The best Bose headphones in 2024, tried and tested

If you think of active noise cancellation (ANC), one name may come to mind: Bose. The original Bose QuietComfort over-ear headphones, aka the QC, were a game changer when released back in 2000, and Bose laid the foundation for a product category that has grown immensely over the past few years.

Now a major player in the wireless audio space, Bose continues to release the best noise-canceling headphones and best true wireless earbuds that feature its award-winning ANC technology. Connectivity, design and sound quality have also evolved with every new Bose release.

Want to know what the brand has to offer? We’ve tested all of Bose’s recent headphones and earbuds extensively to help you pick the best ones.

Best Bose headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones

$429 $379 at Bose, Amazon and Best Buy

Several years in the making, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones offer nearly everything you could want from a flagship model: class-leading ANC, hi-fi sound with spatial audio support, increased battery life and smart controls that work flawlessly.

Bose fine-tuned its adaptive algorithms and ports, then added more mics, while strategically placing them around the ear cups to achieve optimal noise cancellation. The results are impeccable. Up to 95% of incidental sound is eliminated from the soundscape. That means most sounds across the frequency spectrum go unnoticed when listening to music. Quiet mode serves as the QC Ultra’s default ANC mode and operates at max level. You’re also given 10 levels of adjustable ANC through different user modes in the Bose Music app, which can be saved and activated directly on the headphones. Each user mode has a Wind Block setting that you can turn on to reduce harsh noise produced in gusty conditions.

Aware mode, aka transparency mode, opens the mics up for accurate ambient noise and vocal capture. Enabling it increases situational awareness, allowing users to engage in clear-sounding conversations and keep tabs on environmental occurrences.

The QC Ultra’s superb mic array strengthens both call quality and voice assistance. We were greatly impressed by how well the mics blocked out background interference and picked up every spoken syllable for clear-sounding calls. Google Assistant and Siri voice commands were highly responsive as well.

However, the QC Ultra’s greatest attribute is Bose’s new 3D audio technology: Bose Immersive Audio with head tracking. The feature works with all stereo content. All processing is done directly on the wearable and doesn’t rely on hi-fi subscription service tiers or Dolby Atmos. Two modes, Motion and Still, are selectable and will calibrate sound when you’re moving or stationary. Both deliver terrific 360-degree sound balance that outperforms all other spatial audio formats.

A beautiful design, built-in volume strip, customizable equalizer (EQ) and up to 24 hours of battery life (18 hours with Immersive Audio on) round out these headphones.

Best Bose earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

$299 $249 at Bose, Amazon and Best Buy

Don’t mistake the QC Ultra Earbuds for the QCE 2. Yes, they share the same exact battery life, design and monstrous ANC, but these buds have been updated with stronger specs and the same audio advancements as the QC Ultra headphones.

Proprietary technologies such as ActiveSense and CustomTune are included to automatically tweak ambient listening to your surroundings and analyze the listener’s ears adeptly for prime noise neutralization, respectively. We’ve tested the buds at parks, indoors and on flights, enjoying many moments of peaceful listening. Low- and mid-frequency sounds go completely silent, while very few high-frequency noises make their way onto the soundscape. As with the QC Ultra Wireless Headphones, you can enable Aware mode or adjust ANC between 10 levels through the several user modes available in the companion app. The Wind Block feature is also available. Aware mode works perfectly to keep listeners highly aware of their surroundings.

Bose finally jumped on the lossless audio train and included Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec, which dynamically scales bitrate (between 279 and 420 kilobits per second) to pull more details from recordings with minimal latency. The customizable EQ in Bose Music lets you adjust bass, midrange and treble. Listening with ANC on can also boost bass response.

But it’s Bose’s Immersive Audio that steals the show. Music and movies sound engrossing, and Bose’s highly accurate headtracking makes content more realistic. As previously mentioned, Immersive Audio is engineered to work with all stereo content, so you’re not tethered to any third-party software (e.g., Dolby Atmos, Tidal).

