Check out Bose’s finest offerings, plus some tips on choosing the best Bose headphones for you.
| Name | Form Factor | ANC | Battery Life | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Best Overall | Over-Ear | Yes | 24 hours | BUY |
| Bose QuietComfort Strong Runner-Up | Over-ear | Yes | 24 hours | BUY |
| Bose SoundSport Wireless Best Budget | In-ear w/ neckband | No | 6 hours | BUY |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Best All-rounder Earbuds | In-ear | Yes | 6 hours | BUY |
| Bose QC35 II Gaming Best for Gaming | Over-ear | Yes | 20 hours (wireless), 40 hours (wired) | BUY |
| Bose Sport Earbuds Best for Sports | True Wireless | No | 5 hours | BUY |
| Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Best for Outdoor Workouts | Open Ear | No | 7.5 hours | BUY |
| Bose Frames Tempo Most Unique | Open ear | No | 8 hours | BUY |
Bose stands out in the headphone market for its superior sound quality and advanced noise cancellation technology.
Yet, choosing which of the many models is the best for you can be tricky, especially since they’re not exactly cheap.
No worries, we’ve selected the top 8 Bose headphones for 2024, focusing on sound, comfort, and features for every purpose to make your search easier. Read on!
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Key features
- Form Factor: Over-Ear
- ANC: Yes, Adjustable
- Ambient Mode: Yes
- Battery Life: 24 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- IP Rating: N/A
- Companion App: Bose Music
- Touch Controls: Yes
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones’ exceptional noise cancellation, CustomTune technology, and advanced spatialized audio set an industry standard for immersive sound. The design and materials also ensure supreme comfort, making these headphones a luxury for music lovers.
The inclusion of Snapdragon Sound Technology and aptX Lossless support also makes the QuietComfort Ultra stand out against the competition. These don’t just enhance stability, reduce latency, and enable connections to multiple devices at once.
If you connect the Bose QC Ultra with a device supporting the Snapdragon Sound Technology, you can expect audio quality that is close to the original recording. These wirelessly support and stream the lossless audio quality that some streaming services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Tidal offer.
The headphones also offer 24 hours of playback without Immersive Audio and 18 hours with it, combining long battery life and sturdy build quality for daily reliability.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing.
The absence of waterproofing narrows down the scenarios where you can confidently use these headphones. Also, the premium price tag places them in a league where the value proposition is debatable. They are comparable with competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Shure AONIC 50, which offer some similar features at a lower price point.
Bose QuietComfort
Key features
- Form Factor: Over-ear
- ANC: Yes, Adjustable
- Ambient Mode: Yes
- Battery Life: 24 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.1
- IP Rating: N/A
- Companion App: Bose Music
- Touch Controls: No
The Bose QuietComfort headphones stand out for their blend of quality and affordability, delivering high-fidelity sound and superior noise cancellation.
These headphones maintain the noise cancellation capabilities that are known for in the previous QuietComfort 45.
With Quiet, Aware, and Custom Modes options, users can tailor their listening environment to their preferences for immersive music sessions or staying alert to their surroundings.
But, compared to their predecessor, these headphones also introduce a more refined sound profile. This update results in deeper bass and a more natural overall sound, which is particularly noticeable with high-quality music streams.
The new QuietComfort Headphones also bring new features, such as customizable EQ settings through the Bose Music app. This allows users to customize their listening experience, making these headphones versatile for various audio environments.
Considering that these headphones go for almost $100 less than the flagship QuietComfort Ultra, they sound quite a steal.
However, they lack the immersive audio modes and higher-quality Bluetooth codecs found in our overall pick. This positions them as a less feature-rich option for those who prioritize these advanced audio enhancements despite their otherwise excellent performance and comfort.
Bose SoundSport Wireless
Key features
- Form Factor: In-ear w/ neckband
- ANC: No
- Ambient Mode: No
- Battery Life: 6 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 4.2
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Companion App: Bose Connect
- Touch Controls: No
We all know that Bose headphones don’t come cheap. But if you really want that Bose brand without hurting your wallet that much, the Bose SoundSport Wireless is for you. These are one of their more affordable options and come with decent specs and features.
