Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review

Bose's noise cancelling technology will help block out ambient sounds and the rumble from aircraft engines. It also makes a range of high-quality wireless headphones.

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

Active Noise Cancellation

Bose QuietComfort headphones are known for their superior noise cancellation. However Bose also produces a wide range of Premium Panasonic Black Wired Earphones - RP-HJE125-K headphones that don't require or offer this feature. The products typically have a premium price point and make use of top materials, but they're also light, sweat-resistant and comfortable enough for long listening sessions.

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

Another excellent feature is the Bose TruSleeve, a removable cover that wraps around the neck and rests on your upper ear to provide additional sound reduction when you're out and about. It's available for all QuietComfort models and can be adjusted through the app to suit your ear and lifestyle.

Comparing the 700s with our top choice, Sony WH1000XM5, they have an improved microphone for phone calls. This makes them a great option for those who make calls often and want to be clearly heard while moving around.

The headphones can be connected to your mobile device using Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's own A2DP protocol. They support aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, making the perfect option for audiophiles with sources that support these high-quality wireless codecs. Bose also includes a 2.5 mm to 3.5 millimeter cable for wired audio, and they're optimized for Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones are powered by a battery with a lifespan of up to 20 hours, and a USB-C charging port on the right earcup.

Sound Quality

Bose has earned a reputation for noise cancelling its noise cancelling technology, which effectively blocks out the engine noise of aircraft engines or office chatter. However, the brand also has earbuds and headphones that have good sound quality too. They're all compatible with the free Bose Connect or Bose Music app (older models) and offer a variety of features like audio settings, battery life monitoring, customizable controls and listening mode selection. They're also platform-neutral and work with Apple, Android and Windows devices.

The QuietComfort45 headphones from Bose are Bose's best-sounding wireless over-ear headphone. They use Bluetooth 5.1 for multi-point pairing, and also come with a USB-C charging port on the bottom of each cup. They also come with a cable that has an 3.5mm plug at the other end for wired listening. They also have an ANC button on the left earcup. You can configure the ANC to three levels using the app and also turn on the hear-through mode for ambient sounds.

They're light for headphones that are designed to be used for long periods of time. They have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears. The sound is vibrant and bright, with well-controlled bass response. The treble isn't as crisp as you'd get from top-rated competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Jabra Elite 85H, however it's punchy enough for most music genres.

The Bose Connect and Bose music apps let you alter the audio settings as well as alter the EQ. They also have a great microphone for hands-free calling, and a voice assistant which does a great job of separating ambient noise from your speech when answering questions. The Bose Connect and Bose Music apps also let you adjust the audio settings and customize the EQ. The Bose voice, which tells you about battery status and whether you're connected, is a little robotic, compared to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.

Comfort

Bose headphones are comfortable, whether they're over-ear or on. Bose's headphones are typically well-padded and don't feel too tight on the head. They also have a balanced sound profile, which makes them suitable for a wide range of genres. Many Bose headphones have an app companion to the headphones that comes with an equalizer graphic to assist you in fine tuning your music.

The Bose QuietComfort45 Wireless over-ear headphones feature a pliable headband, plush earpads and a soft and flexible earband. They are the most comfortable headphones that we've tried. They're extremely light and sweat-resistant, and you can listen for hours without feeling any discomfort. The earcups can be rotated around the plastic stems that extend from the headband. This allows you to move them and ensures they seal around your ear.

The Bose QC45s impressed us with their noise cancellation and audio quality. The sound is clear vibrant, detailed, and clear with clear mids and crisp highs. The headphones also have a very neutral midrange response, which means that voices reproduce well. The only drawback to these headphones is that they do not support the most recent Bluetooth codes, such as aptX Adaptive and LDAC, which allows for lossless playback.

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 life of up to five hours, which is sufficient for the majority of exercises. The buds come with an inbuilt microphone and are waterproof. You can control them with the included remote, or by using the companion app. The app lets you adjust the settings for Bose Aware Mode and ANC.

Controls

The 700s do not have physical controls for the ear cups unlike most of Bose's headphones. There's an electronic touch panel on the right earcup which you can use to swipe or tap your finger. Tap twice to play/pause, swipe up or down to alter the volume and move forward to skip tracks. A single tap answers calls, and a double-tap rejects any call that comes in.

The headset also allows you to toggle the mode of "aware," which enables some sort of a view of your surroundings. This feature is useful for those who must be aware of the environment when listening to music or making calls.

A motion detector shuts off your headphones when you are not using them. It's a welcome addition for those who don't remember to switch off their headphones or get distracted while using headphones. You can alter the Auto-Off timer setting on your Bose 700 headphones using the Bose Connect app.

The app lets you alter the features of the headphones, such as the settings for audio, noise cancelling levels, and languages for voice prompts. It's also where you'll receive updates for your Bose headphones. The app could require you to share personal information, but this is to be expected. It's also where you can configure your Bluetooth connection preferences, and it has a helpful battery reading function that 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 application requires that your smartphone or tablet be connected via Bluetooth. Once connected you'll be able to choose a profile and locate your headset.

Design

Bose is known for its comfortable headphones. The majority of their models do an excellent job at keeping the listener's ears from noise. Their sound is generally well-balanced and flexible enough to work across genres without much tweaking. They are also sturdy and portable, making them a great choice for trips.

A large part of what makes Bose headphones so well-known is their noise cancellation. The NCH700s come with 10 levels of noise cancellation which is impressive even at the highest level. Their microphones are also stellar with six of the eight microphones in the headband to help isolate voices from background noise. Two of the microphones serve as noise-rejection sensor to block background noise and echo during voice calls.

Contrary to some of their rivals, Bose headphones tend to have a minimalist design with only a few buttons on the headband. The left side of the cup is equipped with an adjustable noise-cancelling switch and the right cup has switches to power/Bluetooth and launch digital assistants. There's also a capacitive touch panel on the right side of the cup that lets you play or pause music, skip tracks, and adjust volume using a few gestures.

Bose headphones are ideal for use on the go. Most models, both on and over the ear, feature plenty of padding that ensures an ideal fit. They're also extremely portable and lightweight, making them a great option for trips. Bose's wireless headphones do not block out as much background noise as some of their competitors. This may not be an issue for all users, especially as Bose also makes dedicated active noise cancelling earbuds for exercise (like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless). This allows you to monitor your surroundings while still enjoying your music.