My expert team has reviewed hundreds of the best headphones (read more on how we test at TechRadar generally, and how we test earbuds specifically to learn more on our methods) and collectively we’ve spent more time than we'd care to admit with cans strapped around our heads, all-but oblivious to the outside world – where Bose is concerned, at least.
That’s why you can trust every recommendation in this guide. If I didn’t rate a pair highly under intense review, in conjunction with the wider team, I won’t list it here.
The best Bose headphones combine sleek design with excellent sound performance – and of course active noise cancellation. It’s no wonder Bose consistently ranks as one of the world's leading audio brands, it wrote the book on ANC in the 1970s. You don’t need to be an expert to know that Bose models are mainstays in our guides to the best noise-cancelling headphones, and best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Choosing the right Bose headphones for you depends on your budget, your personal preferences, and your having read this guide, which is built entirely on full, in-depth reviews of each of the Bose headphones listed within it. Don’t forget to check our Bose promo codes guide, too, for the best deals live now.
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Why you can trust TechRadar's choices
We’ve tested all of the earbuds in this guide ourselves, and our audio review team is led by me, Becky Scarrott, TechRadar's Audio Editor. I work with our Managing Editor for Entertainment, Matt Bolton, to craft our buying guides, and we have decades of combined experience in the audio tech industry,
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
August 29, 2025
Rewrote the introduction. Added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) in at the top spot, moving the originals further down in the list as our top choice for buds if you find them discounted. Added details about the audio team members that reviewed all of the Bose products. Added more photos to each product recommendation. Included a new section defining key Bose terminology. Put more context and links in the 'How we test' section. Also checked to make sure all copy is up to date.
The quick list
Looking for a simple way to find the best Bose headphones with the key features and design that's right for you? Use our quick list below and click to see a longer write-up of each product for more in-depth information.
Best earbuds overall
Excellent ANC, powerful and dynamic audio, plus solid features like wireless charging and multipoint connectivity. These are not only the best Bose buds, but among the best earbuds you can buy, period.
Best headphones overall
Expect incredible sound and class-leading ANC. These over-ears are also comfortable and feature-packed – though the battery is disappointing. Like all Bose models, they're not cheap, but are worth the splurge.
Best value earbuds
Bose is generally a high-end brand, but you can find the same fantastic sound, fit and ANC smarts in the latest QC Earbuds for a more reasonable price. They're not perfect, but they bring you the best of Bose for less.
Best open-ear
The first open-ear buds from Bose are some of the best on the market, keeping you aware with a comfortable design and surprisingly little sound leakage. They're pricey, but a good choice for outdoor runners.
Best budget Bose headphones
Want that top-tier Bose noise-nixing in an iconic design that just misses a few of the pricier 'Ultra' features – and saves you a bit of cash? You're looking at them.
Best for potential deals
Bose products rarely go on sale, but with the newer Gen 2 buds taking the spotlight, this still-excellent set is primed for discounts. ANC and immersive audio remain outstanding, even if they’ve been superseded.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
Best Bose headphones of 2025
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best Bose earbuds overall
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) deliver the best noise cancellation we’ve ever experienced from a pair of buds, while also packing in powerful, dynamic audio and excellent call-handling mics. If you’re a music lover and want that bubble of silence cocoon on demand, as well as immersive, head-tracked audio that feels like your own personal concert, these are the best Bose buds for you – scrap that, they’re among the best buds, period.
At first glance, these Gen 2 Ultras may look similar to the originals, but there are upgrades here. You finally get wireless charging included as standard, along with multipoint connectivity to pair with more than one device. There are also some smaller refinements to their fit and finish, like a new plum shade, although these buds are still on the larger side in the market generally. That said, we found them comfortable during testing, even for smaller ears.
Bose’s Immersive Audio is fantastic here with device agnostic spatial audio and tailored immersive profiles that make your music feel vivid and energetic. You can also choose a fixed or moving surround effect to match your preference. If we had to pick one word to describe the Gen 2’s audio performance, it would be powerful. Bass heavy tracks thump while leaving space for vocals and detail. Add in Bose’s rock-solid ANC, which silences the outside world like nothing we’ve tested, and the effect is almost uncanny.
Now, they’re excellent but not perfect. Battery life is just fine at this point, not class-leading. And you won’t find advanced code support like LDAC here. But, taken as a whole, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) are incredibly hard to beat if noise-nixing is your top priority. They’re expensive, and if you already have the original Ultras the upgrades may not justify the switch. But if you’re starting fresh and want the best buds Bose has to offer, these are for you.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) review
The best Bose headphones overall
It should go without saying at this point that every pair of headphones and earbuds in this list do ANC very well because Bose does ANC very well. But the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are exceptional, in our review we wrote they: “set a new standard when it comes to active noise cancellation.” So if you prefer the fit and design of over-ears, these premium cans are not only the best Bose headphones, but among the best noise-cancelling headphones currently available.
