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10 Best Bose Headphones You Should Get Today (2023)

Last updated: 2 years ago
7 min read

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Best Bose headphones are world-renowned for their fantastic active noise cancelling, exceptional comfort, and enjoyable sound quality (+ premium prices).

Here are the latest Bose headphones in 2023 worth getting.

Rating Price Connection Battery Noise cancelling More info
4.5
$$$$$$ ($300-$500)
Wireless (Bluetooth 5.0)
20h
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4.2
$$$$$ ($200-$300)
Wireless (Bluetooth 5.1)
24h (for ANC)
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4.7
$$$$$ ($200-$300)
Wireless (Bluetooth 4.1)
40h (20h with ANC), 3.5mm
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Best noise cancelling earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
4.5
$$$$$ ($200-$300)
Wireless (Bluetooth 5.1)
6h +12h in storage
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Bose Sport Earbuds Best true wireless
Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless earbuds
4.5
$$$$ ($120-$200)
Wireless (Bluetooth 5.1)
5h +10h in storage
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Bose QuietComfort 20 Best noise-cancelling in-ear
Bose QuietComfort 20 wired earbuds
4.4
$$$$$ ($200-$300)
Wired – 3.5mm
16h (for ANC)
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Bose QuietControl 30 Best wireless in-ear
Bose QuietControl 30
3.9
$$$$$ ($200-$300)
Wireless (Bluetooth)
10h
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Bose SoundSport Wireless Best workout in-ear
Bose SoundSport Wireless
4.5
$$$$ ($120-$200)
Wireless (Bluetooth)
6h
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Bose Sport Open Earbuds Best ear hooks
Bose Sport Open Earbuds
3.7
$$$$ ($120-$200)
Wireless (Bluetooth 5.1)
8h
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Bose Sleepbuds II Best for sleeping
Bose Sleepbuds II sleeping headphones
4.2
$$$$$ ($200-$300)
Wireless (Bluetooth)
10h +30h in storage
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CONTENTS (show more)

    Wondering what Bose models are actually the best for your needs?

    Introducing a quick guide to the best Bose headphones to buy, so you can save time, and make a good decision for yourself. Check the comparison below.

    If you’re looking for a balanced sound signature, sensational comfort, and good build quality then these Bose headphones might be for you. Choose from a wide variety of designs and technology that Bose offers.

    Bose Wireless Headphones

    1. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

    1st-place Best overall
    Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

    Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are the current best Bose headphones in the line-up.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 20h | Wireless range: n/a | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2.5h + quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: No | Features: ANC, Ambient Aware, mobile app with EQ, 2.5mm port
    • Balanced sound
    • Excellent active noise cancelling
    • Comfortable fit
    • Good build quality
    • Unique design
    • Non-foldable design
    • Pricey
    • Not the clearest bass

    The frequency response is balanced and offers good clarity. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 manage to stand out with its mature sound quality.

    The fast charging via USB-C is super quick. If Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 run out of juice and you need them right away, a 15-minute charge can give you up to 3.5 hours of playback.

    Of course, you also get to cancel unwanted noise. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 offers one of the best implementations of this feature right now, on a similar level as the one in Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM3.

    You can adjust noise cancelling levels and check the battery level in the Bose Music app.

    2. Bose QuietComfort 45

    2nd-place Runner-up
    Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones

    New headphones from Bose and a worthy upgrade to the QC 35 II.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 24h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: None | Features: ANC, ambient mode, app, active EQ
    • Balanced sound
    • Lightweight & comfortable design
    • Excellent active noise cancellation
    • Good battery life
    • No custom EQ
    • You can't completely turn off ANC or ambient mode

    The new QuietComfort 45 have an overall balanced response but with a slight boost in the upper midrange and high frequencies. It makes for a better sound, but they can get harsh at times.

    Otherwise, the design is very similar to the QC 35 II but slightly more modern. On top of sleek looks, you also get an improved ANC performance and ambient sound mode.

    Headphones still rely on physical buttons for commands, which is excellent, especially in cold weather where touch isn’t as responsive.