Enjoy effortless workouts with water-resistant earbuds built for endurance. Their IPX4 rating ensures protection against rain and sweat, while a hydrophobic cloth safeguards the internal circuits.
A discreet neckband secures the earbuds, reducing snags or tangles, and hosts an in-line mic and remote for easy control of volume, music, and calls.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless earbuds come with pretty decent audio quality, thanks to Bose’s Active EQ. This is made even better by Bose’s signature StayHear+ Sport ear tips. Washable silicone ear tips with “wings” secure buds in place, designed specifically for runners.
The ear tips seal the ear canals with passive noise isolation for better sound. Each box includes three extra ear tips, ensuring a proper fit.
Battery life is quite good on these earbuds. A full charge amounts to 6 hours of playback, and it also has a quick charge function that gives you 1 hour of playback from a 15-minute charge.
If you often misplace earbuds, you’ll appreciate Bose’s partnership with Tile, allowing you to track them via the Bose Connect app and avoid losing them again.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Key features
- Form Factor: In-ear
- ANC: Yes
- Ambient Mode: Yes
- Battery Life: 6 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Companion App: Bose Music
- Touch Controls: Yes
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ advanced spatialized audio, noise cancellation, and improved comfort easily place them at the top of the TWS earbud market.
The earbuds deliver a personalized audio experience with CustomTune technology that adapts sound to the user’s ear shape and world-class noise cancellation that eliminates unwanted background noise.
The customizable fit, with nine different ear tips and stability band sizes, ensures comfort for prolonged periods, making them ideal for various activities and preferences.
Additionally, the earbuds offer practical features such as long battery life, clear call quality, and intuitive touch controls, enhancing their usability and appeal.
The inclusion of Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless support also sets these earbuds apart, offering high-resolution audio and low-latency listening. This feature, coupled with Google Fast Pair, enhances the overall user experience, especially for those with compatible Android devices.
However, the absence of multipoint support is a notable limitation for users who frequently switch between multiple devices.
Bose QC35 II Gaming
Key features
- Form Factor: Over-ear
- ANC: Yes, adjustable
- Ambient Mode: No
- Battery Life: 20 hours (wireless), 40 hours (wired)
- Bluetooth Version: 4.2
- IP Rating: N/A
- Companion App: Bose Connect
- Touch Controls: No
To be fair, Bose doesn’t exactly have a gaming line, which naturally places the Bose QC35 II Gaming headset at number one for gaming. The headphones offer decent specs worth exploring. The QC35 II, LoL Esports Global Events‘ official gaming headset, works with PCs, consoles, and mobile devices.
These 2-in-1 gaming and lifestyle headphones meet all the requirements for a satisfying gaming and music listening experience.
Bose’s Acoustic Noise Canceling™ technology merges active and passive noise cancellation, preserving important music or gameplay details. The signature volume-optimized Active EQ fine-tunes frequencies for improved sound at all volumes.
The headset also comes with a fast charging feature where you can get 5 hours of use in just 15 minutes, and lightweight comfort with suede and leather.
But what makes these different from the typical QC35 II are the detachable boom mic and PC controller.
Certified by Discord and TeamSpeak, the noise-rejecting mic offers clear voice pick-up and has an in-line mute button. A PC desktop controller, on the other hand, benefits gamers with a volume dial for apps and a button for 4 levels of mic monitoring.
Unfortunately, these headphones don’t come with a bundled license for any spatial audio software, which most gaming headphones at this price range have.
Bose Sport Earbuds
Key features
- Form Factor: True wireless
- ANC: No
- Ambient Mode: No
- Battery Life: 5 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.1
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Companion App: Bose Music
- Touch Controls: Yes
The Bose Sport Earbuds feature a sleek, durable design, good mic noise reduction, and sturdy ear tips that offer more stability, making them ideal for sports and athletes.
One of the highlights of these earbuds is the StayHear™ Max tips. These silicone ear tips have a wide, umbrella-type design that provides a tight seal in the ear canal for better audio and passive noise reduction. The ear tip “wings” also snugly fit in the concha, distributing pressure evenly for comfort during workouts.
These earbuds come with a Spotify Tap™ via the Bose Music app for easy access to workout playlists with a double-tap on the left earbud, while the right earbud handles music, volume, calls, and voice assistant with taps and swipes.
