, so don’t entertain any notions of leaving the computer with them for any extended period of time.

These are just our favorites from 2023, but there’s plenty more to look through in our reviews and best lists. Even if your favorite product didn’t make our list, you should still share with your friends and family! Good audio is universal.

Editor’s note: this article was published on TKTK, 20XX, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones compared to the Bose QuietComfort 45?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones lack the prominent vents found on the QuietComfort 45.

Cruising at lean 253 g, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones live up to the promise of comfort, which is a good start for the newest flagship. Replete with cushioning and relatively accommodating ear cups, the Ultra ought to fit most heads. The understated aesthetics don’t call attention but don’t look cheap either, and the headphones fold down with articulating ear cups for portability.

Included with the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a case for easy travel, and a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable for wired listening in addition to wireless listening. Also, the QuietComfort Ultra use physical buttons along the sides of the ear cups, rather than touch controls often found on high-end headphones or Bose’s own Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

The QuietComfort 45 appears similar but less upscale.

In looks, the Bose QuietComfort 45 do not appear too different from the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — perhaps less generous padding along the crown, but they feel good anyway. They retain similar subdued design cues with physical buttons for controls and optional wired/wireless listening. The QuietComfort 45 can fold down as well. Plus, the lineage is clear as the QuietComfort 45 wear easily for long periods of time. Even the weight of 240 g gets quite close to the QuietComfort Ultra. Otherwise, these have vents on the flat of the ear cups, which are noticeable but not super notable. Still, these two are not the same headphones, but the greatest differences are not found in their fits or accessories, but in every other facet.

How do you control the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort 45?

You get two buttons and a touch-sensitive volume slider for calls and playback.

Most of the controls for the Bose headphones are baked in. Both headphones have multi-function buttons, which is how you can customize the controls using the app. Unlike the QuietComfort 45, the Ultra version uses a volume strip that you swipe. Take a gander at the table for the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones controls.

The QuietComfort 45 is similarly straight forward with dedicated buttons for most commands and the multi-function button. Here are the controls for the Bose QuietComfort 45.

Should you use the apps of either Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort 45?

The Bose QuietComfort 45 added an in-app EQ in February 2022 to the Bose Music app via a software update, which is quite handy to have.

Bose Music (iOS/Android) is the app you need with both the QuietComfort Ultra and QuietComfort 45. It demands a lot of your data and in exchange you gain access to updates, an equalizer, listening mode controls, immersive audio, and some command remapping. Bose tends to supply significant updates to features, so you’ll most likely want to get the app.

The equalizer is pretty rudimentary, but for the QuietComfort 45 you can get the tuning really close to our preferred frequency response (more on that later). Tinkers, however, might find the features a bit light.

How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort 45 connect?

Both headphones include a cable with a headphone jack.

Of the defining features found on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones the upgrade to Bluetooth 5.3 is a nice one to see. More exciting, however, is the addition of Snapdragon Sound, which may (or most likely not) apply to your current rig, as the feature works solely with Android devices using Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or newer. Unfortunately, the XPAN Wi-Fi feature by Qualcomm isn’t in the suite, but rather aptX Lossless. Qualcomm claims that you can access CD quality with this high-bitrate codec.

For the uninitiated Android users and Apple users, you get the less exotic AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs. The QuietComfort 45 use the same AAC and SBC codecs over the older Bluetooth 5.1, meaning you won’t get LE Audio down the line with these. Besides that, you don’t get USB-C listening with either headphones, and both include a 2.5mm to 3.5mm TRS cable to plug in.

Is battery life better on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort 45?

You can monitor your battery in the Bose Music app for both headphones.

To directly compare the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the Bose QuietComfort 45 we perform the same battery test methodology. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones reach 27 hours and 37 minutes. You get 24 hours and 49 minutes of battery life from the Bose QuietComfort 45, which is a respectable time. Both headphones will outlast most weekly commutes and certainly make sense on a flight.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort 45 block noise better?

