Earbuds are a gift to us – they merge functionality and sleek designs while delivering amazing sound and active noise cancellation.
Bose earbuds are some of the best you’ll find on the market and prove worthy competitors to other brands like Beats earbuds and Apple’s AirPods. Bose is renowned for producing products with top-notch sound quality and active noise-cancellation capabilities.
We’d like to take you through five of the best Bose earbuds, rated from the best overall to the best in specific categories:
- Best Overall: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless
- Best for Fitness Enthusiasts: Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless
- Best for In-call Quality: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
- Best for a Unique Open-ear Design: Bose Sport Open Earbuds
- Best for Total Freedom of Movement: SoundSport Free, Truly Wireless Earbuds
Best Overall Bose Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless
- Bluetooth 5.3 capability
- Come with a Bose Fit Kit (includes 3 pairs of ear tips and 3 pairs of stability bands)
- Up to 6 hours of battery life
- IPX4 water-resistance rating
- 2 hours of listening time with just 20 minutes of charging
The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless have earned their place at the top. From their secure fit and ultimate comfort to their improved ANC performance, we don’t see another pair of Bose earbuds more deserving of this position.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless II is smaller and lighter than the original version. They have soft silicone ear tips in three sizes and three custom stability bands to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. The StayHear Max ear tips also enable passive noise blocking.
Bose used a smarter ANC, specifically the CustomTune technology, to revolutionize the noise-canceling capability of these bad boys. CustomTune automatically adjusts the sound quality to your ear’s properties to create a well-balanced sound and optimize noise-canceling to the shape of your ear canal.
These earbuds automatically adjust the sound to block out a range of ambient noise. Additionally, you’ll enjoy the call quality on these thanks to their noise-rejecting microphones that filter out surrounding noise to ensure your voice is clear during calls.
Speaking of sound, the QuietComfort II earbuds give you a neutral sound with clear and detailed vocals and instruments. However, you can notice an extra thump and rumble in your audio due to the overemphasis on the low-bass range.
You can customize your sound on the Bose Music app, which includes a graphic EQ. You can also control the volume, pause, play, and noise cancellation with an easy press, tap, or swipe.
More to love about these earbuds is their ability to withstand water and sweat so you can have them on during intense workouts or light rains without care. Battery life is not the worst because you get under seven hours of continuous play, and the case can hold up to three additional charges.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Smaller, lighter, and more comfortable design | Playtime could be much longer |
| Excellent level of detail | No, Find My functionality |
| Impressive noise cancellation | No wireless charging |
| Good quality audio | Expensive |
| Can withstand sweat and light rain |
Check out Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless on Amazon.
Best for Fitness Enthusiasts: Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless
- Wireless Bluetooth earbuds engineered by Bose for your best workout yet
- Makes your music sound like the performer is right there beside you, pushing you to go 1 more mile or do 1 more rep. To power them off, place both earbuds in the charging case and close the case.
- Customize your fit with the included 3 sizes of StayHear Max tips that won’t hurt your ears and won’t fall out no matter how tough your workout is
- Weather and sweat-resistant earbuds: IPX4 rated with electronics wrapped in special materials to protect from moisture wherever you exercise
- Triple Black
When picking earbuds for your workouts, there are a lot of boxes that need to be checked. The Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless was created for this specific purpose, and it’s no surprise that they tick most, if not all, boxes for fitness enthusiasts.
The Bose Sport Wireless Earbuds feature a small, sporty design and come in a compact charging case suitable for fitness enthusiasts. They have a customizable fit thanks to the three sizes of StayHear Max silicone ear tips and three pairs of stability fins.
The silicone ear tips and extended flexible fins mold into the folds of your outer ear to keep the buds securely in place as you move around, jump, and shake your head. The soft silicone material ensures pressure is distributed evenly across the ear, making them very comfortable to wear over long periods.