Bose’s Active EQ ensures quality audio for workouts, and their IPX4 rating makes them sweat-resistant, though not shower-proof. For calls, the dual-microphone array isolates your voice, ensuring clarity in noisy or outdoor environments.
Lastly, the lithium-ion battery keeps your earbuds going for up to 5 hours on a full charge. If you’re out of juice, just pop them into the charging case for 15 minutes for an additional 2 hours of playback. All in all, a fully-charged case can give you up to 10 hours of use.
However, unlike most options on the list, these earbuds fall short when it comes to suppressing background noise due to the lack of ANC.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Key features
- Form Factor: Open Ear
- ANC: No
- Ambient Mode: No
- Battery Life: 7.5 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.1
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Companion App: Bose Connect
- Touch Controls: Yes
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature a secure clip-on design that ensures they stay in place during vigorous activities without causing ear fatigue, ideal for extended outdoor workouts. The innovative open-ear design delivers quality sound while maintaining awareness of surroundings, essential for outdoor safety and enjoyment.
The Ultra Open Earbuds are versatile and comfortable. Designed to hook gently onto the outer edge of the ear, they offer a comfortable fit for all-day wear, which is essential for active users who transition from outdoor workouts to daily activities without wanting to switch devices.
The earbuds offer up to 7.5 hours of playtime, ensuring they last through long sessions, and their strong battery life is complemented by quick charging capabilities.
Furthermore, their ability to connect to select Bose smart soundbars and speakers for private listening adds a layer of convenience and functionality, making them not just a tool for outdoor workouts but a comprehensive audio solution.
Despite their high-quality sound and innovative design, the Ultra Open Earbuds are expensive and lack features like wireless charging and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity found in other models.
Bose Frames Tempo
Key features
- Form Factor: Open ear
- ANC: No
- Ambient Mode: No
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.1
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Companion App: Bose Music
- Touch Controls: Yes
If you’re looking for something a little more unconventional, the Bose Frames Tempo are a good option. These audio sunglasses are decked out with high-end polarized lenses and open-ear headphones that are great for outdoor sports.
The Bose Frames Tempo feature two built-in speakers in the temple area of the glasses, designed to direct audio straight to your ears. With Bose’s OpenAudio™ technology and Active EQ, you get powerful sound quality that rivals other audio sunglasses in the market. Even when biking at high speeds, your music comes through loud and clear.
These high-performance sunglasses combine comfort and durability, making them ideal for multi-sport use. They have a TR90 nylon frame, a thermoplastic material extremely lightweight, flexible, and impact-resistant. The textured finish, silicone nose pads, and temple grips keep the glasses from slipping off if you’re running or biking.
The Bose Frames Tempo also have Polycarbonate Mirrored Black polarized lenses with 12% VLT, which is perfect for strong sunlight. They’re scratch and shatter-resistant and prescription-ready.
Additionally, there are three other types of interchangeable lenses to choose from:
- Road Orange (20% VLT): Reduces glare; ideal for open road activities like running or biking.
- Trail Blue (28% VLT): Enhances filtered light in shaded areas; ideal for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.
- Twilight Yellow (77% VLT): Brightens low light areas; ideal for early morning activities, or foggy and cloudy weather.
Speaking of weather, that won’t be an issue either because these sport sunglasses are IPX4 water-resistant.
However, they can feel tight on people with larger heads. The bulky appearance of the temples may also not be aesthetically appealing for some folks.
How to Pick the Best Bose Headphones
With a wide array of models varying in features, design, and price, selecting the perfect pair can be daunting.
Factors like sound quality, comfort, and additional features play crucial roles in your decision-making process. Yet, understanding these aspects deeply can make all the difference between regret and audio bliss. This section will help you through that.
Will they match your lifestyle?
When choosing Bose headphones, it’s crucial to consider your lifestyle and how you’ll use them.
Here are the essential lifestyle factors to consider:
- Form factor: Bose offers various headphone styles: over-ears for focused listening, in-ears for active users, true wireless for freedom of movement, and open-ears for situational awareness.
