If you love to listen to music — and let's be honest, who doesn't love to listen to music? — picking up a pair of Bose headphones might just be the smartest decision you'll ever make.

Fortunately, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones just dipped to $329 at Amazon in the limited Diamond 60th Anniversary Edition colorway, which is a sleek white shade. That gives you $100 in savings and lets you snag this fan-favorite pair of headphones at its lowest price ever.

In addition to premium audio quality that'll help you appreciate your favorite songs even more, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are known for unrivaled noise cancellation.

More specifically, our sister site T3 said these cans offer "active noise-canceling that truly cancels ambient sound." T3 also praised the QuietComfort Ultra headphones for a lightweight and compact design and a pretty good 18-hour battery life.

Investing in a good pair of headphones often comes with sticker shock, but epic deals like these help soften the blow a little bit. And you can rest easy knowing that you likely won't buy another pair of headphones for years. That said, feel free to check out the other best headphone deals we've rounded up so far before deciding this is the right pair of headphones.

Today's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra deal

Bose's earbuds don't come cheap, but it's Cyber Monday, and even the most expensive gadgets in their class can be had for less.

Bose's Ultra Open wireless earbuds are included in that list and they're also some of the best-sounding open-style earbuds I've used yet. Like other earbuds in this class, Bose's Ultra Open earbuds (if you can call them buds) are meant to help you hear your surroundings while still getting personal audio.

I've tested the Ultra Open earbuds extensively and find them to be a great ratio of personal audio to ambient noise — I've even worn them with enough satisfaction in the New York City subway, which isn't known for its lack of noise.

I've used quite a few open-style earbuds at this point — Nothing's Ear Open and Sony's new LinkBuds open — and Bose's really hit the sweet spot.

For the full list of all the wireless earbuds I love that are on sale right now check this list out.

I've tested a lot of wireless earbuds in my day, and not all of them are created equally.

If that sounds like I'm being an earbuds snob, well... I am. The good news is that snobbery isn't all for naught — having put in the hours to listen and learn, I'm here to help curate a list of audio products that will best suit your wireless earbuds needs or the needs of someone you're shopping for.

If you're in the market for some top-notch wireless audio, I've tried most of the products on this list, and unless denoted otherwise, you really can't go wrong.

How can you make one of the best pairs of ANC (Active Noise-Cancellation) headphones money can buy better? Well, according to today's Amazon Prime deals, you shave $80 off their price tag to tip the balance of price to performance in your favor. For a limited time, you can grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for just $349 at Amazon!

Available in all three colorways (Black, Sandstone, and White Smoke), Bose's ultra-premium wireless headphones are on the receiving end of a generous price cut that makes them more attractive than ever to the on-the-go audiophile. It may not be the lowest price we've ever seen Bose's headphones drop to, but it's no doubt one of the best Prime Day headphone deals we've come across so far.

Bose's QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer impressive noise-cancellation for superior immersion in your favorite tracks and jams no matter where you are with a battery life that can stretch to 24 hours of continuous listening.

If you're in the market for a pair of headphones that can up your listening experience, take advantage of this impressive Prime Day offer and treat yourself to more, for less!

Today's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra deal

One of the best pairs of active noise-cancellation headphones on the market today has been marked down to an all-time low price — just in time for riding in the planes, trains, and automobiles of summer vacation.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are available on Amazon for $339, which is $90 off the list price of $429.

And if you like the color black, the news gets even better: At all other retailers, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are only discounted to $379. 

However, Amazon has the black colorway of these highly-rated headphones discounted an extra $40, bringing the price down to $339. (You'll have the look of Christian Bale in Batman Begins when he asks, "Does it come in black?")

Tom's Guide awarded these headphones 4.5 out of 5 stars and its Editor's Choice award. The review praises the QuietComfort Ultra headphones for their modern design, signature Immersive Audio experience, and intuitive controls, calling it the  "best-ever ANC." 

Whether you splurge on a new pair of premium headphones for yourself or gift one to someone special for Father's Day or a graduation, you'll want to act fast before this short-term deal is over.

If the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones seem too pricey or feature-rich for your taste, check out the other best headphone deals we've rounded up.

Today's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra deal

With summer quickly approaching, it's the perfect time to upgrade your earbuds. 

Whether your summer plans include lounging around the pool, exploring your city, or not moving from your couch, a premium set of earbuds will improve your summer experiences tenfold. 

When you think of "premium earbuds," Bose might be one of the first companies that springs to mind. High-quality earbuds from Bose don't come cheap, but luckily, the company's QuietComfort Earbuds 2 in Soapstone are only $189 at Amazon — that's an all-time low price for these earbuds and a savings of $90!

These popular earbuds offer unrivaled active noise cancellation, with multiple modes to personalize the amount of noise cancellation. And the sound quality? Absolutely stellar. 

Check out our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review for more reasons why they earned 4.5 out of 5 stars and our Editor's Choice award.

If you want to make sure there's not a better deal before splurging on these QuietComfort Earbuds 2 from Bose, check out the best headphone deals we've rounded up this month.

Today's best Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 deal

Early Memorial Day sales start now with spring into summer discounts on Bose audio devices. One early Bose Memorial Day deal at Best Buy offers Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 for just $199 ($90 off). This is the Bose QuietComfort 2's lowest price ever and one of the best headphone deals I've seen all month. 

Aptly named, Bose QuietComfort 2 earbuds are comfortable to wear and feature best-in-class noise-cancellation. They're also water-and-sweat resistance and pump out premium sound which makes them great for working out at the gym. 

If you prioritize comfort, bold sound, and superior noise-canceling, you can't go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort 2. 

Browse 4 early Bose Memorial Day deals I found below. 

Bose Memorial Day deals

Chances are, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are on your radar if you're on the hunt for your next noise-cancelling earbuds, Bose's renowned sound and superior noise blocking comes at a steep price. Luckily, spring savings offer some relief for your bank account. 

Right now, you can get Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 for $199 at Amazon. That's $100 below their $299 list price and the cheapest they've ever been. This is one of the best Bose deals I've seen outside of big sales like Black Friday. In fact, it's one of the best headphone deals I've spotted since the start of the year.

Today's Best Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 deal

Put away those bulky headphones and slippery, sometimes uncomfortable, earbuds, Bose is redefining wearable audio with its new Ultra Open Earbuds. Forget choosing between immersive sound and staying aware of your surroundings – these innovative, cuff-shaped earbuds offer the best of both worlds.

Available for $299, the Ultra Open Earbuds rest comfortably on the outer edge of your ear, eliminating ear canal blockage and ensuring you stay connected to your environment. Whether that means listening to podcasts while walking the dog or enjoying workout music without missing your friend's conversation, these open-ear buds seamlessly integrate audio into your day-to-day life.

Beyond functionality, the Ultra Open Earbuds boast a sleek, minimalist design with polished edges and a brushed metal finish. They’re designed to complement, not clash, with your personal style, effortlessly paired with glasses, hats, and jewelry. Comfort is paramount, and the Bose-engineered flex arm, coated in soft silicone, ensures a secure, light-as-air fit on most ear shapes.

So, if you crave exceptional audio quality without sacrificing awareness or style, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer a revolutionary listening experience at a premium price.

With so many positives on display, the best wireless earbuds should quake in their charging cases. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a serious contender, so listen in a little, and let’s see how they fare.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Price and availability

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds cost $299, which puts them in the top tier with the Bose Quite Comfort Earbuds 2 ($299),  Technics EAH-AZ807 ($299), and the Sony WF-1000XM4 ($279). All of the earbuds listed feature excellent sound quality and premium active noise canceling.

However, the Bose Ultra Open buds do not, and they’re not meant to. While they lack the current earbud meta, Bose’s earbuds offer something all-new: An open-ear experience pairing audiophile-level quality and natural sound pickup to great effect.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Design

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds come in sleek, stylish Black and White Smoke colorways. The contrast in textures between their soft and metallic finishes makes them feel like a luxurious fashion piece, and I like that a lot.

They’re more like a pair of clip-on earrings than your traditional earbuds, and thanks to the ultra-soft silicone flex arm that connects the speaker to the battery barrel, they stay on your ear regardless if you’re just walking around or going for a jog.

For easy control, a physical button sits conveniently on each of the ear-resting barrels, allowing you to play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, and more. Additionally, the Bose Music app unlocks Auto Volume, which intelligently adjusts your audio level based on ambient noise, ensuring consistent sound wherever you go.

Built for real-world use, the Ultra Open Earbuds boast an IPX4 rating, making them sweat and water-resistant, so you can confidently wear them during workouts or light rain.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Comfort

I have large, oddly shaped ears which makes finding properly fitting earbuds challenging. However, the Ultra Open Earbuds are so super lightweight, that I would often completely forget I was wearing them, especially since they don’t sit within my ears.

I couldn’t locate or find the details for how much they weigh, but how exactly does one measure air? (Don’t answer that, I am pretty sure there's a way.) When I find out, I will update you. 

Once you learn how to put them on (and there is a brief learning curve), you’ll immediately notice how lightweight and unobtrusive they are. I went about my day strolling the streets of Manhattan, riding the subway, and walking in the park, all while enjoying my music and surroundings.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are so comfortable, that it was only when I returned home and my significant other asked me if I got a new pair of earrings that I remembered I had them on.

Gone are the days of headphones gripping uncomfortably. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds utilize innovative flex arms feel incredibly secure. Its ultra-soft silicone coating gives a unique sensation, reminding me of the smooth, delicate touch of one of my kid's skin when they were infants. This meticulous design ensures a snug, perfect fit without ever feeling intrusive, seamlessly becoming an extension of yourself. 

It was a great experience until my significant other snatched them, and once she had them, she ran off like Smeagol in “Lord of the Rings” to hide in her cave. I never got to wear them again. Though, I did find her dancing in the hallway and referring to them as precious. 

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Setup and controls

Setting up the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds was quick and painless. You simply connect them via Bluetooth and call it a day. However, I suggest you download the Bose Music app to enjoy the best experience. 

Within the app, you will find all the intimate controls and options that take the experience to a whole new level. Granting you access to the fine-tuning of your audio experience, including different listening modes and an EQ. The app also lets you compile all of your music services into one place, allowing for seamless listening across your entire audio library.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds prioritize seamless control. Each earbud boasts a conveniently placed physical button that grants intuitive access to playback, volume adjustments, and track navigation. No more fumbling with touch controls or awkward gestures – just simple, tactile commands at your fingertips.

But the convenience doesn't stop there. The Bose Music app unlocks the intelligent "Auto Volume" feature. This clever technology analyzes your surroundings and adjusts your audio level accordingly.

Whether you're strolling through a quiet park or navigating a bustling city street, Auto Volume ensures consistent sound clarity without you needing to constantly tinker with the settings. It's like having a personal sound engineer, automatically fine-tuning your experience for optimal enjoyment.

With both physical buttons and intelligent software features, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds empower you to take control of your listening experience, effortlessly adapting to any environment while keeping you immersed in your audio world.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Software

Bose creates next-level audio immersion thanks to the aptly named Bose Immersive Audio. This innovative technology goes beyond headphones to virtually transport you to the heart of your music, placing you center stage in a three-dimensional soundscape.

Imagine the rich, layered depth of a live concert, all delivered directly to your ears – that's the magic of Immersive Audio. When you’re using the UOE’s it feels like you’re at a live concert, which I love. 

It feels less constricted compared to traditional stereo sound. Immersive Audio expands your listening experience with a wider, more spacious stage, faithfully recreating the natural way we hear music.

Here’s the best part, it's platform-agnostic, meaning you can unlock this spatial audio experience regardless of your preferred streaming service or device.

For tailored immersion, Bose offers two distinct listening modes: "Still" and "Motion." The "Still" mode is ideal for stationary listening, anchoring the sound stage to a fixed position and creating a concert-hall atmosphere in your living room. On the other hand, "Motion" keeps the music dynamically adjusting to your head movements, ensuring you stay immersed even on the move.

You can choose different modes to enjoy different audio experiences. In this part of the app you will find the options of Stereo, immersion, and music, which all provide a different listening experience. There is also an equalizer, which you can manually adjust or make use of the bass boost, and treble boost presets. 

Whether you're a discerning audiophile or simply crave a deeper connection to your music, Bose Immersive Audio promises a transformative listening experience. It's not just about hearing your music – it's about feeling it.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Audio

I went a little old school with Linkin Park’s “Hi-Voltage” and the audio was excellent with beautifully discernable tonal separation, and shockingly good bass and treble when you consider that the unit's speaker is not sitting directly in your ear. It is akin to being at a live concert, which I mentioned earlier. Listening to the thumping bass beat, and rap lyrics, both excellently reproduced, I felt like I was back at a Linkin Park concert some twenty or so years ago, happy. Before the kids happened. 

I moved on to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and the scratchy opening guitars were reproduced to perfection, I was taken back. I felt like I was at a live show with a young Kurt Cobain's rough voice and powerful lyrics taking me back once again to my anxiety-ridden youth. 

Here’s the best part of the experience, it removes the need to just use one earbud so that I am fully aware of my surroundings. If you’ve ever walked around a big city late a night, you want to be completely aware, so the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds created an extra secure feeling while delivering the kind of stunning audio that reminded me of the concert halls, bar basements, and CBGB’s of my youth. 

The other thing that I love, is that even though these buds aren’t stuffed into my ears, nobody else can hear what I am listening to, no matter how loud I have the volume. Which is refreshing, and adds a level of privacy I covet as there is nothing worse than someone else dancing to your music.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Battery life

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds boast impressive battery life, keeping you connected for extended periods. With immersive audio off, a single charge is rated up to 7.5 hours, which drops to 4.5 hours with it on. In my time with them, I got all-day use plus because I mostly used them while riding the subway or when I go for my walks.

In standby mode, they last a remarkable 48 hours, perfect for all-day wear. The charging case provides an additional 19.5 hours (or 12 hours with immersive audio), and a quick 10-minute charge fuels 2 hours of playtime. So the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are dependable travel partners.

Tech-wise, the earbuds feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, including the latest aptX Adaptive codec for lossless, low-latency audio streaming. This ensures seamless, robust connectivity, especially with premium Android devices. 

Adding to the convenience, Google Fast Pair simplifies pairing with Android devices, and Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility guarantees broad connectivity. This allowed me to easily switch between two phones and my laptop. 

If you want to enjoy a fun and more immersive experience, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds work with Bose SimpleSync technology. This allows you to pair them with select Bose smart soundbars and speakers for a personalized listening experience. Independent volume controls enable you to adjust the soundbar volume without affecting the earbuds, giving you complete control over your audio environment.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Call quality

Call quality was excellent to solid depending on my surroundings. When talking to my daughter during our weekly whist of my bank account, She said I sounded crystal clear while I was sitting at my desk in our office. 

However while talking to my uncle while walking around the busy Brooklyn streets he did say he could hear traffic behind me, but he could also very clearly hear my voice over the background noise.

Bottom line

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are truly worth every penny, they not only bring an excellent audio experience your friends and family will be jealous of, but they also provide a sense of security that urban users will take comfort in. Some may balk at the $299 price tag, but that would be a mistake. 

The Ultra Open Earbuds are the perfect meshing of audiophile-level sound experience, style, and security you can purchase today. If you love that live music experience, and keeping it to yourself, these are an excellent pair of buds to buy. If you’re active, and like taking your music with you while jogging or running, the flex arms design will make you thrilled you purchased these as they will never pop out of your ears.

If you've been looking for a good pair of headphones recently, you know that Bose is one of the best brands to consider. And lucky for you, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are only $379 at Amazon right now—that's $50 in savings!

While $50 might not seem like a huge discount, it is when you consider the QuietComfort Ultra headphones just released at the beginning of October last year. These headphones have received high praise from reviewers for their excellent ANC tech, immersive and high-quality sound experience, and up-to-24-hour battery life.

Whether you buy these headphones as a treat for yourself on Valentine's Day or you gift them to someone you love, this is a deal you won't want to miss.

Today's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra deal

Black Friday is a great occasion to clear your wish list of a few typically too expensive items as prices fall to impressive lows across the internet. If you're anything like me then you appreciate the opportunity to get lost in the soundscapes of a good set of headphones. And when it comes to headphones, what could be more good than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra now just $379 at Best Buy!

These headphones have practically only just hit store shelves and we're already being treated to a tidy little discount to tempt us even further. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra's usual price tag of $429 has been docked by a non-too-shabby $50. Is it the discount of a life time? Not exactly, but it does make these impressive cans all the more accessible, bringing a super-premium product ever closer to our eager hands. Check out the deal below for more information.

Black Friday's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra deal

The best back to school headphones help students stay focused and interruption-free during study sessions. Noise-cancelling headphones are especially useful when you're heading to class whether you're trekking across campus or commuting on the subway. 

If your audio gear needs a refresh for the new semester, the best headphone deals of the summer are at every corner. No matter your budget or use case, you can find the right back to school headphones for below retail right now. Just about every audio retailer under the sun is slashing prices on audio devices today. So if you're ticking items off your back to school essentials list, it's a great time to snag some headphones on the cheap.

We're currently seeing the best discounts of the season on select headphones from the best audio brands. Student or not, it's one of the best times of the year to score savings on top-rated headphones by Apple, Beats, Bose, Jabra, Sennheiser, Sony headphones and others. 

From Sony's budget on-ear headphones to Apple's premium ear cans, shop our recommended back to school headphones below.

Today's best back to school headphone deals

The Sony WF-1000XM4 set many standards for a true wireless release. On top of elite active noise cancellation that nearly bests the class-leading Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, these buds deliver excellent hi-fi sound and lengthy playtimes in an innovative, chic design. You can see why Laptop Magazine awarded them a perfect 5-star rating.

Leaks and reports suggested the Sony WF-1000XM5 were on the horizon. Details had remained sketchy for a while, but now we have first-hand experience and official specs. Sony’s all-new V2 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e chipsets boost numerous performance hallmarks, including active noise cancellation, call quality, signal processing, and sound. Small changes to the design create a practical and more elegant-looking product. Proprietary technologies such as 360 Reality Audio, DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), and LDAC also remain intact.

Both deserve their spots among the best wireless earbuds available, but as for the better value, that’s what we’re here to determine. Read our in-depth analysis to see whether the new Sony WF-1000XM5 or older WF-1000XM4 are Sony’s best noise-cancelling earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Price

There’s very little difference in price if we’re going based on their launch MSRPs. Sony released the WF-1000XM5 at $299, which is $20 more than the $279 WF-1000XM4. Occasionally, you can find the WF-1000XM4 on sale; we’ve seen them for as low as $178.

Both are pricey investments that won’t disappoint, so we declare this round a draw.

Winner: Draw (Unless you can find the WF-1000XM4 deeply discounted)

More: Best headphone deals in July 2026

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Specs comparison

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Design

The WF-1000XM5 are a lighter, smaller, and shinier version of their predecessor with minor detail changes. Out goes the protruding ANC mic housings for flushed mesh grilles. The all-matte finish now has a glossy outer shell that gives the WF-1000XM5 a more premium look, which we didn’t think was possible since the WF-1000XM4 already looked luxurious. Sony’s charging case got a welcome reduction in size and weight and introduces a pairing button on the back.

As for comfort and fit, both models are pleasant wears, though the WF-1000XM5’s smaller frame is less cumbersome on the ear. Their memory foam tips are more flexible and easier to squeeze, so they’ll produce a tighter seal around the canal for proper on-ear stability. The inclusion of XS tips is worth mentioning too since they accommodate listeners with smaller ears.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Controls

Both sets of buds come with expansive control schemes that function equally well. Single- and multi-tap gestures are responsive for accurate playback, call management, and digital assistance. Motion detection is spot-on to auto-pause/play content when removing or placing either set of buds on your ears. Voice assistance remains strong, but the WF-1000XM5’s upgraded mics result in stronger speech recognition to activate hands-free Alexa or Google Assistant without a hitch. Enabling Google Assistant and Siri manually works just as well on both models. Smart controls are also available, like Quick Attention that lowers volume to 10% when speaking, and Speak-to-Chat to automatically pause content when detecting your voice.

The WF-1000XM5 also come with two exclusive controls: on-board volume and Spotify Tap. A four-tap gesture on the left bud reduces volume, while performing the same act on the right bud increases it. Assigning the shortcut control to Spotify Tap sends you directly to the streaming service and plays a favorited playlist.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Active noise cancellation

The WF-1000XM4 demonstrated some of the best ANC when they launched, and still do. Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control feature uses a combination of the V1 processor and feed-forward and feed-back noise-sensing mics to put a kibosh on 90% of incidental sounds. If any noise creeps onto the soundscape, it’s usually a blaring high-frequency sound from a few feet away. Other frequencies go unheard. 

The Wind Reduction setting also comes in clutch when caught in gusty conditions. Our favorite part about Sony’s ANC is the ambient listening mode, which offers 20 adjustable levels to grant full control over how much noise enters the soundscape. It’s perfect for engaging in crystal-clear conversations up close and increasing environmental awareness.

However, the WF-1000XM5 has smarter and stronger ANC. These buds rely on the new V2 chip and QN2e chips to monitor and suppress frequencies more precisely, specifically low frequencies. Extra mics help filter out vocals, while the new mesh grilles provide superb wind resistance. Overall, the WF-1000XM5 get you a more refined ANC experience that also assists with call quality (more on that later).

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Audio Quality

Detailed hearing is required to tell the difference in audio between these two sonic gems. The WF-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM4 carry Sony features that improve and personalize sound on multiple levels. 360 Reality Audio creates an immersive listening environment when using compatible hi-res streaming services like Deezer and Tidal. DSEE upscales lo-fi recordings for clearer sound performance. The customizable EQ with well-engineered presets complements respective music genres and content. LDAC codec support boosts streaming quality by pulling more data from recordings to consume every characteristic and nuance from a song.

Where the two models differ are headtracking and processing power, both of which favor the WF-1000XM5. Headtracking support for 360 Reality Audio detects motion surprisingly well to keep sound in sync with your head movements. Sony’s V2 chip delivers 24-bit signal processing, while the all-new Dynamic Driver X unit widens frequency reproduction for deeper bass and more detailed vocals without distorting the soundscape.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Special features and app

Both models aren’t short on features and share many of them. Here’s what you’ll find available on the WF-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM4: 360 Reality Audio, Ambient Sound Control, EQ, DSEE, LDAC, Google Fast Pair, Quick Attention, and Speak-to-Chat. The majority are found in the Sony Headphones Connect app, alongside battery level indicators for both earbuds and the charging case, toggle controls for multiple functions, a music player, and firmware updates.

The WF-1000XM5 receive multipoint technology to pair with two devices simultaneously and runs on Bluetooth 5.3, which produces fast and reliable connectivity. Sony even introduced a new app called Auto Play (in beta) to perform unique functions such as playing music at a preferred time when linked to Spotify, Endel, or Apple Music. It also sends out audio notifications to keep tabs on important events and incoming messages.   

Meanwhile, the WF-1000XM4 run on Bluetooth 5.2 and doesn’t support the Auto Play app.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Battery life

Playtimes haven’t changed much between the WF-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM5. A full charge still gets you 8 hours with ANC on and 12 hours with ANC off. LDAC use reduces these times by about 2 hours. So, why are we awarding this category to the latest model?   

Well, the WF-1000XM5’s charging case holds 1 hour more when fully charged. It also boasts stronger quick charging: a 3-minute charge equals 60 minutes of use. You need to charge the WF-1000XM4 for 5 minutes to net the same listening time. 

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Call quality

Bone conduction sensors and Sony’s PVP (Precise Voice Pickup) technology give the WF-1000XM5 perfect call quality. Voice and video calls were loud and clear, specifically Google Meet chats, which were met with positive feedback and compliments over how well the mics blocked out ambient noise. Wind resistance was also strong due to the newly installed noise-reduction structure and mesh wraps on the bottom of each bud.   

We loved using the WF-1000XM4 as our calling headset for the past year. Calls sounded clear in most environments, and the Automatic Wind Reduction setting helped minimize harsh effects created in gusty conditions. The WF-1000XM5 just does a better job with wind resistance.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

It’s tough beating a 5-star product like the WF-1000XM4, but Sony figured it out with the WF-1000XM5. Upgraded hardware that enhances audio, call quality, and noise cancellation places these buds higher than their predecessor. The improvements in design and small additions like Bluetooth multipoint add to their high-priced value.

The WF-1000XM4 are still supreme wireless earbuds that outperform the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QCE 2 in sound. Their revamped design has laid the groundwork for Sony’s future true wireless flagships. Praise should also be given to their long battery life and vast feature set.

In the end, you’ll want to spend the extra $20 on the market-best WF-1000XM5.

You can now preorder Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds at Amazon, Best Buy, B&H and other select retailers. Priced at $299, Sony's new premium earbuds are direct competitors to flagship truly wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2.

Sony is renowned for its signature sound and the manufacturing of many of the industry's best headphones. The forthcoming WF-1000XM5 joins its truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds category. 

Sony's new flagship earbuds enhance the WF-1000XM series with a new Integrated Processor V2 and improved call quality using an AI based noise reduction and bone conduction sensor. They retain the same IPX4 water resistance and rated battery life of up to 8 hours (24 hours with the charging case) as the WF-1000XM4.

While we haven't tested Sony's latest earbuds, the previous-gen Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds earned a perfect 5 out of 5-star rating and our Editor's Choice Award. We were impressed by the earbuds' excellent sound, call quality and powerful active noise-cancellation. We also praised its lightweight, comfortable fit and tons of useful app features.

For a personalized listening experience, Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds work with the Sony Headphones Connect App for Android and iOS. This nifty companion app lets you manage Bluetooth connections, toggle noise cancelling and set your voice assistant.

If you're shopping around for audio gear this back to school season, Sony WF-1000M5 earbuds are worth considering. Sony WF-1000XM5 preorders are expected to ship by July 27 whereas the silver colorway ships by Aug. 4-9.

Preorder Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds 

With a full day of Amazon Prime Day deals still ahead of us, its no wonder we're seeing some of the best headphone deals of the season already.

If you act fast, you can get the Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones are on sale for $229 at Amazon. That's $100 in savings, compared to its original $329. Even at full price, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are a budget-friendly option compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5s. And for a limited time, you can snag these top-rated noise-blockers for one heck of a bargain. 

Simply put, Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are a solid choice if you want the best noise cancelling ear cans money can buy. 

Bose's QuietComfort 45 headphones have comfortably made their way onto the best noise-cancelling headphones list. With 45mm drivers, high-fidelity sound and up to 24 hours of battery life, you can swing life away in your own little world. On the other hand, enabling Aware Mode will let you hear what's going on around you right through the headphones for those times you need to be more in the moment.

During our Bose QuietComfort 45 review, we sing praises about their fantastic sound, quality noise-cancellation and comfortable fit. We gave the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars plus our coveted Editor's Choice award. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones haven't changed much in the design department compared to the previous-gen QuietComfort 35 II model. The over-ear, plastic design has stayed the same, with the same comfy synthetic leather memory foam ear cushions. Our reviewer wore them for an entire workday with no discomfort. In real-world tests, audio was clear and balanced as was call quality.

At 8.5 ounces and 7.3 x 3 x 6 inches, the Bose QC 45 weighs less than most competing headphones. By comparison, the AirPods Pro Max (13.6 ounces, 7.4 x 6.6 x 3.3 inches) are significantly heavier. 

Visit our Prime Day 2023 hub for today's early discounts on mobile tech, gaming, and more from Amazon and competing retailers. 

Bose is a brand most consumers keep in mind when shopping for new headphones or earbuds, and rightfully so. The company’s reputation as the king of active noise cancelation (ANC) has stood for decades. Many of their releases are even considered the best wireless headphones and best wireless earbuds that money can buy. However, not everyone is convinced that Bose makes the best audio products.

Whether for ANC or sound, call quality or voice assistance, you can find some spectacular alternatives that give Bose’s flagship models a run for their money. Some are also much more affordable and work extraordinarily well for peaceful listening in loud settings.

Our team of experts has tested every major release from the industry’s top brands and compiled this list of the best Bose headphones alternatives based on category, performance, and value. Check out what the market has to offer.

The best Bose headphones alternatives you can buy today

The WH-10000XM5 is Sony’s greatest attempt at dethroning the Bose 700 as the best noise-cancelling headphone. Dual processors and eight microphones are utilized to reduce ambient sound at an incredibly high level. Sony tweaked their ANC technology to provide stronger wind resistance, which we couldn’t be more grateful for since it has been viewed as the Mark Series’ kryptonite. However, it is the WH-1000XM5’s remarkable sound performance that earns it critical acclaim. The combination of 3D audio, customizable sound, Hi-Res Audio compatibility, and upscaling technology to boost fidelity is unbeatable.

Sony’s redesign lacks the premium look and feels of previous models and there are still some bugs that need to be flushed out. Nonetheless, the WH-1000XM5 has the skill set to outperform any Bose headphones out there.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review.

Several models meet the criteria for best Bose earbuds alternative, but the WF-1000XM4 is the category’s absolute best. Noise cancellation is right up there with the QuietComfort Earbuds, putting a kibosh on low-, mid-, and high-frequency sounds. Modes like Wind Reduction greatly reduce the presence of aggressive winds. Sony’s mics help deliver great call quality and voice assistance. Most importantly, these buds come with audiophile-grade sound that is powered by many of the same high-end technologies featured on the WH-1000XM5 headphones. It’s also worth noting that the WF-1000XM4 gets you longer battery life than any Bose true wireless model. 