    The battery life has gone up a bit, now lasting for 24 hours on a single charge. You charge them via a USB-C port with fast charging capabilities.

    The noise cancelation Bose offers is remarkable. They produce hands down, one of the best, if not the best noise-cancelling headphones in the world.

    3. Bose QuietComfort 35 II

    trophy Best value
    Bose QC35II wireless headphones

    QC 35 II are truly excellent noise-cancelling Bose headphones.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 4.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 20h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: No | Features: ANC, Ambient mode, 2.5mm port
    • Good, balanced sound
    • Impressive noise cancellation
    • Comfortable and lightweight
    • No EQ option

    The audio quality of QC35 II has a somewhat balanced sound signature, suitable for all genres.

    QC 35 II are still some of the best noise-cancelling headphones Bose ever made. The QuietComfort 35 deliver everything you expect from premium over-ear headphones. As they’re cheaper now, they’re a great option to consider.

    With these over-ears, you get best-in-class noise cancellation, exceptional comfort, good build quality, many additional features, and enjoyable sound quality.

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II also have the option to connect multiple devices, quality phone calls, foldable design, and the wired option. A 15-minute charge gives two hours and a half of real-world usage.

    Bose True Wireless Earbuds

    4. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

    anc Best noise cancelling earbuds
    Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

    New true wireless earbuds with class-leading noise cancellation technology.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 6h + 12h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: ANC, Ambient mode, ear fin, mobile app, auto pause/play
    • Fun, energetic sound
    • Controlled bass
    • Excellent comfort and stability
    • Limited custumization in the app

    The frequency response is balanced and incredibly punchy, with controlled powerful bass notes, good balance throughout the mids, and a smooth transition in the treble.

    The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds come with an in-depth mobile app and active noise cancelling feature for blocking environmental sounds.

    The noise cancelation performance is nothing short of excellent. They should be on the same level as the greatest from Sony, Sennheiser, and Apple. They’re your best bet when blocking the outside world like traffic or office chatter.

    Bose’s buds have 6 hours of battery life with an additional 12 hours in the charging case.

    Since Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are exceptionally comfortable, provide a tight seal and touch controls on both the right and left bud, and repel sweat (IPX4 water-resistant).

    5. Bose Sport Earbuds

    true-wireless True wireless alternative
    Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless earbuds

    Best Bose headphones for sports.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 5h + 10h in case | Wireless range: 30ft (9m) | Noise cancelling: / | Charging: 2h + Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes, built-in | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water-resistance: IPX4 | Features: Auto pause/play, ear fins
    • Exceptional fit and comfort
    • Great audio quality with controlled bass
    • Massive soundstage (for an in-ear headphone)
    • Sweatproof housing with an IPX4 rating
    • Support for Bluetooth 5.1
    • Good passive noise isolation
    • A barebones mobile application without EQ
    • Somewhat average battery life
    • Lack of extra customizations

    You buy these true wireless in-ears mainly for sound reasons. The audio performance is excellent, especially if you enjoy punchy lows.

    Low frequencies are wonderfully controlled, with clean mids and treble. Also, the soundstage is fairly wide for in-ear headphones.

    The secret lies in StayHear Max wing tips that are a combination of ear tips and fins. Since tips are so big, they can’t fit inside the ear canal and only hang in front of it.

    They stay in your ears no matter how vigorously you shake your head. Durable housing sports IPX4 water resistance.

    Earbuds are rocking 5 hours of playtime, and you can check the remaining battery by looking at five LEDs on the case. Bluetooth 5.1 helps prevent any connection issues or drop outs.

    Bose Sport Earbuds review

    Related: Best bass earbuds

    Bose Wired Earbuds

    6. Bose QuietComfort 20

    wired Best wired earbuds with ANC
    Bose QuietComfort 20

    QuietComfort 20 are the best wired in-ear headphones that can also cancel noise.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: Yes (16h with full battery) | Mic & Controls: Yes | Impedance: n/a | Weight: 1.55 oz (44g) | Cable lenght: n/a | Features: ANC, ear fins
    • Great noise cancelling
    • Good stability with ear fins
    • Balanced sound
    • Bulky module attached to the cable

    If you don’t like the bulk of over-ear headphones you can get yourself a smaller package. These tiny earbuds offer great comfort and respectable noise-cancellation.