Bose has been at the forefront of active noise canceling since the early days, so it comes as no surprise that both headphones are great candidates. Essentially across the board, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cancels or isolates more noise than the older QuietComfort 45. In addition to averaging one-upping the QuietComfort 45 by about 10dB more noise filtering, the Ultra also blocks up to a whopping 50dB of high pitched sounds.

The QuietComfort 45 is no slouch either, comprehensively filtering noise up to 30dB, although usually hovering between 20dB and 30dB where it counts. These can’t quite outdo the Ultras, but they’re still excellent by most measures.

Both headphones are laudable for their consistent and comprehensive treatment of noise, whereas some manufacturers don’t implement especially consistent ANC systems, leaving some environmental noise to reach your ears sounding unnatural. Avoiding noise-induced hearing loss rates as one of the main reasons to pick up either set of cans because you can keep your volume low and not compete with the external world wherever you are.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sound better than the Bose QuietComfort 45?

Compared to our headphone preference curve, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra plays some treble frequencies quieter and bass louder than we’d like. The tuning still gets pretty close to our preference. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the QuietComfort 45 sound follows our preference curve pretty tightly except in the highs, where there’s too much. Fortunately, the rudimentary equalizer can adjust the trebly voicing of the QuietComfort 45 rather easily. For those who prefer bass-dominant tuning, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones deliver that by default.

Adding to the difficulty in assessing which is better, the CustomTune feature measures and adjusts the sound to accommodate for your unique hearing, and it’s available on both headphones. Similarly, both have the immersive audio feature, which can be characterized as moving the stereo sound in front of you like a stage with speakers, and if you move, it shifts relative to your position. It just becomes a matter of whether you want to EQ your headphones much or not at all.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort 45 have a better microphone?

The QuietComfort 45 (pictured) and QuietComfort Ultra look at home in professional settings.

The microphone systems on the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the QuietComfort 45 are rather good for most applications like work calls. Particularly notable is the wind rejection on the QuietComfort 45, which sounds nearly as good as in ideal conditions. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones also do a good job of balancing capturing your speech and filtering out noise in our demos. It seems like a pretty close call, so tell us what you think below.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort 45 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Office conditions):

Bose QuietComfort 45 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Street conditions):

Bose QuietComfort 45 microphone demo (Street conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Bose QuietComfort 45 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Reverb conditions):

Bose QuietComfort 45 microphone demo (Reverb conditions):

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort 45: Price and availability

Folks who wear glasses ought to find the padding on the QuietComfort Ultra comfortable.

Here’s the clincher, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sell for $429, which isn’t pennies. For about $100 less, you can pick up the Bose QuietComfort 45 at $329. By virtue of being the older model, the QuietComfort 45 typically can be found for an even lower price.

Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort 45?

If you can swing it, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are better.

In a universe where money is no object, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones consistently outperform the Bose QuietComfort 45, and therefore, that’s the set to buy. Keep in mind, though, that while the QuietComfort Ultra have improved noise canceling, greater connectivity, and a slightly longer battery life, these are incremental and not earth-shattering upgrades. The QuietComfort 45 remain a solid, comfortable, and all-around competently executed set of headphones, and if you can’t stretch the budget for the flagship, these are still good.

With that said, let the cash flow if you can, because the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones really do feel good, work well, and have greater futureproofing with the upgraded connectivity.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on November 21, 2023, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones compared to the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700?

Both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 represent the upper end of what Bose has to offer, though the newer headphones are built for power, while the older ones are more geared towards style. To that end, it’s no surprise that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones has better hardware under the hood at the expense of a plastic chassis and outer casing, while the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 has a metal exterior and somewhat more dated hardware. Both headphones are comfortable and are about the same weight (253 vs 250 grams), but the newer headphones make a better seal to most heads owing to better padding and weight distribution.

The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 feature a clean with matte-finished ear cups and a steel headband.

Both headphones are excellent travel buddies, but only the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones folds down to fit into a carrying case. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, on the other hand, can only fold flat. It’s not such a huge deal, but this difference makes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones more convenient for airplane travelers.