These sleek and sporty earbuds have an IPX4 rating, meaning they can resist minor water exposure, like sweat, splashes, and light rain. Additionally, their solid construction ensures they can withstand accidental drops and bumps.
The Bose sport earbuds give off a refined sound and solid call quality with noise cancellation and isolation. The sound profile is warm, with adequate fullness and richness to bass tones, thanks to the active EQ technology and proprietary drivers.
They use Bluetooth 5.1 to establish a strong connection between audio sources up to 35 ft (10.7m) away.
You’ll love the easy-to-use controls that allow you to change what you’re listening to and turn up or reduce the volume while you are on the move. You can easily monitor your surroundings while working out outdoors because they don’t block out much ambient sound.
Unfortunately, these sports earbuds have a shorter play time (5 hours per charge) than competitors, but the charging case makes up for it with up to two full 10-hour charges.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Comfortable fit and design | No ANC |
| Easy-to-use controls thanks to touch interphase | Battery life could be better |
| Resistant to sweat, splashes, and light rain | |
| Incredibly durable and impressive audio quality | |
| Great call quality |
Check out Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless on Amazon.
Best for In-Call Quality: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
- Bose Controllable Noise Cancellation and Full Transparency Mode allow you to eliminate distractions, let your surroundings in, or a little bit of each
- Exclusive acoustic architecture brings your music, podcasts, and videos to life, while Volume-Optimized Active EQ keeps the sound crisp and balanced at any level
- Three sizes of StayHear Max eartips are included for a secure fit. Crafted from soft silicone, they provide passive noise blocking with total comfort. Change the earbud tips with the provided tips so they fit more snugly in your ears.
- Simple touch controls – It’s as easy as tap, swipe, or press
- Control your noise cancellation settings, pause, play, and volume right from the side of the earbud itself. Enable it all in the Bose Music app.
- Tiny microphones work together to focus on your voice, filtering out surrounding noises for fewer distractions during phone calls
- Triple Black
The Bose first-generation QuietComfort earbuds remain popular for their category-leading adjustable noise cancellation, water resistance, and comfortable design.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds use the same ANC technology as the Bose 700s, the best over-the-ear headphones from the brand.
They give you access to ten levels of adjustable noise cancellation, allowing you to control how much ambient sound you let in or draw out. Of the 10 settings, you can save your top three on the Bose Music app to switch between them from the left bud conveniently.
The sound is delivered through active EQ technology and proprietary drivers. It features full-bodied bass notes, and the general sound is dynamic, warm, and pleasant. The strong microphone array that delivers premium call quality by eliminating distractions around you is a big win for these buds. The mics in your right ear filter out sounds and wind around you to focus only on your voice.
The QuietComfort earbuds include simple touch controls that allow you to switch between Aware and Quiet Modes, answer calls, and switch between music on your playlist. They also sense movement, so they can automatically stop playing music when you pop them out.
They use Bluetooth 5.1, which allows a strong and consistent connection with devices up to 30 feet. Besides, you can stay connected to 7 paired devices, so you don’t have to reconnect every time.
The battery life is better than the options we have above. These allow you to use them for up to 6 hours on a single charge, and the charging case supplies an extra two charges.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Best-in-class call quality | Relatively bulky design |
| Seamless and reliable connectivity | |
| Brilliant noise cancellation | |
| Warm and well-balanced sound | |
| Price is often discounted |
Check out Bose QuietComfort Earbuds on Amazon.
Best for a Unique Open-Ear Design: Bose Sport Open Earbuds
- Open ear build rests on your ear and not inside of it
- IPX4 and designed to help keep out water and debris
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge
- Bluetooth range is up to 30 feet away from a connected device
The Bose Sport Open Earbuds are a unique pair that don’t go inside your ear like traditional earbuds. Instead, they have an ear hook that holds them outside your ear, ensuring no contact is made with the inner ear while giving them a stable fit.