Our only complaint is that Sony should have included a Find My Buds mode to easily locate the product when lost or misplaced.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

The Momentum 4 is the closest we’ve come to experiencing Bose 700-like noise cancellation. Sennheiser improved their ANC technology to automatically adjust the level of noise neutralization, depending on what’s happening around you. Our testing showed these headphones were capable of silencing nearly 95 percent of ambient noise. Features like Wind Noise Reduction up the ante by heavily minimizing gusty winds. Sound remains a brand highlight with Sennheiser’s powerful 42mm transducer system delivering excellent reproduction to enjoy the subtle nuances in complex recordings. Then comes the Momentum 4’s biggest feature, battery life, which reaches a whopping 60 hours. 

As much as we harp on the downgraded design and unreliable controls, there’s no denying the Momentum 4’s overall performance, especially on the ANC and sonic fronts.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 review.

The AirPods Pro 2 provides twice the active noise cancellation (ANC) and comes with Adaptive Transparency that dynamically increases and reduces ambient noise levels. Headlining features like Personalized Spatial Audio and Find My (AirPods) support for the new MagSafe charging case are eye-catching. Also, the new H2 processor carries over all the significant hallmarks of its predecessor, while introducing new ones that enhance the user experience through high-bandwidth connectivity via Bluetooth 5.3 and more audio processing power.

The AirPods Pro 2 improves on what are already excellent wireless earbuds. ANC is stronger and Adaptive Transparency increases your awareness of your surroundings. Apple fine-tuned the soundstage for full-frequency representation. Battery life has been given a generous boost. Personalized Spatial Audio and Precision Finding compatibility with the new MagSafe charging case are also alluring additions. Taking everything into account, it’s impossible not to consider the AirPods Pro 2 as your next wireless earbuds upgrade.

Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review.

B&W’s follow-up to the successful PX7 noise-cancelling headphones is an even greater smash, welcoming new hardware upgrades and a refined design. On the audio side, these cans carry a 40mm dynamic bio-cellulose driver sitting in each cup, aptX codec support (HD, Adaptive), bass/treble customization, and a new DSP hardware platform. This combination helps produce hi-res, detailed sound with excellent frequency range. A new six-mic array boosts ANC performance, eliminating up to 90 percent of ambient noise, while also increasing transparency when turning on Pass-Through mode. Battery life remains stable, and the aesthetics are as beautiful as ever.

The tight clamp force can be cumbersome on the skull at first and the feature set could be bigger. Luckily, neither takes away from the PX7 S2’s greatness.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 review.

Not everyone has the budget to splurge on Bose headphones. If you’re in the market for something less expensive with respectable ANC and nearly three times the battery life, pick up the Cleer Enduro ANC. These mid-range cans are a bargain at $119, eliminating common distractions (e.g., chatty people, loud TV) with ease and pumping out deep bass when enabling ANC mode. Contemporary music tracks sound engaging and have plenty of punch. We’re fans of the adjustable Ambient Noise feature that lets in a high amount of external sound to increase your awareness of your surroundings. And to get 60 hours of playtime per charge for that price is insane.
There are some bugs that Cleer needs to fix. The companion app could also benefit from more features. At the same time, neither of these flaws takes away from the Enduro ANC’s appeal.

See our full Cleer Enduro ANC review.

The upper echelon of true wireless ANC consists of three models: the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Sony WF-1000XM4, and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. This third-gen entry has adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts surroundings and reduces external sounds better than most competitors; it’s surprising how well these buds cancel out high-pitched sounds. Even more impressive is the wind resistance, as Sennheiser’s Anti-Wind Mode heavily reduces the whisking effects produced in gusty conditions. The only thing more satisfying is Sennheiser’s accurate, well-balanced soundstage that complements all music genres.

If only the call quality were up to par.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review.

The Surface Headphones 2 is an awesome follow-up to one of 2018’s best wireless headphones, the Surface Headphones. This updated version retains many of the hallmarks that made the original a hit, including the aesthetically appealing design, smart (and easy to use) controls), and dynamic sound. There are 13 levels of active noise cancellation that can be cycled through via dial controls, a feature that works well to block out nearly 75% of ambient sound; the best results come with ANC at max level. 

Underrated features like multipoint technology and Microsoft 365 integration are where these headphones showcase their distinctiveness, letting you connect to 10 devices simultaneously and use voice dictation on Office 365 apps (e.g. Word, PowerPoint) to verbally jot down notes. However, Microsoft should consider making improvements for the third-gen Surface Headphones, in particular, battery life and extra features.

See our full Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review.

How to choose the best Bose headphones alternatives for you

Selecting the best Bose headphones and earbuds alternatives begins with looking for the brand’s greatest strength: ANC. Not every model is going to match Bose’s noise-cancelling technology and that’s completely fine. Bose, Sennheiser, and B&W have proven they can compete at the same level. Other rivals like Cleer and Microsoft are catching up as well. Essentially, you just want headphones or earbuds that can eliminate incidental sounds well enough to enjoy music peacefully.

Call quality is one Bose attribute that doesn’t get as much love as it deserves. They do make the best headphones and earbuds for voice and video calls. Any Bose alternative you choose should have mics that demonstrate solid vocal capture. ANC also goes hand in hand with voice and video calls since it limits the amount of background noise present during chats.

Bose isn’t known for their sound, which gives the field a major advantage. Nearly every model on this list outperforms Bose’s flagship offerings in audio performance. Make sure to check off the following: a customizable EQ, powerful drivers, spatial audio, and hi-res codec support (e.g., aptX, LDAC).

Ask any expert what Bose’s worst feature is, and they will say battery life. The max playtime offered on their wireless headphones is 24 hours, and 6 hours on their wireless earbuds. You’ll want somewhere between 25 to 30 hours for headphones and 6 to 10 hours for earbuds. Also, see which ones offer quick charging and wireless charging.

How we test the best Bose headphones alternatives

Several factors are evaluated when testing for the best Bose headphones alternatives, including design, comfort, sound, and value. Every selection is compared to similar products in their category in terms of features, fit, and pricing.

These models are worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours daily. During this period, our reviewers assess comfort, ease of use, noise cancellation, and audio quality. ANC is tested in numerous indoor and outdoor environments. For sound, we listen to many sample tracks across several music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, and classical, while analyzing clarity, depth, imaging, and volume. Audiobooks, games, podcasts, and videos are also accounted for. 

Any models featuring the latest audio codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and spatial audio are tested using compatible hi-res streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal).

If you want to learn more about how these services can improve the sound quality on your laptops and mobile devices, refer to this expert audio codec FAQ on everything you should know about FLAC files, MP3s, and all other audio file codecs.

When testing is completed, we rate these models based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is truly exemplary is awarded an Editor’s Choice.

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Putting together a list of the best headphones and earbuds for battery life requires lots of testing and research. Fortunately, the Laptop Mag crew has had the privilege of reviewing the market’s top performers, helping you decide which model best suits your needs and budget. 

Ideally, you want something that keeps you entertained on flights or throughout the workweek before recharging. The problem is that not many wireless headphones and earbuds are engineered to hold a charge for very long. Factor in premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC), EQ settings, and lossless audio streaming, along with high volume, and the battery drains quicker than a Hummer goes through gas.

For this list, we selected headphones and earbuds that not only come with bountiful battery life, but also remain faithful to their advertised playtimes and demonstrate excellent battery management. Expect to see prime selections from industry staples (e.g., Sennheiser, Sony) and newcomers (e.g., Cleer, JLab, Urbanista) that are setting the new standard for extended operation.

Here is our ranking of the best headphones and earbuds for battery life based on functionality, specs, and price.

What are the best headphones and earbuds for battery life?

Ranking at the top of our list of the best headphones and earbuds for battery life are the Sennheiser Momentum 4. These noise-cancelling headphones are loaded with high-end features, including adaptive ANC, Bluetooth multipoint (to connect to two devices simultaneously), Hi-Res playback, and smart controls. Accommodating this elevated level of functionality is 60 hours of playtime, along with insanely powerful quick charging that no other model in the category can match.

The Creative Outlier Pro ANC currently stands as the best wireless earbuds for battery life. Only a handful of rivals provide between 10 to 15 hours of playtime per charge. What separates the Outlier Pro ANC from the pack is its fascinating feature set, consisting of 3D sound, hybrid ANC, and wireless charging. Most importantly, its charging case holds up to 60 hours. 

Coming in third place is one of the best wireless headphones deals out there: the $99 1More SonoFlow. Strong, reliable connectivity, and 50 hours of ANC playtime (70 hours with ANC off) come part of the package. Not too far behind is the more expensive Technics EAH-A800, which delivers similar battery life, along with hi-fi sound and other audiophile-centric features.

These are just some of the many terrific options you’ll want to consider having as a travel companion. Scroll down to read more extensive breakdowns, along with the rest of the best headphones and earbuds for battery life.

The best headphones and earbuds for battery life right now

Sennheiser went all out creating their fourth-gen noise-cancelling headphone. The Momentum 4 has lots of audio features that enhance what’s already grade-A sound right out of the box. You can tweak sound manually or enable adaptive modes that automatically tune the soundstage to your hearing. ANC works similarly to and nearly rivals the category-leading Bose 700. This level of performance requires strong battery life, and the Momentum 4 doesn’t disappoint, achieving up to 60 hours per charge and having the most powerful quick-charging technology out there: 5 minutes = 4 hours of listening time. 

The comfort levels aren’t the best, nor are the touch controls, but all that functionality makes them well worth the investment, especially for battery life mongers.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 review.

Creative’s reputation in the audio space has always been solid and their latest venture into true wireless earbuds builds on their legacy. Of the numerous models they’ve launched, the Outlier Pro ANC is the top dog for many reasons. First, it’s one of the few wireless earbuds under $100 to feature 3D audio. It delivers the same dynamic and punchy sound as the brand’s well-received computer speakers. Hybrid ANC performs up to par and can be adjusted to block out different noise levels. These are all huge battery drainers, but Creative thought ahead, stuffing an 85mAh lithium polymer battery into the buds that can hold between 10 to 15 hours per charge. The wireless charging case holds 60 hours. A 10-minute charge also generates 2 hours of use.

 Improvements could have been made to the controls and fit, but these flaws don’t take away from the Outlier Pro ANC’s fantastic overall performance.

Read our full Creative Outlier Pro ANC review.

You’re wondering why not the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5? Simple: the WH-XB910N holds 10 hours more when ANC is turned off, comes with many of the same features as its more expensive sibling, and is often on sale (we’ve seen it for as low as $123). Let’s not overlook performance either because these are some of the best Sony headphones available, backed by versatile a soundstage that can be upscaled when enabling Sony’s DSEE technology. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio platform is also available for 360-degree sound. 

Not everything hits its mark, which is why we’re advising to completely ignore the unreliable digital assistant.

Read our full Sony WH-XB910N review.

At $349, the EAH-A800 aren’t the most attainable hi-fi wireless headphones out, but audiophiles with deep pockets will find the asking price just right. Technics’ sound profile is stellar, delivering clear and expansive audio that complements all forms of media (e.g., music, movies, games, podcasts). LDAC support gets you a high bitrate of 990kbps on compatible devices for CD-quality sound, plus there are several customization settings in the companion app to personalize sound. 

Factor in decent ANC and you’ve got high-powered headphones that require strong battery life, which Technics was much obliged to provide. A full charge produces 50 to 60 hours, depending how you use the headphones. If that isn’t enough to sell you on usability, then the EAH-A800’s insanely powerful quick charging surely will: 15 minutes via USB-C connector equates to 10 hours of playtime.

The idea that noise-cancelling earbuds would ever be this cheap would have been unthinkable not long ago. But the Epic Air Sport ANC manages it, and you might be relieved to know that this isn’t a cheap and nasty pair of buds underneath a sound-silencing sheen. On the contrary, it’s actually very practical on the whole, with great battery life and respectable sound output.

Unlike similar, ear hook-equipped earbuds, the Epic Air Sport ANC rarely feels uncomfortable, and you get a few different tip sizes to find the perfect fit. Special mention goes to the buds’ longevity: around 11 hours per charge with ANC enabled, comfortably more than twice that of the AirPods Pro. A charging case that holds 55 hours of playtime isn’t so bad either.

The Enduro ANC is the only sub-$140 ANC headphone we know of with aptX Adaptive codec support, customizable sound, solid noise cancellation, and up to 60 hours of battery life. Coming out of the 40mm Ironless Drivers is engaging audio that’s highlighted by deep bass, striking mids, and clear highs, which can all be tweaked to your liking. Per our reviewer, the noise cancellation is good enough to “provide several peaceful moments around the house.” You get some cool wireless features as well, including customizable ambient listening and multipoint technology. But the Enduro ANC’s greatest selling point is ANC playtime, nearly tripling what current Bose headphones offer.

A low price often presents compromises, which in this case are the less appealing design and buggy mobile app. In the end, these are trivial complaints for a fine-sounding model with serious battery life.

 See our full Cleer Enduro ANC review.

The Major IV is a notable upgrade that maintains the hallmarks of its predecessor, while nearly tripling its battery life. A full charge gets you 80 hours (no, that’s not a typo), which should get you a good 2 to 3 months of playtime when using the headphones in moderation. You can also charge the headphones wirelessly via wireless charging pad. Marshall’s retro audio equipment design is still attractive and features innovative physical controls like the multi-directional control knob that makes pairing, playback, volume, and call management simple to execute. The 40mm dynamic drivers pump out excellent mid-range too. 

As with most on-ear headphones, the Major IV does let in more noise than it blocks out, which can affect audio quality. Also, while we like the rich bass these cans deliver, we also felt the low end could have delivered punchier results. Other than that, the Major IV is another solid addition to the company’s long line of high-performing headphones.

Read our full Marshall Major IV review.

Master & Dynamic gave its flagship wireless earbuds the sporty treatment. The MW08 Sport comes with aesthetic upgrades such as shatterproof materials and water resistance, along with a Kevlar-wrapped charging case. Two-level ANC ensures less-noisy environments when exercising or lounging at home. Battery life is remarkable with 10 hours of ANC playback on a single charge, which can be extended to 12 hours when disabling the feature. Most fitness buffs want energetic and vibrant sound to get their motor running and the MW08 Sport delivers it, pumping out balanced frequencies with deep, impactful bass.

The feature set is extremely limited and doesn’t match what other sports headphones bring to the table; two models that come to mind are the Jaybird Vista 2 and JBL Reflect Mini NC. Also, the MW08 Sport is more expensive than the original MW08, which doesn’t come cheap either at $299.

Read our full Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport review.

The idea of solar-powered headphones just screams gimmicky, but the Urbanista Los Angeles is far from it. These wireless cans feature Powerfoyle solar cells on the headband that capture solar energy when exposed to light, allowing you to recharge on the fly, as long as it's exposed to sunlight outside or any other powerful light source. You can even gauge how much power the headphones are gaining or draining when in use through the companion app. Once achieving a full charge, up 80 hours of use (50 hours with ANC on) is available, which is some of the longest-rated playtime in the category. Sound is also bass-forward and brings an energetic presence to most songs. 

Bear in mind that the clamp force on these headphones is incredibly tight, making them uncomfortable to wear after an hour. ANC is also weak compared to other noise-cancelling models. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles deserves recognition for its ingenuity.

Wireless earbuds are more convenient for fitness activities, but the JBL UA Project Rock Over-Hear Training Headphones make a compelling case for avid exercises that want more performance out of their workout companion. These headphones pack booming JBL sound and adaptive noise cancellation into a near-indestructible design that can survive the abuse you’ll put it through at the gym. Access to the JBL Headphones app means you can personalize sound by selecting from a variety of well-engineered presets, including a custom one tuned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson that pumps out dynamic bass response to “crush workouts.” The only thing more powerful than the sound is battery life, which is rated between 35 to 45 hours, depending on how you use the headphones.

You’ll want to keep wear times under an hour since the clamping force on these cans is incredibly tight; the headband applies a lot of pressure on the skull. Those who like to use the digital assistant for hands-free voice commands will have to endure the annoying setup process as well. 

Read our full JBL UA Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones review.

How to choose the best headphones and earbuds for battery life for you

It’s obvious what to prioritize when seeking out the best headphones and earbuds for battery life, but what should you look for specifically? Start with playtimes. Great noise-cancelling headphones will get you anywhere between 20 to 60 hours, while standard wireless headphones can reach up to 80 hours and true wireless earbuds fall somewhere between 8 to 15 hours per charge. Follow up with battery management, which is often represented by select features that optimize use and power consumption. See what models have an auto-off timer, wear detection to auto-pause music, and a mono mode (one-bud use for calls and listening).

Charging solutions are very important. Most modern headphones and earbuds have adopted USB-C charging, which operates faster and more efficiently than previous charging connectors (e.g., USB-A, micro-USB). This technology has also paved the way for quick charging, increasing the number of watts sent to the battery for instant use in a matter of minutes. Wireless charging is another feature that’s become popular over the past two years, letting you power up headphones or earbuds cable-free by placing them on a Qi-enabled charging pad. 

Third on the check list is Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE). While introduced on Bluetooth 4.2, it’s become more common on Bluetooth 5.0-enabled devices and uses less power to communicate with devices.

Lastly, you’re looking at audio quality and volume. The two go hand in hand because you want headphones or earbuds that can produce great sound at reasonably loud volumes, but not too loud. You’re not trying to blow out an ear drum or drain the battery quickly, which high volume is notorious for doing on audio devices.

How we test the best headphones and earbuds for battery life

We evaluate design, sound, playtime, and value when determining the best headphones and earbuds for battery life. All selections are compared to similar products in the category.

These products have been tested over the course of a month – 2 to 3 hours daily. We assess discharge times, quick charging, and battery-draining factors such as noise cancellation, volume, and special features like audio codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and spatial audio. The latter is tested using compatible hi-res streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal).  

To learn more about how these services can enhance the sound quality on your laptops and mobile devices, take a look at this expert audio codec FAQ on everything you should know about FLAC files, MP3s, and all other audio file codecs.

After testing is completed, all selections are rated based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is truly exemplary is awarded an Editor’s Choice.

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Seeking out the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds means looking for effective active noise cancellation (ANC) at an attainable price point. This seemed unimaginable a few years back, but the category has evolved and opened the door for many models to offer this premium feature for nearly a third of what Apple charges for the AirPods Pro.

Popular names in the audio space like Jabra, JBL, and even Samsung have seen some of their critically acclaimed models drop below $100, while Amazon darlings like 1More and Anker have high-performance buds available at unbeatable prices. Even mobile newcomers like Nothing and OnePlus are getting in on the action with celebrated releases that put many mid-range noise-cancellers to shame.

The Laptop Mag crew compiled a ranking of the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds based on performance, price, and purpose. Scroll down to see which ones make for great affordable pickups.

What are the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds?

Ranked No. 1 on our list of the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. The mobile giant’s latest true wireless release are a steal at $99 with strong ANC, versatile sound, and lots of features into a compact design. Galaxy smartphone owners receive exclusive features like instant pairing and reverse wireless charging. 

Coming in second place are the well-received Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro. They remain one of the more reliable performers in the mid-range category. Owners gain access to Anker’s Soundcore app, which boasts a variety of special features that enhance usability. The sound performance and noise cancellation are also impressive for the price.

The Jabra Elite 4 Active aren't far behind and are one of the best pairs of running earbuds available. Having strong ANC and sound quality are huge benefits, but it’s the versatile feature set that makes these buds stand out. We’re talking Alexa integration, EQ settings, one-touch Spotify, and a Find My Jabra setting for locating misplaced buds. IP57 moisture protection and stable battery life add to their appeal.

Another noteworthy option are the $59 1More PistonBuds Pro. Satisfying ANC and sound in a tiny design, these buds deliver a well-rounded listening experience that can be customized in the companion app. Bluetooth 5.2 might be their unsung feature, maintaining strong connectivity with recognized devices and extending range up to 60 feet for lengthy wireless listening.

We have several more options to break down, so keep reading for more extensive feedback on the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds.

The best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy today

If you’re looking for something to pair with your fancy Samsung Galaxy S22, it better be the Galaxy Buds 2. Why is that? Let’s start with exclusive features. A low-latency gaming mode, Easy Pairing Mode, and wireless PowerShare to power up the buds by placing the charging case on the back of a compatible Galaxy smartphone — all features that sound great to us. You can even use a Galaxy Watch 4 as a controller to manage playback, calls, and listening modes on the buds. ANC is impressive and blocks out close to 85 percent of ambient noise, while the AKG-tuned drivers pump out lively sound that can be customized in the Galaxy Wearable app.

These buds are limited to 5 hours of ANC playback, which really falls to 4.5 hours when factoring in volume and features, placing them in the same company as the AirPods Pro. Luckily, the super-compact charging case will relieve your low-battery anxiety. Now you know why they sit atop our best cheap noise cancelling earbuds list.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review.

The original Liberty Air 2 were considered a Laptop Mag favorite for their great audio quality, excellent connectivity, and serviceable listening modes. Anker upped the ante with the successor, the Liberty Air 2 Pro, adding new features (e.g., Tip Fit Test, LÜM music service) into the mix, along with adaptive noise cancellation that is not only engineered to block out ambient noise in different environments, but can also be adjusted at the user’s discretion. Battery life on the buds and the redesigned wireless charging case are both rated higher than the AirPods Pro.

Sound is rich and punchy, though audiophiles might take issue with the lacking highs these buds produce. Luckily, there’s the EQ with 22 presets and a custom profile to tweak the sound to your hearing. Besides the high end, the only real issue these buds have are the touch controls, which have limited gesture input and operate on a delay.

Read our full Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro review.

Keeping up with Jabra’s true wireless releases is becoming exhausting, especially at the rate that they’re dropping. A few months after the Jabra Elite 7 Pro and Elite 7 Active hit store shelves, the Elite 4 Active were announced. The lower-priced alternative offers the best value of any model in the series. Audio and noise cancellation are nearly identical across the board, as well as the comfort levels and waterproof protection. Jabra Sound+ app support leaves the door open for newer features to be added via firmware update. 

As the mid-range sibling, they lose out on premium features such as MySound for personalized audio and Call Equalizer to add more treble or bass on calls. Luckily, these omissions do little to hinder the Elite 4 Active’s appeal.

Read our full Jabra Elite 4 Active review.

1More has launched numerous wireless earbuds over the past few months, though none have been more impressive than the PistonBuds Pro. At $59, these buds package ANC, Bluetooth 5.2, and powerful audio hardware into a sleek and compact design. The 10mm dynamic driver with an aero titanium membrane pumps out balanced and clear sound with an emphasized low end to appease bass lovers. There’s a two-setting ANC mode that is most effective against low and mid frequencies when set to the highest setting. Battery life is impressive at 7.5 hours per charge. 

The mics struggle during phone calls, picking up lots of external sounds and producing muffled audio in most environments. We feel 1More could have also expanded the touch controls, but these are small complaints when factoring in the extremely low MSRP.

Read our full 1More PistonBuds Pro review.

If there is one thing that Lenovo gets right with their products, it is functionality. Their latest true wireless model offers plenty of it, from customizable sound to smart controls to seamless multiple-device pairing. The Smart Wireless Earbuds pump out strong highs and detailed highs. These buds have a contemporary look that complements some of the brand’s sleek and innovatively designed laptops. Up to seven hours of playtime is sufficient for a few days of moderate use. Furthermore, comfort is pleasant for long listening sessions. 

There are a few sub-$100 noise-cancelling earbuds that can get you solid noise neutralization. The Lenovo Smart Wireless Earbuds is not one of them. Low frequencies are cut back, but mid and high frequencies make their way onto the soundscape. You’ll also need to be careful with the touch-sensitive panels; the odds of accidentally triggering a function are very high.

Read our full Lenovo Smart Wireless Earbuds review.

The DoBuds One is one of the year’s biggest surprises – $49 wireless earbuds boasting spacious sound and strong ANC. Donner crammed a 12mm LCP dynamic driver and customed balanced armature into a water-resistant design. This allows the buds to pump out rich, detailed sonics that can be customized through the Equalizer, though we highly recommend sticking with the default preset. These buds come with four different noise-cancelling settings, each one effectively raising the ANC levels for optimal performance. The ambient listening mode is also useful for hearing your surroundings clearer.

Despite sharing the same design as the AirPods, the DoBuds One do not offer the same pleasant comfort. The Google Assistant feature could use some work as well.

The Ear (1) is Nothing’s debut product, and what a first attempt it is. Outwardly, the most striking thing about this set of buds is the transparent plastic design (a trait shared with the charging case), but what’s really impressive is how technically capable the Ear (1) are for such little money.

$99 gets you water resistance, a comfortable fit, excellent call quality, and sound that’s just as balanced and enjoyable as that of the AirPods Pro. The Ear (1) also offers adjustable active noise cancellation, so if you want a more affordable alternative to Apple’s ANC buds, this is one of the best options.

Read our full Nothing Ear (1) review.

It took a while for Samsung to join the ANC wireless earbuds bandwagon and the Galaxy Buds Live is a notable debut with strong sonics and plenty of unique functionality programmed into a polarizing design. You got AKG’s 12mm drivers that do an amazing job of producing wide sound, along with an installed bass duct that enhances bass performance. The Samsung Wearable app is available to personalize audio by choosing from six presets and has cool experimental features like a Gaming Mode that cuts down latency when gaming on your smartphone. The jewelry-inspired silhouette is an acquired taste, and one that comes in three exotic colors: Mystic White, Black, and Bronze. Battery life is higher than the AirPods Pro too, with and without ANC on.

Noise cancellation isn’t the buds’ strongest suit and requires much improvement if a second-gen model ever comes to market. However, considering all the functionality given to you at such a relatively affordable price point, the feature works well enough to hush obnoxiously loud co-workers or the faint hiss coming from your AC.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds Live review.

OnePlus has a reputation for offering top-tier performance at a relatively affordable price. The all-new Buds Z2 won’t compete with the category’s most prolific selections, but they are a superb companion piece for OnePlus users who want their own inexpensive AirPods Pro alternative. Each bud houses three mics that filter noise levels almost up to 40dB, blocking out most low- and mid-frequency sounds. The touch controls have been improved. Flash Charge technology is also included to generate 2 hours of playtime on a 10-minute charge. 

The well-rounded sound profile is greatly appreciated, though OnePlus users receive a more immersive listening experience, thanks to exclusive features (Dolby Atmos, Pro Gaming Mode) tied to newer OnePlus phones. Muffling is an issue during voice and video calls, but that’s the only other shortcoming we have found.

Read our full OnePlus Buds Z2 review.

JLab is mostly known for selling inexpensive sports earbuds, but what most people don’t know is that they sell one of the best noise-cancelling models for under $100. The Epic Air Sport ANC is effective enough to block out common distractions, phone alarms, and neighborly chatter. Sound is energetic with powerful bass coming out of the 8mm drivers. You can tweak sound via the customizable EQ in the companion app. A secure earhook design keeps the buds in place during all activities and a single charge gets you between 11 to 15 hours of playtime, depending on how you use the buds.

These aren’t the greatest for voice and video calls, and the inaccurate tap sensors make enabling controls difficult at times. However, you won’t find many sporty models in the same price range that offer the audio features and battery life the Epic Air Sport ANC does.

How to choose the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds for you

Active noise cancellation should be at the top of your list. This type of noise neutralization employs microphones and speakers to eliminate background and surrounding noises. It’s unrealistic to find a sub-$100 model that can match the high-end noise cancellation of category staples like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM4. However, you can find a pair that reduces noise at an adequate level and offers an ambient sound mode to increase environmental awareness, when necessary.

Audio quality comes after ANC. See what earbuds come with powerful drivers and customization settings to personalize how you hear all media formats. Extras like an equalizer, presets, spatial audio, and third-party software support (e.g., SoundIQ, Mimi) are greatly appreciated, but not essential.

The third box you’ll want to check off is battery life. ANC, high volume, and special features drain power quickly, so look for buds that can provide a reasonable amount of playtime. The industry standard battery life is 5 hours for noise-cancelling earbuds and 24 hours for charging cases, though you can find options that generate double these playtimes. 

Make sure your noise-cancelling earbuds support Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. The technology grants you faster connectivity, increased range (est. 120 meters max), longer battery life, and functional perks like one-touch Google Fast Pair to speed up the pairing process on Android devices.

How we test the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds

Laptop Magazine evaluates several factors (e.g., design, comfort, sound, value) when determining the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds. All selections are compared to similar products in the category in terms of features, fit, and pricing.

Noise-cancelling earbuds are worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. We assess comfort, ease of use, and audio quality. Our reviewers also listen to sample tracks across several music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, and classical, while analyzing clarity, depth, imaging, and volume. Audiobooks, games, podcasts, and videos are accounted for. 

Any headphones or earbuds featuring the latest audio codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and spatial audio are tested using compatible hi-res streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal). 

To learn more about how these services can enhance the sound quality on your laptops and mobile devices, take a look at this expert audio codec FAQ on everything you should know about FLAC files, MP3s, and all other audio file codecs.