    Noise reduction is the best-in-class for small headphones. See more best noise cancelling earbuds.

    Since they’re wired, you can connect them to any 3.5mm device but you still need to charge them for noise-canceling.

    Connect any 3.5mm to Lightning with this adapter.

    The Stay Hear+ ear tips are very comfortable and provide a perfect fit. There’s also an “aware mode” for when you want to hear your environment.

    Get all of the above with the signature sound and you get to understand the appeal of these great earbuds.

    Bose Bluetooth Earbuds

    7. Bose QuietControl 30

    trophy Best neckband
    Bose QuietComfort 30

    QuietControl 30 are the latest Bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds from this company. Active noise cancellation does well at blocking background noise.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Neckband in-ear | Battery life: 10h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: n/a | Features: ANC, companion app with EQ, NFC, ear fins, multipoint support
    • Fun, balanced sound
    • Comfortable fit
    • Suitable for sports activities
    • Neckband isn't the most ideal for exercising

    You can connect them with 2 devices at the same time. It’s quite useful if you want to listen to music with a laptop and quickly switch to your smartphone.

    Moreover, the unique ear tips are very comfortable and you can easily wear them for the whole day.

    The neckband design might seem bulky and heavy but that’s not the case. It’s quite comfortable and sits nicely around your neck.

    Because they have adjustable noise cancellation settings, their overall effectiveness isn’t as good.

    Since they are wireless you also get built-in controls for playback and voice assistants (if you want to activate Siri or Google assistant), and a microphone for receiving phone calls.

    There are 2 more Bluetooth earbuds from Bose under “sports headphones.”

    Bose Sports Headphones

    There are many good workout headphones you can choose from, and Bose are among the top. For other brands check the best workout headphones.

    8. Bose SoundSport Wireless

    weights Best workout earbuds
    Bose SoundSport Wireless

    If you’re into sports and the gym, then you have to check the SoundSport earbuds.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Wireless in-ear | Battery life: 6h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 2h + quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: Ear fins, NFC, companion app, Tile support
    • Great comfort and fit
    • Full sound
    • Many extra features
    • Bulky housing

    These Bluetooth earbuds are an older model and were deemed as some of the best for working out and running.

    This is due to their secure fit during movement, comfort, and general resistance to sweat. You’ll have a hard time finding more comfortable sports earbuds.

    Also, you can connect them to any smartphone or Bluetooth device. You get 6-hour of battery life and can also; control music with an in-line remote and make phone calls with the microphone. Sadly, no noise cancellation.

    Add to this a signature sound quality for a pleasant listening experience, and you’ll understand why these Bose headphones are one of the most popular workout headphones today.

    Want a cheaper alternative?

    Best cheap earbuds

    9. Bose Sport Open Earbuds

    weights Best ear hooks
    Bose Sport Open Earbuds

    An interesting take on open-ear earbuds, with ear hooks and specially designed proprietary cradle for charging.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Wireless in-ear | Battery life: 5h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: Heart rate monitor, companion app, NFC
    • Fun sound
    • Great stability and comfort
    • Compatibility with different fitness apps
    • Poor battery life

    An interesting take on open-ear earbuds, with ear hooks and specially designed proprietary cradle for charging.

    16mm drivers inside the Sport Open Earbuds output good clarity and very accurate midrange but lack a bass response below 200Hz.

    On the other hand, earbuds have built-in ear hooks that make them stay on your ears (prevent them from falling out).

    The battery is lasting 8 hours on a single charge. Since earbuds lack a charging case, you have to charge them in a proprietary cradle.

    You manipulate playback by using a combination of physical buttons and touch controls, while the mic ensures the voice pickup for call and issuing your own voice commands.