Like the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) above, you’ll find Immersive Audio here, Bose’s sound technology that creates a dynamic, moving soundstage. As we’ve already stressed, there’s ANC, which is excellent. You’ll also find support for Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive for high-resolution audio – although this isn’t going to work with all aptX devices, meaning they fall short if you’re after hi-res options. 24 hours of battery life is the only other thing on the spec sheet that feels a little weak compared to what competitors are offering.
In our review, we wrote that we experienced “an absolutely thrilling listen” from these headphones. Of course, Immersive Audio is one of the top features, wrapping you in a spatial sound experience, which is bolstered by that best-in-class ANC. But that’s not all these headphones have going for them. In our review we wrote: “They deliver some of the most alive, exciting, textured, finely resolved, deeply engaging music I've ever heard from a pair of wireless headphones.” This is due to a number of factors, including unique angled drivers in the earcups that promise a performance better engineered for the shape of our heads.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a sleek and premium design and they’re crafted from high-quality materials. They deliver a very comfortable fit, ideal for long periods of listening. Although they feel high-end, they’re a little lighter and more refined-looking compared to previous Bose QC models, and you also get a carrying case that’s sturdy so they don’t get damaged when you’re on the move.
The price tag here is high, and they compete with other very capable high-end headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max, but they justify the price and still have the edge on most rivals for their sheer noise-cancelling power.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
The best Bose earbuds for value
Bose does noise-cancelling, sound and design extremely well, but often at a high price. Enter the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024, which bring you the best of Bose not at a budget price by any means, but at a mid-range price that should have much wider appeal. You’ll find everything you need from a pair of buds here, and then some.
All of the essential features are here, multi-point pairing, touch control customization, a low-latency gaming mode, a battery prediction feature and voice control. Although during our testing voice control was far too sensitive.To the point we had to simply turn it off. The buds also do support the SBC and AAC codecs for music streaming, but unfortunately audiophiles will be disappointed by the lack of aptX, FLAC and WMA. Battery life isn’t the best on the market, but did deliver better than Bose’s estimate, providing 9 hours of listening, even with ANC on.
Like many Bose buds, ANC is the star of the show when it comes to sound. ANC here really is among the very best at this mid-range price point – it even gives some high-end buds a run for their money. In our review, we wrote: “It completely eradicates all but the most incessant and loud background noises.” Not just that, but it comes with a really good Aware mode, which both isolates and amplifies voices while masking out other sounds. Generally, they sound great too. In our review we said they had a “crackling warm tone, with rich and meaty bass” and plenty of nuance so the bass never feels too heavy-handed. We also rated the buds for their dramatic sound stage.
The fit here was snug, sturdy and incredibly comfortable for long listening sessions. We didn’t once worry about them falling out during testing, even when they joined us for an 8km run. This is largely due to improved stability bands as well as a design with a good balance in the ear. They’re IPX4 resistant, which means they should be good for workouts. The only design choice here we didn’t like was the charging case, it’s not bad it’s just a little big, especially if you’d prefer to carry it in a pocket.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 are still pricier than a lot of options out there. But we do think the price here is pretty low, all things considered. They’re a great pick if you want excellent ANC and if you often struggle to find buds that fit well.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review
The best open-ear Bose earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have an open-ear design, which means there’s no bud to fit inside your ear canal and no cup to cover your ear completely. Instead, they “hook” onto the side of your ear’s helix. This design is becoming more popular for people who want to hear what’s going on around them, whether they run or workout outdoors, need to stay aware in an open plan office or just walk outside a lot and want to feel safe.
These open-ear buds work by aiming dual drivers at your ears, using Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, which you’ll find in most of the devices in this guide. There are several listening modes, Still and Motion, which we liked in our testing. Motion allows you to turn your head and move within the soundstage. We described the resulting sound as “incredible” in our review. Which isn’t surprising from Bose buds, but is surprising from open-ear buds. What’s also surprising is there’s very little sound leakage. Think about it, some sound leakage would be totally expect from this open design, but it’s not very noticeable at all.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds join a mounting category of open-ear buds and yet they’re different to other open-ear designs that have big hooks to fit over the back of your ear. Instead, they hook onto the edge of your ear’s helix and a battery cylinder sits behind it. During our testing we did comment that they feel a little wobbly and there’s a feeling that the weight distribution is uneven, yet they didn’t fall off – even when we took them running.
Unfortunately, these buds are expensive. Which means we’d only recommend them if this form factor really appeals. Whether that’s because you don’t like the feel of in-ear or over-ear buds or think being more aware of your surroundings as you listen could be a revelation and make you feel safer.