After testing is completed, all selections are rated based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is truly exemplary is awarded an Editor’s Choice.

Everyone has their favorite digital assistant. For Apple users, it’s Siri. Amazon fanatics rely on Alexa to execute their common household chores. Samsung even has their own AI bot in Bixby to perform daily tasks on Galaxy devices. However, when it comes to intelligence, nothing beats Google’s alternative: Google Assistant. 

Google has brought its voice assistant platform over to numerous product categories, including wireless audio. Many of today’s headphones and earbuds support Google Assistant, but only a handful are programmed to achieve optimal voice command execution.

You’re probably saying, “well, Google makes their own wireless earbuds, so, obviously, those offer the best Google Assistant experience.” Yes, that’s absolutely correct. Nevertheless, there are some third-party audio manufacturers that have shown they can properly integrate the software and its plethora of features (e.g., Fast Pair, Translate) into a pair of headphones or buds.

Having tested all the top options, we’ve compiled this list of the best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds to give you a better idea of what’s most suitable for your mobile device and budget.

The best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds you can buy today

Android-philes wanting the best Google experience possible will want to pair the Pixel Buds Pro with their current Pixel smartphone. Services like Google Assistant, Translate, and Notifications all work flawlessly on these buds. A custom 6-core audio processor was developed to deliver versatile sound, which can also be personalized via Volume EQ; bass and treble frequencies are increased when listening at low volume levels. ANC is just as impressive, blocking out many ambient noises in different settings and reducing wind presence. Pairing is instantaneous on Android devices, thanks to one-tap Google Fast Pair, though the buds also connect quickly to iOS/macOS devices.

Those who are constantly on the move may find the Pixel Buds Pro’s loose fit problematic. On top of that, you’ll want to keep your own USB-C cable on hand because Google does not include one with the purchase.

Read our full Google Pixel Buds Pro review.

Sony outdid themselves with the WF-1000XM4. Not only is the listening experience exceptional, from the superb ANC to the wide soundstage, but you’ll also get the best Google Assistant performance from a pair of non-Google-made buds.

The WF-1000XM4 comes with Alexa and Google Assistant integration, so you can enable either AI bot by saying their respective action phrase. Sony’s mic array demonstrates great speech recognition and blocks out ambient noise at a high level, allowing the software to register and execute voice commands accurately. Other high-end features such as 360 Reality Audio for spatial audio listening and Speak-to-Chat to automatically pause music when talking out loud only add to the WF-1000XM4’s value.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

Despite lacking high-end features such as ANC and spatial audio, Google’s most affordable buds can offer a grade-A Google Assistant experience. You get the same Google perks as the Pixel Buds Pro, including one-tap Fast Pair, Find Device, and Translate. These buds also boast the same attractive design as their predecessor, from the tiny oval-shaped buds to the pebble-inspired charging case. Sound is satisfying for the price with sharp vocal output. Most importantly, “Hey Google” voice activation is always active and responsive to all commands.

We can live without ANC considering the low price, but we do wish the volume was higher when listening to music and video content.

Read our full Google Pixel Buds A-Series review.

The WH-1000XM5 get you stellar ANC, battery life, and sound quality with signature Sony bass at the helm. They are one of the few over-ear headphones to have Google Assistant built into their architecture, and the feature works flawlessly. Google’s software responds fast and accurately to voice commands. Sony also added a few voice features that are worth checking out, including Quiet Attention and Speak-to-Chat to either lower or mute sound whenever speaking out loud.

The redesign isn’t the most stylish and there are some bugs that Sony has yet to flush out. Flaws aside, Sony fans will find that these flagship headphones handle ambient noise and voice commands with ease.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review.

The LinkBuds S might lack the original LinkBuds’ innovative design, but they outperform their predecessor in every other category. Impressively, Sony was able to stuff all their proprietary technologies (360 Reality Audio, DSEE, LDAC) into a small and comfy design. What’s more impressive is how well these features perform. But those aren’t even the LinkBuds S’ biggest selling points. It’s the dynamic sound, effective noise cancellation, and surprisingly good digital assistance that places it among category greats like the AirPods Pro and sibling WF-1000XM4. Access to the Sony Headphones Connect app is also useful for personalizing their buds. 

Battery life is adequate for the price, though the charging case disappoints with a max of 20 hours, which falls short of the industry standard (24 hours).

Read our full Sony LinkBuds S review.

The Pixel Buds 2 is a vast improvement from what the company released prior, addressing the numerous issues that hindered its predecessor’s performance, while employing stylish design tweaks. As expected, Google Integration is flawless, with the buds connecting instantaneously to Android devices and offering cool functionality such as real-time translations via Google Translate. The 12mm dynamic drivers combined with an all-new Adaptive Sound feature give audio a rich, lively presence. We’re also fans of the flush design with built-in fins for proper comfort, as well as the innovative egg-shaped wireless charging case that holds an additional 24 hours of playtime.

The extra playtime is heavily needed, as a single charge only nets users about 4.5 hours of use, which is lower than what Google advertises. Not to mention this is the same as the AirPods Pro, a noise-cancelling model with better battery management.

See our full Google Pixel Buds 2 review.

The Bose 700 is a noise-cancelling treasure with many underappreciated features. It’s also the last pair of headphones from the brand to come with Google Assistant integration (why the QuietComfort 45 ditched this feature is bewildering). The action button on the side will instantly pull up the AI bot. Having adjustable class-leading ANC on top of other enhancement tools like EQ customization help complete the package.

Our only real complaint is the weak battery life, which doesn’t offer much ANC playtime at just 20 hours per charge.

Read our full Bose 700 review.

The Elite 7 Pro aren't Jabra’s best true wireless earbuds, but they stand out with premium features at a sub-luxury MSRP. To get Jabra’s full suite of functionality for just $200 is a steal, which includes MySound and Personalized ANC, two proprietary technologies that respectively tweak sound and noise cancellation based on your hearing preferences. Standard features like a customizable EQ with multiple presets, MyControls to personalize input, and wireless charging all come as part of the package. Sweetening the deal are great Google Assistant voice activation and long battery life: 9 hours of ANC playtime on a full charge.

While certain modern features are missing (e.g., multipoint technology, touch sensors) and the ear tip fit is a complete disaster, you can live without them and still enjoy top-tier performance.

Read our full Jabra Elite 7 Pro review.

The Pixel USB-C Earbuds deliver a lot of functionality at a super-affordable price, highlighted by incredible Google Assistant integration that grants you access to a myriad of Google Assistant commands at the push of a button. You also get some other cool features like Language Translation, which is capable of translating 40 different languages in real time; the results are surprisingly accurate, for the most part. Sound isn’t Google’s strength, but at least you have the option to mess around with the EQ settings on Google Play Music and Spotify to improve audio output. 

As uniquely innovative as these wired smart buds are, they lack the basic hallmarks of a standard pair of earbuds. They are not the most comfortable due to the flat shape and plastic edges pressing up against the ear canal, plus there is zero isolation to block out ambient noise.

How to choose the best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds for you

For starters, you need wireless headphones/earbuds that can enable your device’s native digital assistant. In this case, it’s Google Assistant, which is available across all platforms: Android, iOS, and Microsoft. Most models let you access Google Assistant manually, while a select few come with voice activation to turn on Google Assistant when speaking its assigned wake-word phrase: “OK/Hey Google.”

Powerful mics are the next priority. The best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds require these to pick up every syllable and long-winded inquiry with precision. You’ll also need a strong mic array to enjoy elite ANC. Models that block out ambient noise effectively can help reinforce the Google Assistant experience by allowing for clearer vocal capture.

Battery life is next on the list. Some might not know this, but the digital assistant sucks up a lot of juice when used often. Acceptable playtime for wireless headphones is between 20-50 hours, while wireless earbuds should offer between 5-10 hours per charge. Make sure quick charging is included to expedite the charging process. 

From there, make sure to check off other must-haves such as great audio, call quality, comfort, connectivity, fit, and special features.

How we test the best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds

When testing for the best Google Assistant headphones and earbuds, we ensure that each product is properly set up for use with Google Assistant. Our experts then use the feature in different settings to see how well it performs across different noise levels.

The Laptop Magazine team also accounts for other key factors. Design, comfort, sound, and value are on that list. All selections are then compared to similar products in the category in terms of features, fit, and pricing.

Google Assistant headphones and earbuds are worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. During this period, we assess ANC, ease of use, mic performance, and sound quality.

Speaking of audio, models featuring the latest audio codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and spatial audio are tested using compatible hi-res streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal). You can learn more about how these services can improve audio performance on laptops and mobile devices by reading this expert audio codec FAQ, which breaks down everything you should know about FLAC files, MP3s, and all other audio file codecs.

When testing is completed, Laptop Magazine rates every model based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is truly exemplary will be awarded an Editor’s Choice.

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The best Bose headphones and earbuds merge the brand’s greatest strengths into functional and sleek designs. They deliver unrivaled active noise cancellation (ANC), look fancy, sound amazing, and serve as some of the best calling headsets out there. Not to mention some of these models play nice with Bose’s ecosystem of audio products, connecting to smart Bluetooth speakers for extended use with other devices.

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Even though Bose is considered the king of ANC, more rivals have come onto the scene and put the heritage audio brand on notice. Sony has made incredible progress with their Mark Series over-ear headphones (WH-1000XM5) and wireless earbuds (WF-1000XM4). Apple has also stepped up their game with the AirPods Max and improved AirPods Pro 2. As competitive as the market is, that hasn’t stopped Bose from expanding on their legacy, which remains strong, thanks to new critically acclaimed releases and past models that still stand the test of time.

After testing nearly every major release, we gathered our experts to assemble a ranking of the best Bose headphones and earbuds available. Scroll down to see where your money is best spent.

What are the best Bose headphones and earbuds?

At the top of our list of the best Bose headphones and earbuds is the Bose 700. These svelte-looking cans are considered the market’s top noise-canceller, powered by elite ANC circuitry and intelligent algorithms that drown out close to 95% of ambient noise. Speaking of which, the 700 headphones can also let in vast amounts of external sound to hear what’s happening around you via Full Transparency mode. Call quality is also best in class.

Second place goes to the best wireless earbuds for noise cancellation: the QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Smarter ANC, stronger ambient listening, and completely revamped design that delivers a secure fit and slightly better comfort, it is a superb follow-up to the original. Speaking of which, the first-gen QuietComfort Earbuds fall two slots down, but still remain a superb option that produces excellent ANC and call quality.

Coming in at No. 3 is the Bose QuietComfort 45. The latest Bose noise-cancelling headphones improve on ANC, battery life, and sound, and retain much of what made their predecessor an industry favorite (e.g., minimalist design, superb comfort). You get special perks like access to the Bose Music app and features like SimpleSync to pair the headphones with the Bose Smart Soundbar.

Fitness fanatics are taken care of with the Bose Sport Earbuds, which stuff balanced sound and Bluetooth 5.1 into a smaller and sportier design than the QuietComfort Earbuds. These are solidly constructed earbuds that can sustain sweat and splashes of water (IPX4), plus their compact charging case holds a max of four extra charges. The color options (Baltic Blue, Glacier White, Triple Black) also make them appealing to exercisers who value their appearance.

There is much more to learn about the aforementioned models, as well as other notable selections worth checking out. Here is a look at the best Bose headphones and earbuds.

The best Bose headphones and earbuds right now

Engineered with 11 levels of ANC, eight individual microphones, and a revamped mobile app that extends functionality, the Bose 700 makes the strongest case for both the best noise-cancelling headphones and the best wireless headphones. The ability to toggle between different ANC settings on the fly is an awesome feature, giving listeners full control of noise neutralization, which is flawless on these cans. Enabling the highest level will quiet most high-frequency noises effectively without disrupting the soundstage. 

The call quality is even more impressive with Bose’s mic system pulling double duty to block out rumblings and amplify vocals for clearer calls, as well as voice command recognition. These headphones also deliver top-tier sound reproduction and have a contemporary design that justifies its luxury price. The latest software update introduced several enhancements, including an adjustable EQ, improved connectivity, and better level/voice prompt fixes.

For those working remotely, Bose launched an updated version called the 700 UC that is compatible with popular video-conferencing programs like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Read our full Bose 700 review.

The original QC Earbuds were a noise-cancelling triumph, but their successor takes Bose’s ANC technology up another notch. Proprietary CustomTune technology is used to automatically calibrate ANC and the sound frequency profile to the unique properties of your ear. Everything comes together perfectly, creating a peaceful, distraction-free backdrop for enjoying well-balanced audio. Bose’s redesign and new ear tip kit also provide a comfortable, reliable fit.

At $299, these buds don’t come cheap, and playtime could be much longer for the price. On the other hand, you’re paying for top-notch ANC that no other true wireless model can match.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review.

The QuietComfort 45 might look like a copy-and-paste job by Bose, but it improves the QC series in several areas. First battery life, which has been bumped up to 24 hours on a full charge. No, you can’t disable noise cancellation to get more playtime, but you can use the feature in wired mode. Sound is enhanced with the volume-optimized Active EQ producing high fidelity. Comfort and fit are slightly better on this model, thanks to what feels like a more pliable frame and comfier padding. ANC has also been taken a step higher, not Bose 700 high, but a couple of levels up to create a “bubble of peace and quiet.”

Again, we acknowledge that not being able to turn off ANC is, well, a turn-off, and the lack of features compared to the 700 might not be worth the premium for some consumers. Just remember that you’re paying for the best battery life of any Bose model.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review.

Bose outdid themselves by integrating the same category-leading active noise cancellation from the 700 headphones into these tiny buds. What you end up with is the absolute best ANC model in the true wireless space. Like its over-ear counterpart, the QuietComfort Earbuds grant access to 10 levels of adjustable noise cancellation, three of which can be saved on the Bose Music app, so you can easily cycle through them on the left bud. Bose transferred over its Active EQ technology and proprietary drivers to give these buds a warm, pleasant sound as well. And just when you thought the performance perks stopped there, the QuietComfort Earbuds boast a strong mic array that guarantees best-in-class call quality. 

All that functionality surely requires a lot of battery life to operate, which, sadly, is the QuietComfort Earbuds’ greatest compromise. Users are stuck with playtimes that are barely higher than the regular AirPods. On top of that, the charging case is ridiculously large and doesn’t offer much additional battery life.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review.

The QC35 II sat atop of the ANC throne for quite some time, introducing noise cancellation that was unmatched when launched. With its more upscale sibling, the 700, coming into the picture, it’s easy to overlook this last-gen model, but you would be foolishly passing up an amazing offer. Currently listed at $209.99 on Amazon, the QC35 II is still a go-to for listeners who want to eliminate the mundane drones around them at an elite level.

Bose uses a set of microphones and proprietary algorithms to clear the QC35 II's soundscape of unwanted noises across different frequencies. Buzzing vehicle engines and baby cries don't stand a chance. The QC35 II's profile accentuates bass, but also keeps mids and highs sounding crisp no matter the song. Best of all, the ANC feature works in both wireless and wired modes. Bose programmed the headphones with Google and Alexa integration as well to execute daily tasks via voice commands.

Think of the Sport Earbuds as a fitness version of the QuietComfort Earbuds minus all the bells and whistles. You’re getting refined sound and solid call quality in a similar, well-protected package. IPX4 certification makes these buds sweat and water-resistant. The StayHear Max silicone tips meld with the folds of the outer ear and keep the buds locked in during runs. Bose’s proprietary drivers and Active EQ technology keep music sounding warm and balanced. Having Bluetooth 5.1 onboard also establishes a strong connection between audio sources within range (35 feet max).

Battery life has never been a strength for the brand, so it’s no surprise that the Sport Earbuds has lower playtimes than most competitors. There isn’t a Transparency Mode available either, but Bose could add it in a future firmware update.

Read our full Bose Sport Earbuds review.

Bose isn’t known for their mid-range headphones, but the SoundLink AE (Around Ear) Wireless is a fine option for those wanting the Bose wireless experience at an attainable price. The headphones are best known for their calling capabilities, powered by HD Voice technology that increases clarity during voice and video calls. Comfort is pleasant for long listening sessions and Bluetooth maintains a strong connection across all platforms. It’s also nice to see unique features like NFC available, which allows for instantaneous tap-to-pair functionality.

Sound comes through loud and clear, though the low end is weak compared to other Bose headphones. The design doesn’t block out noise very well either.

Despite being less popular than the Beats Powerbeats, the SoundSport Wireless has remained a go-to for many Bose lovers living active lifestyles. The flexible wings mold into the cymba for proper stability and the wrap-around-the-neck design reduces the risk of dropping these earphones on the ground. Bose still hasn’t shared the IP rating, but guarantees sweat and weather-resistant protection, something that should put a smile on every outdoor runner’s face. A neutral sound profile with some extra bass thrown into the mix will keep exercisers stimulated during intense workouts. You even get cool wireless features like NFC to tap and pair the earphones with any compatible Android device.

Just know that battery life (6 hours) does fall short of the competition, and that the bulk and heft of each earpiece isn’t ideal for those with low pain thresholds.   

The lack of ANC doesn’t make the SoundLink 2 any less valuable. These headphones focus primarily on connectivity and sound quality, two categories they crush. Lows are punchier and better balanced than the QC35 II, resulting in a vibrant soundstage. The transparent bass reproduction is some of the finest we’ve heard on any Bose wireless headphones. Operating on Bluetooth 4.0 doesn’t hold back connectivity, achieving a reasonable range (35 feet) and hosting cool wireless features like multipoint technology (pair to two devices simultaneously) and tap-to-pair NFC. Battery life isn’t anything to brag about, but it's impressive to see these headphones have a playtime that isn’t too far off the 700 headphones.

Build quality is a bit flimsy, and the design doesn’t provide the best passive noise reduction either.  The SoundLink 2 could be a serviceable audio companion if you can live with these flaws.

How to choose the best Bose headphones and earbuds for you

We’re talking Bose here. Therefore, noise cancellation must be at the top of the list. Not all Bose models come with ANC, but the more popular ones do, so you want to make sure the feature is available on your model. Try to seek out Bose headphones and earbuds that come with multiple levels of ANC and ambient listening. Those that don’t should have a design that can passively block out unwanted noise.

Audio goes hand in hand with ANC. All forms of media (e.g., music, videos, games) should sound crisp and clear without noise cancellation compromising quality. Explore models with powerful drivers and customization settings to personalize how you hear content. Bonuses like an EQ, presets, or spatial audio are greatly appreciated, but not essential.

You’ll need sufficient battery life to enjoy peaceful listening. The industry standard playtime is 20 hours for noise-cancelling headphones and 5 hours (per charge) for noise-cancelling earbuds. Thankfully, most Bose headphones and earbuds meet the criteria. Quick charging is another feature worth mentioning since it allows listeners to generate some juice within a limited time frame: a 10-minute charge often nets you 1 hour of use.

If wireless headphones or earbuds are your preference, consider something supporting the latest Bluetooth 5.0 versions. This gives you faster connectivity, increased range (est. 120 meters max), longer battery, and even multipoint technology to pair two audio sources simultaneously. More recent versions will also guarantee digital assistant support (Siri, Google, Alexa, Bixby).

How we test the best Bose headphones and earbuds

Laptop Magazine considers several factors when determining the best Bose headphones and earbuds. Design, comfort, sound, and value are on that list. All selections are compared to similar products in the category in terms of features, fit, and pricing.

Bose headphones and earbuds are worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. During this period, we assess ANC, fit, ease of use, and sound quality. We listen to sample tracks across several music genres, including hip hop, rock, jazz, and classical, while analyzing clarity, depth, imaging, and volume. Audiobooks, games, podcasts, and videos are also accounted for.

In addition, models featuring the latest audio codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and spatial audio are tested using compatible hi-res streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal). You can learn more about how these services can improve audio performance on laptops and mobile devices by reading this expert audio codec FAQ, which breaks down everything you should know about FLAC files, MP3s, and all other audio file codecs.

After testing is completed, Laptop Magazine rates every model based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is truly exemplary will be awarded an Editor’s Choice.

Investing in the best noise-cancelling earbuds is a serious commitment. You’re not just looking for wireless earbuds that can block out ambient noise effectively. The goal is to purchase something that can also rewards you with high-end sound and special features. And with the category growing immensely since the AirPods Pro came to market, there’s a plethora of options that are an Amazon 1-Click order away from arriving at your front door.

Apple isn’t the only name on the noise-cancelling block that puts out excellent true wireless hardware. The king of ANC, Bose, remains a primetime player, as well as premium audio staples such as Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. Let’s not forget newcomers like Edifier and Samsung either, two brands that have established their place among the category elite.

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After testing every major release, we’ve compiled a ranking of the best noise-cancelling earbuds based on performance, price, and purpose. Keep scrolling to see which models guarantee peaceful listening.

What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds?

In first place on our list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds is the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. No surprise, considering how Bose improved their class-leading ANC technology and integrated it into a more compact and ergonomic design. The first-gen QC Earbuds wireless earbuds aren’t too far behind, harnessing many of the 700 Headphones’ hallmarks, including adaptive noise-cancelling technology and superb call quality.

A close second is the Sony WF-1000XM4. While nearly flawless, its noise-cancelling capabilities, which are excellent, fall slightly short of the QuietComfort Earbuds. On the other hand, the WF-1000XM4’s battery life, feature set, and sound quality are superior. The fantastic redesign doesn’t get the credit it deserves either.

The Momentum True Wireless 3 comes in third place and marks a huge leap for Sennheiser’s wireless earbuds series. A handful of sound features were added to enhance sound quality and there is adaptive noise cancellation that intelligently tweaks noise reduction to your surroundings. This version has even received a gorgeous facelift with a fancier exterior, new shape, and improved touch controls.

Apple’s latest noise-cancelling earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2, made the cut and introduce a variety of upgrades. Some of these include Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, and FindMy compatibility with the MagSage charging case to easily locate the device when lost or misplaced. New skin-detecting sensors and touch volume controls simple operation, while increased ANC playtimes extend playtime.

Keep reading for more extensive feedback on the best noise-cancelling earbuds.

The best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy today

Just when we thought Bose couldn’t outdo themselves, they upped the ante with their latest noise-cancellers. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 improves on everything that made its predecessor an ANC goliath, using new technology called CustomTune to calibrate both noise neutralization and the sound frequency profile to the unique properties of your ears. Results are fantastic, with the buds blocking out slightly more ambient noise than the original QC Earbuds. Furthermore, new features like ActiveSense let you hear music and ambient noise equally well when enabling Aware mode. 

The controls don’t demonstrate the best touch accuracy, and the price is higher than any Apple and Sony noise-cancelling earbuds. Then again, no one said category-leading ANC comes cheap.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review.

Bose may have the best buds for ANC, but Sony has the better overall model, and noise cancellation that doesn’t fall too far behind. The new V1 processor enhances performance on all fronts, allowing for more accurate noise neutralization, while clearing up the soundstage for rich and detailed results. 360 Reality Audio gives music an immersive feel and DSEE Extreme upscales lo-fi records for higher fidelity. You’re getting some of the longest playtimes with ANC on at 8 hours, which can be extended to 12 hours when disabling the mode. Features are also plentiful via the Sony Connect Headphones app, which offers numerous ways to customize the buds.

Sony gave the WF-1000XM4 a complete makeover with an oval shape and steampunk-like aesthetic, but its bulkiness and the memory foam tips cause stability issues. For $279, Sony could have included a Find My Buds function as well; a software update should be able to fix that.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

The QC Earbuds are an incredible true wireless ANC debut for Bose. They figured out how to stuff its elongated buds with the same ANC technology as their flagship headphones, nearly matching the 700’s elite noise neutralization with half the mics. The same warm sound signature has been carried over as well, with the company’s Active EQ and proprietary drivers manning audio duties. And if you’re someone who spends most of their days on phone calls and video chats, then take solace knowing the QuietComfort Earbuds will treat you better than any other pair of wireless earbuds out there. 

Keep in mind that battery life is subpar and enabling any of the listening modes will drain juice quickly. Also, the charging case is massive and carries a smaller number of charges than its formidable competitors.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review.

If you’re asking for a model that can go toe-to-toe with the Sony WF-1000XM4 in key categories – ANC, sound, and special features – the Momentum True Wireless 3 is it. Priced lower than Sony’s flagship buds, Sennheiser’s latest creation is an aesthetic and sonic beauty that blends superb hi-res audio into an award-winning design. New features like Sound Check are essential for fine-tuning audio to your ears. Adaptive noise cancellation puts a muzzle on ambient noises across the frequency spectrum, especially high-frequency sounds. We’re also appreciative of the buds receiving aptX Adaptive codec support to dynamically scale the bitrate and adjust what you’re hearing on the fly.

It’s still a mystery why Sennheiser has yet to introduce a Find My Buds function. More disappointing is the call quality. Nonetheless, look past these two shortcomings and you’ll find the Momentum True Wireless 3 is a superb upgrade.

The AirPods Pro 2 replaces the original as Apple’s best noise-cancelling earbuds. ANC is stronger, blocking out close to 90 percent of noises across the frequency spectrum, specifically high-pitched noises. Adaptive Transparency is arguably the category’s best ambient listening mode, engineered to keep listeners aware of their surroundings and reduce harsh environmental noise at the same time. Not to mention Apple offers other cool alternatives such as Conversation Boost (to increase vocals during chats) and Live Listen, which transforms your iPhone into a live mic that captures and sends external sounds to your AirPods.

Sound is enriched, battery life receives a nice boost, and features like Precision Finding are now integrated into the MagSafe charging case to pinpoint the device’s location when lost via Find My (AirPods) app. Talk about a masterful sequel.

Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review.

Edifier equipped their flagship wireless earbuds with superb audio technologies, including 10mm drivers, a Knowles balanced moving iron coil, customizable EQ, and LDAC and LHDC codec support. The latter is beneficial for streaming lossless music at the highest transfer speeds. A low-latency Game Mode also comes part of the package, improving audio synchronization when playing games and watching videos. Noise cancellation is just as impressive and blocks out enough ambient noise to enjoy music in peace. The Ambient Sound mode is also powerful, providing greater awareness of your surroundings and letting you eavesdrop on conversations from several feet away. 

Battery life isn’t anything to brag about, especially since it is only 30 minutes longer than the AirPods Pro. The lack of certain modern features like on-ear detection and wireless charging seems like a questionable decision as well. Either way, $89 for this type of sound performance is not something you stumble upon frequently. 

Read our full Edifier NeoBuds Pro review.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro replaces the excellent Galaxy Buds Pro as Samsung’s flagship entry. These buds welcome numerous upgrades, including stronger noise cancellation, versatile sound performance, and a revamped design that creates more effective airflow to accommodate longer listening sessions. Samsung’s new custom coaxial 2-way speaker produces wide, detailed sound and 3D Audio gives music and movies a more immersive presence. Perks like PowerShare for reverse wireless charging and one-tap Easy Pair are greatly appreciated, but Samsung’s scalable codec (SSC HiFi) is the model’s killer feature, enhancing sound significantly when listening on a Galaxy smartphone. 

Battery life disappointments with only 5 hours of ANC playback, placing it in the same company as the AirPods Pro. Bixby voice activation doesn’t live up to its billing either and often fails to activate when speaking out its wake word phrase (“Hi Bixby”). Despite these flaws, the upside of owning these buds is still positive.

Android-philes wanting the best Google experience possible will want to pair the Pixel Buds Pro with their current Pixel smartphone. Services like Google Assistant, Translate, and Notifications all work flawlessly on these buds. A custom 6-core audio processor was developed to deliver versatile sound, which can also be personalized via Volume EQ; bass and treble frequencies are increased when listening at low volume levels. ANC is just as impressive, blocking out many ambient noises in different settings and reducing wind presence. Pairing is instantaneous on Android devices, thanks to one-tap Google Fast Pair, though the buds also connect quickly to iOS/macOS devices.

Those who are constantly on the move will find the Pixel Buds Pro’s loose fit problematic. On top of that, you’ll want to keep your own USB-C cable on hand because Google does not include one with the purchase.

Read our full Google Pixel Buds Pro review.

The second entry in the LinkBuds series is a major upgrade over the original. Ditching the unique open-ear design for a more traditional oval in-ear design helps deliver fuller, natural sound. Features like DSEE improve low-fi recordings and LDAC codec support streams content at a faster bitrate. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio platform makes select music sound more immersive. On top of that, you get a plethora of audio personalization tools in the companion app to tweak sound to your liking. The noise cancellation is also worth celebrating since it reduces external sounds at a high level, while also granting 20 levels of adjustable ambient noise to increase your awareness of surroundings. 

Battery life has always been a strength of Sony’s, and though a single charge holds up well for modern standards, the charging case doesn’t with just 20 hours of extra playtime. 

Read our full Sony LinkBuds S review.

The Elite 7 Pro brings several improvements to Jabra’s true wireless series, along with proprietary technologies and a new design that is 16 percent smaller than its predecessors. Unique features like MySound personalizes the EQ for you to achieve optimal sound, which ends up being dynamic and bass-forward. Access to the Jabra Sound+ app enhances the possibilities with multiple presets designed for different content, as well as a customizable EQ to manually create your own sound profile. The Personalize ANC setting is another fun feature that lets you tweak noise neutralization to your hearing. But the unsung hero on these buds is battery life, giving you 7 hours of ANC playtime, 35 to 42 hours in total via charging case, depending on how you use the buds.

