The best Bose headphones in 2024

Hero image for best Bose headphones showing Bose QuietComfort 45
(Image credit: Bose)

The best Bose headphones manage to stand out among even the most high-quality audio wearables, so if you want your next pair to come with a serious pedigree, you arguably don’t need to look much further.

Bose has had numerous high ranking models in our buying guides over the years, generally taking a slow and steady approach that means new products don’t come thick and fast — but are usually worth your attention when they arrive. But what are the best Bose headphones that you can buy right now? Scroll down to find out.

Recent updates

Update: Bose has just unveiled new Ultra models in its line up launching early October.

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Best overall: Bose 700

Best overall: Bose 700
The Bose 700 has unrivaled ANC performance boasting 10 levels of ANC that can be adjusted in its Connect app and works flawlessly to silence the majority of external sounds. Sound is crystal clear when listening to music and taking calls. We also love the svelte, contemporary design with comforting ear pads and touch controls. 

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Beast value over-ear: Bose QuietComfort 45
Stylish and comfortable to wear, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones offer exceptional noise cancelation, along with excellent sound quality packaged inside a great-looking set of headphones. We've seen this model with up to $80 off, which makes it absolute bargain. 

Check out our Bose coupon codes for the latest discounts and offers from Bose.

The best Bose headphones you can buy right now

Best Bose headphones: Bose 700

(Image credit: Regan Coule/Tom's Guide)
The best Bose headphones overall

Specifications

Size and Weight: 8 x 6.5 x 2 inches, 8.9 ounces
Battery life (rated): 20 hours (ANC on)
Bluetooth range: 33 feet (10 meters)
Digital Assistant Support: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Award-winning noise cancellation
+
Excellent audio quality
+
Lengthy battery life
+
Lightweight design
+
Works in wired mode if battery dies

Reasons to avoid

-
Google Assistant needs work
-
Limited features

Meet the king of the noise-cancelling headphones. The Bose 700 headphones effectively take the crown from its predecessor, offering adjustable ANC that is equally effective whether you're listening to music or making or receiving phone calls. They even play nice with your digital assistants. Plus, you get a stylish new design and balanced, precise audio performance. 

Read our full Bose 700 review.

 

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones being held aloft against a backdrop of a coastal street with palm trees

(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
Improved noise cancellation and sound than QC 35

Specifications

Size and Weight: 7.25 x 6 x 3 inches; 8.5 ounces
Battery life (rated): Up to 24 hours
Bluetooth range: 50 feet
Digital Assistant Support: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Elite active noise cancellation
+
Refined sound signature
+
Increased battery life
+
Fantastic comfort and connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-
Can’t turn off ANC
-
Call quality not as good as on QC 35

The QuietComfort 45 are a no-brainer for Bose fans who want to swap out their older QC headphones for something more modern, or shoppers who want first-class Bose noise cancellation for a cheaper price than the 700 (above).

ANC is top of the line, eliminating close to 90 percent of ambient noises. These cans also have a remarkable transparency mode that increases awareness without compromising sound. Speaking of which, audio is given a nice boost in frequency range to complement most music genres. An extra 4 hours of ANC playtime is appreciated, granted there’s no way to turn off the feature. Design and comfort are also kept intact, with minor tweaks that make for a slightly fresher appearance. 

Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 in black with charging case placed on brick paving

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Specifications

Size and Weight: 1.2 x 0.68 x 0.88 inches (per bud); 2.61 x 2.34 x 1.05 inches (charging case); 0.21 ounces (per bud); 2.1 ounces (charging case)
Battery life (rated): 6 hours; 24 hours (charging case)
Bluetooth range: Up to 100 feet
Digital Assistant Support: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Unbeatable noise cancellation
+
Refined and well-balanced sound
+
Excellent call quality
+
Great customization settings
+
More compact and stylish design

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life bettered by rivals
-
Poor comfort levels
-
Finicky touch controls and app connectivity

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are a remarkable follow-up that delivers better sound, great call quality, and unrivaled ANC. Proprietary technologies like ActiveSense and CustomTune balance sound and noise neutralization extremely well. Bose’s redesign also makes these buds less of an eyesore compared to the original. 

Not every performance factor hits its mark. The touch controls are less reliable this time around and app connectivity is very buggy. In addition, these buds lack popular features like aptX, spatial audio, and wireless charging that are becoming increasingly standard and readily available by ANC rivals across all kinds of price points. 