Neither headphones bear any ingress protection rating, so if you were hoping for a gym companion: you might want to leave these at home. While our time with both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 demonstrated that they won’t give up the ghost to a little sweat, it’s still a good idea to use these where they won’t get splashed or drenched.

How do you control the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones use two buttons and a capacitive volume slider to control calls and playback.

The control schemes for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are quite different, with the former relying on buttons, and the latter using a series of touch gestures to control calls and playback. We typically recommend headphones with touch controls because it’s more difficult to accidentally dislodge your cans (leading to a poor fit) through normal operation. Still, it’s not much of an issue if you use your phone to control playback more often than your headphones.

You can also customize a user-selected input on both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 through the Bose Music app. Though the options are quite limited, you can check out the screenshots in either review for more.

Should you use the Bose Music app for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700?

If you want to make use of features like immersive audio, customize your equalizer, or adjust your ANC or passthrough modes: you need the Bose Music app. Additionally, this app will automatically download firmware updates should you need to. However, I will point out that you can simply use Bose’s excellent Updater Tool if you want to eschew the app altogether.

Firmware updates are a big deal for Bose headphones, as they often fix minor annoyances or increase performance. For example, a 2022 firmware update improved the ANC performance of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 considerably. If you do end up grabbing the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 on sale and find that its ANC is lackluster, try letting the app update the firmware before you return the headphones.

How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 connect?

Though both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 connect to their source devices through a 3.5mm cable or a wireless connection over Bluetooth, both headphones are quite different in the wireless department. Since the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is quite long in the tooth, it’s not surprising that they use an outdated Bluetooth standard and are limited to AAC and SBC. It’s not really a problem, but it will mean that you miss out on new features as time goes on. If you just want to listen to music, these headphones are fine.

This USB-C port is only for charging, unfortunately.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones on the other hand do offer higher-bitrate listening via the aptX Adaptive codec family. This includes the newer aptX Lossless, which boasts CD-quality listening where other Bluetooth headphones can’t match it. In fact, it’s one of only two products on the market as of publish that support the codec. Unfortunately, the only way you can make use of this is with an Android phone with Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor or newer with Snapdragon Sound. If you have an iOS device, you’ll be limited to SBC and AAC.

Is battery life better on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700?

Using our standardized test protocol as a fair head-to-head matchup, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones last about 27 hours and 37 minutes in continuous playback. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, on the other hand, last 21 hours and 25 minutes under like conditions. This is a clear win for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, but the battery life of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 isn’t terrible, just average.

The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 charge via USB-C.

However, what you may notice is the longevity of the battery over the course of a few years. If you’re charging more often, the risk of poor battery hygiene increases over time. In that light, you may want to stick with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones if you’d like to postpone breakage or degradation longer.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 block noise better?

Though it’s probably a little obvious, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones blocks out a ton more noise than the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 does. Whether that’s a superior fit, or just more effective ANC, the newer headphones are some of the best ANC cans on the market when it comes to dispelling outside noise.

It’s so good, in fact, that it forces our charts to expand the scale on the y-axis. That makes it a little more difficult to compare here, as the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — decent in its own right — appears to go toe to toe. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the case. One look at the numbers to the left of the chart area should make that obvious.

If you’re a frequent commuter, you’re going to want the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Though the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is more than capable enough of keeping outside noise muffled, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is superior. You’ll be able to listen to your tunes at a lower volume, thereby helping reduce exposure to high sound levels. Though it’s no substitute for hearing protection, it is good to reduce your risk.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sound better than the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700?

From a pure test result standpoint, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 sound fairly similar, with some deviations here and there. The main differences between the two headphones seem to live in the bass and 2-8kHz regions, where the newer headphones seem to be much more conservative with their emphasis, and the older cans like to pump up the volume over our target. We prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ performance here, but you may disagree, and that’s fine! When you get to this level it’s usually more about taste than objective performance. That said, Bose’s app is abysmal for user equalizing, so what you see is pretty close to what you’ll get.