If you’re mindful that some modern features are unavailable, and refrain from using Jabra’s ear fit test, you’ll find plenty of value out of these sub-$200 buds.

Read our full Jabra Elite 7 Pro review.

How to choose the best noise-cancelling earbuds for you

ANC is the most crucial attribute when seeking out the best noise-cancelling earbuds. You want active noise cancellation, not passive noise cancellation. There is a huge difference between the two. PNC uses the design to seal out unwanted noise, whereas ANC uses microphones and speakers to reduce background and surrounding noises. Essentially, look for a pair that can do the latter at a high level and offers an ambient sound mode to increase environmental awareness, when necessary.

Audio quality is second on the checklist. Explore models with powerful drivers and customization settings to personalize how you hear all media formats. Bonuses like an EQ, presets, or spatial audio are greatly appreciated, but not vital.

Be mindful that special features suck up lots of power, so any model that can grant you solid listening times with ANC on is clutch. The industry-standard battery life is 5 hours for noise-cancelling earbuds and 24 hours for charging cases, though you can find models that generate double these playtimes.

What about wireless functionality? More wireless earbuds are supporting Bluetooth 5.0 versions, giving users faster connectivity, increased range (est. 120 meters max), longer battery, and even multipoint technology to pair two audio sources simultaneously. Add digital assistance (Siri, Google, Alexa, Bixby) to this section as well.

How we test the best noise-cancelling earbuds

Our testing process for determining the best noise-cancelling earbuds consists of evaluating several factors, including design, comfort, sound, and value. All selections are compared to similar products in the category in terms of features, fit, and pricing.

Noise-cancelling earbuds are worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. During this period, we assess comfort, ease of use, and audio quality. Reviewers listen to sample tracks across several music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, and classical, while analyzing clarity, depth, imaging, and volume. Audiobooks, games, podcasts, and videos are also accounted for.

Furthermore, models featuring the latest audio codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and spatial audio are tested using compatible hi-res streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal). 

To learn more about how these services can improve the sound quality on your laptops and mobile devices, here is an expert audio codec FAQ on everything you should know about FLAC files, MP3s, and all other audio file codecs.

Once testing is completed, every model is rated based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is truly exemplary is awarded an Editor’s Choice.

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The last few weeks have brought us two huge true wireless releases: the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Sequels to some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds ever created, both models package enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC) and refined audio into similar designs. However, each has their own special set of skills that differentiate one from the other.   

Apple brings Adaptive Transparency, Find My (AirPods) integration with the MagSafe charging case, and Personalized Spatial Audio into the fold with the AirPods Pro 2, while also welcoming back numerous performance hallmarks from the original AirPods Pro.

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 build on Bose’s class-leading ANC, which employs proprietary technologies that calibrate sound and noise cancellation to one’s hearing, delivering premium wireless performance for interruption-free music listening and voice/video calls.   

It’s safe to call these two of the best wireless earbuds that money can buy. As for which is the better option, our breakdown of the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 will set the record straight.

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Price

Apple sells the AirPods Pro 2 for the same starting price as the original: $249. Meanwhile, Bose has released the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at $299 – a $20 markup from the first-gen entry.

Neither comes cheap, but when accounting for features and what’s more attainable, then Apple’s buds convincingly win this round.

Bookmark our best AirPods deals and best headphones deals pages to stay notified of the latest wireless earbuds sales.

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Specs compared

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Design

If it isn’t already evident upon first look, Bose redesigned their flagship buds to look more like the AirPods. We’re not the biggest fans of long-stem wireless earbuds, but the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 is a sleeker and more significant upgrade from the wide, protruding QC Earbuds. Plastic remains the primary material used to construct these buds and its more durable than what’s used on the AirPods Pro 2. The mixed glossy and matte finishes are nice touches. We also like the smaller, more travel-friendly charging case. You’ll achieve a decent fit, thanks to Bose’s new ear tip kit and accurate-performing EarTip Fit Test. For a product that emphasizes comfort in its moniker, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 doesn’t provide much of it, pressing up against the concha after a short amount of time.

The only visible changes between the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro (1st gen) are the skin-detect sensors, which were carried over from the AirPods 3. Details like the mic grille and aluminum accents are identical, along with size and weight. The MagSafe charging case is different, now featuring a built-in speaker for specific notifications (more on that later) and a lanyard loop. Comfort is still pleasant, with Apple’s new tips and Ear Tip Fit Test allowing for optimal fit. 

Note that both models are IPX4 sweat and water-resistant, though the AirPods Pro 2’s case is also IPX4-certified.

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Controls

The AirPods Pro already had the category’s best control scheme, courtesy of Apple’s flawless Force Sensor input and “Hey Siri” voice activation. Now, the Force Sensor lets you adjust volume via slide gestures, and the function works extremely well. Activating commands like play/pause (single press), skip track (double press), previous track (triple press), and cycling through listening modes (long press) are effortlessly executed. Siri continues to steal the show with exceptional speech recognition and swift responses. The digital assistant function won’t work on any non-Apple devices.

A full suite of media controls is available on the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 that can be enabled through single/multi-tap, long-press, and slide gestures (for volume). The latter seems to be most responsive, with all other input methods struggling at times to execute intended functions. Wear detection works well, but it operates more quickly on the AirPods Pro 2. One advantage Bose gives users is multi-digital assistance, which is on point and picks up every voice command precisely, no matter your phone’s native assistant (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Alexa).

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Active noise cancellation

Apple’s updated noise cancellation is great. The AirPods Pro 2 is engineered to block out twice as much background interference as the previous entry, and it shows. These buds completely silence low and mid frequencies, putting a kibosh on everything from engine roar to loud TVs to talkative pedestrians. They even manage to minimize high frequencies better than most rivals, though your ears will still pick up on blaring sounds. Wind resistance is surprisingly strong too. Adaptive Transparency is the more impressive part of Apple’s enhanced ANC mode, keeping listeners aware of their surroundings, while reducing harsh environmental noise. 

Apple also gives you two extra features that serve as ambient listening alternatives. The first is Conversation Boost, which emphasizes vocals better during chats, and Listen Live to transform your iPhone into a live mic that picks up incidental sounds and sends them to your AirPods.

Is Apple’s ANC technology better than Bose’s? No. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 uses CustomTune technology to tailor ANC to your hearing, mapping the contours of your ear canal for more effective noise neutralization. What you wind up with are buds capable of cancelling out nearly 95 percent of distractions across the frequency spectrum. Quiet Mode is perfect for dealing with low and mid-range frequencies. You’re given the option to create your own ANC profile and adjust between the 10 ANC levels; this is the best solution for dealing with high frequencies (set ANC to max). Aware Mode automatically tweaks ambient listening, though performance is much better when toggling the ActiveSense feature, which allowed us to hear music and ambient noise equally well. 

Neither Apple, nor Bose’s ANC modes compromise audio quality when turned on.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Audio Quality

More audio customization tools are available on the AirPods Pro 2, giving it an edge in sound quality. You can still change the EQ in the iOS settings or let the adaptive EQ fine-tune audio based on how the buds fit in your ears. There’s also the new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier that pump out richer bass and cleaner mids. Features like Headphone Audio Customization can tailor audio to your hearing preferences, while Headphone Accommodations tunes audio for balance, range, or brightness, as well as boost or decrease the presence of soft sounds. Lastly, there’s Personalized Spatial Audio that creates your own personal 3D listening profile using iOS 16 and the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera, delivering an optimized, immersive surround sound experience with dynamic head tracking.

Sound has also been enhanced on the QuietComfort Earbuds 2. The active EQ and CustomTune technology calibrate ANC and the sound frequency profile to the unique properties of your ear for punchy, sharp audio. Frequency range is solid for the most part, though the low end tends to get overzealous on super bass-heavy tracks. Bose’s three-band EQ can be manually adjusted, plus it comes with four presets that are split between bass and treble adjustment. These buds don’t support 3D audio.

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Special features and app

When it comes to extended functionality, the AirPods Pro 2 crushes most rivals, and that’s without a companion app. Several favorites return, including automatic switching, audio sharing, announced messages with Siri, Ear Tip Fit Test, “Hey Siri,” Headphone Accommodations, Headphone Levels, and Live Listen. Then there are newcomers like Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, and Precision Finding that works hand in hand with Find My (AirPods) to pinpoint the location of your lost charging case. Apple also added a dedicated section for the buds in the Settings menu, offering quick access to adjust device preferences. 

Bose isn’t known for stocking their headphones and earbuds with tons of features. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 isn’t any different. Most of what’s offered has already been accounted for: Quiet (ANC)/Aware mode, ActiveSense, EQ, Eartip Fit Test, and Shortcut. Self Voice is the last major feature, adjusting how loud your voice sounds on voice and video calls. A future update that brings independent single bud use is planned for the end of year. Bear in mind that Bose Music app currently suffers from connectivity issues.

Both sets of buds run on Bluetooth 5.3 and provide steady connectivity with lengthy range. However, Apple has designed all AirPods to seamlessly connect with all their devices, making the pairing process instantaneous, but only with Apple devices. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 is more platform neutral and connects easily to both iOS and Android devices, whereas the AirPods Pro 2 experiences connection issues with MacBooks and Google-operated smartphones.

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Battery life

Apple finally beats a rival in battery life. The AirPods Pro 2 has longer playtimes than the original, stretching between 5.5 to 7 hours, depending how you use the buds. You get between 30 to 34 hours extra from the charging case when fully powered. Lightning charging generates 1 hour of use in 5 minutes. Furthermore, you have more ways to charge the product: Lightning cable, Apple Watch charger or wirelessly via MagSafe/Qi-enabled charging pad.

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 stays capped at 6 hours per charge. It also doesn’t boast wireless charging, won’t let you turn off ANC, and comes with some of the weakest quick charging at its price point (20 minutes = 2 hours of playtime). At least the charging case gives you a little more portable power this time around – 24 hours to be exact.

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Call quality

Like their previous versions, the AirPods Pro 2 and QuietComfort Earbuds 2 remain the two best truly wireless calling headsets. If we must choose, we prefer Bose’s buds for its slightly better noise neutralization during chats and the Self Voice feature. It’s great having Personalized Spatial Audio available for conference FaceTime calls, and vocals do come in loud and clearly, but the mics can only take so much noise and wind.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

Winner: AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 has much more to work with for the price. Upgrades to ANC, battery life, and sound quality, specifically Personalized Spatial Audio, are essential to the model’s success. Even low-key additions like the built-in touch volume controls and Precision Finding for finding the charging case quickly are greatly appreciated. There’s more value investing in Apple’s latest wireless earbuds.

Bose continues to improve on what is undeniably the best noise cancellation in the category. Nothing tops the QuietComfort Earbuds 2’s ANC and call quality. Audio is fine-tuned to give music a dynamic presence. The redesign also improves operation and fit. We only wished that the buds provided better comfort and had more features to play with.

Bose recently launched the QuietComfort Earbuds 2, the long-awaited sequel to their defining noise-cancelling QC Earbuds. This version welcomes several upgrades, including Bluetooth 5.3, richer sound, smarter active noise cancellation (ANC), and a sleeker redesign. Performance is what you would expect from a Bose product, specifically on the noise-cancelling front, where these buds crush the competition.

However, it’s facing the current true wireless king: the Sony WF-1000XM4. This is one of the few products that Laptop Magazine has awarded a perfect score (5 stars) and it sits atop our best noise-cancelling earbuds list. Remarkable sound powered by many Sony proprietary technologies (e.g., 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, LDAC), along with stellar ANC and a terrific ergonomic fit, have earned this model universal acclaim.

You’re looking at two tiny noise-cancellers that deliver a fantastic listening experience – with or without worldly distractions. Which is the better overall investment? Our analysis of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and Sony WF-1000XM4 will determine that answer. 

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Price

Bose chose to increase the price of their flagship buds, listing the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at $299, which is $20 more than the original. The Sony WF-1000XM4 launched for slightly less at $279, and it’s frequently on sale (we’ve seen it go for as low as $228).

Sony wins this round based on having the more relatively affordable option.

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Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Specs compared

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Design

Both pairs of buds are equally durable and feature both hard plastic and IPX4 sweat/water resistance. Nevertheless, the WF-1000XM4 is more attractive and fits better. Sony’s oval design, along with striking details like the protruding touch panel and gold ANC mic housings, gives these buds a sophisticated presence. The charging case is lighter and smaller compared to the previous version. We also enjoy wearing the buds for reasonably long stretches (3 hours straight) before fatigue sets in. Memory foam tips mold to your ears and create a tight seal for proper on-ear stability. Sony’s Optimal Earbud Tips test can provide positive feedback for optimal fit. 

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 has been given a significant facelift. It’s 30 percent smaller than the original, more practical for wear, and very stylish. The combo shiny and matte finish is a nice touch. Materials are solid to ensure the exterior doesn’t crack when dropped on hard surfaces. These buds won’t occupy all your ear real estate either, like the last-gen QC Earbuds. Notice the charging case is also slimmer, smaller, and more pocket friendly this time around. Bose’s new ear tip kit and EarTip Fit Test help achieve a reliable fit. Unfortunately, comfort remains a weakness for the series and the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 progressively applies pressure to the concha.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Controls

These are two high-functioning models that come programmed with numerous media controls. However, Sony equipped the WF-1000XM4 with more intelligible features that simplify operation. Speak-to-Chat uses mics and advanced signal processing to recognize your voice and automatically pause music. Quick Attention will lower volume to 10% when you speak, so you can engage in clear-sounding conversations. Google Assistant and Alexa integration let you fire up either AI bot by speaking their respective wake-word phrase (“Alexa,” “Hey Google”). Siri and Google Assistant are also compatible and work well, though they must be activated manually. Wear detection is spot-on to auto-pause content when removing the buds. Let’s not forget the responsive touch controls that accept single and multi-tap gestures.

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 demonstrates superb speech recognition when using the digital assistant (e.g., Google Assistant, Siri). Unfortunately, Bose chose not to add Alexa/Google Assistant voice activation. Wear detection has some latency, enabling auto-pause/play after a 2-second delay. In addition, tap response is slightly off, with the sensors often struggling to register single and multi-tap gestures. At least the slide gestures work flawlessly to raise/lower volume.   

Keep in mind the WF-1000XM4 lets you customize its entire control scheme, whereas the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 only allows for one control to be swapped out: the Shortcut function (long press).

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Active noise cancellation

The WF-1000XM4 transforms commuting disruptions like passing trains, loud conversations, and construction work into mere whispers, and that’s without even playing music. Pressing play on your favorite jams will completely block those noises out. Wind resistance is increased when toggling the Wind Reduction feature in the app. Also, the 20-level ambient sound mode is amazing for keeping tabs on your surroundings, picking up the slightest noises when set to max level. As great as Sony’s noise cancellation performs, Bose’s technology is more powerful.

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 does nearly everything its rival does and offers a more personalized ANC experience. Bose’s 4-mic array blocks out blaring noises across the frequency spectrum, as well as wind. Quiet Mode (acoustic noise cancellation) performs up to brand standards, while also maintaining clarity when listening to music. Bose lets you set ANC (up to 10 levels) to your preference by customizing any of the 10 available user modes; this is the more effective noise-neutralizing solution. Aware Mode is just as impressive, balancing sound so you can hear incidental noises distinctively without compromising audio quality. Turning on the ActiveSense feature automatically adjusts transparency to hear music and ambient noise equally well.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Audio Quality

Only a handful of wireless earbuds come close to the WF-1000XM4’s sonic prowess. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 isn’t one of them, but it is a well-engineered product that calibrates the sound frequency profile to the unique properties of your ear via CustomTune technology. A manual three-band EQ and four bass/treble presets are accessible in the app. Bose’s soundstage balances frequencies extremely well, giving you a nice blend of lows, mids, and highs with emphasized bass. Sadly, these buds lack 3D sound (spatial audio), as well as fidelity-boosting features to stream music wirelessly at the highest level.

As for the WF-1000XM4, you get vibrant, robust sound that complements all music genres, along with 360 Reality Audio support for convincing 3D effects on supported tracks. Sony’s soundstage presents exceptional stereo imaging to hear instruments accurately and it pumps out strong bass that’s a little tamer than what you’ve heard on the previous version, but still impactful. DSEE boosts fidelity on lo-fi recordings. Lastly, LDAC codec support grants lossless streaming on compatible music services (e.g., Tidal, Deezer).

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: App and special features

Sony equipped the WF-1000XM4 with a plethora of special features, many of which we’ve already discussed. These include 360 Reality Audio, ANC/Ambient Sound, DSEE, Equalizer, LDAC, Optimal Earbuds Tips, Quick Attention, and Speak-to-Chat. Everything is accessible in the Sony Headphones Connect app, which has other cool features worth checking out (we recommend Bluetooth Connection Quality to prioritize sound quality or connectivity). Bluetooth 5.2 maintains stable connections with recognized devices. One-tap Google Fast Pair allows for seamless pairing with Android smartphones.

Bose reserved most of the QuietComfort Earbuds 2’s extended functionality for noise cancellation. Again, being able to adjust and save different ANC profiles and have adaptive ambient listening are awesome. Other notables include Eartip Fit Test, EQ, and Self Voice (more on this later). Unfortunately, that’s where the list of big software features ends. This is one of the newer models operating on Bluetooth 5.3, and it delivers solid wireless performance. If only this performance carried over to the Bose Music app, which is buggy and suffers from wonky connectivity. 

Neither set of buds come with Bluetooth multipoint (to pair to two devices simultaneously).

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM45: Battery life

Longer playtimes and better charging features go to the WF-1000XM4. Sony rates battery life at 8 to 12 hours, depending how you use the buds. The charging case holds between 24 to 36 hours, provides powerful quick charging (5 minutes = 1 hour of listening time), and supports wireless charging.

It frustrates us greatly that Bose didn’t increase the playtimes on their buds. Only 6 hours on a full charge, without the option of disabling ANC, is not cool. The charging case offers the industry standard: 24 hours. Quick charging is some of the weakest in the category (20 minutes = 2 hours) and wireless charging is unavailable.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Call quality

The QC Earbuds were considered the best wireless earbuds for voice and video calls, and its successor follows suit. Bose’s mic array captures voices loud and clear, while also making speech prominent over background interference. Strong noise cancellation keeps incidental noises to a minimum. Self Voice comes in handy for hearing yourself louder during conversations when stuck in rowdy settings.

While improvements were made to Sony’s call quality, the WF-1000XM4 still doesn’t live up to its potential. Muffle and poor wind resistance continue to hinder performance.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

It’s always fun comparing new wireless earbuds to our favorite releases, especially when they bear Bose branding. However, we still rank the WF-1000XM4 as the market’s best offering, based on its expansive feature set, gorgeous craftsmanship, superior sound, and terrific ANC. The overall value you’re getting justifies the high MSRP.

Bose continues to improve on perfection, at least in terms of noise cancellation. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 gives you unbeatable ANC and some great customization tools to personalize the buds to your liking. Revamping the design was a smart move. We’re fond of the newly tweaked soundstage as well, since it gives music a livelier presence. Where the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 loses this is battle is in battery life, controls, and features – three areas the WF-1000XM4 has locked down.

No one else is going to say it, so I will – open wireless earbuds are stupid. I get the concept. I also understand the need for wanting to bring something fresh and “innovative” to market. This ain’t it. Sorry.

There’s some confusion about what products fall into this category. A few people consider the standard AirPods to be open wireless earbuds because they’re designed to rest on the ear rather than insert like most traditional earbuds. Others also want to add bone-conducting headphones to the conversation; this style of headphone transfers sonic vibrations to the inner ear through your cheekbones.

OK, technically, they’re not wrong. But you don’t see Apple or any bone-conducting headphone brands labeling their models as such. It’s tech giants like Bose and Sony that are proudly representing the sub-category, despite the lackluster reception behind some of their latest unique on-ear creations. 

Well, just because a handful of legacy audio brands are pushing hard to make something pop doesn’t make it essential, or revolutionary.

A singular-purpose product with many compromises

Open wireless earbuds were made to let you hear both music and your environment at the same time, without blocking your ear canals. The design basically serves one realistic purpose, which is increasing awareness of your surroundings, something that’s extremely relatable to outdoor adventurists, or nosy eavesdroppers. Are there any other legit uses? Not really.

Ideally, people want earbuds that let them hear music fully. An open-ear design doesn’t allow for that. After testing several models in numerous environments, it always felt like the world and what was currently playing on my smartphone would vie for my attention, clashing and never letting me hear music the way artists intended. The soundscape was often hindered by incidental noises. My sharp hearing only made listening experiences worse since I couldn’t hear the fine details or nuances in orchestral recordings.

That same performance carries over to call quality. Again, you’re going to hear everything around you because of the design. Being in a completely quiet setting is the only way to achieve loud, clear-sounding voice and video calls, and that’s only if your open wireless earbuds have strong mics. Otherwise, ambient noises interfere at a high level. Then you have to worry about natural obstructors like wind. Standard wireless earbuds provide some passive noise reduction. Open wireless earbuds don’t, meaning wind will enter your ears freely and hit the mics, creating uncomfortable whisking effects that may harm your hearing.

Two other performance flaws that require attention are battery life and special features. Most models in this category offer mediocre playtimes and few extras, except for the Sony LinkBuds.

Isn’t a transparency mode just as effective?

A well-engineered transparency mode can create the same effect as a pair of open wireless earbuds. I’ve even tested wireless earbuds that produce louder and clearer ambient results.

This means you’ll likely have to settle for buds that insert in your ears, though wireless danglers like the AirPods 3 grant you decent ambient listening when enabling the Live Listen feature to use the iPhone mic for picking up external sounds. High-end options like the Sony WF-1000XM4 come with 20 levels of adjustable ambient noise, which is ridiculously powerful and captures noises from several blocks away.

The mics installed in wireless earbuds open wide to pick up what’s happening around you, whereas open wireless earbuds rely mostly on their design to let noises in naturally. High frequencies like ambulance sirens and crying babies sound louder and more transparent on wireless earbuds. An open-ear model will let you hear external sounds as well, but the further the noise, the less discernible it is. 

Not only that, but a great transparency mode won’t hinder sound quality either. You can still enjoy full audio output and audibly monitor your surroundings.

Bluetooth audio eyewear is just as good…or bad

If you’re going all in on gimmicky audio wearables, you might as well give audio sunglasses a shot. They’re more stylish and practical for outdoor use. Sound quality is comparable to open earbuds. The only difference is they have speakers and mics built into the frames, playing sound in your personal space without covering your ears, while also protecting your eyesight.

Top tech brands like Amazon, Anker, Bose, and Razer have all jumped on this bandwagon, along with fashion accessory staples like Ray-Ban. The reviews will tell you Bluetooth audio glasses aren’t game changers. There’s also the significant compromise of audio versus style; Bose sells chunkier shades with acceptable sound and Ray-Ban sells more attractive frames with poor audio.

You can read Laptop Magazine’s review of the Anker Soundcore Frames to get a feel for audio eyewear.

Outlook – Avoid open wireless earbuds entirely and buy elite noise-cancelling earbuds

The wireless audio industry is moving too fast for its own good. Truly wireless earbuds are as popular as they’ve ever been and continue to evolve. Yet some manufacturers feel compelled or pressured to create the next big category rather than refine their creations in the current audio landscape.

• Get the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 for $299 at Amazon
• Get the AirPods Pro 2 for $249 at Amazon
• Get the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 for $249 at Amazon
• Get the Sony LinkBuds S for $199 at Amazon

It’s easy to glance at the Sony LinkBuds and say, yes, these look freaking awesome and like something out of a sci-fi film. Then again, they look like a concept that sat in Sony’s labs for years and were pushed to market as an experimental launch for building buzz around the company’s true wireless future. Sony gets props for stuffing so many of their proprietary technologies into a quarter-sized design. But if you’re asking whether to drop $180 on these or the $199 LinkBuds S, an amazing successor and redo done right, then I’m going with the latter all day. Or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Or the Sony WF-1000XM4. Or the AirPods Pro 2. Feel me?

These are all models that get you more value and performance for your money. So, simply put, ignore open wireless earbuds entirely and purchase noise-cancelling earbuds.

• The best noise-cancelling headphones for every budget and occasion
• Check out the best cheap noise-cancelling headphones: $100 or under

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700 is a heavyweight contest between two of the best noise-cancelling headphones money can buy.

Recently launched, the Momentum 4 serve as Sennheiser’s latest flagship headphones and combines powerfully adaptive ANC (active noise cancellation) and sound into a more streamlined design. Battery life has massively increased from the previous-gen Momentum 3, as well as the number of features and smart controls.

For over three years, no model has surpassed the Bose 700 as the category’s top choice. Bose’s ANC technology remains best in class. The 700’s ultramodern design is worthy of being displayed at the MET. Theses headphones also come with satisfying sound, even better call quality, and serviceable features that enhance the user experience. 

How do you choose between the two? This Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Bose 700 comparison should help you narrow down the decision. Let’s dive right in.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Price

The $399 Sennheiser Momentum 4 are slightly more expensive than the $379 Bose 700, though the latter are often discounted at major online retailers (we’ve seen them for as low as $269). Each pair of headphones is sold in Black and Silver, but the Bose 700 has seen limited edition releases in Soapstone, Triple Midnight, and the Apple-exclusive Black/Copper.

Factoring in sales opportunities, the Bose 700 stands out as the more enticing offer. Don’t expect to see the Momentum 4 marked down any time soon.

Be sure to bookmark our headphone deals page for the latest sales.

Winner: Bose 700

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Specs compared

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Design

Redesigns are either hit or miss. The Momentum 4 design is a miss for us. Aside from welcomed additions like the nylon fabric headband and handsome carrying case, the rest of the design shares a generic appearance with many cheap noise-cancelling headphones (the Treblab Z7 Pro comes to mind). Why Sennheiser removed the Momentum 3’s flashy yoke that connected to the front of each earcup is hard to fathom; it’s a distinctive feature that has become part of the series’ identity. Comfort isn’t the most pleasant either, due to the Momentum 4’s excessive weight.

The 700 headphones are a work of art. Bose got creative with their design, placing the extenders on a tracking system for seamless adjusting and not exposing one screw, seam, or piece of thread. Even the faux leather on the earcups and headband provides a pleasant and secure fit. These cans are mostly built from solid plastic and aluminum, yet they look like they were molded from one piece of material.

Winner: Bose 700

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Controls

The Momentum 4 has responsive button input and wear detection. Speech recognition is on point for voice command operation via Bixby, Google Assistant or Siri. Where things get shaky are the touch controls. Sennheiser’s touch sensor has the tendency to fall asleep after several minutes of inactivity and won’t register any taps or swipes until awoken, which takes a minute. When the sensor is functioning, it registers touch gestures accurately and lets you perform cool tricks like manually adjusting ANC/Transparency levels through a special pinch gesture.  

Touch controls execute swiftly on the Bose 700. Motion detection initiates auto-pause/play instantly when removing/wearing the headphones and the digital assistant works flawlessly. You also get Spotify Tap functionality that can be assigned to the action button for instant access to the streaming service. There is one complaint we have regarding the Bose 700’s touchpad – the integrated extender does interfere with the touch panel, minimizing the coverage space for tap and swipe gestures.

Winner: Bose 700

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Active noise cancellation

Three years in and the Bose 700 still delivers class-leading noise cancellation. Bose’s adaptive eight-mic system (six are used for ANC) eliminates up to 95 percent of ambient noise and minimizes the other 5 percent that comes through the soundscape. We’ve used these headphones on flights, commutes around New York City, and several indoor settings (e.g., grocery stores, malls, parks), enjoying silence everywhere we went.

Distractions only occur when you’re surrounded by multiple high-frequency sounds at once, and even then, the headphones cancel them out at such a high rate that they’ll sound like background effects on songs. Bose gives you 11 levels of adjustable ANC to personalize how much noise you want to block out. The Transparency mode is just as effective for increasing your awareness of surroundings.

Don’t think for one second that the Momentum 4 are an ANC pushover. Their noise-cancelling technology operates similarly to the Bose 700 (the feature is always turned on) and adapts better to loud environments than the Sony WH-1000XM5. Multiple ANC levels combined with a dual-setting Wind Resistance mode help neutralize most sounds across the frequency spectrum; some high-frequency noises are audible. Sennheiser’s versatile Transparency Mode is also powerful enough to pick up vocals within proximity and incidental sounds from afar.

With more testing, it’s possible to determine the Momentum 4 as the better noise-cancelling solution, but our years of ANC use with the 700 headphones won’t allow us to make that call just yet.

Winner: Bose 700

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Audio Quality

The sonic versatility displayed by the Momentum 4 is tremendous. Sennheiser’s 42mm transducer system produces wonderful hi-fi audio that sounds even better when listening to music on lossless streaming services (e.g., Deezer, Tidal), thanks to aptX Adaptive codec support. Listeners with sharp hearing will notice the slightest nuances in complex recordings. There are several ways to customize sound, including the three-band EQ, six well-engineered presets, Sound Check to automatically adjust the EQ to your hearing, and Sound Zone to optimize the EQ (or noise cancellation) to your location.