Read our full Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review
The best budget headphones
If Bose earbuds often come at a high price, the company's over-ears tend to sit in a consumer price bracket all of their own – and with good reason: they're very good. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones were released just before their Ultra stablemates in 2023 in a bid to fix that. And to a degree, they do.
You get Bose's excellent bubble-of-silence ANC for slightly under flagship money – but note the word 'slightly'. Because they're still not 'entry level' as far as we're concerned. But then, neither is the sound or feature set…
What you need to know is that these cans present buyers with all of the Bose basics, including great comfort levels, sound and Bose ANC. That said, if you're expecting Ultras in a slightly more retro design, you'll be disappointed, it's still best to think of the set with the Ultra suffix as a solid step up from the QuietComfort headphones you're looking at here.
Perhaps the beauty of the regular QuietComfort is their simplicity: they're as easy and enjoyable to set up and use as they are to listen to. These headphones feature Bose’s signature audio tech, and while it’s not especially groundbreaking in 2025, that’s part of their appeal – they don't overcomplicate the recipe. The controls are also refreshingly straightforward (instead of fiddly touch capacitive panels, you get trusty manual buttons on the earcups) and don't worry, there's still an app if you need more customization. That said, we found it optional rather than a must (we never felt the need to tweak various features we didn't enjoy or wouldn't ever use, say), and the interface is clean with just a handful of modes to pick from.
Want headphones that just work without you having to read a manual from cover to cover? Consider the mid-range QuietComfort.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) review
The best Bose earbuds for potential deals
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds may have been superseded by the Gen 2 model at the top of this list, but they’re still an excellent set of earbuds and have the brand’s class-leading ANC. We’re including them here because, as an older pair, there may be sleeper deals and discounts that would make them well worth snapping up.
They continue to serve up fantastic noise cancellation. Yes, the newer version does edge them out, but this is still among the best you’ll get from any buds (it's still Bose, after all). Add in spatial audio and you’ve got sound that feels immersive while silencing the outside world.
Now, when they first launched we did note some limitations. But a software update was rolled out in July 2024 that addressed most of them, adding multipoint pairing. They’re also Snapdragon Sound-certified, with aptX Adaptive for high-quality streaming and that spatial audio is impressive and device-agnostic.
Design-wise, you’ll notice a shiny finish on the stems and updated stability bands to keep them secure compared to Bose buds that came before them. Though smaller ears may still find the fit a little bulky.
Overall, the brand’s fantastic ANC and immersive audio still give these earbuds a unique edge. And if you can find them discounted, which is rare for Bose, they’re well worth considering.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
Meet the team
Becky has tested more than 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from high-end Hi-Res Audio music players to super-budget earbuds. Before she joined the TechRadar team, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? reviewing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, she was a professional dancer. Her love of music is what drives her.
Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Entertainment. He leads coverage of movies and TV shows, along with reviews and news on the latest TVs, soundbars, headphones and speakers. Before joining TechRadar, he managed TV and audio content for T3.com and previously served as Editor of T3 magazine.
Tom was TechRadar’s Deputy Phones Editor until late 2022, where he reviewed everything from smartphones to tablets. He now writes for entertainment site What To Watch, and has built up years of experience freelancing across tech, gaming, and entertainment journalism.
Matt is TechRadar’s expert on fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former Men’s Health staffer with a Master’s in journalism from Cardiff, he’s also written for Runner’s World, Women’s Health, and Fit&Well. A keen runner and ex-kickboxer, he’s equally happy in a yoga flow or lost in a fantasy novel.
Becca is a freelance contributor for TechRadar and over the years she's reviewed wearable technology, smart home gadgets and countless earbuds and headphones with a focus on mid-range devices. She's written for all the major tech and science publications, including New Scientist, T3 and Wired. She's also written a book about tech, called Screen Time.
How to choose the best Bose headphones
Does Bose make the best ANC headphones?
Bose makes great-sounding and incredibly stylish headphones. But it’s the high-end tech that the company packs into its earbuds that makes them stand apart from the rest, especially noise-cancellation.
Bose offers the best-in-class ANC that we've ever tested. It's no surprise you'll find Bose headphones in our best noise-cancelling earbuds and best noise cancelling headphones guides.
Which Bose headphones have the best sound quality?
For us, it has to be the over-ear Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Not only do they sound excellent, they have some of the best ANC on the market and Bose's Immersive Audio, the result is rich, detailed and realistic sound with zero distractions from the outside world.
Of course, if you prefer an earbud form factor, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) at the top of our list are our best pick for buds. Bose packs its ANC features and wonderful sound into this smaller design. There was a time when the over-ears would always deliver a better experience, but these buds almost beat them – almost.
Is Bose better than Sony?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Bose and Sony are two of the top headphone makers in the premium audio space.