- Controls: Touch controls offer sleek design and quick operation but have a learning curve and can be tricky to use without seeing or in active situations. Button controls, in contrast, provide reliable, tactile feedback and are easier to use on the move, yet may feel cluttered or cause discomfort if pressed hard.
- IP rating: The IP rating indicates a device’s protection against dust and water. A common rating for Bose headphones and earbuds is IPX4, meaning they’re protected against water splashes from any direction for 5 minutes, but not suitable for use in pools or showers due to lack of higher water resistance.
- Additional features: Each headphones offer features that suit specific use-cases. Some samples are voice assistant integration for hands-free use, compatibility with music and fitness apps, and optional accessories like detachable mics, interchangeable lenses for audio sunglasses, and various ear tips for enhanced flexibility.
Bose Music vs Bose Connect App
A lot of Bose headphones and earbuds still use the Bose Connect app, but more recent models have transitioned to Bose Music.
Unfortunately, you can’t exactly choose which app to use with your device since their supported devices depend on Bose’s discretion. And since each app has its own features, having the right app can be a major buying factor for some.
Both apps offer the following features:
- Quick access to volume control and battery levels
- Easily connect your Bose earbuds or headphones
- Option to control multiple Bose smart devices in different rooms
- Voice Assistant integration
- Option to adjust noise cancellation levels
- Option to update device software
- Option to customize shortcuts and Action Button commands
There are also some notable differences in both apps:
Bose Connect
- Option to display heart rate monitor data from SoundSport Pulse headphones
- Option to link two pairs of headphones for shared music listening
- Stand-by timer
- Requires you to create an account
Bose Music
- Access to Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn
- Option to set your favorite radio stations and playlists as presets for easy access
- Option to enhance audio with equalizer or audio presets
- Power saver function
- Option to customize your voice volume for calls with Self Voice
- No need to create an account to use the app
You can check out which devices are compatible with Bose Connect and Bose Music on the official website.
Active Noise Cancellation
In 1978, Bose’s founder Dr. Amar Gopal Bose conceptualized the earliest precursor to the active noise cancellation (ANC) technology that we know today. So, it’s not surprising that Bose remains one of the leading brands for ANC today.
ANC headphones are best at eliminating continuous low-frequency sounds. As such, they’re ideal for use on airplanes, in crowded places filled with the constant drone of people’s voices, or for drowning out a noisy fan or AC unit at home.
Most ANC headphones in Bose come with 3 noise reduction levels, though some have as many as 11. This allows you to customize your ANC levels to suit various situations that need mid-level noise reduction.
Sound quality
Like other headphone brands, you can expect different Bose headphones to have different sound qualities. The unifying factor, however, is that all Bose audio devices are rooted in psychoacoustics.
According to Dr. Bose, the performance of an audio system or device needn’t be based on “circuit parameters”, but on the human mind.
This is often a point of contention for audiophiles and is also probably why it’s difficult to find technical specs on sound output for Bose devices.
The important thing to remember about Bose’s sound quality is that it’s not created for audiophiles or critical listening.
The Bose sound is typically V-shaped, featuring deep lows and a noticeable midrange dip, creating a wide soundstage that envelops listeners. While it appeals to music enthusiasts and casual listeners for its fantastic sound, it lacks the detail and accuracy audiophiles seek for realistic reproductions of original recordings.
Some Bose headphones also come with volume-optimized Active EQ. It boosts higher and lower frequencies as needed, whenever you turn the volume up or down. This means that your audio will always sound balanced no matter the volume.
Battery life
Bose products are generally lifestyle-oriented and focus a lot on improving people’s everyday lives. This often means having wireless audio gear that’s easy to bring around. As such, battery life is an essential factor to consider.
Keep in mind that battery life differs in headphones and earbuds.
Bose headphones often offer up to 20-25 hours of wireless use or 40 hours with ANC in wired mode on a single charge. Many Bose models include a quick charge feature, providing 2-3 hours of use from just 15 minutes of charging.
Earbuds, on the other hand, have a shorter battery life of 5-8 hours. However, they can last much longer when combined with the charging case. Like headphones, earbuds also come with a quick charge function, but these work at slightly slower rates than headphones.
For instance, some earbuds require at least a 30-minute charge to deliver 3 hours of playback.