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We tested the best Bose headphones in 2024 | Mashable

We tested the best Bose headphones of 2024

Top-tier sound in a variety of different packages.
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We've tested plenty of headphones, from the best over-ear headphones to the best earbuds. Plus, we've gotten specific, seeking out noise-canceling options, your best bet on a budget, and the most comfortable pairs for airplane travel. For folks who are brand-loyal, we've also tested pretty much every model of Bose headphones and earbuds to find the best Bose headphones of 2024.

In the past year, Bose's collection of headphones and earbuds underwent a bit of a shake-up, with longstanding headphones like the Bose QC 45 and Bose 700 being discontinued in favor of the new QuietComfort Ultra line. With this in mind, our list includes all the best Bose headphones and earbuds you can currently buy.

How to choose the best Bose headphones

Overall, Bose's headphones prioritize comfort and audio quality, so you'll have to understand your specific needs to pick the best Bose headphones for you. There are truly no bad products here — having tested every product on this list, they're all high-performing options.

So, the bulk of your decision comes down to your personal preferences. If you care deeply about audio quality and want a personalized experience, you'll want a pair of headphones that offers different modes and spatial audio. For athletes or commuters who need to be aware of their surroundings, a pair of earbuds that provide rich audio while letting you hear the world around you is great.

Here are the best Bose headphones of 2024, hands-on tested by Mashable staff:

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones here.

Who it's for:

If you wear headphones all day while commuting and working, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are a match made. They're truly comfortable, as the circumaural design fully covers your ear without pinching or adding undue pressure. Plus, the 24-hour battery life will keep them running just as long.

If you're willing to spend a little extra, the QuietComfort Ultras are worth it. At $429, they're more expensive than similar quality headphones from Sony, but these will be a worthy upgrade thanks to the spatial audio and all-day comfort.

Why we like it:

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are an excellent pair of headphones. They absolutely live up to their comfort name. While testing them, I wore the Bose QuietComfort Ultras for a full eight hours with glasses and earrings and experienced zero discomfort.

The headphones deliver gorgeous, rich audio no matter what you listen to. I enjoyed the peppy beats of Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso in equal measure to the lush strings of Vivaldi. Active noise cancellation blocked out the world while I was listening; however, it's weak on high-pitched noise compared to other headphones I've used.

It offers three different listening modes: aware, transparent, and immersive. All of them allow for a more customizable audio experience, best for the pickiest listeners. These headphones are expensive, but they are the best Bose has to offer.

The Good

The Bad

Details

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.

Who it's for:

As much as we like over-the-ear headphones, earbuds are often more practical. They're compact and ready to be thrown in a bag, plus they stay out of the way during workouts. Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are the brand's best earbud offer. There are plenty of earbud options out there, but these are for the person who wants the sound quality you find in over-the-ear headphones in a smaller size (including) ANC and spatial audio. Plus, they're a more affordable choice, over $100 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Why we picked this:

We're big fans of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth tested them and said that music just sounds better on them. They're easy to pair with devices and feature Bose's 3D spatial technology, Immersive mode. However, the real star of the show is the active noise cancellation.

The buds don't completely block out the world, but they dilute the loudest and nearest noises, ideal for focusing on work or snoozing on an airplane. One downside Mashable testers have noticed though, is buggy Bluetooth connection — typical of some Bose products. At $299, these earbuds are worth the price; however, if you want a deal, we saw them drop to $229 during Prime Day 2024.

The Good

The Bad

Details

Read our full review of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds here.

Who it's for:

If you live with just one earbud in or one side of your headphones pushed off, consider the Bose Ultra Open earbuds. The unique design cuffs around the ear so you can listen to music while aware of your surroundings. This is a particularly good option for cyclists or runners in congested areas, who must stay alert to cars and pedestrians.

Why we like it:

When we first encountered the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, we were skeptical. The design seemed gimmicky and not so tempting at its $299 price. However, our tester RJ Andersen deemed them worth the price for their comfort alone, calling them "the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried."

While they're a great solution to pulling out an earbud to hear the world, you don't lose out on sound quality. Like all of Bose's headphones and earbuds, they're compatible with its fantastic app that allows customization. Remember, these are designed for noise transparency, letting the world in, so don't expect any ANC benefits. But if you're not looking for noise cancellation, these are great at what they do — maintaining sound quality while keeping you aware of your surroundings.

The Good

The Bad

Details

Topics Bose

How we tested

All of the headphones and earbuds in this guide were hands-on tested by Mashable or PC Mag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) staff. In making our selections, we weighed:

  • Sound: Since headphones are first and foremost a way for you to listen to audio, if a pair of headphones didn't sound good, they didn't make the list — that goes for our budget picks, too.

  • Noise cancellation: These days, some form of noise cancellation is near-essential for any pair of headphones. We prioritized models that feature solid noise cancellation.

  • Comfort: What's the point of a great pair of headphones if they're too uncomfortable to wear?

  • Customization: Whether it be for ANC levels, transparency modes, or touch controls, headphones that allow you to adjust the settings will make them feel like they were made for you.

  • Battery life: Most wireless headphones on the market rely on Bluetooth connectivity, so having a battery you can rely on for at least a few hours of listening time is key.

  • Special features: When testing headphones and earbuds, we also take into consideration any other special features they offer. For headphones in the $200-plus price range, we expect at least a few special features, like immersive and personalized audio.

portrait of a woman wearing glasses
Samantha Mangino
Shopping Reporter

Boston-based Shopping Reporter, Samantha Mangino, covers all things tech at Mashable, rounding up the best products and deals. She’s covered commerce for three years, spending extensive time testing and reviewing all things home, including couches, steam irons, and washing machines. She thoroughly vets products and internet trends, finding out if those cozy gamer chairs are really as comfortable as TikTok claims.


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