Best Bose headphones

There are a few audio companies that rise out of audio forums and become a part of our culture. For a long time, when people referred to active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, it was synonymous with Bose headphones. For many consumers, that same sentiment rings true even today. Still, other companies, such as Sony, have made strides in noise canceling capabilities, and the competition has kept Bose on their toes to continually innovate and refine their offerings. Whether you’re a long-time Bose enthusiast or a newcomer to the brand, we’ve rounded up the best Bose headphones currently on offer.

It doesn’t get any better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

If you want the best noise canceling Bose headphones, look no further than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. They emphasize comfort over flashy aesthetics and are packed with future-proof features to last you for several years.

The ANC can reduce noises like bus engines and airplanes by approximately 87%, and you can switch to an Aware Mode to let the sounds of your surroundings in when needed. But these headphones really stand out with their support for aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound; if you have a device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor or newer, that is.

Sound quality is rock-solid if not a bit bass-heavy, but you can tinker with that in the Bose Music app’s equalizer. You can also opt for the immersive audio setting, which utilizes head tracking to make it sound like there is a speaker set up right in front of you. Battery life nets over 27 hours of playtime with ANC and conveniently charges using a USB-C cable.

The price point of $430 is a bit steep, but for those seeking advanced ANC with cutting-edge features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a smart investment that will stay relevant for the next few years.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the best bang for your buck

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is now a few years old, but it is still one of the best value buys for adequate ANC and comfort, with the flexibility of both wired and wireless playback. At the time, they were the first headphones in Bose’s lineup to sport a USB-C port and have received considerable improvements over firmware updates since it was released, such as an in-app equalizer.

The default sound profile tends to overemphasize the high end, which might not be suitable for all music genres but works well for vocal-heavy tracks and spoken-word content. There’s no aptX support, but you get a solid battery life of nearly 25 hours with ANC on and quick charging for more playtime with just a 15-minute charge.

However, the new lower price tag takes these headphones from a “maybe” to a “must-consider.” Now retailing around $279, the QC 45 makes a strong case for best value. In a market teeming with high-end options, the QuietComfort 45 offers a well-rounded package for those willing to compromise a bit on sound.

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if you want something portable

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are the company’s top-end set of noise canceling wireless earphones, and Bose hit it out of the park. Noise canceling is stellar, audio quality has improved over previous iterations, and even the rough edges we noted (like the free-floating ear fin) have been addressed. This is a complete product, befitting its price.

Bose’s earphones use Bluetooth 5.3 and support AAC, SBC, and aptX Adaptive for phones that support it. Like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, these buds also support aptX Lossless if your phone has a Snapdragon 888 processor or newer.

You can find the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 for less

As the predecessors to the current top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 still hold considerable value in today’s market. While not the latest model, they offer a balance of quality features and a now more affordable price point for those who don’t necessarily need the newest technology.

They feature a sleek, modern look with a metal headband and touch-sensitive gesture pads on the earcups. Battery life is adequate, offering around 21 hours with ANC on, and USB-C charging is convenient.

If you’re just looking for headphones that can cancel noise and playback music, these headphones are perfectly capable for the price. Now that these headphones are a few years old, you can regularly find them for around $225 online.

The Bose Sport Earbuds are best for athletes

The Bose Sport Earbuds are as comfortable as it gets. The slick design means you can use this outside the gym without looking like you’re about to deadlift double your weight. The StayHear Max ear tips work extremely well and keep the earbuds in place during rigorous movement. Just like Bose’s debut true wireless earbuds, these have an IPX4 water-resistant rating, so you can sweat to your heart’s content while wearing them.

Battery life is average for earbuds of this variety, and we measured just over 5 hours of playtime from a single charge. The case can fast charge the earbuds when you’re in a pinch. All you have to do is place the buds in the case for 15 minutes, and you’re met with 120 minutes of playtime.

