Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review

Bose's noise cancelling technology can help block out background noises and the rumble of aeroplane engines. Bose also produces a range of premium wireless headphones.

The new Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless have a smaller, sleeker design than the QuietComfort buds and a better microphone to take calls. They're also sweat-resistant and come with an charging case.

Active Noise Cancellation

The Bose QuietComfort line is known for its superior noise cancellation however, the company also offers a wide selection of high-quality headphones and earbuds which don't require or offer it. The products are typically high priced and constructed of premium materials. They're also lightweight and sweat-resistant, and comfortable enough to listen for long periods of time.

The flagship 700s are an excellent example of this. They have an upgraded eight-microphone system (six for cancelling sound, two for picking up voices) and 11 custom ANC modes that let you hear the world around you or block it out completely. They're also equipped with a "Conversation Mode" button that allows you to temporarily pause your music in order to make a call or make a quick announcement.

Another excellent feature is the Bose TruSleeve, a removable cover that wraps around your neck and rests on the upper ear for additional noise reduction when you're out and out and about. It is available for all QuietComfort products and can be customized with the app to suit your ears and lifestyle.

In comparison to our top choice, the Sony WH-1000XM5, the 700s offer a better quality microphones for phone calls. This makes them a good option for those who regularly take calls and want to be heard clearly while traveling.

The headphones can be connected to your mobile device via Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's exclusive A2DP protocol. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive, aptX HD and are great for audiophiles who have sources that support higher-quality wireless codes. Bose includes a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable for wired listening. They're optimized for Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones are powered by a battery with a life of 20 hours or more and an USB-C charging port on the right earcup.

Sound Quality

Bose has earned its name for its noise cancelling technology, which effectively shuts out the engine noise of aircraft engines or office chatter. Bose also makes headphones that have good sound quality. They're all compatible with the free Bose Connect or Bose Music app (older models) and offer a variety of features, including audio settings and battery life monitoring, adjustable controls and a choice of listening mode. They're also platform-neutral working with Apple, Android, and Windows devices.

The QuietComfort 45 headphones are Bose's best-sounding over-ear wireless headphone sale. They utilize Bluetooth 5.1 to provide multi-point pairing, and also an USB-C port to charge at the bottom of the cup. The headphones come with a cable with an 3.5mm plug at the other end, which is suitable for wired listening. They also come with an ANC button located on the left earcup. You can set the ANC to three levels using the app, and turn on the hear-through mode for ambient sounds.

They're lightweight headphones that are designed to be worn for long periods of time. They have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears. The sound is lively and vibrant with solid bass that's well-controlled. The treble might not be as crisp as top-rated competitors such as the Jabra Elite85H, but it's still punchy enough to suit most music genres.

The Bose Connect and Bose Music apps also let you adjust the audio settings and customize the EQ. They come with a fantastic microphone that allows hands-free calls and a voice assistant which is effective in separating ambient noise from your voice when you answer questions. The Bose Connect and Bose Music apps let you alter the audio settings as well as alter the EQ. However, we've noticed that the Bose voice that tells you about things such as battery status and whether you're connected is somewhat robotic, in contrast to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.

Comfort

Bose headphones are comfortable, whether over-ear or on. The Bose headphones are typically comfortable and don't feel too tight on your head. They also have a well-balanced sound profile, which makes them suitable for a wide variety of genres. Many Bose headphones have an accompanying app that includes a graphic equalizer to aid in fine tuning your music.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones are among the most comfortable headphones we've test, featuring a comfortable and soft headband as well as plush earpads. They are light, sweat-resistant and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The earcups can be rotated around the plastic stems that extend from the headband. This allows for flexibility and ensures that they fit around your ear.

In our tests, the Bose QC45s delivered impressive noise cancellation and great audio quality. The sound is rich, detailed, and punchy with clear mids and crisp highs. The headphones have a neutral midrange response, which means voices are reproduced with great clarity. The only issue is that they do not support the latest Bluetooth codecs, like aptX Adaptive or LDAC, which allow playback without loss.

The Bose Sport Earbuds are smaller and more sleek than the company's flagship QuietComfort Earbuds, making them ideal for running and working out. The buds have a battery lifespan of up to 5 hours, which is plenty for the majority of workouts. The buds are waterproof and have built-in microphones that allow for voice assistant integration. You can control them with the remote included, or by using the companion app. The app allows you to adjust settings for ANC and waterproof Bose's Aware Mode.

Controls

The 700s don't have physical controls for the ear cups unlike the majority of Bose's headphones. There's an electronic touch panel on the right earcup which you can use to swipe and tap your finger. Tap twice to play or pausing or pause, swipe up to increase the volume, and down to lower it and forward to skip tracks. A single tap answers calls, while the double tap will reject any call that comes in.

The headset also allows users to switch on a mode called "aware," which enables some passthrough of your surroundings. It's a handy feature for anyone who has to be aware of their environment while listening to music or making phone calls.

Another feature of the 700s is a motion detector that shuts down your headphones after a certain amount of inactivity. It's a nice feature for those who forget to turn off their headphones or get distracted while using headphones. You can change the Auto-Off timer setting on your Bose 700 headphones using the Bose Connect app.

The app lets you alter the features of your headphones, including audio settings, noise cancellation levels and voice prompt languages. You can also download updates for your Bose headsets. The app might ask you to share your personal information, but it's normal. It's also where you set your Bluetooth connectivity preferences, and it has an important battery reading feature which lets you know how much battery is remaining in your headphones. Download the free Bose Connect App from the App Store on your iOS device or Google Play. The app requires the use of a Bluetooth connection to your tablet or smartphone. Once connected, you'll be able to select a profile and find your headset.

Design

Bose headphones are well-known for their ease of use and ability to block the listener from ambient noise. Their sound is balanced, and versatile enough to be utilized across different genres. Their headphones are also quite lightweight and durable making them an excellent option for traveling.

A big part of what makes Bose headphones so popular is their noise cancelling. The NCH 700s offer 10 selectable levels of noise cancelling, and even at the highest level, it's pretty impressive. Six of the eight microphones are placed into the headband to keep voices away from background noise. Two of the mics double as noise-rejection sensors that help reduce background hiss and echo during voice calls.

In contrast to their rivals, Bose headphones tend to have a minimalist design with only a handful of buttons on the headband. The left cup has an adjustable noise-cancelling feature, and the right cup features toggles to power/Bluetooth or launch digital assistants. There's also a touch-sensitive panel on the right side of the cup which lets you play/pause music, skip tracks and adjust volume with simple gestures.

Bose's headphones are great for use on the go as the majority of over and on-ear models providing plenty of padding to ensure a comfortable fit. They are also light and portable making them a great option for those traveling. Bose's wireless headphones shops can't block out as much background noise as some of their competitors. This may not be an issue for everyone, especially since Bose also makes dedicated active noise cancelling earbuds for exercise (like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless). This allows you to monitor your surroundings and still enjoy your favorite music.