When originally launched, the Bose 700 were considered a significant audio upgrade from the QuietComfort 35 II and a fine-sounding model. They still are. We really like Bose’s warm, well-balanced sound profile for most music selections. The EQ in the Bose Music app grants the freedom to tweak bass, mids, and treble, and has four great presets that will do the job for you. Unfortunately, this just isn’t enough to compete with Sennheiser’s sound.

Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: App and special features

Sennheiser offers more significant features for the price. Their Smart Connect app carries aforementioned essentials like ANC/Adaptive/Transparency mode, Equalizer, Sound Zones, and Sound Check. Other notables include Sidetone to adjust vocal clarity during calls and Comfort Call for reducing listener fatigue. There are also several toggle controls to enable/disable different functions (On-Head Detection, Smart Pause, Auto Power off).

Bose has progressively added more features to the 700 headphones through updates. Downloading the Bose Music app gives you control and EQ customization, along with adjustable ANC levels and the option to save three preferred settings that can be activated when pressing the action button. The Self-Voice setting shouldn’t be overlooked since it improves call quality by adjusting how loud your voice sounds on calls. Rounding out the app are a music player, volume slider, standby timer, battery level indicators, digital assistant selection, and toggle controls.

The Momentum 4 runs on Bluetooth 5.2 and the 700 headphones on Bluetooth 5.0. Both deliver smooth and stable connectivity, have fast pairing options, and support multipoint technology.

Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Battery life

The Momentum 4 (60 hours) provides nearly triple the playtime of the Bose 700 (20 hours). That means a full charge with Sennheiser’s headphones can get you close to a month’s worth of moderate use, whereas Bose’s headphones will need to recharge sooner than later. Quick charging is also stronger on the Momentum 4 with a 5-minute charge generating 4 hours of playtime versus the 700’s 3.5 hours on a 15-minute charge.

Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4

Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Bose 700: Call quality

I never thought the day would come when another noise-cancelling headphone would match the Bose 700’s excellent call quality, but here we are. The Momentum 4 produces loud, crystal-clear voice and video calls in any environment, and has some of the best wind resistance in the category to reduce whisking effects. You’ll get similar results from the Bose 700. The call features on both models make noticeable differences in performance. Investing in the more enhanced Bose 700 UC is only justified for business users who want to boost connectivity for video chats on Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Meets, but the standard 700 headphones and Momentum 4 are just as reliable for conferencing.

Winner: Tie

Winner: Tie

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 pulls off the amazing feat of tying with the Bose 700 as the market’s best noise-cancelling headphones. These are equally excellent models with strong selling points and compromises. ANC, controls, and design favor Bose’s offering, while sound, battery life, and features favor Sennheiser’s latest creation.

Yes, the Bose 700 is more accessible these days, especially during shopping holidays, but the Momentum 4 proves to be just as valuable at its high price point.

Amazon continues to deliver discounts left, right and center throughout its Memorial Day 2022 sale, including slashing prices on the popular Bose QuietComfort Earbuds down to just under $200.  

One of the best wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling around, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are now just $199 at Amazon. That's an $80 price drop from its original $279, making it one of the best prices we've seen for these wireless earbuds. It's a Memorial Day sale you don't want to miss if you're after a reliable pair of earbuds. 

• Shop: Amazon's entire sale

Bose's QuietComfort series of audio products live up to their name. They deliver top-notch active noise-cancellation (ANC) and a secure, comfortable fit. 

In our Bose QuietComfort earbuds review, we found their great sound, elegant design, and excellent ANC impressive. The earbuds also won us over with their convenient touch controls. For these attributes, we gave the Bose QuietComfort earbuds a high 4 out of 5-star rating and our Editor's Choice award.

Bose managed to pack the noise-cancelling quality of its Bose 700 headphones into a smaller footprint. 

As for audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds live up to expectations — delivering detailed instrumental and vocals during music playback. Bose's rated battery life of 6 hours was on par with the 5 hours and 49 minutes of usage we squeezed out of it. Now at just under $200? Swipe up this Memorial Day 2022 deal fast. 

Fresh off of its release, the Bose QuietComfort 45 has left a strong impression on critics, even making our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones. This latest addition to Bose’s popular over-ear headphone series packages strong ANC, 24 hours of battery life, and great audio quality in a familiar design. Bose Music app support has even been added to customize functions and settings.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has remained one of the most highly coveted ANC models for the past year. It blends excellent sound, long battery life, cool wireless features, and a variety of sound technologies into a luxe design. Sony’s ANC technology is no slouch either, rivaling most models in the category.

• Best wireless headphones in 2021
• Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review
• …and our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review

Should you be torn over which to buy, check out our Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4 comparison to get the full lowdown.

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Price

Bose usually sells their headphones at a higher price than Sony. However, the company is selling its latest creation for $329, which is lower than what the QuietComfort 35 II ($350) launched at. You can purchase it in two colors: Black and Smoke White. 

Sony originally released the WH-1000XM4 at $349, though we’ve seen the headphones on sale several times over the past few months. Some retailers have even sold it for as low as $248, and we are expecting the model to be part of this year’s Best Black Friday deals. The WH-1000XM4 comes in Black, Midnight Blue, or Silver.

Based on features alone, the WH-1000XM4 gets you more bang for your buck.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Specs compared

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Design

Sony has built some of the most attractive headphones on the market and the WH-1000XM4 is no exception. Despite both models flaunting minimalist designs, Sony gives their wireless headphones a bit more flair, as highlighted by eye-grabbing details like the copper accents, embossed logo, and rubberized matte finish. Refined leather and plush padding provides the WH-1000XM4 great comfort, granted the extra weight becomes fatiguing after 2 hours of wear. 

You have to give the QC45 a long, hard look to differentiate it from the previous version. Very little has changed. These headphones come with the same glass-filled nylon, synthetic leather, and impact-resistant materials. Button placement remains untouched. The only real changes are the laser-etched logo and headband covering, which is leather instead of suede. Luckily, the QC45 is as lightweight and cozy as the QC35 II, so you’ll be able to enjoy music for long stretches. We just prefer the WH-1000XM4’s classier appearance.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Controls

Bose had a chance to get creative with the QC45’s control scheme, but they chose to leave it as is. What you get are physical buttons to enable functions, but this time around, the Action Button can only be used to activate ANC mode; the QC35 II lets you assign the native assistive. Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby are all compatible on these headphones and perform well.

Not only did Sony improve the touch controls on its flagship headphones, but they also added more of them for seamless operation. The touch panels register tap and swipe gestures with ease, while the buttons produce solid tactility to ensure assigned functions are being executed. It only gets better from here. Voice activation lets you fire up either Alexa or Google Assistant by saying either’s respective wake word function; Siri can be manually enabled when connected to an iOS/macOS device. Quick Attention will automatically pause music whenever placing your hand over the right earcup, and Speak-to-Chat uses the mics and advanced signal processing to hear your voice and perform the same action. Both features work well.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Active noise cancellation

At one point, the WH-1000XM4 came a close second to the 700 Headphones for best noise cancellation, but Bose proved that they are their only true competitor, as demonstrated by the QC45. The engineers did a phenomenal job of stuffing six mics into the earcups and shifting their placement for optimal ANC. The results speak for themselves, silencing about 90% of ambient noise across different frequencies.

Sony worked diligently on improving their noise-cancelling technology and it shows in the WH-1000XM4, though the QC45 is the better neutralizer. Still, you’ll get some superb noise reduction out of Sony’s cans. The default ANC mode blocks out close to 90% of external sounds and you can use the NC Optimizer to measure and tailor ANC to your hearing. Atmospheric Pressure Optimization is also available to adjust pressure based on altitude and tweak noise cancellation on the fly. If only the WH-1000XM4 handled wind better.

Each of these headphones come with ambient-listening modes, which are equally great. The QC45 requires you to enable Aware Mode to pipe in whatever noises are around you, while Sony gives you 20 adjustable levels of ambient sound to play with. You’d be surprised to hear that Bose’s one mode almost matches Sony’s highest ambient level.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Audio Quality

Sony pulled out all the stops when assembling the WH-1000XM4. Underneath the hood lies 40mm drivers that create a wide soundstage for impactful lows, crisp mids, and detailed highs that shine. Sound falls more towards the warm end, but you can tweak it through the Equalizer in the companion app. Here is where you can create your own sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies or pick from several high-performance presets. LDAC codec support was added, using lossless and lossy compression to achieve high-res audio, while technologies like DSEE Extreme and Edge-AI enhance fidelity lost on digitally compressed tracks. Oh yeah, we can’t forget 360 Reality Audio, Sony’s version of spatial audio that brings 3D effects to music.

We give the QC45 credit for attempting to put up a fight against Sony’s sonic beast. Proprietary TriPort acoustic architecture and a volume-optimized Active EQ were put in place to balance out frequencies for fuller, more precise sound. The soundstage does emphasize bass a bit too much, which diminishes quality on orchestral recordings.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: App and special features

The Sony Headphones Connect is probably the most feature-laden companion app out there. It’s loaded with different ways to customize sound and usability. We already mentioned hallmark features like the ANC, Ambient Sound Control, EQ with multiple presets, DSEE Extreme, NC Optimizer, Quick Attention, Speak-to-Chat, and 360 Reality Audio. You can prioritize sound quality over connection and vice-versa. Google Fast Pair and NFC make it effortless to connect the headphones with Android devices. Lastly, you have multipoint technology to pair the WH-1000XM4 with two devices simultaneously, while taking advantage of strong connectivity with a max range of up to 40 feet.

Bose did the smart thing by making the QC45 compatible with the Bose Music app. Unfortunately, they didn’t give the headphones much to work with. There is a Self-Voice mode that comes in handy to hear your voice more naturally on calls. The other big feature is SimpleSync to connect the headphones with a Bose Smart Soundbar and have it double as a remote to control volume when watching TV. Aside from those two, ANC and transparency mode are the QC45’s only other big features. Bluetooth 5.1 is programmed into the headphones, producing long range (50 feet) and quick connectivity.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Battery life

Battery life on the WH-1000XM4 is the same as its predecessor, getting you 30 hours of ANC playtime and 38 hours when disabling the feature. As much as we appreciate Bose giving the QC45 the longest battery life of any Bose ANC model, 24 hours on a full charge doesn’t compare to what Sony offers. Not being able to turn off ANC on the QC45 hurts as well. The WH-1000XM4 also comes with more powerful quick-charging, generating 5 hours on a 10-minute charge versus the QC45’s 3 hours on a 15-minute charge.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Call quality

The same way Sony knows sound, Bose knows call quality. While a step down from the excellent 700 Headphones, the QC45 is a highly serviceable calling headset that produces loud and clear results, as long as you’re not making calls in gusty conditions. In common areas like the backyard and inside the house, the headphones neutralized external sounds and picked up vocals very well.

The WH-1000XM4 is a slight improvement over the WH-1000XM3, but that isn’t saying much when there are still muffling issues and poor wind resistance to deal with.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4 has too much audio power for the QC45 to compete with. Let’s revisit the spec sheet. Monstrous 40mm drivers, EQ customization, spatial audio, LDAC support, and other upscaling technologies bless these headphones with category-leading sound. All the controls are on point, the design is sleek, noise cancellation is highly effective, and battery life is sufficient for at least two weeks of moderate use or an international flight across the globe.

We are fans of the QC45. These ANC headphones are a fine upgrade for the series and one that fans of the brand should strongly consider picking up once they’re ready to upgrade from their QC35 II unit. Sound is satisfying with rich bass at the forefront. Even the boosted battery life is appreciated. ANC is also up there with the 700 Headphones. There just aren’t enough features to justify its purchase over Sony’s offering.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 just launched and it’s already considered a must-have for music lovers that desire elite active noise cancellation (ANC). Hardware upgrades, along with an all-new design and the inclusion of proprietary technologies (e.g., 360 Reality Audio, LDAC) make it one of the best wireless headphones deals around.

But Sony’s latest creation faces a goliath in the Bose 700, the king of ANC for over two years running. Best-in-class noise cancellation, terrific sound, and newer features in a svelte design have garnered it universal acclaim from critics and consumers. New software updates have also given the Bose 700 a fresh market presence.

• Best wireless headphones in 2022
• Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review
• …and our full Bose 700 review

These are easily the two best noise-cancelling headphones you can purchase right now. As for which sits atop the noise-cancelling throne, read our Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 700 comparison to get the full breakdown.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Price

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is priced higher at $399, which is $50 more than what the WH-1000XM4 sells for. It’s also more expensive than the $379 Bose 700. Each pair of headphones comes available in Black and Silver, though the Bose 700 has seen limited edition releases in Soapstone, Triple Midnight, and the Apple-exclusive Black/Copper.

Both models deliver performance worthy of their steep price tags, but the fact that we continue to see the Bose 700 regularly on sale makes it the more enticing value. Don’t expect the WH-1000XM5 to be discounted any time soon.

Be sure to bookmark our headphone deals page for the latest sales.

Winner: Tie

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Specs compared

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Design

The 700 is a work of art, from the construction to the detailing. Examine the headphones closely and you won’t find one screw, seam, or piece of thread exposed. The slim arc-inspired frame looks fascinating. Then you’ve got the extenders that are placed on a tracking system to seamlessly adjust length. Even the faux leather covering the ear cups and headband is of high quality, providing a gentle and secure fit for long listening sessions.

Sony tried something new with the WH-1000XM5’s design, and while we admire the eco-friendly approach to build quality, these are hands down the least attractive entry in the over-ear Mark Series. Its use of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene doesn’t compare to Bose 700’s more premium materials (e.g., aluminum, solid plastic). At least Sony upgraded the padding, which consists of luxurious synthetic leather and offers pleasant comfort.

Winner: Bose 700

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Controls

Both models come with excellent control schemes consisting of responsive touch panels, smart features, and physical buttons that produce great tactility. The WH-1000XM5 has more advanced controls like Quick Attention to lower volume when placing your hand over the right earcup and Speak-to-Chat to pause music when you speak. Meanwhile, the Bose 700’s touch controls and wearing detection for auto-pause/play are more spot-on. Spotify Tap can be assigned to either headphone’s action button for instant access to the streaming service. Google Assistant and Alexa integration are available on the WH-1000XM5, though the two digital assistants can be manually activated on the Bose 700. Voice commands operate flawlessly on each headphone.

Winner: Tie

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Active noise cancellation

The Bose 700 is still the top noise-canceller. Period. Bose’s adaptive eight-mic system, six of which are used for ANC, is practically perfect and reduces up to 95 percent of ambient noises. There are 11 levels of adjustable ANC, and each level makes a difference in noise neutralization. Selecting the lowest level enables transparency mode to let in ambient noise, which the feature does well for increasing environmental awareness. Low, mid, and high frequencies are handled well, with only a few exceptions entering the soundscape; baby cries and sirens can be heard, but sound like background effects on songs.

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony’s greatest attempt at rivaling the Bose 700. On top of pairing the QN1 ANC and V1 processors together, Sony engineered these cans to automatically adjust noise cancellation based on your wearing conditions. The results are top-notch and help eliminate up to 90 percent of ambient noise. Low- and mid-frequency sounds are unnoticeable, and some high-frequency sounds are muted, but not all. There’s also an Adaptive Sound Control feature that adjusts ANC by detecting your actions and the locations you frequent. The 20-level Ambient Sound feature is the WH-1000XM5’s unsung feature and is superb for hearing what’s happening around you                                                                                      

Overall, the Bose 700 just has the more effective noise cancellation.

Winner: Bose 700

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Audio Quality

Have you seen the technologies that Sony has stuffed into their flagship headphones? Talk about an audiophile’s dream. Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme is incredible for upscaling low-fi recordings, LDAC streams hi-res audio at CD-like quality, and 360 Reality Audio does a convincing job of bringing 3D effects to select music tracks for immersive listens. That’s only half of what the WH-1000XM5 offers sonically.

Sony’s newly developed 30mm driver brings more balance and definition to music, and it maintains the boomy resonance of past Mark Series entries, granted bass is slightly reduced on this version. Let’s not forget the five-band EQ to manually adjust frequencies, as well as several well-engineered presets that complement all music genres and media content. Lastly, there’s Safe Listening to track the decibel level and sound pressure of what you’re hearing.

The Bose 700 is arguably the company’s best-sounding headphone. Instruments and vocals have a natural feel to them, thanks to a well-balanced soundstage. Having an EQ to manually tweak bass, mids, and treble, along with four great presets (Bass Boost, Reducer, Treble Boost, Treble Reducer), is a plus for those wanting to personalize sound. It’s just hard to compete with Sony’s vibrant sound and endless feature set.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: App and special features

Sony’s Headphones Connect app is loaded with extras, the majority of which we’ve discussed in detail, such as Adaptive Sound Control, DSEE Extreme, Equalizer, LDAC, Speak-to-Chat, Spotify Tap, Safe Listening, and 360 Reality Audio. Other notables include a home screen widget to enable the EQ, automatic power off, battery level indicators, firmware updates, a music player, visual guides, and the ability to prioritize sound quality or connectivity.

The WH-1000XM5 has some other perks worth mentioning outside of the app. Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint technology (pair to two devices simultaneously), one-tap Google Fast Pair, and Find My Device support offer one of the best wireless experiences you can get on a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Compatibility with Sony’s wireless TV adapter to enjoy Dolby Atmos sound on a Bravia XR TV is also available. The only thing missing is NFC.

The Bose Music app had an unimpressive launch, but it has received significant updates over the past year. Control and EQ customization are sweet additions. Two great features that should not go unappreciated are the adjustable ANC levels and the option to save three preferred settings that can be activated directly on the headphones. We’re also fans of the Self-Voice setting that lets you adjust how loud your voice sounds on calls. Rounding out the Music app are a music player, volume slider, standby timer, battery level indicators, digital assistant selection, toggle controls, and firmware updates.

Connectivity-wise, the Bose 700 operates on Bluetooth 5.0, and though wireless performance is stable, the WH-1000XM5 has faster pairing options.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Battery life

Every Mark Series entry has given us adequate battery life and the WH-1000XM5 is no different. A full charge equates to 30 hours of ANC playtime and 40 hours when disabling the feature. Factor in high volume and special features and these playtimes drop by about 2 hours, but that’s still more than what the Bose 700 offers: 20 hours. Bose doesn’t even give you the option to turn off ANC. The WH-1000X5 also has stronger quick charging technology, generating 5 hours on a 10-minute charge versus the Bose 700’s 3.5 hours on a 15-minute charge.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose 700: Call quality

In terms of call quality, the WH-1000XM5 is a massive improvement over its predecessors. Sony’s PVP (Precise Voice Pickup) technology works better on this model and the company’s noise reduction algorithm heavily minimizes incoming noises. The mics pick up vocals loudly and clearly and demonstrate great wind resistance, which has been the series’ greatest weakness.

As great of a calling headset as the WH-1000XM5 is, the Bose 700 is better for voice and video calls. Bose’s mics are stronger and more intuitive, cancelling out background interference, while amplifying vocals for clear-sounding conversations. The more enhanced Bose 700 UC improves connectivity for video chats via USB dongle and is compatible with video teleconferencing services like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meets.

Winner: Bose 700

Winner: Bose 700

This was a close, tough-fought battle, but the Bose 700 is still the noise-cancelling model to beat. ANC is unbeatable, completely silencing common distractions, while also minimizing loud noises better than any other model in the category. Call quality is excellent. Sound might not be of audiophile quality, but it’s satisfying and nicely balanced to enjoy music on the go. Then there’s that distinctive craftsmanship that you’ll admire when unboxing these beauties.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a terrific pick up for those who want the perfect balance of music, noise cancellation, and special features. It’s also overpriced, especially compared to the WH-1000XM4, which offers much of the same performance for $50 less. Does that take away from the WH-1000XM5’s greatness? Absolutely not. These are some of the most soundful, feature-laden headphones you can splurge on.

However, if noise cancellation is your priority, nothing tops the Bose 700.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 just hit store shelves and it’s already considered one of the best noise-cancelling headphones available. Some might even argue that it is Bose’s best noise-cancelling model to date though we’re still taken with the Bose 700. This sequel comes with improved active noise cancellation, sound, and battery life, along with Bose Music app support to personalize the headphones

Its predecessor, the critically acclaimed Bose QuietComfort 35 II, remains a top seller and is often viewed as the model that revolutionized the ANC category. Excellent noise neutralization combined with warm, crisp sound and unique features give these wireless over-ear cans mass appeal. The sleek, no-frills design and pleasant comfort also make them a first-class favorite.

• Best wireless headphones in 2021
• Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review
• …and our full Bose 700 review

Simply put, these are two noise-cancelling goliaths that deliver satisfying listening experiences. Should you be torn over which to buy, check out our Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II comparison to get the full lowdown.

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Price

In a surprise move, Bose launched the QuietComfort 45 at a lower MSRP than previous QC releases: $329. You’re getting plenty of bang for your buck, plus the addition of Bose Music means more functionality is on the horizon via future firmware updates.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II was originally sold for $350, though it has seen several markdowns over the past year. It is currently available for $299 at major online retailers, though we’ve seen it for as low as $189 (in Rose Gold).  We believe the level of performance warrants the sales price at the moment.

One of these models will more than likely be part of this year’s best Black Friday headphones deals. Our money is on the QC35 II. To see the QC45 with a sale tag just weeks after being released seems improbable.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Specs compared

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Design

Very little has changed regarding appearance. The QC45 and QC35 II share the same clean, minimalist, collapsible design with most of the construction and detailing remaining intact. This includes the glass-filled nylon, synthetic leather, and other impact-resistant materials, along with the button and logo placements.

As far as differences, the QC45 now comes with metal hinges at the pivot points that give the headphones a sturdier feel. We love this, especially since the QC35 II has a flimsier frame. The logo is no longer debossed or reflective – instead, it’s laser-etched. More mics were stuffed into the earcups, which you can see with the multiple dimples on each side. The headband padding is also covered in leather instead of suede. Color options are limited to two on the QC45 (Black and White Smoke), whereas the QC35 II is available in five: Black, Silver, Midnight Blue, Rose Gold, and Triple Midnight.

Comfort and fit are equally great on these two pairs of headphones. The QC45 (8.5 ounces) is slightly heavier, but it feels just as light on the head as the QC35 II (8.2 ounces). The plush padding is gentle atop the skull and ears, and you can wear either model for lengthy stretches. Adjusting the extenders to the proper settings will ensure that neither set of cans slip off.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Controls

Bose left the controls untouched, with one noticeable omission on the QC45. The Action Button on the left earcup can no longer be assigned to other functions; it is solely reserved for activating ANC mode. You can program the QC35 II’s Action Button to easily access Alexa, Google Assistant, or noise cancellation.

The buttons operate well on both models, producing nice tactile feedback with every press. Having volume buttons is always a plus and makes raising/lowering sound more convenient. The lack of touch controls is forgivable, though we wish the QC45 and QC35 II came with on-ear detection for auto-pause/play.

Another change is found in digital assistance. While each model supports the big four – Alexa, Bixby, Google Assistant, and Siri – the QC35 II comes with Alexa and Google Assistant integration. For Alexa users, that means wake-word functionality, while Google Assistant users can enable the AI bot by pushing the Action Button.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Active noise cancellation

When it comes to ANC, it’s really a no-lose situation when choosing between the QC45 and QC35 II because you’re getting the best that Bose has to offer. However, a smarter algorithm and more mics give the QC45 stronger noise neutralization that nearly matches the industry-leading 700.

The QC45’s six-mic array is a beast at blocking out low and mid frequencies, plus it minimizes high-pitched sounds at the highest level possible. Distractions like loud chatter, the humming sound from an ANC and engine rumble will go completely unnoticed. Baby cries and whistles will catch your attention from several feet away, but they aren’t distracting enough to pull you away from whatever is playing on your mobile device.

Even with two fewer mics, the QC35 II handles ambient noises across the frequency spectrum incredibly well. The two-level ANC mode (Low and High) offers personalization for how much noise you want to block out. For the average listener, the ANC experience will be similar on both pairs of headphones, but those with detailed hearing will notice high frequency sounds a bit more on the QC35 II. 

Ambient listening comes as part of both packages, though Bose labels them differently on each set of cans. Low Mode on the QC35 II is effective for hearing environmental fracas. Aware Mode on the QC45 is much better at increasing your awareness of surroundings, piping in more noises that sound distinctive and loud.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Audio Quality

Some people like Bose’s warm-heavy sound signature and others don’t. Well, if you fall under the latter, take joy in knowing that Bose went to work refining sound on the QC45, employing proprietary TriPort acoustic architecture and a volume-optimized Active EQ for better bass definition and clarity. You get a nice mix of punchy lows and crisp mids, along with detailed highs that shine on most tracks. We also like how the bass is handled, which is tamer, but still loud and impactful to enjoy contemporary music genres like alternative rock, EDM, and hip hop.

The QC35 II produces crisp and clean sound and has an overemphasized low end. If you want the more boom-sounding headphones, these are it, but that comes at the cost of less dynamic range. Orchestral recordings can sound dull at times, plus highs are often flat or veiled on Jazz records.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: App and special features

Features are limited on these two models, and each one is compatible with a different Bose app. The QC45 works with the new Bose Music app and the QC35 II use the soon-to-be-phased-out Bose Connect app. These apps share many of the same functions, including a music player, volume slider, standby timer, battery level indicators, toggle controls, and firmware updates.

The QC45 boasts newer, more innovative features. Entering the Settings page will give you access to an important calling feature known as Self-Voice, a special mode to adjust and hear your voice more naturally on calls. It comes in handy when taking voice or video calls in loud environments. SimpleSync is the QC45’s other big feature. This lets you pair the headphones to a Bose Smart Soundbar, providing listeners with independent volume controls, so they can raise, lower or mute sound when watching TV.

Don’t think that Bose left the QC35 II hanging out to dry on exclusive features. There is Music Share to share music between two sets of Bose wireless headphones, along with the ability to swap out Action Button commands, which, again, the QC45 does not allow. That’s about it. 

Outside of the app experiences, the QC45 and QC35 II demonstrate solid wireless performance, granted they each operate on different Bluetooth versions. The QC45 runs on Bluetooth 5.1 and provides a longer range, achieving up to 50 feet of wireless listening, while the QC35 II runs on the outdated Bluetooth 4.1 and can go up to 32 feet before dropout occurs. However, the QC35 II has built-in NFC, meaning you can easily connect the headphones by tapping the back of a compatible smartphone onto the NFC logo located on the right ear cup.

Winner: Tie

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Battery life

Bose addressed the company’s biggest complaint on the QC45: battery life. ANC playtime has been increased to 24 hours, four hours more than previous Bose ANC headphones, including the flagship 700. USB-C charging was also added for faster charging. We appreciate the longer battery life, but there is one caveat, which is that you can’t disable ANC. That means the headphones will either operate in ANC or transparency mode, not allowing you to preserve power.

Battery life on the QC35 II is rated at 20 hours, which was considered standard when it launched back in 2017, but it falls short of what other high-end ANC models offer these days. Oddly enough, these headphones can get you up to 22 hours on a full charge, depending on how you use them. Furthermore, the QC35 II allows you to turn off ANC and extend playtime to 40 hours. The one big complaint that can be made is that they take micro-USB charging.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Call quality

You’re guaranteed some of the best call quality in the category, no matter the headphones. If we must choose the better calling headset, surprisingly, it’s the QC35 II. Our reason: wind resistance. It performs better in gusty conditions and does a better job of eliminating whisking effects caused by wind or speeding cars. We had a few callers compliment how crystal clear we sounded over the phone and on video chats.

Much of the same applies to the QC45. Besides its struggles with wind, these headphones produce loud and clear vocals for engaging conversations. Having the Self-Mode feature available to control how loud you hear yourself is beneficial as well.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Picture going up against a fresher, younger, and more powerful version of yourself. That’s the battle the QuietComfort 35 II faces against the QuietComfort 45, and one that it loses in noble fashion.

The QC45 gives you better noise cancellation, sound quality, and longer battery life (on a single charge). It also achieves this at a lower price point than ANC powerhouses like the Bose 700, AirPods Max Pro, and Sony WH-1000XM4. Noise cancellation and sound are elite, and advancements in connectivity (hello, Bluetooth 5.1) promise stabler wireless performance. But these headphones aren’t without their flaws, specifically the dip in call quality and inability to disable ANC mode. Even then, the overall performance is well worth the premium.

It’s amazing to see how well the QC35 II performs against newbies, harnessing ANC that puts most models without a Bose logo to shame. Sound isn’t as refined as what comes out of the QC45, but it is still top tier, delivering detailed mids and punchy lows. Comfort is excellent. Even special features like Music Share and NFC give it unique selling points when compared to newer brand offerings. As much of a fight as the QC35 II puts up, the QC45’s stronger spec sheet makes it the superior model.

For a long time, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones ruled the roost in the active noise cancelling world. However, all good things come to an end. And as we say sad goodbye to the QC 35 II, we bid a fond hello to the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones. A step below the lauded Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the QC45 are for mobile professionals and music lovers who want the Bose ANC pedigree without all the bells and whistles. However, for what amounts to a lower-than-flagship pair of headphones, the QC45 are a bit on the pricey side. Still, the Bose QuietComfort 45 have earned a spot on our best wireless headphones page for everything they bring to the table. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 pricing and availability

The Bose QuietComfort 45 are currently available for $329. It’s what you’d expect from a pair of Bose headphones as its high-end cousin, the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 headphones, cost $379. The QC45 is slightly cheaper than the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones ($349) and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition ($399). And compared to the Apple AirPods Max, which are currently on sale for $499 ($549 normally), the QC45 almost seem like a bargain.