These use Bluetooth 5.1, and the connection strength is good but imperfect. They also support AAC and SBC, the former supplying consistent, high-quality audio from iOS devices. If you want to stay well under $200 and need a pair of earbuds for everyday use, we recommend the Bose Sport Earbuds.

Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

The new Bose QuietComfort Headphones share many similarities in design and comfort with their predecessor, the QuietComfort 45. However, despite being from the same line and having a similar price point, they fall short in the crucial area of sound quality. The new headphones have a troublesome frequency response, including an over-emphasized sub-bass and inconsistent highs, which muddles the audio experience.

While both models offer competent noise cancelation, the QC 45 is slightly superior in this department. Given that they are now more affordable and the QC 45 provides better sound and comparable noise canceling, it’s hard to recommend the newer model over its predecessor.

So, if you’re contemplating which to choose, the QC 45 still provides a more balanced package in terms of sound quality, comfort, and noise cancelation. It remains the more compelling choice. Of course, this could all change with sale pricing, so don’t take the above as a hard and fast rule.

What you should know about the best Bose headphones

Bose headphones are like any other in that they use a set of drivers and fit on, around, or in the ear. While the feature sets are similar compared to other flagship headphones, there are some technical terms and things to be aware of before buying your next Bose cans.

What is active noise canceling, and how does it work?

For commuting to school or elsewhere, noise canceling headphones are an excellent choice for young people’s auditory health. Bose headphones use active noise canceling, which uses basic physics to eliminate unwanted noise. The gist of it is due to something called destructive interference.

Why is isolation so important?

If you’re not listening to your music in a car, you’re probably listening in crowded buses, gyms, loud city streets, or rumbling trains with your Bose headphones on. In these less-than-ideal situations, you’re surrounded by loud sounds. When there are sounds of a similar frequency, your brain will ignore the quieter one and just focus on the louder one. This is called auditory masking, which was great for our ancestors who had to survive in the wild and listen for predators.

Does the music sound worse over Bluetooth?

You may have heard that Bluetooth sucks, and you should totally never buy wireless headphones. But is Bluetooth really that bad? Well, kind of. While Bluetooth quality and codec technology have improved greatly over the last few years, you still won’t get the same level of quality that’s attainable with wired headphones.

We tested a few of the major Bluetooth codecs (the technology responsible for transferring higher amounts of data between your headphones and source device, thus resulting in higher quality). We found that they don’t all live up to their claims. In our testing, even AAC can be slightly inconsistent on Android phones — but near-perfect on iOS devices. Luckily, your old ears most likely won’t even be able to hear the frequencies that are lost during the transfer. So, while it’s technically true that wired headphones sound better, you’ll need to be a very keen listener to pick up the differences in most cases.

How we test Bose headphones

At SoundGuys, our testing methodology for Bose headphones is comprehensive and rigorous, ensuring that every pair is evaluated on a level playing field. Our process includes a series of standardized tests designed to assess various aspects such as sound quality, battery life, active noise cancelation effectiveness, build quality, and comfort. These evaluations are conducted in controlled environments to guarantee accuracy and repeatability. For a detailed insight into our testing protocols, visit our in-depth explanation at How We Test.

How we choose the best Bose headphones

Selecting the best Bose headphones involves a careful, criteria-based approach that considers a wide range of factors. We scrutinize each model based on its performance in key areas such as sound quality, comfort, durability, feature set, and value for money. Our team also takes into account user feedback, expert reviews, and any unique features or technological advancements that set a particular model apart. This analysis ensures that our recommendations reflect the highest standards in audio performance and user satisfaction, helping you make an informed choice.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

Each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market, and our staff is not permitted conflicts of interest to recommend one product over another. SoundGuys’ survival depends almost exclusively on readers enjoying their purchases. We pride ourselves on transparently outlining objective facts while accounting for the subjective experience to contextualize an audio product’s performance. When we do misspeak, we correct and own up to it.

Frequently asked questions about Bose headphones