What you need to know about Bose headphones

Bose headphones and earbuds come in a variety of styles at different price points. All models adopt the brand’s neutral, clean-looking aesthetic and are sold in multiple colors. We’ve also found them to produce satisfying, warm sound and reliable connectivity. The introduction of Immersive Audio means you can expect universal spatial audio on the latest and upcoming releases.

The biggest selling point for most Bose headphones and earbuds is noise cancellation, which the majority support. Bose models are platform-neutral, meaning they’re compatible with Apple, Android and Windows devices. Most features can be personalized in the Bose Connect (older releases) or Bose Music (newer releases) app. These include adjustable audio settings, battery life monitoring, customizable controls, listening mode selection and firmware updates via iOS or Android.

Cautious consumers should know that all Bose headphones and earbuds come with a one-year warranty. However, online retailers like Amazon offer multiyear protection plans for a premium.

Bose versus the competition

Bose’s stronghold on the noise-canceling market has loosened, but it’s still considered the king of ANC headphones and earbuds. Over-ear models like the Bose 700 and QuietComfort Ultra Wireless reduce ambient sound at incredibly high levels. However, key competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 (our top over-ear headphones pick) and Sennheiser Momentum 4 closely rival Bose’s creations on the ANC front, plus they come with audiophile-grade sound and higher battery life. The same goes for the true wireless category, where the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are far ahead in noise cancellation, while the Sony WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 are arguably better-sounding alternatives duking it out for the title of third-best noise-canceling earbuds.

Other Bose headphones to consider

Bose 700

$379 From $279 at Amazon

A former category leader that’s still an elite performer, the Bose 700 headphones deliver excellent ANC, precise sound and superior call quality in a futuristic, svelte design. Ten levels of adjustable ANC are available for eliminating up to 90% of unwanted sound. Bose’s clean, dynamic sound profile makes music, movies and podcasts more engaging. Functionality is seamless, thanks to responsive touch controls and voice command. Battery life is some of the lowest in the category at 20 hours, but it’s still sufficient for long commutes and flights.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023)

$349 $249 at Amazon

A refresher to the QC45, the 2023 QC Headphones are a silent release that deserve the attention of brand enthusiasts who want the premium Bose noise cancellation experience for a lower price. They might have the same exact design as their predecessor, but they offer stronger ANC (now customizable up to 10 levels), battery life (two hours more than the QC45) and sound quality. Also, voice calling is some of the best in the category and among newer Bose releases.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

$279 $199 at Amazon

A former pick for the best noise-canceling earbuds, the Bose QCE 2 only fall behind the seceding QC Ultra Earbuds when it comes ANC. ActiveSense and CustomTune are employed to automatically calibrate noise neutralization and the sound frequency profile for optimal performance. The noise-canceling filters do a remarkable job of blocking out mid- and high-range tones and wind. You can access the customizable EQ via companion app to fine-tune music. In addition, Bose confirmed that an update is in the works to bring aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support to the QCE 2.

Bose QuietComfort 45

$329 $199 at Amazon

The Bose QC45 headphones are a noteworthy upgrade from the bestselling QC35 2. For starters, they come with the longest ANC playtime of any Bose model at 24 hours. The company’s TriPort acoustic architecture and a volume-optimized Active EQ create a refined sound signature that complements most music genres. Bose has also simplified ANC use, developing a Quiet mode that automatically adjusts to your environment and cancels out 90% of external sounds. Aware mode serves as the QC45’s transparency mode and is equally rewarding for when you want to hear the world around you loudly and clearly.

Bose Sport Earbuds

From $180 at Amazon

As the most affordable option in the Bose lineup, the Sport Earbuds are an ideal pickup for brand enthusiasts who want a fitness alternative. The warm, balanced sound sends out impactful bass to get your adrenaline pumping. Bluetooth holds up well to maintain calls and music streaming within a 40-foot range. An IPX4-rated design keeps excessive moisture from damaging the buds, and Bose’s StayHear Max silicone ear tips and flexible wings latch onto the ears for optimal fit. We’re disappointed with the lack of ANC and extra features, but that’s to be expected at this low price.