I have faith Bose will fix their app experience and touch accuracy, because they’ve done it before on the previous version via firmware update. If you’re fine without having certain features, then the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 will keep the tunes playing and put the rest of the world on mute.

Bose QC Earbuds in black on a yellow background

(Image credit: Bose)
Best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds

Specifications

Size: 1.54 x 1.02 x 1.06 inches
Weight: 0.3 ounces (per bud)
Battery life (rated): 6 hours, 18 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth range: 35 feet (10 meters)
Special features: Adjustable ANC, Bluetooth 5.1, Self Voice mode for enhancing calling

Reasons to buy

+
Unbeatable ANC
+
Excellent call quality
+
Dynamic sound
+
Strong, reliable connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life is shorter than advertised

It’s even more expensive than the AirPods Pro, but the QuietComfort Earbuds make up for it with the best ANC implementation of any true wireless in-ear buds. It’s almost as good as the noise-cancelling on the Bose 700, which considering the form factor difference (and that fact that the QuietComfort Earbuds has half the microphones) is seriously impressive. Call quality is excellent as well, though battery life could be longer — be sure to keep the charging case to hand for longer listening sessions.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review.

Best Bose headphones: Bose Sport Earbuds

(Image credit: Regan Coule/Tom's Guide)
The best Bose sport earbuds

Specifications

Size: 0.7 x 1 x 0.8 inches
Weight: 0.2 ounces (per bud)
Battery life (rated): 5 hours, 15 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth range: 30 feet (9 meters)
Special features:: Bluetooth 5.1, in-ear detection, sweat and weather resistant

Reasons to buy

+
Well-balanced audio
+
Stable and sturdy design
+
Super-compact charging case

Reasons to avoid

-
Short battery life
-
Feels uncomfortable after an hour of use

Another set of great Bose in-ears, the Bose Sport Earbuds is a more fitness-focused (and much cheaper) alternative to the QuietComfort Earbuds. The design is much more compact and even more comfortable, and while there’s no active noise cancellation, the sound quality is very close to the pricier buds as well. This sweatproof set of buds also comes with removable tips, so you can find the perfect fit for your ears and prevent the buds from falling out on the treadmill.

Read our full Bose Sport Earbuds review.

Best Bose headphones: Bose QuietComfort 20i

(Image credit: Bose)
Comfortable, noise-cancelling earbuds

Specifications

Size and Weight: 7.8 x 5 x 2.4 inches, 1.6 ounces
Battery life (rated): 16 hours (ANC on)
Bluetooth range: None
Digital Assistant Support: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Strong noise-cancelling
+
Ambient listening mode
+
Plays audio when battery dies
+
Very comfortable 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best-sounding Bose earphones
-
Bulky in-line mic and battery module

A classic from the Bose collection, the wired QC20i is for mobile listeners who are prefer to stick with a headphone jack and want to silence the world around them. It does a phenomenal job of blocking out environmental sounds by forming a tight seal to isolate noise. Another major selling point is its ability to play audio without battery power, retaining the same detail and volume as in ANC mode. Music won't sound as great as on other Bose headphones, but it's still crisp. The battery module and in-line mic might also be considered obtrusive for modern standards.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort 20I review.

Best Bose headphones: Bose SoundSport In-Ear

(Image credit: Bose)
Best budget Bose earphones

Specifications

Size and Weight: 4.9 x 1.9 x 8.8 inches; 0.6 ounces
Battery life (rated): N/A
Bluetooth range: N/A
Digital Assistant Support: None

Reasons to buy

+
Superlight and comfy
+
Sounds great across all music genres
+
Sweat- and water-resistant
+
Very affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Mediocre noise isolation
-
No modern features
-
Mediocre noise isolation
-
No modern features

For fitness or leisure, the SoundSport In-Ear is a bargain that music lovers shouldn't pass on. Bose's Stay Hear tips provide a stable, relaxed fit for joggers and speedy commuters. Its weather-resistant design protects from perspiration and water. We're fans of the midrange and treble delivery, but it's worth noting that the poor seal these buds create can affect sound quality. The lack of modern features, such as digital assistant support, also restricts its capabilities. 

Read our full Bose SoundSport In-Ear review.