Bose QuietComfort 45 design

The QuietComfort 45 aren’t going to win any design awards. No, that prestige goes to the Bose 700. Instead, the QC45 returns us to the reliable plastic design that kept its predecessors firmly in the dad-ware category. Bose tried to convince me that the QC45s were deserving of DILF status, coloring most of the headphones’ body in what they’re calling White Smoke. It’s nice, but it’s not doing it for me. I’d much prefer the Triple Black, but c’est la vie. 

The headphones’ arms and earcaps are made of matte plastic while the extenders are plastic, reinforced with custom cast metal. The top and bottom of the headband are lined in a supple synthetic leather with squishy strips of memory foam. The band is reinforced with glass-filled nylon to protect against falls while maintaining the shape. Both earcaps bare a semi-sparkly Bose logo on their center. Look in the caps’ interior and you’ll see either a large silver L or R to let you know the proper positioning when placing them on your head. 

The QC45 sports a fair amount of buttons housed on its earcaps. For example, you’ll find the power/pairing button centered towards the top of the right earcap just above the Bose logo. At the bottom, you’ll find the USB Type-C port and a trio of buttons –– two for volume control and one multifunction. The left cap has a 3.5-millimeter audio jack in case you want to go wired and the Action button switches between Quiet and Aware modes (more on that later). The earcups can swivel 90 degrees, allowing them to lay flat against your clavicle when not in use. They also fold upward for easy storage in its hard shell black carrying case. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 comfort

No one can ever say that Bose makes uncomfortable headphones. I wore the QuietComfort 45 for an entire workday with no ill effect. The memory foam wrapped in synthetic leather was plush, sitting comfortably against the sides of my head. The closed circumaural cups surrounded my ears in a ring of comfort. 

Weighing 8.5 ounces and measuring 7.3 x 3 x 6 inches, the QC45 are lighter than both the AirPods Pro Max (13.6 ounces, 7.4 x 6.6 x 3.3 inches) and the Sony WH-1000XM4 (8.9 ounces, 9.9 x 3 x 7.3 inches). 

Bose QuietComfort 45 setup

Getting the QuietComfort 45 ready to rock is a quick and painless process. Simply slide and hold the button to the pairing position for two seconds. The status light by the lower volume button will start flashing and a voice will instruct you to download the Bose Music app to continue the pairing process. From there, my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra received a pairing request which I approved. You can go through a quick tutorial of the app or hit skip and get to rocking out.

Bose QuietComfort 45 controls

The QuietComfort 45 aren’t as fancy as the 700, relying on old-school buttons instead of touch controls. Nevertheless, the buttons are punchy and responsive. As mentioned, the sliding power button on the right cup also acts as the pairing button. The two volume buttons serve that singular purpose while the central multifunction button performs several functions.

Play/pause is performed with a single press as is answering a phone call. A double press skips a track forward or mutes/unmutes a call while performing a triple press skips the track backward. Pressing and holding the button cues up the digital assistant and declines a call. The Action button on the left doesn’t have nearly as much to do as it just switches between Quiet and Aware modes. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 app

The free Bose Music app (Android, iOS) offers a clean interface and easy-to-navigate user interface. Upon opening the app, you see a list of all your Bose devices. Selecting the currently connected product takes you to a screen that shows you the battery status, allows you to control the volume, modes, connected devices, play/pause the track and access the tutorial. 

If you hit the Settings icon, you’re taken to another screen where you can give the headphones a nickname, set your favorite mode, enable the auto-off feature, adjust how much of your voice you can hear on a call, enable/disable voice prompts, and change the language. You can access the technical info and a quick path to any common questions you might have about the headphones in case of an issue. 

A few features are sorely missed, namely the ability to adjust the level of active noise cancellation and an equalizer. I don’t know about you, but I like twiddling around with the EQ to listen to my music the way I want. Instead of the traditional EQ, the QC45 use Bose’ proprietary Active EQ. The technology maintains its performance by adjusting the highs and lows depending on the volume. This way, listeners will have the same fidelity whether you’re listening at higher or lower volumes. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 active noise cancellation

Bose is known for its powerful, near vacuum-quality active noise cancellation technology. The QuietComfort 45 live up to the pedigree. Are they as powerful as the more expensive Bose 700? No, but they still do a pretty good job of creating a bubble of peace and quiet. 

Instead of the 10 levels of ANC the Bose 700 use, the QC45 employ two modes: Quiet and Aware. Quiet mode taps into the six mics and a proprietary chip to cancel out most noises in the mid-range frequency which is where trains, planes, loud offices and cafes tend to reside. Aware mode is basically a transparency mode and allows ambient noise to filter into the soundscape. 

I took the QC45 on a few errands with me. And as soon as I engaged Quiet mode, the world seemed to fade into the background. Without any music playing, I could hear some more intrusive sounds like a passing ambulance siren, but it sounded more like an afterthought than something moving right in front of me. Switching to Aware mode restored the familiar, urgent wail. 

When I took the QC45 back home to do some work, it successfully blocked out the low whirring from my central air system. Without any music on, the headphones muted out my LG TV when the volume was set to 11. It’s respectable, but both the Sony and the Bose 700 blocked out my television with the volume at 17. Comparing the Transparency modes, I preferred the QC45 as I heard one of my favorite guilty pleasure judge shows clearer than I did on the WH-1000XM4.

Bose QuietComfort 45 performance

As advertised, the QuietComfort 45 deliver balanced, clear audio no matter the volume from its 40mm dynamic drivers. I wouldn’t recommend pushing the volume beyond about 60% in the interest of preserving your hearing. 

To kick off my testing, I played Savannah Cristina’s “Self Love” on Tidal at Master quality. The first thing I noticed was the gentle plucking of harp strings that wove itself into the more electronic portions of the track. The vocalist’s alto adlibs that accentuated her airy soprano while the cymbals clashed were nice and sharp. 

The Sony WH-1000XM4 volume is much greater than the QC45, with the former’s 40% matching the latter’s 60%. The lows on the WH-1000XM4 were thunderous, toeing the line of submerging the rest of the instrumental. The cymbals weren’t as clean, but the vocals and harp were pristine.

My next song was the late Pop Smoke’s “Dior.” The electric violin on this song stuck out the most to me on the QC45. The rapper’s opening line was warm and inviting, almost like he was saying it right in my ear. The low-end was dynamic without becoming overbearing which allowed for a more pronounced high-hat and adlibs. 

But if I have to choose, I prefer the bass on the Sonys on this track. Is it boomy? Yep, but it gives the song an extra boost of dank that just suits the track. The electronic strings, high hats and subtle beats making up the rest of the instrumental still stand out, and Pop Smoke’s gravelly voice dominates the track. 

I closed out my test with the somber “Factory Girl.” On the QC45, I heard a fluttering banjo, accompanied by a mournful fiddle and a powerful set of drums. The artist’s rich vocal was clean enough that I heard the faint pops of her ps and ts. On the WH-1000XM4, the individual plucks of the guitar strings had a warmer timbre and the drum sounded more present in the arrangement. 

Overall, if you prefer a more precise, balanced listen, you’ll want to go with the QuietComfort 45. If you want a warmer, richer presentation, the WH-1000XM4 is the way to go. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 battery life and Bluetooth

Bose rates the QuietComfort 45 for 24 hours of battery life and I can’t debunk that claim. Out of the box, the headphones were at 60% power and after two full 8-hour workdays, listening to music, conducting meetings and finishing up The Squid Game, I still have 20% remaining. The Bose’s 24-hour estimate puts it ahead of the WH-1000XM4, AirPods Max and Bose 700.

When it’s finally time to recharge the cans, the QC4 has quick charge functionality, allowing the headphones to gain three hours of juice from a 15-minute charge. 

The QC45 are working off of Bluetooth 5.1, which has a range of 30 feet. That was enough to let me leave my Note 20 Ultra on the dining room table while I went downstairs to work out. I also managed to make it outside my building’s door without the music cutting out. 

Bose QuietComfort 45 call quality

Thanks to the myriad of mics, the QuietComfort 45 offer great call quality. I asked the customer service representative on a random Asurion call how I sounded, and she reported that I sounded nice and clear. It was the same on my end for the most part. However, there were a few instances where the call quickly dropped out.

During my second call to my mother, she reported that at first, the call sounded a bit muffled, but it quickly cleared up on her end. From there, she heard me loud and clear and didn’t hear the television blaring in the background. For me, the sound was clean enough that I could tell my mother was driving. Her voice sounded rich and full and there wasn’t a hint of distortion.

Bottom line

As the world reopens, mobile professionals are getting back on the road and they’re going to need a reliable, easy-breezy pair of headphones that sound great. The Bose QuietComfort 45 are those headphones. For $329, you get a comfy, sturdy pair of cans. They’re not the most stylish, but they bring solid active noise cancelling, great sound quality and excellent battery life to the table. And they do it without making you engage with too many tabs, buttons and dials in the companion app. 

If you’re looking for the best ANC in the business, you’ll want to go with the $379 Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 or the $349 Sony WH-1000XM4. But if you want simplicity, longevity and great audio, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is the way to go. 

Not so long ago, remote working was seen as a fad. Consequently, only a few companies provided employees with opportunities to work remotely. But this all changed when coronavirus spread throughout the world in early 2020.

In response to the global pandemic, many governments introduced stay-at-home and social distancing measures. As a result, the vast majority of businesses shifted to remote working in order to follow these rules and protect their workers. And even when the pandemic subsides, many companies will likely continue to offer employees the option to work from home due to the proven success of remote working over the past year.

Remote working is certainly more popular than ever and is made possible thanks to advancements in technology. Today, there are many products that can make your life easier as a remote worker. From laptops to wireless charging pads, we round up the best tech and accessories for remote workers.

Apple iPad Pro

Tablets are great for browsing the web, reading emails, editing documents, and conducting other work-related activities while on the move. And the best tablet PC for professionals is undeniably the iPad Pro.

Apple’s latest iPad Pro is more powerful than ever, donning the same M1 chip that powers the new iMac. It also comes with a super-bright Liquid Retina or Liquid Retina XDR display, depending on whether you select the 11-inch or 12.9-inch model.

In terms of other features, the fifth-generation iPad Pro sports two rear cameras with a LiDAR scanner and 12-megapixel front-facing camera, 4K video recording, 5G connectivity, Apple Pencil support, Face ID, a USB-C port, and more. The new iPad Pro starts at $799.

See our full iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-inch) review

Dell XPS 13

In the hybrid workplace, laptops are a must because they’re powerful and compact. But there are loads of models on the market today, so which should you choose? Our pick for the best laptop is the Dell XPS 13 (9310).

It offers everything you’d want in a high-end laptop, including a 13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel display, an 11th Gen Itel Core i7 CPU, an Intel Iris Xe GPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of onboard storage, a sleek and lightweight design, excellent battery life, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6,, and many other great features. The base model costs $1,149.

See our full Dell XPS 13 (9310, Late 2020) review

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

As a remote worker, you no doubt spend a lot of time on video calls. A great way to enhance the quality of your video calls is by investing in a top-notch webcam, and our favorite model is the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920.

What’s excellent about the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is that it offers 1080p resolution, meaning your video calls will always be crystal clear. Thanks to a 78-degree field of view, the webcam can easily capture two people on a video call. Using its software, you can turn the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 into a security camera, apply filters, change the angle, take stills, and more.

Other features provided by the C920 include HD autofocus, automatic light correction, two microphones, support for a wide range of operating systems, and many others. You can purchase it for $79.99.

See our full Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 review

Bose 700

Whether you want to listen to motivating music while you work or block out distracting sounds on a video call, buying a pair of wireless headphones is an excellent idea if you’re a remote worker.

The best pair of wireless headphones available today is the Bose 700, which offers eight different microphones, active noise cancelation, a 20-hour battery life, easy-to-use touch controls, faux leather ear cushions, a steel headband with a silicone foam under-layer, support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and many other features. You can buy the Bose 700 for $379.

See our full Bose 700 review

Lenovo Go Wireless Multi-Device Mouse

Most remote workers use multiple electrical devices, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and computers. If this sounds like you, it’s worth checking out the Lenovo Go Wireless Multi-Device Mouse.

Unlike regular mice, the Lenovo Go Wireless Multi-Device Mouse can be used with up to three devices simultaneously. This way, you won’t need to keep disconnecting and reconnecting the mouse every time you use a different device.

There’s also a handy utility button for quick meeting shortcuts, and when the mouse runs out of battery, you can either wirelessly charge it using a supported Qi charging accessory or with a USB-C lead. It retails at $59.99.

Moshi Sette Q

If you want to free space on your desk by eradicating bulky charging leads for different devices, one accessory to consider is the Moshi Sette Q dual wireless charging pad. With it, you can wirelessly charge two devices at the same time.

The Moshi Sette Q offers wireless charging of up to 15W for compatible smartphones and wireless headphones. But as it sports a USB-A port, you also have the option of charging other devices using a wire. Thanks to a sleek form factor and a stylish fabric finish, it’ll look good in all modern homes and offices. You can buy it for $99.95 on Amazon.

Ergo-Top 320 laptop stand

When you spend several hours a day working on a laptop, it’s common to experience physical pain and discomfort. But you can easily solve this issue by investing in a good laptop stand.

A great model to try out is the Ergo-Top 320 laptop stand, which is compatible with laptops with displays ranging from 14 inches to 16 inches. With the Ergo-Top 320, you can use your laptop at three different heights.

However, what sets the Ergo-Top 320 apart from other laptop stands is the fact that it’s made from compressed recycled plastic bottles. Costing £42.60, it comes in two standard colors: light grey and green.

When it comes to picking the best noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose 700 headphones rank highly for their brilliant sound quality and full-featured spec list.

Thanks to a £120 price cut, these premium cans are now the best headphones deal in Britain by a long shot! Pick them up at Amazon UK for just £229! 

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Bose 700 headphones deal

Just read our Bose 700 review and you will see why we are so excited about this deal.

The design is sleek, stylish and comfortable. The noise cancellation performance is up there as one of the best. Sound is detailed and accurate, which is what you expect from Bose hardware. We gave the Bose 700 headphones a 4.5 out of 5 stars and the Editor's Choice award cosign.

Not only that, but they sport intuitive touch controls, a powerful microphone system, and a companion app that makes the most of the premium cans over long periods of wear. At a weight of 9 ounces, Bose 700s are significantly lighter than the AirPods Max (13.6 ounces). They're slightly lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones (9.7 ounces) and heavier than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II (8.3 ounces).

Bose 700 headphones are a wise choice if top-tier noise cancellation, comfort, and sound are important to you.

Sticking to your New Year’s resolutions never sounded so good with Bose Sport Earbuds. But with this new deal, the sound quality and battery life are not the only great things about this pair of truly wireless earbuds.

Head right on over to Amazon where you can buy a pair of Bose Sport Earbuds for just $159. That’s $20 off the list price! 

• More: Best wireless earbuds
• Best cheap headphone deals 
• Bose Sport Earbuds review 

Chances are you already know Bose for great-sounding, comfortable headphones. This hasn’t changed a bit with the Sport EarBuds.

Built for the active user, these come with IPX4-rated weather and sweat resistance, three sizes of StayHear Max tips for the perfect fit, simple touch controls, long 5-hour battery life, and custom-designed Bluetooth antennas, so you don’t miss a beat.

As for audio, each bud is designed with a proprietary acoustic port and high-efficiency drivers, delivering a surprisingly wide soundstage in such a small package. 

All of this makes the Bose Sport Earbuds a great choice for anyone looking to get more exercise in 2021 — comfortable and great sounding, to help you keep focused on finishing that last mile or set.

On the lookout for a new pair of headphones? Check out our regularly-updated best headphone deals hub.

If you’re looking for noise-cancelling wireless earbuds that aren’t the AirPods Pro, there are some incredible alternatives out there such as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony WF-1000xM3.

Bose’s newest release has earned favorable reviews from top tech publications, including Laptop Magazine, and we have awarded it a 4.5 out of 5-star review and Editor’s Choice badge. Sony’s flagship earbuds have been on the market for more than a year and still rank high among audiophiles who want excellent noise neutralization and Sony sound in a tinier package.

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Both models are considered some of the best wireless earbuds money can buy, though you might want to consider one over the other based on preference and budget. Here is an in-depth look comparing the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony WF-1000xM3 to determine the better noise-cancelling solution.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Price

Bose and Sony are two brands that carry premium price tags. The WF-1000xM3 originally launched at $230, but it has seen some generous discounts over the past few months, going for as low as $178 during Prime Day and could sink further over Black Friday. This is an incredible value when looking at the spec sheet alone.

The QuietComfort Earbuds are more expensive at $280. By comparison, this is $50 higher than the standard price of Sony’s earbuds and $30 more than the AirPods Pro. Granted, those familiar with Bose products know that the high cost reflects performance, which is often superb.

All things considered, the WF-1000xM3 looks to be the more enticing purchase (if on sale) and will get you more bang for your buck.

Winner: Sony WF-1000xM3.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Specs compared

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Design

These are some heavy, bulky earbuds. Which pair are we describing? Both. We get that the large designs were necessary to house their respective high-powered circuitry (e.g. ANC, processors, sensors), but neither set of earbuds looks flattering to wear.

For argument’s sake, the WF-1000xM3 is the more attractive selection, thanks to pronounced details like the copper accents and circular touch panels. Craftsmanship is solid, so you won’t fear the buds breaking when they hit the concrete. But they do scuff easily, much like Bose’s buds. 

I do love the angled sound port, which makes sliding the buds into your ears convenient. The bundled memory foam tips also ensure the buds stay put; slippage occurs when using the gel tips. You’ll get some good comfort out of the WF-1000xM3 as well, though listeners with a low pain threshold may feel the buds weighing down their ears after an hour of listening.

The QuietComfort Earbuds seem too minimalist for their own good, lacking any pizzazz to draw in fashion-forward audiophiles. Signature design elements like the laser-printed logo and matte finish stand out, but not like the copper accents on Sony’s buds. The casing is thicker too, and can create discomfort for those with small ears. Some listeners may also feel the sound port pressing on their concha. One positive is that Bose bundles the QuietComfort Earbuds with extra sets of ear fins to establish a personalized fit.

If you want portable-friendly charging cases, look elsewhere, because Bose and Sony’s offerings are huge, heavy, and wide. Personally, I find the WF-1000xM3’s charging case sleek, plus it gives off that premium cigarette holder vibe when clutched in your hand. It also feels premium with a nice rubberized finish and a magnetic lid that shuts securely and keeps the buds docked.

There’s isn’t much to gaze at with the QuietComfort Earbuds charging case. It’s one big hunk of plastic with a push-button on the front to open the lid and a Bluetooth button in the middle for manual pairing. The latter is much appreciated for connectivity, though the case’s overall design is just encumbering.

Winner: Draw.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Controls

Tap gestures and motion detection make up the controls of both models. The end results aren’t pretty on either set of earbuds, but Bose makes playback and call management more tolerable.

The QuietComfort Earbuds’ touch panels aren’t visible like on the WF-1000xM3, but they’re responsive. Most of the controls are programmed on the right earbud (play/pause, answer/end call, digital assistant support), while the left earbud lets you skip a track/hear battery levels or cycle enable ANC. You can only perform these actions through two-tap gestures or a long press. Why no single- or triple-tap gestures? Who knows, but we’re not too fond of the decision. 

Sony makes the touch panel on the WF-1000xM3 more visible, as indicated by the protruding circle on the front. There are also more controls programmed into the buds. Unfortunately, the touch gestures work poorly, with the sensors either misinterpreting commands or not registering taps at all.

On-ear detection is more accurate on the QuietComfort Earbuds, though there is some noticeable lag (a 2-second delay) when removing or placing the buds on your ears. The feature works only half the time on the WF-1000xM3. 

As for digital assistant support, you’ll be able to shoot off verbal inquiries without a hitch on either pair of buds. Siri and Google Assistant are available on the two models and operate smoothly, demonstrating great speech recognition to execute spoken commands. The WF-1000xM3 is compatible with Alexa, but the QuietComfort Earbuds grants access to Bixby and Cortana (if there are any Microsoft nerds that still use it) and have the stronger mic system.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Active noise cancellation

For noise cancellation in true wireless form, it doesn’t get any better than these two models. Expect top-tier ANC from both of these products. However, Bose did something we thought was unimaginable by giving the QuietComfort Earbuds similar noise-cancelling performance to the industry-leading Bose 700 headphones, which is an engineering feat.

There are 10 levels of noise cancellation that can be manually adjusted, the highest level (10) blocks out external sounds across the frequency spectrum. Many times, I felt completely immersed in whatever I had playing on my MacBook Pro, be it a Spotify playlist or Netflix show, and was unbothered by the multiple disruptions taking place in the house. This included multiple front-door deliveries, some smoothie-blender action, and the landscaper leaf-blowing the front yard. Bose even engineered the feature to blend in with Transparency Mode, making ambient noises more distinctive.

I won’t say the QuietComfort Earbuds are as effective as the Bose 700 because that isn’t true. The latter is better equipped to deal with multiple high-frequency sounds, especially when they’re occurring all at once. At the same time, there’s no denying the buds’ noise neutralizing capabilities, especially knowing they carry half as many mics as their headphone counterpart.

Before the QuietComfort Earbuds came along, the WF-1000xM3 was the ANC model to beat, in the category, that is. This may no longer be the case, but Sony’s model is still an elite performer that silences environmental fracas better than any pair of buds not brandishing the Bose logo. 

The QN1e chip, which creates an inverted sound wave to neutralize background noise, is powerful and does a superb job of muting common distractions (e.g. keyboard clatter, rowdy subway passengers), along with street-level sounds like truck horns and whisking cars. Louder noises like police sirens and construction tools make their way onto the soundstage, which is less the case on the QuietComfort Earbuds.

The Transparency Mode on each model works well, letting you control the amount of external noise you want to hear. It comes in handy for those who want complete awareness of their surroundings or to communicate clearly during brief encounters without removing the buds. Bose’s version is superior due to the company’s powerful mic array, which makes ambient noise sound more natural.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Audio quality

There are maybe one or two models that can match the WF-1000xM3’s sonic prowess, and the QuietComfort Earbuds isn’t one of them. That’s not to say Bose’s buds aren’t of quality. Sony just has more firepower underneath the hood, in particular, the QN1e chip, which creates a boom-bastic soundstage with clean mids and highs, and upscales compressed files to treat listeners with hi-res audio.

Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration” evoked good vibes on the WF-1000xM3, reproducing the track’s upbeat production with finesse. Percussive elements like the bass drum and cymbals are accentuated, feeding your ears extra oomph minus any distortion. The results are even grander on bass-heavy compositions like The Dream’s “Rockin’ That Sh*t,” which swarms in 808s and synth effects that overshadow the singer’s vocals. At least that’s what you hear on other earbuds, but not these. The WF-1000xM3 opens up the soundstage for Mr. Nash’s harmonies to shine over an emphatic, clear-sounding bassline.

The QuietComfort Earbuds use a similar frequency curve to the Bose 700, with Bose employing its Active EQ technology and proprietary drivers to pump out warm, pleasant audio. You get the best feel for this on orchestral recordings; my personal recommendation is Jazz records. Ahmad Jamal’s “The Awakening” is a serene listen that highlights the melodic double bass and piano play beautifully, along with background instruments like the hi-hat, showcasing how well the buds capture subtle nuances. However, Bose’s signature gets a bit overzealous with the low end, hindering clarity on certain songs. D’Angelo’s “Devil’s Pie” doesn’t hold back on the boom-bap-ness that every ‘90s hip-hop fan savors, but there are moments where heavy thumps veil the mids, making it difficult to hear verses clearly.

Turning ANC on will give both models a slight boost in bass. At the same time, you can turn it off and enjoy great passive isolation on either set of buds. Bose and Sony’s ear tips create tight seals around your ears, so you’ll be able to hear music in full.

Winner: Sony WF-1000xM3.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: App and special features

The Sony Headphones Connect app is awesome and gives you a plethora of features to play with. It starts with the built-in EQ that you can either set to one of 9 different presets, which lend themselves well to specific content (e.g. music, movies, podcasts), or tweak manually to create your own sound profile. There is even a Sound Quality mode to prioritize between sound or connectivity; the latter is recommended when dropout occurs consistently.

You should definitely check out Adaptive Sound Control. It works with the acceleration sensor on your smartphone to automatically switch between ANC and Transparency Mode based on four behavioral patterns: Staying, Walking, Running, and Transport. The feature can even learn and save your most frequent locations. Ideally, listeners will want full control of ANC or Transparency Mode, but Adaptive Sound Control does the leg work for you and will automatically enable ambient listening when entering settings that require it. How innovative.

There are other standard features available, including battery level indicators for each bud and the charging case, playback controls, numerous toggles, and a slider to adjust 20 levels of ambient sound.

The Bose Connect app looks clean and has its own set of useful tricks, but they’re limited. You can manually adjust noise cancellation via a slider and set your three favorite ANC levels to cycle through directly on the buds. There is also the option to assign a shortcut (e.g. battery level indicator, skip forward) for the left earbud. Other notables include toggle controls for on-ear detection, voice assistance, and voice prompts. Self Voice is the feature that stands out most, so you can manage how loud you sound on phone calls.

Unfortunately, Bose chose to keep two features exclusive to the Bose 700: Auto-Off and the adjustable EQ to fine-tune bass, mids or treble. This would have definitely enhanced the sound on the QuietComfort Earbuds.

Winner: Sony WF-1000xM3.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Battery life and charging case

Sony’s in-ear monitors not only generate longer playtimes, but they also come programmed with better battery management. A full charge is advertised at 6 hours, but it’s really more like 5.5 hours when factoring in Spotify listening, high volume, and ANC; turning off ANC gives you 7.5 hours. The companion app has an Automatic Power Off function that places the buds in sleep mode when inactive to preserve battery life and there is a Power Off button on the home screen if you want another way to turn off the headphones. 

Bose’s earbuds share the same playtime (5.5 hours) on a single charge, though there is no option to turn off ANC. This is where quick charging is clutch, getting you 2 hours on a 15-minute charge, but the WF-1000xM3 isn’t that far behind with a 10-minute charge equaling 1.5 hours of playtime.

You would think the larger charging case boasts more portable power, yet Bose proves this theory wrong, with the QuietComfort Earbuds case holding only 18 hours (3 extra charges). This is lower than any of the AirPods cases and the WF-1000xM3’s case (24 hours). The one plus about the QuietComfort Earbuds is that they support wireless charging, meaning you can juice them up cable-free by placing the charging case atop any Qi-certified wireless charger.

Winner: Sony WF-1000xM3.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000xM3: Call quality and connectivity

This is the one category where Bose crushes Sony, as the QuietComfort Earbuds are universally recognized as the best calling headset in the category. Everyone I spoke with complimented how loud and clear I sounded, even in drafty settings, which is a testament to how great wind resistance is on these buds. I was surprised by the clarity and crispness that was present on each call, which made Zoom chats more fun.

Refrain from making calls on the WF-1000xM3 because the mics do a poor job of blocking out distractions. My wife could immediately tell when I was talking outside and picked up on several noises, especially wind, which created an unpleasant blustering noise. Some of the other complaints shared were that my voice sounded low, muffled, and cut out several times.

Bluetooth 5.1 gives the QuietComfort Earbuds an edge on the wireless front. Pairing to devices was automatic and the buds provided a steady wireless range (35 feet) to stream music several feet away from my audio source. Getting the WF-1000xM3 to re-connect with devices or access the app became common hassles due to some bugs. NFC was convenient for tap-to-pair functionality with Android devices, but the Bluetooth button on the QuietComfort Earbuds’ case was the more reliable option for instantaneous pairing.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Per category, you can see the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are the more evenly balanced option and superior noise-cancelling solution. Bose did a killer job implementing its ANC circuitry into such a compact design, nearly replicating the noise-cancelling capabilities of its flagship headphones. The only thing more impressive is call quality, which the AirPods Pro can’t even match, and that’s a pretty high standard. Toss great sound, strong connectivity, and wireless charging into the mix, and Bose’s latest creation is the clear winner.

For a model that has been on the market over a year, it’s still shocking to see how well the Sony WF-1000xM3 performs as a noise-canceller. These buds helped set the standard for ANC on truly wireless earbuds, and it remains precedent by the amount of ambient sound they keep out. Audio is the model’s greatest strength, delivering strong, energetic sound that can be customized through Sony’s app, though everything sounds great right out of the box. All of the extra features are a strong sell as well.

You would be remiss to pass up the WF-1000xM3 when on sale, especially if sold for under $200. But if money is no object and you want category-leading noise cancellation, you’ll want to spend the extra bucks on the QuietComfort Earbuds.

Let me preface this by saying, I hate cardio. I hate it with the fire of 1,000 suns. But since I can stand to lose some weight, I’m on a fitness journey and the Bose Sport Earbuds are just in time to audition to be my workout buds. At $179, they’re colorful, durable and sound great. Plus, they're incredibly comfortable.

The battery life could be longer, but if you're looking for a pair of sport earbuds that don't skimp on music chops, the Bose Sport Earbuds are the way to go.