    10. Bose SleepBuds II

    trophy Best for sleeping
    Bose Sleepbuds II sleeping headphones

    Best headphones that help you sleep better.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: True wireless | Mic & Controls: No | Noise cancelling: No | Weight: 4.6g both buds (0.16 oz) | Battery life: 10h + 30h in case | Water-resistance: No | Features: Companion app, ear fins
    • Small and lightweight design
    • Companion app with 40 noise-masking sounds
    • Great stability during sleep with ear fins
    • No active noise cancellation
    • No option for music playback

    Many people have trouble sleeping because the ambient noise is too loud. Reasons for that differ from noisy traffic to a loudly snoring partner.

    If you can’t find a solution in earplugs, the only thing that might help are sleeping headphones.

    Specially designed SleepBuds II are incredibly small and don’t protrude like other wireless earbuds. Instead, you can sleep on your sides without noticing them at all. They fit gently into your ears and have small ear fins to not fall out during sleep.

    Instead of implementing noise cancelation, you choose between 40 various gentle sounds inside the companion app settings: from running water to the sound of rustling leaves.

    Honorable Mentions

    Bose SoundLink II (over-ear)

    If you don’t care about external noise-canceling but still want fantastic comfort, wireless connectivity, and a signature sound SoundLink II are for you. They have a 15-hour battery life, but in case the battery dies, you can also use an AUX cable. (Check SoundLink II price)

    Bose Frames

    Frames are the best way to listen to music on the go without putting something on or in your ears. These stylish sunglasses can also protect you from UVA/UVB rays and with 3.5-hour battery life are perfect for long walks by the beach. And yes, they sound really good. (Check Frames price)

    Bose SoundSport (wired)

    If you don’t mind wired sports earbuds and want something that is reliable, comfortable, and sound good, check SoundSport wired earbuds. There are 2 versions; one for Android and the other for iOS devices. That is if you want to have in-line control and a microphone for good call quality. (Check SoundSport price)

    Bose SoundSport Free

    Pair of headphones with a well-balanced sound profile. Bose SoundSport Free are very comfortable to wear and suitable for sports activities, rocking an IPX4 rating of water resistance. (Check SoundSport Free price)

    Bose QuietComfort 25

    The best wired noise-cancelling headphones from this company. The Bose QuietComfort 25 over-ears are a great choice if you want amazing budget noise cancelling headphones but don’t need wireless functionality. (Check QuietComfort 25 price)

    How Do You Make Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones Work Wirelessly?

    By attaching a simple mod called AirMod.

    It attaches to the 3.5mm AUX plug and gives up to 8 hours of wireless functionality per full charge. It also has a built-in microphone and controls for easy song selection and hands-free calling.

    The mod is Apple and Android compatible and is a great addition to your headphones. Check out the latest price here.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Why is Bose Such a Popular Brand for Headphones?

    While there can be no arguing Bose headphones are one of the best in major categories, you can find better, especially if you ask a real audiophile.

    Nonetheless, Bose is very well known and respected by an average consumer. They’ve been the first to introduce noise-cancelling headphones which helped them create a good reputation.

    As a reputable brand, Bose headphones are more expensive than the headphones of many other brands. While they aren’t necessarily better or worse (it’s subjective), you have to expect to pay a higher price.

    What Kind of Sound Signature Bose Headphones Have?

    There are some differences in how each headphone model sounds, but overall they have a balanced sound signature.

    This means neither bass notes, middle range, nor treble is emphasized. All ranges are reproduced in an equal fashion. This doesn’t mean a perfectly flat response but close to it. This sound signature is great for all music genres and is enjoyed by most people.

    Is It Worth to Buy Bose Headphones?

    If you’re looking for excellent noise cancellation headphones, Bose headphones are definitely worth checking out. Their performance in this area is comparable. No wonder why many aviators are using their headphones.

    However, the competition has beaten them in sound and additional features. The best Bose headphones are good in that regard, but not on the top as they were before.

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