However the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones allows the use of higher-bitrate Bluetooth codecs, meaning less necessary compression. Of course, this is only if you have a new Android phone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or newer. If you don’t have a phone that fits this description, you’ll be missing out on Snapdragon Sound — a necessary feature platform to enable the aptX Lossless codec supported by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

Each set of headphones also has a number of EQ presets in the Bose Music app, but they’re all pretty uninspiring. The Bass Reducer EQ was our favorite for both, but if you want to make more granular adjustments, you’ll find the app lacking.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 have a better microphone?

Rather than make a stand and assume your tastes, we like to offer recording samples achieved under standardized conditions so you can decide for yourself whether the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 has a better microphone. Just keep in mind that what you hear here may not be what your buddies hear on the other end of the line, as the chat app or network you use may limit bandwidth or compress your audio in unexpected ways.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Office conditions):

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 microphone demo (Office conditions):

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: Price and availability

If this has seemed like a one-sided comparison up to now, you’d be right. However, where the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 has the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones beat handily is the price. Now that the older headphones are a few years old, you can regularly find them for around $225 online, whereas the brand-new QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are still $429. You may find either of these on sale, but you really can’t dismiss a savings of almost $150 to 200.

Of course, now that the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are so old, you’ll start to see fewer and fewer retailers carry them. Conversely, you’ll begin to see the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones just about everywhere headphones are sold. Bose has a long reach, and just about every big box store or online retailer should have some stock.

Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700?

At 253g, the PRODUCT are quite a bit lighter than headphones with an all-metal construction, and more portable as a result.

If you narrowed down your headphone search to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, you can’t pick wrong — though you can pick wrong for your budget. If you’re looking to save money, get the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. It really comes down to cost — the penalties for getting an old set of headphones aren’t as bad as they are with getting an old phone, and sometimes saving a couple hundred bucks is more important than getting a cutting-edge set of headphones. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 isn’t bad by any stretch, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is one of the best headphones on the market.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are far superior when it comes to sound quality, noise cancelation, and future-proofing. However, you may not care about features like Snapdragon Sound or immersive audio. Your phone also may not be able to keep up with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ features, so if you’re just looking for headphones that can cancel noise and play back music: the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are perfectly capable for the price.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on November 20, 2023, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones compared to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

Both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones are constructed mainly of plastic and protein leather (whatever the hell that means), with very understated design choices. Both are light, coming in at 253 and 240 grams respectively, and both are extremely comfortable. It’s no surprise, as these headphones were built to last an intercontinental flight, so you’d expect that a lot of effort was placed into making sure these cans were comfy.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have soft padding that is very glasses-friendly.

Like most other Bose offerings, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones also offer wireless and wired listening, a carrying case, and cables if you need that sort of thing. However, where the Bose QuietComfort Headphones has somewhat outdated hardware, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones represent the cutting edge of what’s available today — for a difference of $80 in list price. Given that the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are extremely similar in every way that matters to the Bose QuietComfort 45, we often direct people to the older set of headphones so they can save up for something better later on down the line.

If you were looking for a gym buddy, you’ll have to look elsewhere, as both headphones do not have an ingress protection rating — meaning there’s no guidepost as to how much sweat, rain, or dust the headphones can handle. While that isn’t the worst thing for a set of commuter cans, it’s still something to note if you like singin’ in the rain.

Unfortunately, that USB-C port doesn’t allow USB-C audio.

Unlike some other headphone manufacturers, Bose tends to stay on top of firmware updates and responds to user issues pretty well. For example, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 saw multiple performance-enhancing firmware updates when it was still in the lineup, and that’s rarer than you might think. If you pick a Bose headset, you have a good chance of major problems not sticking around so long if they can be solved with a bit of code. Remember that you can’t solve a bad fit with a firmware update, so if you have weak bass, poor ANC performance, or volume issues, you may want to find something else.

How do you control the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

If you found the Bose QuietComfort 45 to be comfortable, good news: the Bose QuietComfort Headphones is virtually identical.