Bose Sport Earbuds pricing and configurations

The Bose Sport Earbuds are available for $179.95. There aren’t any other configurations available, but the buds are available in an array of colors you’d associate with Bose. There’s Glacier White with neon yellow highlights, Baltic Blue and the more traditional Triple Black.

Bose Sport Earbuds design

These are the most colorful Bose I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. The Baltic Blue is like a dark turquoise and from the charging case to the buds, it’s absolutely gorgeous. But man Bose, you’ve got to work on your sizing. True, compared to their noise cancelling cousins, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (1.5 x 1 x 1.1 inches, the 0.3 ounces), the 0.2 ounces, 0.7 x 1.1 x 0.8-inch Sport Earbuds seem reasonable, but compared to something like the AirPods Pro, (0.2 ounces, 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.7 inches), they’re a bit chunky. 

And where the Bose QC charging case is one of the widest I’ve ever seen at 3.5 x 2 x 1.3 inches (and 2.7 ounces), the Sport Earbuds case is definitely the longest, at 3.5 x 2 x 1.3 inches. They make the Galaxy Buds Plus’ (1.4 ounces, 1.5 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches) pill-shaped case look dainty in comparison. 

Thankfully, the Sport Earbuds are seriously pretty. The front of the buds are made of matte Baltic Blue plastic and have Bose stamped on the capsule-like shell in dark gray. The rear of the housing is also Baltic Blue but made from a shiny plastic. You’ll find gold-colored charging connectors along with a sensor to detect when you remove the earbud from your ear and small vents for the microphones. 

As for the case, the exterior is made from the same blue matte plastic material found on the earbuds. The top has Bose’s emblem on the top and a USB Type-C charging port in the rear. In the front is the locking clasp and five battery indicator lights. Pop the case open and you get a glossy Baltic Blue interior with grooves for the earbuds with a pairing button in between.

Since these are made for working out and all manner of vigorous activities, the Bose Sport Earbuds are IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance. I really want Bose to take the next step and make them full-out waterproof for the swimmers out there. 

The Sport Earbuds ship with three extra pairs of silicone eartips and a 12-inch USB Type-C cable for charging.

Bose Sport Earbuds comfort

It’s like these were made for my especially tiny ears. Normally, I have to swap out eartips when I get a new pair of earbuds. Not here. The default StayHear Max silicone eartips just melded with the folds of my outer ear and ear canal. 

Similar to most wireless buds, you put the Sport Earbuds in by rotating them into place. The StayHear Max eartips tuck comfortably against your concha. It creates a nice, tight seal that lends a measure of passive noise isolation to the earbuds, which, for a pair of non noise-cancelling earbuds, is really important. 

That tight seal also ensures a secure fit. I endured 30 minutes on my BowFlex Max Trainer every day for the past week. And through all the swears, sweat and positive reinforcement from my virtual trainer, the buds stayed in place and looked none the worse for wear. They even maintained their position after I dramatically flopped on the floor for my final round of sit ups for the day.

The Sport Earbuds are some of the most comfortable in-ears I’ve had the pleasure of wearing. 

Bose Sport Earbuds controls

Similar to the QC Earbuds, the Sport Earbuds are controlled via a series of taps on its capacitive touch panels. The majority of the controls are located in the right earbud. So a double-tap on the right earbud will play/pause whatever you’re listening to or to answer/end a call. To decline a call, you press and hold the right bud. That’s also how you activate your device’s digital assistant. 

If you want to skip a track, just touch and hold the left earbud. However, you can also switch it so you can hear the battery level instead. You just have to change the shortcut functionality in the app (more on that later).

Bose Sport Earbuds setup

Pairing the Sport Earbuds to a mobile device is a straightforward task. Once I opened the charging case’s lid, the buds immediately went into pair mode. Placing them in my ears, I was treated to a rather triumphant song before I heard the "ready to pair" prompt. But once it was ready, I went to the Bluetooth menu on my Samsung Galaxy Note 8, selected the buds and voila, I was ready (albeit not necessarily willing) to cue up my workout playlist and exercise. 

To use the buds with the Bose Music app, you have to pair them a second time. Only now, you’ll have to hold down the pairing button in the case for several seconds to initiate the process. From there, it takes about 10 seconds for the app to recognize your earbuds, but when it does, you’ll gain access to all of the app features. 

Bose Sport Earbuds app

Like the other headphones and earbuds in its lineup, the Bose Sport Earbuds work in tandem with the free Bose Music app (Android, iOS). When the app is connected to the earbuds, you can check out the battery status, adjust the volume level, change the earbuds’ name and check out a tutorial, among other things. You can also control whatever you’re listening to. But without the QC Earbuds' talented microphones, you lose out on the ability to set the active noise cancelling levels or the volume of your voice on a call.

The app has a clean design and an easy-to-navigate interface. I just wish Bose had the foresight to add a Find My Earbuds feature like the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds Live, and an equalizer is another nice feature to have. 

Bose Sport Earbuds passive noise isolation

Instead of the QC Earbuds’ trio of powerful mics to keep the outside at bay, the Sport Earbuds rely on the tight seal of the StayHear Max silicone eartips. And I get it, for those folks who like to exercise outdoors, you want to hear ambient noise to stay abreast of your surroundings. Hell, it even makes sense if you’re navigating the busy New York City streets as I do. But if I have to choose, give me ANC, please. 

So the eartips definitely muffle outside noise to a certain degree. Sitting in front of my LG TV with no music playing, the earbuds could only block out Rocko’s Modern Life when I lowered the volume to 5. When I played music, the threshold rose to 30. When I went for my daily walk, I was privy to NYC’s unique soundtrack, from someone trying to haggle down the price of a pack of masks to an uncomfortably loud phone conversation and the train passing overhead. 

When the outside world got to be too much, I drowned it out with Colin Lucas’s “Dollar Wine” and proceeded to shake my dollar, dollar, dollar down the street. 

Bose Sport Earbuds audio quality

They aren’t noise-cancelling, but they’re still Bose. Like the QC Earbuds, the Sport use Bose’s proprietary drivers and the company’s Active EQ, which electronically tunes the frequency curve to come as close to the 700’s curve as possible. The result is warm, relatively balanced audio with rich bass and a generous soundscape. As such, the Bose Sport Earbuds still pack a punch in the audio department. I found this out first hand as I listened to the Master of Tank and The Bangas' "Self Care" on Tidal. 

I was hit with some big bass, its largesse was to the point of almost being unrestrained. But the Sport Earbuds managed to keep it in check so I could enjoy the flute and the guitar on the instrumental. The lead singer's leisurely vocals oozed on the track demanding your attention. The AirPods Pro gave a similar performance, but I was surprised when the AirPods had the more restrained low end.

On H.E.R.'s "Focus," the harp sounded heavenly as it faded in punctuated by a sharp snare. And while the soundscape was large enough that I could concentrate on the subtle alto below the singer's crisp soprano, creating a beautifully subtle harmony, here the bass was too boomy, making for a diffused sound. Once again, the AirPods Pro delivered the better bass, but the arpeggios were cleaner on the Bose.

An organ, robust horn section and a lively guitar, it all comes together in some profane religiosity on Prince's "Sexy M.F." The jam sounded great on the Sport Earbuds. Especially when the artist slyly sang the title of the song. The AirPods Pro presentation sounded distant and the horns were somewhat scratchy. And when Prince sang the chorus, it sounded like he was far away instead of in my ear like a coquettish seducer.

Bose Sport Earbuds battery life and Bluetooth

Despite not having all the bells and whistles of its cousin, the Bose Sport Earbuds only have an estimated battery life of 5 hours –– an hour shorter than the QC Earbuds. But the Sport Earbuds lived up to the hype, surviving an hour workout session, several meetings and calls, and listening to music for 4:49 minutes before needing a recharge. That time is on a par with the AirPods Pro, which lasted 4.5 hours. However, Sony’s sport earbuds, the WF-SP800N, have an estimated battery life of 9 hours. 

The charging case delivers 2 hours of charge in 15 minutes. You can expect two additional charges from the case, effectively extending the buds’ battery life to 15 hours. 

The Bose Sport Earbuds are Bluetooth 5.1 compatible, which has an approximate range of 30 feet. That allowed me to leave my phone in the living room when I went to the backyard to check on my brisket. There was some stuttering in the connection during the first few seconds I started tending to the grill, but it quickly righted the ship. I also went downstairs into my office and had an uninterrupted listening experience. The connection only cut out once I actually left my apartment building. 

If you’ve connected the buds to a variety of devices, you can switch between them using the app. 

Bose Sport Earbuds call quality

Again, they don’t have all the mics I want, but thanks to its beamforming mics, everyone I spoke to using the Bose Sport Earbuds, whether it was over video chat or smartphone, had no complaints. When I jumped on my morning meeting call with the Laptop Mag team, everyone said my voice was loud and clear. There were a few criticisms, however, with one colleague saying I sounded a bit sharp while another said it was a bit tinny. But most people didn’t realize I was using a pair of buds unless I said something. 

Things sounded great on my end. I heard my colleagues’ voices as clear as I was using my MacBook Pro’s speakers. And when I called my brother, we had a Bose-off, comparing his QC Earbuds to my Sports Buds. There was definitely more detail on his end and he reported hearing a passing ambulance pretty clearly when I was walking around the neighborhood. 

Bottom line

As I continue on the strenuous fitness journey, I'll need a pair of earbuds to keep me supplied with motivating tunes. The Bose Sport Earbuds are my new go-to. For $179.95, you get a pair of truly wireless earbuds that aren't overly sporty, providing water and sweat resistance and a seriously comfy fit. And true to form, they sound great, whether you're listening to music or taking a call. Plus, you get the slick Bose Music app.

True, the battery life can and should be better since there's no active noise cancelling. If longevity's your thing, consider the $148 Sony WF-SP800 earbuds, which offer an estimated 9 hours of battery life. But if you want the almost total package, the Bose Sport Earbuds are an excellent choice.

 
The champ is here. Using a mix of technical and audio wizardry, Bose managed to shrink everything I love about the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and put them into a pair of truly wireless earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($279) deliver the same excellent adjustable active noise cancelling technology, simple touch interface and great audio quality as their over-ear brethren. But unlike the 700, the QuietComfortEarbuds offer sweat resistance in case you want to go for a jog.

Yes, they are rather big for a pair of earbuds and have a massive charging case to match. And the 6 hours of battery life might give some music lovers pause. But these are things you’ll overlook when you pop them in your ear and alternate between rich, balanced audio and near silence. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds has more than earned its way onto our Best Wireless Headphones and Best Wireless Earbuds pages.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds pricing and configurations

There’s only one model of the QuietComfort Earbuds available and it’s priced at $279.99 However, the earbuds are available in two colors: Triple Black and Soapstone, which is like a light gray.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds design

Damn, these are some big earbuds! No seriously, measuring 1.5 x 1 x 1.1 inches, the 0.3-ounce QuietComfort Earbuds are bigger than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live (0.2 ounces, 1.1 x 0.6 x 0.6 inches) and AirPods Pro (0.2 ounces, 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.7 inches). And the case is absolutely massive, at 2.7 ounces, 3.5 x 2 x 1.3 inches. It simply eclipses the Galaxy Buds (1.5 ounces, 2 x 2 x 1.1 inches) and AirPods Pro’s (1.6 ounces, 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches) cases.

But don’t equate big with ugly. On the contrary, like most Bose products, the QuietComfort Earbuds are modern and sophisticated. The front of the buds are made of a pearlescent white plastic with Bose written in gray. The earbuds rear housing is a glossy white plastic, while the bottom has two rows of vents for microphones. The portion of the earbuds that reside in your ear canal have a pair of black IR sensors to detect when you take the buds out of your ears. And at the very top is the grille. A pair of gold connectors sit towards the back of the earbuds to secure the buds in place when put inside the charging case. 

The QC Earbuds are IPX4 rated, which means the buds are sweat-resistant and can withstand a light rain.

The charging case is made of matte light gray plastic with rounded corners. The lid is stamped with a dark gray Bose logo. A button positioned at the center front of the case acts as a clasp that must be pressed to gain access to the interior. Five battery status lights reside just below the button and light up when the case is opened to let you know how much battery life is left.

The bottom interior of the case is made of glossy gray plastic and features a Bluetooth pairing button in between the two indentations for the earbuds. The interior of the lid is made from a soft touch material that I really wish Bose used on the exterior. At the rear of the case you’ll find the USB Type-C charging port. 

Bose ships the buds with three additional pairs of silicone eartips and a 12-inch USB Type-C cable for charging.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds comfort

Since the QuietComfort Earbuds are so big, I was a little worried about how they’d fit in my weirdly small ears. And I was right to worry at first. The default StayHear Max silicone eartips that the Bose shipped with put serious pressure on the entrance to my ear canal. But a quick switch to the smallest tips in the box allowed me to comfortably wear the earbuds for two hours.

Like most wireless buds, you secure the QuietComfort Earbuds by rotating them into place in your ear. The StayHear Max eartips tuck comfortably into the fold made by your concha. Not only does the silicone create a nice, tight seal that lends a measure of passive noise isolation to the earbuds, but it also makes for a secure fit with the StayHear Max. I endured 30 minutes on my BowFlex Max Trainer, and even though I was sweating buckets while the trainer pushed me to go harder, the buds stayed firmly in place.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds setup

Pairing the QuietComfort Earbuds to a mobile device is quick and straightforward. Once I opened the charging case’s lid, the buds immediately went into pair mode. From there, I went to the Bluetooth menu on my Samsung Galaxy Note 8, selected the buds and voila, I was ready to rock and roll. 

In order to use the earbuds with the Bose Music app, you have to pair the earphones a second time. Only this time, you’ll have to hold down the pairing button in the case for several seconds to initiate the process. From there, it takes about 10 seconds for the app to recognize your earbuds, but when it does you’ll gain access to all of the app features. 

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds controls

With a surface that large, it’s no surprise the Bose earbuds have integrated touch panels. What was surprising is the fact that it’s a tap-based system -- not a swipe to be seen. Most of the controls are located in the right earbud. So a double-tap on the right earbud will play/pause whatever you’re listening to or to answer/end a call. To decline a call, you press and hold the right bud. That functionality is also how you activate your device’s digital assistant.

If you want to skip a track, you touch and hold the left earbud. However, you can also switch it so you can hear the battery level instead. You just have to switch the functionality in the app. The left bud is also where you adjust your noise cancellation levels. A double tap allows you to cycle through your Favorites settings, which are by default set to 10, 5 and 0. This can be adjusted in the app.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds app

Just like the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the QuietComfort Earbuds use the free Bose Music app (Android, iOS) as its companion app. When the app is connected to the earbuds, you can check out the battery status, adjust the noise cancellation level, change the earbuds’ name and check out a tutorial, among other things. You can also control whatever you’re listening to and set how much of your own voice you can hear on a phone call. 

The app has a clean design and an easy-to-navigate interface. I just wish that Bose had the foresight to add a Find My Earbuds feature like the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds Live, and an equalizer is another nice to have.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds noise cancelling

I don’t know how they did it, but they did it. When Bose said the QuietComfort Earbuds would have the same quality active noise cancelling you get with the 700 headphones, I chuckled. To date, it’s just been a brass ring, but Bose has seemingly made the impossible possible and with half the microphones.

Where the 700 has eight integrated microphones, the QuietComfort Earbuds have only three microphones in each earbud. One mic is dedicated to cancelling out noise while another focuses on picking up your voice during calls or summoning the digital assistant. The third microphone pulls double duty and switches between the two as necessary. In practice, the earbuds are almost as good as their over-ear counterparts. They put an immediate damper on the hustle and bustle of my Brooklyn, NY neighborhood.

With no music playing, I could barely make out what song the car cruising down the street was playing and what was probably meant to be an angry car honk instead sounded like a gentle bleating. It even managed to nearly drown out my boyfriend’s loud phone conversation. When I tested the earbuds inside, they silenced my LG TV with the volume set to 15, which is slightly below what the 700 headphones were able to block out, at 17. 

Best of all, the buds did it without any harsh white noise that typically comes from the microphones pumping negative noise to cancel out ambient distractions. 

Similar to most truly wireless earbuds on the market, the Bose also features a transparency mode. You can activate by double tapping the left earbud or by removing one of the earbuds. It really comes in handy when you want to be aware of your surroundings and still listen to music. For instance, I jumped on a work call and proceeded to bop my head to Digital Underground’s “Doowutchyalike” at approximately 40% volume while discussing article edits. 

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds audio quality

Surely you weren’t expecting a Bose audio product to have bad audio quality. If that’s the case, prepare to be disappointed. The QuietComfort Earbuds use Bose’s proprietary drivers and the company’s Active EQ, which electronically tunes the frequency curve to come as close to the 700’s curve as possible. The result is warm, relatively balanced audio with rich bass and a generous soundscape. 

At least that’s what I heard when I listened to the Master version of Ari Lennox’s “Chocolate Pomegranate” on Tidal. The pleasantly distorted sound of the Electric Wind Instrument was punctuated by crisp cymbals and deep bass. Lennox’s vocal was sultry and lush, like acoustic velvet. I heard a similar performance on the AirPods Pro, except towards the end of the song when the track is submerged, giving way to a trumpet. I found that details were a little fuzzier on the AirPods than on the QuietComfort Earbuds.

For my next track, I went with the Mastered version of Black Thought’s “Good Morning” and was immediately awash in dank bass and gritty horns. Black Thought and the rest of the guest rappers on the track came through loud and clear, serving up serious bars. The horns and bass on the AirPods Pro was more diffused and almost had a monotone quality against the siren in the background. The vocals from the featured artists were fine, but those instrumentals were a bit of a distraction. 

I wrapped up my testing session with “Children’s Song No. 10 (Live in Paris/2018)” by Chick Corea. The piano was playful and lively on the Bose and was so clear I could just make out the hammers hitting the strings and the ever-so-slight reverb. And while the AirPods Pro came close to matching their rivals, some of those finer details I heard on the Bose were lacking.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds battery life and Bluetooth

Bose has given the QuietComfort Earbuds an estimated battery life of 6 hours with Noise Cancellation turned up to the max. I wore the QuietComfort Earbuds while working, jumping on video calls, watching a few movie trailers and, of course, listening to music. I got the low battery indicator after about 5 hours and 49 minutes.

After popping the earbuds into their case for 15 minutes, the quick charge took the buds from 5% to 40%, which is roughly 2 hours worth of battery. The case can deliver 2 additional charges of 6 hours each, bringing the total battery life up to 18 hours. That’s shorter than the AirPods Pro’s 24 hours, but the QuietComfort Earbuds lasts longer out of the case (6 hours vs. 5 hours). 

The QuietComfort Earbuds use Bluetooth 5.1, which has an approximate range of 30 feet, allowing me to leave my phone in the living room when I went to the backyard to check on the grill. There was a little sputter in the connection, but it quickly straightened itself out. I could also go downstairs into my office and still listen to music. The connection only cut out once I actually left my apartment building. 

If you’ve connected the buds to a variety of devices, you can switch between them using the app.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds call quality

Thanks to those magical microphones, the QuietComfort Earbuds delivers crisp, clean audio quality when on a call. During testing, I sat on three work video calls. My colleagues’ voices came through loud and clear as if I was using my MacBook Pro’s speakers. Some of my coworkers couldn’t tell that I was talking to them through a pair of earbuds, while others could tell immediately and said the experience was better than okay. 

I also made some calls as I ran some errands. My mom couldn’t tell that I was on a pair of headphones or even outside until a train passed overhead. And since the earbuds do such a great job of blocking out ambient noise, I never had to strain to hear her voice over the usual New York City din.

Bottom line

Bose thought small and it paid off big. The company managed to gather all of the winning qualities of its flagship headphones, shrink them down and put them in a pair of truly wireless earbuds. All of this without sacrificing the audio quality and gold-standard active noise cancelling we’ve come to expect from the brand. 

That stated, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are a truly wireless revelation. For $279, you get a pair of earbuds that are ounce for ounce as good as its headphone version. The noise cancelling is as excellent as the audio quality, and the touch controls are easy to learn. They are huge for wireless earbuds, rivalling the Microsoft Surface Earbuds, and the battery life could be better (particularly the charging case). But for those searching for Bose-quality sound and ANC in a tiny package, you can’t beat the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

AirPods Pro...where? Bose, the gold standard in active noise-cancelling headphones is coming for the truly wireless earbuds market with its new QC Earbuds. Oh, you need something for the gym? Bose is also launching its Sports Earbuds. 

Both will be available on September 29 with the Bose QC Earbuds and Sport Earbuds costing $279 and $179, respectively. Preorders open today in case you want to secure a pair before the holiday rush.

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Meet the QC Buds

Despite being only an inch long and weighing 0.3 ounces, Bose claims it’s managed to cram plenty of the company’s proprietary technology into the minuscule casing. What Bose is claiming definitely gives me pause, a cautiously optimistic pause, but a pause nonetheless. 

The company says the QC Buds will have the same level of ANC power as its headphones. Like Bose 700 headphones, the buds have multiple mics, some are there to capture your voice when you’re talking on the phone or issuing voice commands. The rest work to eliminate ambient noise by pumping in a negative sound wave by way of a proprietary chip and algorithm. 

The Buds have 11 levels of noise cancelling, one more than the 700s, so I’m definitely itching to get these in my earholes sooner than later. And of course, there’s a Transparency Mode for when you need to be more aware of your surroundings. 

In terms of battery life, Bose is claiming 6 hours of battery life with an additional 12 hours from the charging case. In total, the 18 hours is short of the AirPods, which doles out 24 hours of battery life with the charging case. But we’ll have to put the battery life to the test.

Still, as good as the QC Buds very well may be, $279 is a lot to ask when the AirPods Pro cost $249. 

Bose gets sporty

With gyms starting to reopen in certain areas and more people getting their exercise by walking or jogging outside, Bose has its new Sport Earbuds. They don’t have what might be the QC Buds best-in-class ANC, but what they do have is an ultra-secure fit and IPX4 rating (water and sweat resistance). 

That means whether you’re on the rowing machine or lifting weights, the earbuds will stay in place, at least according to Bose. They also come in more vibrant colors than their ANC brethren, including Baltic Blue, Triple Black and Glacier White.

So, how do the Sport Earbuds stay so securely in your ears? Bose has something called its StayHear Max Tip eartips, which look to be an elongated wingtip. It should fit comfortably into the curve of your external ear. And as someone who’s embarking on a fitness journey, I’m looking forward to testing out the Sports Earbuds. 

The Sport Earbuds are estimated to last 5 hours on a charge with 10 hours of additional charge via its charging case. 

Bottom line

Bose is not playing any games. With the QC Earbuds, the company is promising to bring its stellar ANC technology to an incredibly small casing. It seems the goal here is to not only surpass the likes of the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3 but to match the 700s, the company’s flagship product. 

At $279, I hope Bose can live up to the hype, especially since that price makes it one of the most expensive truly wireless earbuds on the market. To find out how the Bose QC and Sports Earbuds stack up to the competition, stay tuned for the review. 

Shhh! Can you hear that? Probably not since this is a battle between wireless noise cancelling headphone heavyweights. In one corner, you have the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the gold standard when it comes to blocking out the outside world and creating a silenced nirvana. Not only do the 700s deliver world-class ANC, but you also get accurate, balanced audio, a modern, yet elegant design and some of the best call quality in the business.

But before you go and hand Bose the victory, consider the Sony WH-1000xM4 headphones. The latest update to Sony’s flagship ANC headphones addresses its predecessor’s biggest complaint –– the call quality. With that out of its way, you have what’s probably the smartest headphone on the market. By way of its app, the xM4 delivers scores of audio customization including 360-degree audio and a rather deep equalizer. And Sony’s no slouch in the ANC category, either, creating a noise-free bubble to rival Bose. Plus, you’ve got some seriously powerful audio that’s warm and dynamic. 

In a battle of ANC headphones, one set of cans will hear the sweet sound of victory while the other will gnash their teeth in the discordant din of defeat. So who’s it going to be? Read on to find out.

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 pricing and availability

The Bose has been on the market for a while and as such, there’s been a price drop. It’s a small one, but a price drop nonetheless.

The 700 are currently available on Amazon for $339.95 on Amazon for the Triple Black and Silver Luxe version of the cans. However, the Artic White variation that features a pop of Rose Gold is only $299.95. 

The 1000xM4 is only a few dollars more than the Bose, at $349, and currently comes in two color variants: Black and Champagne Gold.

Winner: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 design and comfort

I’m not ashamed to call the 700 DILF-ware. Made of black stainless steel that bisects the middle of the plastic ear cups, my review unit is seriously modern. The headband is made of a soft-touch plastic that houses a bit of Bose's proprietary foam and is designed to evenly distribute the weight. You can adjust the fit by sliding the ear cups up or down instead of manipulating the band. This takes a bit of getting used to, but the overall movement is seamless.

Several buttons located along the ear cups help alleviate the need to touch your connected device. The left cup has the adjustable noise-cancellation button, while the right cup has toggles for Power/Bluetooth and launching your digital assistant. The right cup has a capacitive-touch panel so you don’t have to go searching for your smartphone or tablet.

Sony didn’t mess with the 1000xM4’s design too much, which means my review unit is still rocking that black frame. But it’s those small copper accents that make the difference –– especially with the Sony badges stamped on both sides of the yolks. Most of the headphones’ frame is made of plastic while the headband and earcups are made from memory foam covered in black leatherette and the extenders are made of metal. However, there are some slight changes, such as the earpads, which are 10% bigger than their predecessor’s while the headband is somewhat slimmer. 

The WH-1000xM4 has a similar button and port placement as its predecessor, with the USB Type-C charging port under the right earcup. The Power and Custom buttons are located on the underside of the left cup while the audio jack and the NFC chip are embedded in the left earcup and the motion sensor sits on the interior. 

The xM4 weighs 8.9 ounces, which is just a little lighter than the Bose 700 (9 ounces). It’s not much of a difference on paper, but holding both cans, the Bose does feel slightly heavier. It really didn’t play into actual wear as I’ve worn both pairs of headphones comfortably for 8 hours. But I do prefer the 1000xM4 as those larger earcups provide a bigger pillowy surface to rest against my head.

Winner: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 controls

The xM4’s touch controls are embedded in the right earcup. The functions are fairly straight forward as upward/downward strokes adjust the volume while a right/left swipe skips tracks. Double tapping the center of the cup pauses/plays tracks or answers/ignores phone calls. Placing your hand over the right earcup activates Quick Attention, which pauses the music momentarily.

Want more? A long press on the earcup, or the Custom button depending on how you map it, will either activate your device’s digital assistant or the Ambient Sound control.  You can program the headphones to stop playing audio when you talk and switch to Ambient Noise mode via the Sony Headphones Connect app. 

The touch controls are a bit finicky as a misplaced swipe will accidentally activate the wrong command. The best way to engage with the panel is with slow, deliberate strokes and taps. 

Similar to the competition, the 700’s touch control panel is discreetly hidden in the right ear cup and controlled with a series of swipes. A quick upward swipe raises the volume, while a downward slash decreases the sound. To skip or return to tracks, swipe forward or backward, respectively. To play or pause, quickly double-tap the cup. Aside from getting the tap cadence down pat, the touch controls are easy to master, and they made sure that I rarely had to touch my smartphone.

Along the right ear cup, you have the Power/Pairing button and the digital assistant button, while the left has the noise-cancellation/conversation-mode buttons. The three buttons have a nice click when pressed and are easy to find when you're out and about.

Although the xM4 packs a lot of functionality into its touch panel, the finicky operation can be annoying. The 700 have a much smoother interface. 

Winner: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 apps

Sony really outdid itself with the free Headphones Connect app (Android, iOS). It has so many game-changing features. You’ve got your perfunctory stuff, like turning the headphones on and off, monitoring the battery life, volume levels and track information. You can also adjust the Adaptive Sound Control levels from total noise cancelling to Ambient Sound Control, up to level 20. You also have the ability to set the Custom button functionality, toggle the touch sensor panel on and off, enable/disable the motion sensor and automatically power the headphones off.

There are Speak-to-Chat and the Noise Cancelling Optimizer, which measures your ears to create the ideal listening environment depending on your head size and whether or not you wear glasses. There’s also Atmospheric Pressure Optimization that adjusts pressure depending on altitude. It’s a feature that shines best on an airplane. 

But wait, there’s more! The app also allows you to set sound quality priority (quality vs stable connection). And new to the WH-1000xM4 is Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme, Sony’s technology to enhance compressed audio by restoring high-range audio via the company’s proprietary Edge-AI. Another long-awaited feature is the ability for the headphones to simultaneously connect to two devices. Plus the app also has an equalizer with 12 presets and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio functionality, which creates a 360-degree soundscape, giving the illusion of being in your own personal concert hall. 

Similar to the headphones, the free Bose Connect app (Android, iOS) is clear, simple and elegant. It’s here where you’ll adjust the noise-cancellation levels, choose between digital assistants, and pick how much of your own voice you can hear on a call. 

You can also control your music via the app, including changing tracks and adjusting volume. The app additionally allows you to customize your noise-cancellation favorites from the default 10, 5 and Off. There's also a product tour and FAQ in case you need to do a bit of troubleshooting.

