The Best Bose Headphones and Earbuds, Tested and Reviewed by Our Tech Editor

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Bose is known for making some of the best headphones and earbuds in the business, especially with noise cancellation. The audio maker's stellar track record in this field dates back more than two decades, when Bose introduced its first QuietComfort headphones in 2000, revolutionizing the field. The rest is, well, history.

Today, the audio giant has a robust lineup of wireless headphones and earbuds, most of which rock the QuietComfort alias and noise-canceling tech. All Bose headphones and earbuds are at the top of their product categories, each featuring solid build quality, the storied manufacturer's signature understated design, and top-tier audio performance across the board. The noise cancellation of all Bose products is also a rock-solid contender for the best in the business.

So, how do you figure out which pair of Bose headphones or earbuds to get yourself or your giftee? Start by figuring out which unique features you desire the most, or that fit your recipient's lifestyle the best. For instance, the recently launched Ultra Open earbuds are the only Bose offering that skips this functionality.

To help you with this task, I extensively tested all mainstream headphones and earbuds Bose currently has on the market.

Best Bose Headphones & Earbuds

• Best Wireless Headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

• Best Wireless Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

• Best Open-Ear: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

• Best Value: Bose QuietComfort Headphones

What to Consider

Cost

First, you should know that all Bose wireless headphones and earbuds available today are decidedly premium — all products cost around $300 (and up), so budget accordingly. The QuietComfort headphones and non-Ultra earbuds go on sale from time to time. Keeping a watchful eye on the market (and this guide) can land you a set for under the typical $300 price tag.

Noise Cancellation

Except for the Ultra Open earbuds, all Bose products have noise cancellation. The core feature is more sophisticated in the Ultra headphones than in the standard QuietComfort model. On the other hand, all QuietComfort earbuds available today will treat you to similar levels of serenity.

Bose Immersive Audio

The above functionality is the main reason to spend more on Ultra headphones and earbuds over the standard Bose QuietComfort offerings. Using proprietary Bose tech, the promptly named feature allows the Ultra headphones and earbuds to produce immersive spatial audio with any content, not just Dolby Atmos sound.

Remarkably, Immersive Audio gives you or your gift recipient the option to experience spatial sound with or without dynamic head tracking. The last option shifts the sound as you move your head for a lifelike listening experience. I highly recommend it for live music recordings.

Other Bits to Keep in Mind

The sound of all Bose headphones and earbuds is customizable via a companion app. As far as additional accessories go, each Bose headset comes with a carrying case, so there's no need to worry about storage. In-ear models come with replaceable tips for an optimal fit, while wireless headphones come with an audio cable for the moments when the battery runs out.

How We Tested

I spent weeks with every pair of headphones and earbuds in this list, using them as my go-to daily headset. I scrutinized the comfort and the overall ergonomics of every headset by using them while working at home or in the office, as well as during my travels. These scenarios were crucial for thoroughly evaluating the noise cancellation and awareness modes of the QuietComfort products.

To put the headphones’ audio performance to the test, I streamed an eclectic selection of music styles, as well as podcasts and audiobooks. I also used every product to make telephone, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom calls.

Take a look at my Bose headphones reviews on all of the best models available today, including the brand's exciting new products and its tried and true models.

QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones are the audio giant’s best yet. The premium over-ear cans offer a mixture of elegant design, supreme comfort, impeccable ergonomics, immersive sound, solid battery life, and best-in-class noise cancellation that’s the equivalent of a mute button for the outside world. These qualities make the headphones one of the best in this highly competitive product category and totally worth splurging on.

Bose Immersive Audio is the main reason to consider spending big on the QuietComfort Ultra headphones over cheaper offerings. As its name suggests, the headphones' functionality allows them to deliver a superb spatial audio listening experience with or without dynamic head tracking. Switching between the last-mentioned modes is easy via the headphones’ built-in controls or the Bose Music app.

My favorite thing about Immersive Audio is that you don’t need Dolby Atmos-enhanced content to enjoy it. The feature utilizes local processing, so it makes audio content more lifelike and entertaining. The headphones’ sound sans Immersive Audio is stellar and customizable via the companion app in case you or the giftee want to switch to traditional stereo.

