Everyone loves the freedom of Bluetooth headphones — just as much as people love noise-canceling earbuds. These technologies allow us to stay connected to entertainment, friends, and family in otherwise tough environments. With more people working remotely and listening on the go, hearing what you want, where you want, and when you want is a gift! However, searching for a new pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones or earbuds can be a challenging experience. Bose has been an industry leader in the audio world. The brand offers a range of headphones to meet your specific needs. Check out this guide to Bose headphones to learn more.
What are Bose Headphones?
Bose is renowned among hi-fi enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. The list of accomplishments by the Bose engineers is long and storied. The Bose name conjures images of cutting-edge technology. Their technical team is most well-known for its clever use of waveguides and acoustic principles to bring life-like quality and extended frequency response to small, portable, and household devices. But that’s not all — Bose is also famous for its noise-canceling designs. The range of headphones and earbuds makes them favorites for travelers, students, and anyone else who wishes to enjoy their audio in relative silence, regardless of location.
Headphones Options
Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise Canceling Headphones
The QuietComfort 45 Noise Canceling Headphones are an excellent option for those who desire over-the-ear comfort for long listening sessions or travel. The Bose QC 45 represents a new era of fidelity and comfort. Improving on their original noise-canceling technology, the QC 45 offers an enhanced Silent Mode to block exterior sounds and an Aware Mode, which maintains the audiophile quality while letting in external noise when you want to stay alert. Six discrete miniature microphones capture and analyze external sound, helping to achieve maximum noise cancellation. And with this enhanced noise reduction, you can enjoy improved audio using their proprietary Triport acoustic architecture.
This new design utilizes lightweight materials and lush synthetic leather ear cups that seal your ears with minimal clamping, ensuring that even the longest listening sessions are enjoyable. The new and improved four-microphone array for capturing your voice makes remote meetings possible in noisier environments while guaranteeing clear, distortion-free music and speech. The QC45 also utilizes a volume-optimized active equalizer network that adapts and shapes your sound for consistent response at all volumes. The QC 45 offers 24 hours of playback time and a quick charge feature with 15 minutes of charge, keeping you going for up to three hours.
- Size/Weight: 15.7 x 19.5 x 8cm / 440g
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
- Bluetooth Range: Up to 30’
- Type: Headphone
- Best for: All-Around use, comfort
Bose Headphones 700 Noise Canceling Headphones
Bose Headphones 700 Noise Canceling Headphones are the perfect choice for those who want to upgrade for enhanced AR (augmented reality) functions for immersive sound. This industry-first AR utilizes motion sensors to detect head movement and orientation. The Bose app shares this information to allow the delivery of customized content for just you, and gives additional control over your sound and music. Future software updates ensure all the newest attributes will be available on your headphones as soon as they come out. Optimized for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, the new Bose 700 series noise-canceling headphones allow easy voice-controlled access to your favorites such as music, maps, weather, and many more.
Eleven levels of Bose’s industry-standard external noise cancellation offer the ultimate control over how much of your external environment blends in with your audio. Users can block out all noise or remain aware of their surroundings as they see fit. The 700 showcases a lightweight, streamlined design with angled ear cups ensuring an excellent seal while remaining comfortable for long stretches. The ergonomic and intuitive controls on the ear cups make operation a breeze. They are even customizable to keep your favorite parameters available at all times.
- Size/Weight: 20.32 x 16.51 x 5.08cm / 254g
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
- Bluetooth Range: Up to 33’
- Type: Headphone
- Best for: Tech-savvy individuals who demand performance or a lightweight headset
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
For those who want the convenience of earbuds while maintaining the renowned Bose QC performance, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is a perfect choice. The new QC Earbuds II features Bose’s unique Customtune technology that adapts and calibrates the earbuds to offer superior, personalized sound. Similar to the QC45 listed above, the QC Earbuds II provides the same top-shelf noise-cancellation Bose is famous for. The earbuds provide Silent Mode and Aware Mode, allowing users complete control over their ambient experience. Additionally, Aware Mode uses Bose’s ActiveSense technology. This feature attenuates louder environmental sounds enabling listeners to remain aware of their surroundings while protecting them from jarring events.
Models include multiple tips and stability bands, ensuring a perfect fit for all. The QC Earbuds II provides up to six hours of battery life. The included case holds up to three additional charges giving users up to 24 hours of use time. Bluetooth 5.3 provides optimum connectivity and stability, while internal sensors know if the earbuds are in place or removed from the ears. Control remains easily accessible via intuitive touch controls or the Bose App on your smart device.
- Size/Weight: 1.72 x 3.048 x 2.23cm / 6.35g
- Battery Life: Earbuds: Up to 6 hours / Charging Case: Up to an additional 18 hours
- Bluetooth Range: Up to 30’
- Type: Earbud
- Best for: Individuals who want a diminutive size with extended battery life and comfort
Bose Sport Earbuds
Bose Sport Earbuds are the best choice for users who demand earbuds that can keep up with their workouts and active lifestyles. The Bose Sport Earbuds were created with athletes in mind and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure maximum durability. The sleek design fits close to the ear and sits secure and snug during even the most intense workouts. At the same time, the ergonomic shape and the soft, silicone StayHear™ Max tips make for a tight, pain-free seal enhancing comfort and audio quality. Bose’ acclaimed acoustic port technology and high-efficiency drivers provide a robust, life-like sound at all times to inspire you on your journey.
The Sport Earbuds earned an environmental rating of IPX4, meaning the interior electronics stay protected from sweat, moisture, and dirt during extreme workouts. A capacitive touch interface allows easy access to phone calls and control. Spotify lovers will appreciate the new “Tap” feature providing customized music with a few simple taps. Sport Earbuds will last your whole session, too, with five hours of playback time and an included charging case that provides two more full charges on the go. A 15-minute rapid-charge option gets you up and running quickly no matter where and when you need them.
- Size/Weight: 1.87 x 2.65 x 2.1cm /13.6g
- Battery Life: Earbuds: Up to 5 hours/ Charging Case: Up to an additional 5 hours
- Bluetooth Range: Up to 30’
- Type: Earbud
- Best for: Athletic activities
How to Choose Bose Headphones
All models offer intuitive touch controls and the Bose App for sound and music control, but let’s explore other things to consider when looking for new headphones…
The first is usually fit and form. Decide if you want the convenience and small size of earbuds, or the circumaural (over-the-ear, open-back) fit.
Charging should be considered as well. The circumaural headphones carry a longer battery life, and the 700 series even offers wireless charging with an included charging pad. The earbuds provide less power on one charge. However, with the included charging cases, the overall usage time of the earbuds is similar to the larger, circumaural models.
Users facing challenging environments that call for the absolute best noise reduction should look to the QC series. The QC 45 is the best over-the-ear choice and the QC Earbuds II is the best in-ear model for noise cancelling. Future-minded listeners who want the latest technology and look forward to enjoying Augmented Reality should check out the 700 series. If you live an active life and need a durable set of earbuds to keep up with you no matter where you go, check out the Sport Earbuds.
Conclusion
While there is much to consider when choosing your new Bose headphones, you can rest assured that the famed Bose construction, features, and sound quality will be present no matter what. Users can relax knowing that they are in total control over their music, fit, communication, and environmental noise at all times. Whether you prefer headphones or earbuds (or both!), Bose has a model that fits your lifestyle. Bose’s adaptive Bluetooth and sound-screening technology let you cut the cable and the noise!