As smooth as using the app is, I'd like to see the company add two features: a find-my-headphones function and a few equalizer presets for people who prefer to tune their own listening experience. 

Winner: Sony WH-1000xM4 headphones

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 noise cancelling

Both sets of headphones are doling out some powerful active noise-cancelling technology. Let’s start with the de facto industry leader, the Bose. The headphones give those looking for quiet respite 11 levels to choose from via the Bose app. Press the ANC button, and you can toggle between three of those settings on the fly: High, Medium and Full Transparency. 

High is definitely impressive, especially when paired with music, as it effectively drowned out the New York City hustle and bustle. When I walked into a gaggle of noisy teens, I had the ANC at the halfway mark at 5, which, with the music off, dulled the cacophony to an acceptable volume, while 10 made the kids sound like they were a block away. And when
I’m in the house, the cans can block out my LG TV when its volume is set to 17.

As for the xM4. The headphones have two Feedforward microphones that capture ambient sounds and use the company’s proprietary Dual Noise Sensor technology to pass the information to the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 chip. From there, the data is analyzed at over 700 times per second by the Bluetooth System on Chip (SoC), which uses an algorithm to filter out the noise. 

All that tech comes together to create blissful quiet that, like the Bose, muted my television at 17 volume. And when I was out for a walk, the Noise Cancelling setting effectively quieted the subway running overhead. 

Both sets of cans let ambient noise into your soundscape at varying levels. The xM4 has 20 levels of Ambient Sound Controls to access compared to the Bose’s 10 levels of ANC. In a head-to-head, Bose definitely does it better. The Bose had a warmer presentation overall, allowing me to watch “My Lottery Dream Home” while still bopping to “WAP,” Megan Thee Stallion’s latest banger. 

The Sonys had a very hollow sound once I went past the wind resistance setting. It actually sounded like the headphones were introducing wind interference. It’s fine, but not as good as the Bose. 

Winner: Draw

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 audio quality

In my tenure testing Bose products, particularly headphones, the company has always gone the route of precision and restraint. Sony, on the other hand, goes for bountiful, boom. Not to say there isn’t accuracy, it’s just not the pin-drop performance you get from other brands. And something to note about the Bose and the Sonys is the volume. On my Samsung Galaxy Note 8, what was 50% on the 1000xM4 was about 70% on the 700.

Listening to Kevin Ross’ “I Do/Options” on the xM4, the bass was in full effect, even with the equalizer off. The lows were incredibly deep and threatened to overtake the rest of the track, but I liked it. The diaphanous keyboard floated about the fray, the drums were still crisp and Ross’ vocal was warm and dynamic. And the little flourishes from the Electric Wind Instrument were lush. 

I really missed the lows when I listened to the track on the Bose. It’s not that the bass wasn’t there, it was, it just wasn’t as forward. However, the more restrained bass did allow me to focus on the keyboard and vocal. And the drums were definitely sharper. 

When I played Toby Nwigwe and Jabari Johnson’s “TRY JESUS,” the headphones were evenly matched for the most part. The cymbals at the start of the song were pristine as was the plaintive licks of the electric guitar. Despite the swelling organ, Nwigwe’s gritty delivery was front and center. However, where the bass sounded measured and controlled on the 1000xM4, the lows were unexpectedly boomy, like the drivers were straining to handle it.

Winner: Sony WH-1000xM4

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 battery life

Similar to its predecessor, the 1000xM4 has a 30-hour estimated battery life with the ANC enabled. Turn off ANC and that jumps to 38 hours which, with 3 hours of listening a day, should last nearly two weeks. Both times are significantly longer than the Bose, which has an estimated battery life of 20 hours. 

For charging, you’ll only need 10 minutes of charge to get 5 hours of battery life from the xM4. With the Bose, you’ll need 15 minutes to 2 hours of battery life.

Winner: Sony WH-1000xM4 Headphones

Sony WH-1000xM4 vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 call quality

The biggest complaint about the 1000xM3 was the call quality. Calls taken or received suffered from low, muffled volume. Not so with the xM4. I made several calls with the xM4, including my morning meeting video chat with the Laptop Mag staff. They all said they heard me clearly with editor, Phillip Tracy, explaining that it sounded like I was speaking into a good internal laptop mic. And since most folks on staff actually own the xM3, they stated it was a notable difference. Everyone sounded good on my end, not as loud as when I conducted the chat sans headphones, but still doable.

But yet, Bose continues to raise the bar. Hidden within the 700’s rather svelte frame are eight individual microphones. Six of those block incoming noise while the remaining two pull double duty and work with another two to amplify your voice. The result is a sort of audio-rejection beam that blocks the louder ambient noise in the environment, while the mics that are focused on your voice create proper separation. 

I love taking calls on the 700, especially when I’m out on the street. Outside of an errant siren, for the most part, my callers can never tell that I’m talking to them via a pair of headphones. And my callers tend to sound loud and clear no matter the environment.  

Winner: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Overall Winner

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 wins this face-off by 4 rounds to 3. That’s in large part to its sleek design, easy-to-use touch controls and its world-class call quality. And of course, Bose continues to deliver some of the best active noise cancelling in the business and has great audio to boot.

However, Sony shouldn’t be counted out as this was a very narrow win by Bose. Not only are the WH-1000xM4 a bit more comfortable than the Bose, but they match them in active noise cancelling, which is a triumph in itself. Plus, the xM4 has better audio and an app that allows listeners to seriously customize the audio. And you’ll get longer battery life to the tune of 10 hours. And they’re only $10 apart in price. Ultimately, you’ve got two excellent headphones with great audio quality and features. 

Bose has been at the top of the noise-cancellation game for years with its QuietComfort line of full-size headphones, but the QC20i is the company's first stab at powered earbuds. At $299, they're not for the budget-minded, and as with most active noise cancelers, the audio quality isn't what you'd get from similarly priced passive headphones. But what you do get is the best noise cancellation available, and when you're surrounded by chatty people, crying babies, engine whine, highway din or a neighbor's TV, that's priceless. Plus, you can always listen in on the important stuff with the push of a button -- without taking out the earbuds.

Design

Click to EnlargeThe QC20i earbuds themselves are not particularly compact, but they are lightweight and well constructed. The gray-and-silver color scheme is understated, and the two-tone swirl cabling is similar to that found on Bose's passive-earbud offerings. Each of the soft, silicone eartips has a single flange with an oval-shaped sound hole and a soft fin that fits in the ridges of your outer ear for stability. They are easy enough to remove and swap out (three sizes are included), but they stay securely on the earbuds so they won't fall off in your pocket.

The cables enter each earbud with a flexible but firm nondetachable connector that feels sturdy, and they meet at chest height in an inline mic/controller that is compatible with iOS devices. Three buttons on the front control playback: volume, Siri and calls.

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A separate Aware Mode button on the side dampens the noise cancellation and activates the mic on the back of the controller so you can hear what's going on around you as your music continues to play. (Press it again to re-engage the full noise cancellation.)

Below the controller, near the end of the cable, there's a slim inline battery pack housing a nonremovable lithium-ion power cell rated for about 16 hours per charge; charging takes 2 hours via the micro-USB port. The inline battery is a necessary evil for noise-canceling earbuds, but this one is very well designed, measuring just 3.5 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches, so it fits unobtrusively against your phone in your pocket, and its rubberized matte finish feels great. The power switch on the side activates noise cancellation, and a pair of indicator lights tells you the battery and noise-cancellation status. The cable terminates with a gold-plated plug angled at 90 degrees.

Extras

In addition to a complement of eartips, you get a zippered carrying pouch that's slim enough to slip into a pocket. The package also includes a USB cable, but there's no wall plug, so you'll have to either purchase one separately, use your iOS device's wall plug or use a USB port on your computer. Bose supplies a small plastic clip so you can secure the cabling to your clothing to avoid having the inline components bouncing around too much.

Comfort

Click to EnlargeThe StayHear tips on the QC20i are so soft that we found ourselves wearing the headphones for nearly an entire day without even a hint of discomfort. They don't go very far into your ears, resting just at the edge of your ear canals and stabilized by the fins. We even found that when we applied significant pressure to the earbuds by lying on our side against a pillow, the earbuds were still comfortable -- something we haven't experienced with any other earbuds.

Noise Cancellation

We were genuinely impressed with the 20i's noise cancellation. The closest thing to this noise-cancellation quality we've come across is from Bose's own QuietComfort 15, which are full-size cans. A very slight hiss is introduced, but you notice it less than on other noise cancelers of any size (except the QC15), and the level of cancellation is stunning. As we walked down a busy street, the din of cars and passersby was almost completely washed away, and with music on at even a low level, disappeared entirely. In short, the noise cancellation is better than on any earbud or full-size headphones we've heard, with the exception of the QC15, and even compared to those, the 20i earbuds actually do a better job of blocking a wider range of sounds.

We're also happy to report that the 20i will still play music after the power runs out, which has been a major complaint about Bose's noise-canceling devices since the company's very first model debuted. The 16-hour battery life isn't very impressive, especially when compared to competitors' claims -- such as the AKG K391 NC (40 hours), Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 (60 hours) and Phiaton PS20 (50 hours) -- but given the high-level noise cancellation, we can understand the quicker power drain.

Audio

Click to EnlargeBose's sound signature, with its boosted upper bass and heavily tailored midrange, is so far from accuracy-focused brands such as Etymotic and Denon that purists often thumb their noses. It's also very different from the bass-heavy Beats by Dre line. The 20i earbuds offer pleasing sound for many types of music, especially in loud environments where most headphones' sound might get mangled, but don't expect them to perform like similarly priced regular earbuds.

On hip-hop tracks, such as Jay Z's "Holy Grail" and Snoop Dogg's "10 Lil' Crips," the deep bass and throbbing kick drum are clearly audible but lack impact, especially in comparison to earbuds like the B&W C5. Rock tunes, like Paul McCartney's "Only Mama Knows," sound full and rich, though the vocals lack a little bit of sparkle on the high end. With big-band music like Maynard Ferguson's "MacArthur Park," and orchestral tracks like Wynton Marsalis' recording of the Brandenburg Concerto #2, the 20i headphones manage to sound very good, but they don't provide as much detail and sense of space as regular earbuds in the $175 to $300 range. Small acoustic groups (modern jazz, folk, string/brass ensembles) work well with the 20i, though high mids and above could be stronger, making the cymbals on John Coltrane's "Blue Train" sound less crisp than they should.

Thankfully, the 20i earbuds still operate in passive mode without battery power, though you lose a little volume and a tiny bit of midrange detail. Cellphone audio quality is also slightly above average in both directions.

Verdict

Frequent long-distance travelers should unequivocally get the Bose QuietComfort 20i for the noise cancellation alone. These earbuds are much more portable than over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones, and they're infinitely more comfortable for long periods than in-ear models. Among noise-canceling in-ear headphones, this is definitely the pair to beat. Most people will really like the sound, but bass addicts and purists might be better off with the Beats Studio or a set of unpowered in-ears like the B&W C5.

For non-iOS device users, the identically priced Bose QuietComfort 20 (note the missing "I") has a mic/controller that works with Android, BlackBerry and Windows devices. But even if they don't offer audiophile-grade sound, the supreme comfort and stellar noise cancellation of the QC20i make these the noise-canceling buds to beat.

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Portable Bluetooth speakers now have a host of features, from apps to speakerphones -- and some are even waterproof. Ultimately, though, the speakers have to sound good. The $199 Bose SoundLink Mini forgoes all of these niceties, instead focusing solely on making this device stand out in the audio department. That's why this speaker rises above everything else.

Design

Click to EnlargeThe sleek, silver-colored aluminum casing and sheer weight (1.5 pounds -- twice that of the Braven BRV-1) of the SoundLink Mini give it a classy look that matches Apple's notebook styling, and its build inspires confidence that the product will survive use on the road. Chunkier than the Jambox Mini, but flatter and longer than the Braven BRV-1, the Bose SoundLink Mini is closest in size (and weight) to the Logitech UE Boom and is very bag-friendly despite its weight.

The bottom has a rubber slab for stability, and there's a metal mesh grille on both the front and back of the speaker. Two passive bass radiators face in opposite directions to minimize vibrations, and a pair of full-range drivers sit on opposite ends of the speaker facing front.

A row of rubber buttons along the top controls power, mute, volume, Bluetooth pairing and input source (aux). A power jack and 3.5-mm line input are located on the right side, and pins for the included charging dock are on the bottom, along with a micro USB port.

The package includes a charging dock, although you can also plug the power supply directly into the speaker. The low-profile wall plug's prongs fold up, making it extremely compact. Accessories such as a travel bag ($44.95) and colored soft covers ($24.95) are available, but they add considerable expense.

Setup

Pairing the SoundLink Mini with a Bluetooth device such as a phone, tablet or laptop is a breeze. Just turn on the speaker and press the Bluetooth button to put it in pairing mode. It showed up right away on our iPhone 4S, with no PIN code required. A light above the Bluetooth button flashes white when the unit is not connected and stays solid when a connection is made. It flashes blue when it's in pairing mode.

Audio

Click to EnlargeThe dual passive radiators and large, heavy magnets inside the SoundLink Mini give it extraordinary bass response, something lacking in literally all other speakers of comparable size. That's not to say that deep bass in tracks like Ludacris' "Helluva Night" comes through like full-size speakers -- the speaker does have its limitations. But bass and kick drums on tracks such as Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" have way more impact than with any other speaker out there at the time of this writing.

But it's more than just bass; vocals and complex instrumentation on tracks like on Tower of Power's "So Very Hard to Go" and The Beatles' "Penny Lane" are impressively clear, with great overall tonal balance. Even Philippe Entremont's recording of Debussy's moody solo piano piece "Clair de Lune" sounds lively. Acoustic jazz has plenty of sparkle in the cymbals and presence in the horns, with powerful bass.

We watched episodes of "True Blood" and "Breaking Bad" on an iPad using the SoundLink Mini as the audio device, and dialogue, explosions and gunfire all came through very clearly with plenty of low-end rumble and crispness.

The SoundLink Mini is loud enough to fill a medium-size room or power a small outdoor patio party, and we didn't hear any noticeable distortion, even at top volume. The strong bass and overall output bests competitors like the Monster ClarityHD Micro and even larger speakers like the Jawbone Jambox. The speaker's wireless range is very good -- roughly 30 feet, standard for Bluetooth devices -- as long you maintain a direct line of sight. We experienced dropouts with two walls (or a wall and a body) in the way, even though the speaker and our iPhone 4S were only about 12 feet from each other.

Features

Other speakers in this price range -- and below -- offer speakerphone, onboard playback controls and USB charging of the speaker. In some cases, like the Braven speaker, you can even charge your mobile phone. The Bose SoundLink Mini forgoes all of that, which may leave some feeling cheated at nearly $200. But ultimately, the Mini's sound quality on music and movies made the lack of features far less of an issue. Our biggest gripe is the lack of an included carrying case.

Battery Life

The SoundLink Mini has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts roughly 7 hours, which is about half that of the Logitech UE Boom and three hours less than the Jambox. The SoundLink Mini charges in about 3 hours.

Verdict

The SoundLink Mini's lack of speakerphone capabilities may deter some, and others will gripe about the lack of onboard controls or the device's ability to charge via USB. However, nothing approaches the SoundLink Mini's sonic versatility and full, rich output at this size. If sound is your primary concern, the Bose speaker is tops.

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Bose doesn't release new products very often, but when it does, you know you're in for an earful of awesome. Such is the case with the company's latest Soundlink Mini Bluetooth speaker (coming July 11th for $199) and the QuietComfort 20 headphones ($299 later this summer). Both devices excel at putting big sound into compact packages, but they out-innovate the competition in their own ways.

Bose SoundLink Mini Speaker

Before we began our demo with the SoundLink Mini, we were enthralled with its clean aesthetic. The gray brushed anodized aluminum housing exudes a stylish, industrial feel. Want more style? Bose will also be selling soft covers available in orange, yellow and blue for $24.95. The speaker is a little hefty at 1.5 pounds, but the 2 x 7.1 x 2.3-inch frame means that the Mini can be easily stored in a bag or purse. 

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The top of the SoundLink Mini features large, gray soft-touch buttons for power, volume, mute, auxiliary and Bluetooth. Speaking of Bluetooth, the Mini stores up to six recent profiles at a time. The only thing missing is speakerphone functionality. Nope, you can't use the SoundLink Mini to make calls.

A removable soft-touch foot gives the Mini a secure foothold on just about any surface. Peeling away the foot reveals the rechargable lithium-ion battery that Bose claims will supply 7 hours of listening. The speaker gets its juice from a convenient charging cradle that's included in the bundle. 

The speaker's interior includes a pair of custom transducers for delivering clear highs and mids and a pair of proprietary passive radiators for driving lows. Bose has also outfitted the Mini with digital signal processing to keep the sound nice and balanced. In fact, the Bose SoundLink Mini is the best-sounding small Bluetooth speaker we've ever heard.

When we listened to One Republic's "Good Life," the guitar was rich and clear enough to really enjoy the strums. The male and female vocals were powerful and well balanced. When the demo switched to Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust," we heard thumping bass and an energetic guitar balanced against Freddie Mercury's frenetic vocal. On both occasions the speaker was loud enough to fill the small demo space. 

Shoppers can pre-order the SoundLink Mini now, and it will start shipping on July 11th. A carrying case will retail for $44.95. 

Bose QuietComfort 20 Headphones

The QuietComfort 20 is Bose's first active noise cancelling in-ear headphones, and they were well worth the wait. The black-and-gray buds aren't the flashiest on the market, but they exude a subtle elegance. The durable cords cords snake into a Y-shaped joint and then connect to a flat control panel that's covered in a durable soft-touch finish. The QC20s offer up to 16 hours of active noise cancellation, but you can still listen to your tunes if you forget to charge the unit.

Each bud has a pair of microphones to sense the volume levels inside the headphones as well as exterior noises. From there, the measurements are sent to the digital electronic chip housed in the soft-touch control panel where the noise cancellation signal is created. Bose put the technology to the test, pumping in 85 decibels of New York City traffic while we listened to "Sometimes I Wonder," the Jill Scott/Darius Rucker duet. We heard full, rich audio on the track with none of the outside noise disturbing our jam session. 

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The excellent sound quality comes courtesy of Bose's TriPort technology; it increases the acoustic space of the earbud using ports to recreate deep lows along with full, lifelike instrumentals and vocals. The QuietComfort 20s also feature proprietary StayHear+ ear tips. Unlike rival earbuds, the QC20s tips don't go deep into the ear canal, which makes for a seriously comfortable fit. Even better, the tips create a tight seal for passive noise reduction.

The most interesting feature of the QC 20's is the Aware button on the Y-joint. A quick press of the button activates Aware mode , which allows wearers to hear the world around them while keeping the headphones on. This feature can come in really handy when walking in a busy city or engaging in a quick conversation.

Bose reps prompted us to engage and disengage the Aware mode while listening to Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger." When Aware was on, the track quickly fell into the background, allowing us to hear train annoucements.

Bottom Line

All in all, Bose, has once again raised the bar for personal audio. The SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker delivers unmatched audio quality for its size along with stylish soft covers. And the QuietComfort 20 headphones offers a combination of comfort and truly impressive active noise cancellation that puts most larger cans to shame. Stay tuned for our full reviews.

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The Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker offers big, rich sound in a small, sleek package. Starting at $299 ($349 for the leather version), this 2.9-pound device has a clever cover that not only doubles as a stand but turns the device off when closed. If you want a Bluetooth speaker, this is the one to get.

Design

At 9.5 x 5.1 x 1.9 inches and 2.9 pounds, the SounLink is a bit heavy, but it's still very portable, easily slipping into a messenger bag or large purse. It's also fairly rugged, as Bose claims to have exposed the Soundlink to vigorous drop testing as well as environmental testing for sand, salt, fog, wind, and moisture.

Thanks to its smart chocolate-brown leather cover, the Soundlink Wireless Mobile Speaker looks elegant in just about any setting. Bose offers additional leather covers in Burgundy and Tan as well as nylon covers in black, red, and purple. The covers are also sold separately ($29.95 nylon, $49.95 leather) for added customization.

The best part about the SoundLink's design is that the leather cover flips back, acting as a stand and revealing a slate-gray speaker grille surrounded by chrome. When you flip the cover closed, it automatically shuts down the speaker to save power, similar to the Smart Cover on the iPad 2.

The sides of the Soundlink are decorated in gray brushed aluminum, and the top is black matte plastic with six large flat buttons for power, auxiliary mode, Bluetooth pairing, mute, and volume.

Setup and Ease of Use

Pairing the SoundLink to various devices was as simple as pressing a button. Once our laptop and smartphones were made discoverable, we simply pressed the Bluetooth button on the speaker for a couple seconds. A flashing LED slowed down to a glow, letting us know that the speaker was ready to pair with our iPhone.

As with most Bluetooth devices, the speaker has a range of about 30 feet. We love that the SoundLink stores the six most recent Bluetooth devices in its memory, allowing for almost instantaneous pairing on next usage.

Audio Quality

With four low-profile neodymium transducers and dual opposing passive radiators, the Soundlink Wireless speaker provided a very balanced performance. Whether we streamed music from our smartphone or laptop, the speaker easily handled everything from Styles P and company's gritty hip-hop anthem "Harsh" to Lady Ella's bright up-tempo vocals and big horn section on "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". The Soundlink easily filled a medium-sized room, and sounded best when the speaker was situated somewhere in front of us.

Sadly, there's no speakerphone capability. In the event that a call does come in, the Soundlink pauses the music and resumes as soon as the call ends. During our testing, we found that there was little to no latency when chaging tracks stored on our iPhone, but a second or so of lag when using Pandora.

Battery Life

Bose claims that the Soundlink Wireless Mobile speaker‘s lithium-ion battery can last 8 hours at typical listening levels and 3 hours at high volume.

Verdict

The $299 Bose Soundlink Wireless Mobile speaker gives listeners big, rich sound in a sleek and stylish portable package. It's simple to set up and boasts a versatile cover, and the ability to store six Bluetooth devices in memory gives it a kind of "set-and-forget" quality that users will enjoy. Those who need speakerphone capability will want to look elsewhere, but overall the Soundlink is a great choice for those willing to spend more for a superior portable audio experience.

Known for its prowess in the realm of audio, Bose's signature move is to condense high-power sound into a single device. If you've seen and heard the Bose Wave Radio, you're familiar with the stature of audio quality that pours out from a standalone device that sits on top of your table or desk.

Well the company's playing the convergence game again, this time with television sets and the myriad gadgets you plug into them: surround sound speakers, a DVR, cablebox, iPod, or Apple TV unit.  The VideoWave entertainment system, demoed by Bose today in New York, doesn't melt all those devices down into one TV set, but it does give you a simplified, cakewalk-easy means to integrate them into your home entertainment system. How? By building a TV set that doesn't need external speakers to deliver room-blanketing, cinema-esque audio and, thoughtfully enough, by meshing the controls for up to five entertainment gadgets  (Blu-ray player, cable set-top, video game console, etc) into an interface that you can control with one  remote.

Here's what the $5,349 VideoWave Entertainment System bundles in:

• 46" 1080p LCD TV with six woofers, a seven-speaker array, and advanced Bose digital sound processing built into the frame of television
• A Bose VideoWave console that connects to the television through a single wire (and can be used to connect other devices like your cable box, DVR, and more).
• An iPod/iPhone dock
• a proprietary, universal remote

The remote control interface is simple and intuitive. The term "universal remote" tends to bring to mind confusing devices that look like this. In fact, most home theater owners have given up on unifying controls,  and they instead settle for using three or four separate remotes, each with probably upwards of 20 buttons. The Bose control wittles down all the functionality accessed through those devices to just 12 buttons: volume up and down, channel up and down, mute, back, power, mode, a four-way direction button with an OK key in the center, and a touch-sensitive click wheel.

The click-wheel allows users to access the more robust options found on standard remote controls. When touched, a menu appears along the edge of the display, surrounding video content that is minimized only as much as needed. To choose an option, the user slides their finger along the click-wheel, selecting menu buttons like play, pause, repeat, record, audio menu, etc as they need.

Bose has customized the menus found in DVRs, cable set-tops, gaming systems, iPods, and iPhones so that they work seamlessly with the VideoWave. Just plug in the peripheral device, use its included remote to key-in a few IR commands so that VideoWave system can familiarize itself, and then toss it.

This is home theater surround sound without the speaker setup. In order to recreate a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound experience with a single-point audio system, Bose uses an in-house technology called Phase Guide that can "beam" sound to any point in a room, creating the effect that what is heard originated from that direction. When we listened to two battling jazz instrumentalists, it sounded as though a clarinet player was fighting from one corner of the room while a horn player attacked from the other. During a short video screening, the ambient noise of a New York City day sounded from above and the noise of country crickets surrounded us on the left and right.

High and low frequencies, too, covered a comfortable range. Bose attributes that bass quality to six high-performance woofers positioned back-to-back in an arrangement that cancels out internal vibration and dodges the risk of damage to the LCD display. Instead PhaseGuide is used to funnel sound out of the device and shot it to other points in the room.

Bose also bundles VideoWave with audio calibration software it calls ADAPTiQ that can factor in a room's shape and furnishings to better craft a powerful audio output experience. The thinking is no more speakers, no more wires, no more remotes, no more set-up.

Final Thoughts

Does VideoWave succeed in that endeavor? It gets very very close. Fussy families that want a beefier home entertainment rig but don't want the mess of wires and remote controls have a very compelling option. But if you're someone who watches content via your notebook, think before you buy. Bose told us that navigating notebooks required too rich a level of integration for the VideoWave interface and that if you want to watch Hulu on their TV, you'll be "driving from the notebook".

Still, two remote controls ain't bad.

On October 14, interested parties - and you too - can attend your own demo of VideoWave at any Bose store. If you like it, you can buy it too. The $5,349 asking price includes all the components we mentioned above, a detachable table-top stand, installation, device connection, ADAPTiQ calibration, and recycling of your old television.

While Apple has marginally improved the headphones it bundles with the iPhone (and the rest of the iPod family), their quality still can't touch that offered by other headphone brands. With its first foray into the cell phone earbud arena, Bose looks to make a splash with its mobile in-ear headset. While it boasts a comfortable, ergonomic design and excellent audio capabilities, the call quality could be better.

Comfortable Design

Available in black only with a twisted black and white cable, the Bose mobile in-ear headset is certainly stylish. Compatible with all iPhone models, these headphones come with three ergonomically-shaped silicone eartips, which are meant to rest gently in the outer bowl of the ear (as opposed to being shoved into the recesses of your ear canal). We found this design to be quite comfortable, though it felt like the buds were going to fall out until we got accustomed to them.

A useful and adjustable clothing clip helps secure the headset, and the included lanyard provides additional stability; it can be attached to the headphone cable and rests behind your neck, preventing downward pulls from yanking the eartips out of your ears. An inline mic hangs down about even with your lower jaw; a single button lets you switch between music and incoming calls, and also acts as a pause button when music is playing. At 52 inches, the headset's wires were plenty long enough to let us slip our iPhone into our back pocket during a full day of traversing busy city streets.

Package Contents

In addition to the lanyard and eartips, the in-ear headset comes with three 2.5mm adapters, which let you use the headset on a variety of phones (it's currently compatible with 55 models). It also comes with a black pleather carrying case, making it easy to take the headphones and its accessories wherever you go.

Audio Performance

The touted feature of Bose's mobile in-ear headset is its TriPort acoustic headphone structure, which seeks to reproduce balanced tones and deep low notes--all without the need for artificial bass boost. Indeed, we were impressed with the clear, resonant bass line in Ben Harper's "Fight For Your Mind," along with the vibrant keyboard and lucid, blended vocals in OK Go's "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" on our iPhone 3G.

On the other hand, it's important to note that these headphones lack any kind of noise cancellation. Whereas passive noise isolation would involve a tighter eartip fit to help block out ambient sounds (such as with the Ultimate Ears super.fi 4vi), and active cancellation requires a form of battery-powered technology to accomplish the same task (as with the Able Planet NC200), the trade-off to Bose's comfortable fit is that outside noise still seeps in.

Indeed, we had to increase the volume dramatically (about 25 percent) when migrating from a quiet office to a busy city street (though this is generally the norm in New York City). When attempting to watch the movie Choke on a subway ride home, it was impossible at times to make out the audio--even at full volume.

Call Quality

Call quality on the mobile in-ear headset was acceptable, though not stellar. When calling a friend from a busy Manhattan street, he said our voice came in clearly, as though we were holding our iPhone up to our face. On our end, however, his voice sounded somewhat watery; we experienced this same effect with several different callers. When leaving a message to a landline phone, it came in clear, though the background noise of passing cars was easily discernible. The answer/end button on the headphones worked well, with about a two-second lag when switching between music and calls.

Verdict

As a first effort, the Bose mobile in-ear headset is a good option for audiophiles who are looking for a pair of cell phone-capable headphones that are ready for the long haul. Though we would have better appreciated the audio quality of these buds had they employed some form of noise isolation, we were often willing to make this sacrifice for the sake of general overall comfort. $129 is a lot to plunk down for a pair of headphones (heck, the iPhone 3G itself costs $30 less), but the mobile in-ear headset is a solid choice for those who demand more from their media-centric phone.