I like the fresh design of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. It presents an amalgam of the modern looks of the outgoing Bose Headphones 700 and the classic profile of the QuietComfort line that goes back almost a decade. You can order a set in black, white smoke, and sandstone, with the latter featuring metal bits with a gold finish.

QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

These over-ear headphones by Bose are an up-to-date take on a stone-cold classic and a solid lower-cost alternative to the Ultra version. Their design is a nod to the QuietComfort 35 wireless cans from almost a decade ago. Their oval-shaped ear cups with Bose logos and a sliding power button on the right are instantly recognizable and timelessly cool.

In a manner befitting their name, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones deliver noise cancellation that’s a legit industry benchmark. Their prowess in eliminating external noise makes them ideal for travel, focusing on work in loud spaces, or relaxing with an audiobook or a music playlist.

While the Bose QuietComfort headphones’ noise cancellation is undeniably exceptional, compared to the Ultra iteration, it is a step behind in sophistication. The Ultra headphones can automatically adjust their noise cancellation based on the ambient noise you encounter, while this standard model can only switch between complete silence and aware mode.

The QuietComfort headphones also lack spatial audio. Still, their lower price and clicky button controls make up for these shortcomings, especially if you find a set at a discount. Bose offers the QuietComfort in black, white, blue, and green.

QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Earbuds

As their name suggests, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds bring the same concoction of superb noise cancellation and quality sound as the QuietComfort Headphones, but in a vastly different package. The noise-canceling true wireless earphones are deservedly among the best in the business. Their ability to eliminate ambient noise alone is worth pressing “Add to Cart.”

The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds produce a signature Bose sound that’s customizable via their companion app. I liked being able to bump up the low range while listening to my endless selection of downtempo albums and also enjoyed toning it down a bit for classical concertos.

The Bose Immersive Audio in these earbuds works just as well as it does with the QuietComfort Ultra headphones. The feature makes any content more immersive, so you or the gift recipient won’t have to look for Dolby Atmos-enhanced audio to enjoy the multi-dimensional sound.

The earbuds’ touch-sensitive controls proved very reliable during weeks of daily use. I liked being able to adjust the volume by swiping up or down on each bud. My only gripe with earbuds is that it costs an extra $49 to make them compatible with wireless charging via a case cover. In my opinion, wireless earbuds that cost a dollar below $300 should have the feature as standard, just like the first-generation QuietComfort did in 2020.

You can order the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds in black, white smoke, or moonstone blue. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a slightly cheaper alternative to the Ultra if you don’t prioritize spatial audio. However, considering the negligible price difference, I suggest the Ultra model unless you find the QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale.

Review: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Ultra Open Earbuds

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are the antithesis of the audio maker’s QuietComfort offerings. Instead of isolating the user from the outside world with silicone ear tips and noise cancellation, the earphones have been developed to do the exact opposite. Their unique design and fit will keep you or your gift recipient in touch with your surroundings. This is a major plus for runners or people who enjoy walking or exercising outdoors because they'll be able to enjoy their music while keeping safe and staying aware of their environment.

Sound-wise, the Ultra Open earbuds exceeded my expectations by delivering a rich sonic experience with a powerful bass. This is traditionally a weak spot for open-ear headsets, so experiencing an authoritative low range was a pleasant surprise. The clip-on fit also gave the Ultra Open an edge in this department over its rivals, as the earbuds’ sound output reaches the ear canals more reliably, resulting in stronger bass.

The earphones’ sound is customizable, and I enjoyed tweaking the bass, treble, and mid-range depending on the music style I listened to. Best of all, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds didn’t leak audio to distract my family or colleagues, again thanks to their clip-on fit.

Compared to their noise-canceling siblings, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds have nicer clicky button controls and slightly longer battery life. Given their hefty price, I only wish their case supported wireless charging out of the box.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are available in black or white. Limited-edition color options are available directly from Bose.

Review: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

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