For a long time Bose always won when it came to noise cancellation. And although we still think Bose as a brand does ANC incredibly well, Sony does have the edge where over-ears are now concerned.
In our best noise-cancelling headphones guide, the Sony WH-1000XM6s are our top premium pick and gave us the best overall ANC experience.
But while the Sony XM6 has just edged the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones out for ANC, they're still amazing at blocking noise, and sound fantastic too. If you're a Bose loyalist, these are the ones to get.
Where the best noise-cancelling earbuds are concerned, Bose still reigns supreme. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) at the top of this guide also top that list, bringing you class-leading ANC in this form factor, as well as excellent sound and device-agnostic spatial audio.
So when it comes to ANC, you could say it's a draw. In comparison, Sony is considered slightly better for features and, often, sound performance – though the race is tight.
You’ll tend to find Sony’s headphones often have a longer battery life than Bose’s devices too with some additional features, like added wireless codec support and LDAC for high-res listening.
If you can’t decide, spend more time considering your top priorities. But if you already know ANC and comfort are the most important, Bose might be the best choice.
How we test the best Bose headphones
In the guide above, you'll find our pick of the best Bose headphones. Unlike other best headphones guides, we're only looking at devices by Bose here, but that doesn't mean we're included every single Bose pair.
What we're looking for is the best Bose headphones for a range of preferences, whether you need a pair of the best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds, or an over-ear pair. That's what enables us to suggest which are the best when it comes to value, comfort or ANC.
With that in mind, we also wanted to test for all-important audio quality – although that's rarely an issue with Bose's high-end products – as well as comfort and value for money. Bose products are never budget, but we compare like for like, so you know you're getting the best headphones that perform admirably for the price.
We have tested all of the headphones in this guide for days and sometimes weeks at a time, analyzing the sound, fit, design, specs, and value for money so that you'll be able to choose the best Bose headphones for you. If you're interesting in our process more generally, take a look at our how we test at TechRadar guide.
To fully understand Bose headphones, it helps to understand a thing or two about audio tech. Which is why we recommend reading our explainer on noise cancellation and our guide to understanding Qualcomm Bluetooth codecs and aptX if codec quality is important to you when looking for a new pair of headphones – and given Bose's prices, it should be!
We also have a good about what it means to have AI in your earbuds, which should help demystify some of the latest audio tech terminology.
Useful Bose terminology
To help you decide which Bose headphones are right for you, we’ve broken down some of the key terminology the brand uses to describe its products and technology.
Immersive audio: This is Bose’s version of spatial audio. It works across devices and streaming services and isn't locked to one ecosystem. It can be paired with listening profiles to create tailored, surround-like sound experiences.
Modes: These are pre-defined listening presets, including Quiet, Aware, Immersion, or Custom, that bundle noise-cancellation, immersive audio, and wind-block settings into one. You can switch between them either via on-device controls or the Bose app.
Open: How Bose refers to products without ANC that prioritize situational awareness by letting in more environmental sound, like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
Other: There are one-off products in Bose's line-up that don’t belong to a main family, like the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
QuietComfort: This is Bose’s signature noise-cancelling line. It's designed for comfort and silence, hence the name. It includes wireless over-ear headphones and earbuds, the latest being the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
Soundsport: This was an older, sports-focused range that's now discontinued. It included models like the Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Earbuds.
Sport: These are Bose earbuds that are built for workouts and outdoor use, but without ANC.
Ultra: A label that marks Bose’s flagship models, with more advanced features than the standard range. But products can be both Quietcomfort and Ultra, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
Latest updates best Bose headphones
August 29, 2025
Rewrote the introduction. Added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) in at the top spot, moving the originals further down in the list as our top choice for buds if you find them discounted. Added details about the audio team members that reviewed all of the Bose products. Added more photos to each product recommendation. Included a new section defining key Bose terminology. Put more context and links in the 'How we test' section. Also checked to make sure all copy is up to date.
March 31, 2025
Rewrote the introduction. Added the Bose QuietComfort Headphones as our 'best budget Bose headphones' pick, to reflect a recent review of Bose's 2023-issue headphones. Updated the copy throughout, adding hawk links to direct readers to the best current deals.
December 16, 2024
Refreshed the introduction. Swapped out the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 as our 'best earbuds' pick for the newer and better QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones in the place of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 as our 'best headphones' choice. Replaced the Bose QuietComfort earbuds with the newer Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 in our 'best value' slot. Removed the QuietComfort 35 II headphones. Removed the QuietComfort 45 headphones as they're no longer widely available. Added the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds in at the no. 5 spot as our 'best open-ear' choice based on recent testing. Rewrote some of the FAQs to bring them up to date with all of the new picks.
December 13, 2023
Updated the format of this guide to include a new quick menu and lead image. Rankings have been left unchanged until QuietComfort Ultra range reviews are in.