Controls for both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones are largely handled by a smattering of physical buttons and app features. For EQ presets, immersive audio modes, ANC level adjustments, and firmware updates, you’ll need to use the Bose Music app. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones will have a few extra goodies stuffed in the app like being able to control the ANC passthrough mode, and enable head-tracking with the immersive audio feature, but that’s about it.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones controls:

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones uses a touch-sensitive slider to control volume, a power/Bluetooth button to handle turning on and off, and a multifunction button for everything else. You can also long-press the volume slider for a shortcut function that must first be defined in the Bose Music app.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones controls:

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones, like the Bose QuietComfort 45 before it, use physical volume, multifunction, and power buttons.

Should you use the Bose Music app for either the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

Installing and using the Bose Music app for either set of headphones will unlock the ability to change how the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones sound, behave with audio passthrough, and update software. Though you don’t require the app to listen to the headphones or manually update firmware, it’s a good idea because the default sound of both headphones is overly-bassy.

The Bose Music App is necessary to adjust EQ, get firmware updates.

With that in mind, neither of these headphones is your choice if you’re extremely privacy-conscious. Though you can disable individual permissions in Android, it’s a bit of a pain to go menu-diving to handle this.

How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones connect?

Though both headphones are primarily wireless headphones that use SBC and AAC to connect to your source device over Bluetooth, they can also connect over an included 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones, however, only has a Bluetooth 5.1 radio, which means that they won’t be able to keep up with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ features as time goes on. Specifically, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are compatible with Snapdragon Sound and the aptX Adaptive family of codecs — including their status as the only headphones on the market with aptX Lossless compatibility (the only other product with this codec support is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds).

This USB-C port is only for charging, unfortunately.

On top of that, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ use of Bluetooth 5.3 allows them to use LE audio, enabling compatibility with low-energy sources and applications. If you want your wireless headphones to stay relevant for a long time, the only choice here is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

Is battery life better on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

Using our standardized setup, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones were able to play back music for 27 hours and 37 minutes, while the Bose QuietComfort Headphones lasted 27 hours and 14 minutes. Because the two results are so close, we’re not really comfortable telling you that an extra 1.3% battery life makes all the difference. Both headphones are great with battery life.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort Headphones block noise better?

When it comes to ANC, however, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones do a much better job than the Bose QuietComfort Headphones. With larger ear cups and more effective ANC, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are better able to isolate your ear from outside noise while also being able to cancel what does reach you more effectively.

That’s not to say that the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are bad or even mediocre — they’re good. But some performance points will be difficult to touch when you’re up against a product representing the top of the line. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones do cancel noise very well, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are one of the best on the market.

Of course, this all comes with the standard caveat that you should not expect ANC headphones to serve as hearing protection. ANC headphones protect your hearing not by canceling outside noise, but by allowing you to listen to your tunes at a lower volume, so please be careful with your listening volume.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

We believe that more people will enjoy the sound of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones over the Bose QuietComfort Headphones not only because of how the headphones are tuned, but also because they support a higher bitrate codec family over Bluetooth. This means that what audio actually makes it to your ears will be less compressed (even though SBC and AAC aren’t nearly the setbacks they once were). While it’s definitely something that purists would care bout more than your average folk, if you can get better: why wouldn’t you even if it’s a little overkill?

Much hay has been made online about the channel balance issues of the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, but that mainly impacts the ability of the headphones to create a convincing illusion of 3D space. Given that the immersive audio feature of both Bose headphones isn’t conceptually all that attractive to use, we don’t think this will make or break peoples’ experiences here.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort Headphones have better microphones?

When it comes to microphone quality we don’t imagine that the headphones will be the bottleneck to your calls, and both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones handle themselves as well as you can expect a set of headphones to handle a phone call. Just be aware that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ Wind Block feature may prevent wind noise from annoying you, but it’ll still come through on your call. Should you notice your voice quality is low, be sure to troubleshoot and see if it isn’t your chat app or network making your voice sound worse than what you hear below.