Best Bose headphones: Bose SoundSport Free

(Image credit: Bose)
Truly wireless buds with sporty features

Specifications

Size and Weight: 1.3 x 1 x 1.2 inches, 0.3 ounces
Battery life (rated): 5 hours, 10 hours (charging case)
Bluetooth range: 35 feet (10.5 meters)
Digital Assistant Support: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Rich sound
+
Fast charging
+
Sleek, secure design
+
Find My Buds feature

Reasons to avoid

-
Uncomfortable to wear for long stretches
-
Poor bud-to-bud connection

Bose's first truly wireless earbuds offer the premium design and sound one would expect from the audio giant. Powerful bass combined with detailed mids creates an energetic soundscape to fuel intense workouts. Portable power is always a huge bonus, and the bundled charging case offers just enough to get through a week’s worth of gym sessions: 10 hours. Quick charging is also available to give the buds 45 minutes of listening time on a 15-minute charge. However, its bulky design is not suited for leisurely listening, making the buds painful to wear after an hour of use. Unreliable connectivity means you'll experience some dropout on the left earbud from time to time as well.

How to choose the best Bose headphones for you

Battery life: Noise-cancelling headphones have a reputation for sucking up lots of power, so you’ll want a pair that holds a charge long enough to get you through a long business flight or weekly commutes. Thanks to the arrival of Sennheiser's Momentum 4 over-ear headphones battery life standards have increased up to 60 hours, although more typical figures are anywhere between 15 to 30 hours. Noise-cancelling wireless earbuds are usually rated for 4.5 to 8 hours.

Sound quality: ANC technology can compress sound and reduce dynamics, which may affect audio performance when turned on. In some cases, you’ll notice a background hiss when listening to music. However, there are noise-cancelling headphones out there that limit these disruptions to deliver full, crisp sound.

Design: The look, build and feel of a pair of headphones is massively important when selecting the best noise-cancelling headphones, so consider how it looks and feels and whether the style is right for you. The type of headphone is also important when it comes to the most effective noise cancelling models. Over-ear headphones tend to give the best noise cancellation, though some of the more recent wireless on-ear and in-ear models are proving to be just as effective.

Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best noise-cancelling headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor. 

As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now there are plenty of holiday season sales with many of our favorite models discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals pages to keep on top of the latest bargains.

How we test noise-cancelling headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones are judged on several factors: audio performance, battery life, Bluetooth range, call quality, comfort and fit, and the effectiveness of the noise cancellation. We also weigh special features, such as included apps, and how easy they are to use.

During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week, to test comfort over time.

ANC, meanwhile, is tested in both indoor and outdoor environments where ambient sounds are produced at high levels. This includes airplanes, city parks, convenience shops, offices, and public transportation. ANC headphones programmed with transparency modes are also tested thoroughly to determine how well the listener can hear their surroundings.

For sound quality, we listen to many different sample tracks and span as many music genres as possible, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.

And now that more streaming music services are offering high-resolution audio, be sure to read our audio codec FAQ for all you need to know about FLAC files, MP3s and everything in between.

Once we complete our testing, we rate headphones based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded an Editor's Choice badge. 

More from Tom's Guide

Lee Dunkley
Audio Editor

As a former editor of the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine, Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined Which? magazine as a product tester in the 1990s. Lee covers all things audio for Tom's Guide, including headphones, wireless speakers and soundbars and loves to connect and share the mindfulness benefits that listening to music in the very best quality can bring.

  • TGO
    Bose are a ripoff. Dreads are nasty.
    Reply
  • tomfann
    SHORT VERSION: In real-world use, QC35II is BETTER the 700's. If pretty is your primary motivator, then 700's win but functionally, QC35II wipes the floor with the 700s in all categories but looks and ANC flexibility.

    LONG VERSION: As an avid TomsGuide reader and an owner and user of both the Bose 700 and the QC35II, I'd like to call out some things in this article that I disagree with. The QC35II is not a draw in certain categories as this and many other articles would have you believe. The classic QC design evolved over time and reached it's pinnacle with the QC35II until it was replaced rather than further iterated...so the 700's don't get any of the time-tested refinement that the QC series has earned...and seemingly only to make a prettier headset.