If you’d rather not take my word for it and hear for yourself, listen to samples we collected with each pair of headphones in our simulated environments.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Headphones microphone demo (Windy conditions):

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones: Price and availability

Of course, the big question here is how much you’re willing to pay. Given that these headphones are from the same company and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is meant to be the flagship headphones in their QuietComfort line, it’s extremely unlikely the Bose QuietComfort Headphones will ever be more expensive. However, it may be easier to find the Bose QuietComfort Headphones as it’s the “more affordable” option — however affordable $350 is to you. The $429 pricetag of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is a bit tough to stomach, but you do get extra value for that money.

Same as it ever was, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones fit in the same bag-friendly case.

You should be able to find both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones pretty much anywhere headphones are sold, though you should try your luck shopping around online. If you settle on the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, consider getting the Bose QuietComfort 45 instead, as its sale price is sometimes under $200 for almost exactly the same headphones.

Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a matte exterior.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are better in every way outside of price than the Bose QuietComfort Headphones — and it’s not close. Given that both of these headphones are so expensive, we’re going to go out on a limb and say that paying a little extra for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, a set of headphones equipped to handle the standards and features coming to smartphones in the coming year or so will help you stay on top of features that may improve your listening.

Frequently asked questions

The name Bose will likely come up if you’re talking about consumer-friendly active noise canceling headphones. The company’s QuietComfort 45 have long been a gold standard in this realm.

Today, Bose is rolling out new flagship entries into this family. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Earbuds now represent the best-of-the-best from the brand.

Regardless of which Ultra audio products you buy, you’ll gain access to the new proprietary digital signal processing software known as Bose Immersive Audio. This system is essentially Bose’s take on spatial audio. It offers two options: “Still” and “Motion.” As one would expect, the “Still” setting is best when you are set in one position, such as immersing yourself in your favorite record while on the couch. The “Motion” setting is best when you’re on the go.

On top of these new Ultra models, Bose is also retiring the QuietComfort 45 name and replacing it with something more simple. Read on for all the details!

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

These new over-ears replace the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. That means they are now the best over-ears you can get from Bose. They feature the new Immersive Audio system as well as enhancements to noise cancelation and microphone reception.

As you can tell from the photos, the headphones now have a new design, too. Bose calls this a “modern, more premium design,” but we’ll let you judge that for yourselves.

Bose promises up to 24 hours of power with Immersive Audio off and up to 18 hours when it’s on.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

These new earbuds replace the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. As with the over-ears, these are now the best true wireless earbuds you can get from Bose. They come with the Immersive Audio system and the usual features of the QC Earbuds II: noise cancelation, the CustomTune calibrator, touch controls, and an IPX4 rating.

The earbuds have also received a new design with a metallic sheen. The stability bands have also been tweaked to enhance comfort and keep the ‘buds in place.

Bose says you can expect up to six hours of battery life with Immersive Audio turned off. That promise drops to four hours when Immersive Audio is turned on. The earbuds case does not have wireless charging, but you can buy a $49 accessory that slips over the case and brings that capability. This $49 silicone cover is also compatible with the QuietComfort Earbuds II case, if you need it.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Finally, Bose is refreshing its most popular product, the Bose QuietComfort 45, with an updated name: the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.

Outside of the name change, the new headphones offer the ability to adjust noise cancelation levels and set custom modes, which the QC 45 couldn’t do. They support multipoint Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and feature up to 24 hours of battery life.

Do note that, because these lack the “Ultra” branding, they do not support Immersive Audio.

New Bose products: Pricing, colors, and availability

Given the new capabilities of the Ultra line, it should be unsurprising to find that they are quite expensive. Here’s how prices break down:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: $429 in either Black or White Smoke colors
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: $299 in either Black or White Smoke colors

These Ultra models will become available at some point in October 2023. Bose was not specific on a date.

Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones stick with the usual $349 price point. They come in Black and White Smoke, but there’s also a limited edition Cypress Green if you can find it. These will be available on September 21.

Pre-orders for all models are open now.