    Light Weight Design: Tom calls this a draw but I disagree. QC35II wins over the 700 here as the QC35II's are not only technically lighter-overall but they are better balanced to sit on one's head while the head is at different angles. QC35II is weighted more heavily in the ear cups whereas the 700's have a lot of weight in the over-the-head band. When weighted at the earcup, leaning forward to pick something up or laying back in your first-class-cabin airline pod seat, doesn't cause the headset to pivot over your head and fall off. With the 700's however, with the extra bulk and weight in the over-head-band, this happens alot.

    Portable Design: The QC35II's easily fold up like a transformer and fit into a compact rectangle-ish carrying case, that with a caribeaner can easily hang from a backpack or even on the seatback pocket of your economy cabin airline seat. The loop for the case is located on the top of the case with the zipper opening the case to the left like a door would open and even has a thin pocket that could hold a passport or a ticket or something of the like...great for travelling. The 700's on the other hand are huge, non-folding, and unwieldy to carry around. The ear cups swivel in and out to allow it to fit into the case but that's it. The case itself it nearly double the size of the case that comes with the QC35II's and for some odd reason has the attachment loop, not at the top as one would expect, but on the side, with the zipper unzipping around the opposite side of the case! When holding the case as you naturally would, in the same orientation as the headset would be on your head, that zipper causes the case to open like a door. With the loop on the side though, while hanging, your headset is aligned sideways and you are unzipping around the bottom of the case. Hanging this case on a backpack distributes the weight on the loop in such a bizar way that the act of walking alone causes it to flop around to the point where it gets annoying. On top of that, if one unzips the case while it's hanging from the loop, there's a good chance that the headsets will simply fall on the floor. This also means one needs to be careful to make sure the zipper is always closed when hooking it to a backpack via the loop because the weight of the case will keep the lid close while unzipped and not moving, but as soon as the aforementioned flopping around begins, an unzipped case can easily lead to a lost headset.

    Easy to Use: The QC35II's have a true tactile on/off sliding switch for on/off control, true tactile volume up and volume down buttons, and an auxilliary button (again a REAL button that one can feel without looking at) for track and assistant control. The 700's have a true tactile but not-quite-real "toggle" button for on/off control, an true tactile auxiliary button for voice assistant control, and a single ear-cup-mounted, touch-sensitive, multi-use, pad for volume and track control. The QC35II blows the 700 out of the water in terms of functionality here. The only thing the 700 gets here is bragging rights on a cleaner looking design. When using these headsets though, the 700's semi-toggle button makes the simple task of turning the headset on and off difficult. You'll see post after post out there about how people can't figure out how to turn on or turn off their 700's without pressing that button 2 or 3 times to get it to register. (Master Class Note here...just get into the habit of pressing that button HARD every time.) The QC35's have a sliding switch that you just can't mess up. It's either slid to the right and on, or to the left and off. This sliding switch also has a green dot visible when the headset is on and a red dot visible when the headset is off so one can always tell just by looking at the headset if it is still on or not. With the 700's you actually have to put them on to double check that your on or off button press really registered. I can't tell you how many times my 700's batteries have died because i thought I turned them off but I didn't. The volume control buttons on the QC35II are also intuitive, easy to find in the dark, and are always in the same place regardless of how tilted forward or tilted back you like to wear your headset. The 700's on the other hand use a touch sensitive surface that interprets up/down swipes as volume control and forward/back swipes as track control...the problem here being that if you tend to wear your headset with the band over the front of your head or the back of your head, which you HAVE TO DO in some reclining or forward leaning positions to counteract that extra over-the-head-band weight which will cause them to fall off of your head...what is up and down to your head may be interpreted as forward and back by the tilted headset. There are no tactile clues on the headset to let you know where that diagonal limit line is between what the headset considers up/down vs forward/back.

    Had I known all of this before purchasing the 700s I would not have. Because I spent the money on them though, I leave them on a purchased headset stand on my desk and use them for Zoom calls. My older QC35II's are the go-to for anything travel related or away-from-my-desk related.

    One more thing that the 700's seem to have an issue with, that I assume will eventually get fixed in software, is multistreaming. The QC35IIs, using the older Bose Connect app would easily allow 2 seperate Bose QC35's listen to the same bluetooth stream. This is really nice for couples who travel together. The 700's, with the new Bose Music App, don't seem to be able to do this. Why, Bose? WHY????
    Reply