They are molded to flow with the natural curve of your ear without covering it, so you enjoy a natural listening experience that doesn’t block out ambient sound. With the Sports Open Earbuds, no sound from your surroundings goes unheard, making them the perfect pair when hiking or exercising outdoors.
Additionally, they have a matte finish that gives them extra grip to ensure they don’t slip out as you move vigorously during your workout. They have an IPX4 rating that proves their water resistance, an acoustic mesh covering the ports to keep out debris and water, and the industrial-grade thermoplastic used for the exterior makes it incredibly durable.
The exclusive Bose OpenAudio technology produces high-quality sound, directing it toward you and away from others. This is better and does not produce vibrating sensations like the bone conduction technology used in similar earbuds.
The OpenAudio technology combined with two 16mm drivers produces clear, consistent sound with high acoustic precision. The advanced microphone system makes for crystal-clear calls by focusing on your voice and reducing the sound of wind and other ambient sounds.
Battery life is impressive, as you enjoy up to 8 hours of listening on a single charge. They are also fast charging—you get up to 3 hours of play from a 30-minute charge and charge fully in 2 hours.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Sleek and sturdy design | Limited features |
| Great for people looking for an open design | No charging case |
| Reliable and easy-to-use controls | |
| Engineered for workouts and running | |
| Sweat-resistant impressive battery life |
Check out Bose Sport Open Earbuds on Amazon.
Best for Total Freedom of Movement: SoundSport Free, Truly Wireless Earbuds
- TRULY wireless Sport headphones for total freedom of movement, packed full of technology that makes music sound clear and powerful
- Earbuds are sweat- and weather-resistant (with an IPX4 rating) and come with 3 different pairs of Stay hear and Sport tips (in sizes S/M/L) that provide a comfortable and secure fit
- Up to 5 hours of play time with each charge and an additional 10 hours with the included charging case and also features a charging time of 2 hours
- Track lost earbuds with the Bose Connect app's Find My Buds feature
- Firmware update to improve Audio video synchronization for customers using iPhones, iPads, and other Bluetooth devices that support AVDTP version 1.3 or later, available via the Connect app
- Connectivity technology: Wireless Bluetooth
- Black
The Bose SoundSport Free, Truly Wireless Earbuds have a semi-open design and not a single wire in sight to allow you total freedom of movement. They have a comfortable earbud fit and a low risk of falling off, thanks to their stability fins.
The semi-open fit means you won’t get any noise isolation or cancellation with this pair. So you’ll be able to easily monitor your surroundings when exercising outside. The SoundSport Free earbuds are packed with technology that delivers clear and powerful audio. They have an integrated dual microphone array on the right earbud that supports Bluetooth and helps to improve call quality.
Like all the other options on this list, the SoundSport Free Earbuds have an IPX4 rating, which makes them sweat- and weather-resistant.
The Bose Connect app has a “Find My Buds” feature that helps you track your earbuds whenever you misplace them. It leads you to the last place where your earbuds were connected, and if that doesn’t work, you receive an audio signal from the buds, leading you to their current location.
You can also use the app to personalize your settings, manage Bluetooth connections, and switch between devices. You get up to 5 hours of playtime on these with an additional 10 hours from the magnetized charging case.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Stable and comfortable fit | Bulky design |
| Sturdy and durable build quality | Poor noise isolation by design |
| Well-balanced sound profile | Intermittent connectivity drops |
| Fast charging | |
| Mono listening from the right bud only |
Check out SoundSport Free, Truly Wireless Earbuds on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Bose Earbuds: Step by Step
When picking the best Bose earbuds, you must look at several essential features that determine the type and quality of earbuds you need.
Here’s our take:
Usage
When trying to determine the type of earbuds you need, ask yourself, “How do I intend to use my earbuds?”
Do I need them for my daily commute? If so, get an option with noise cancellation. Do I need them for my morning runs and hiking? Then open and semi-open designs without noise cancellation will work great.
Again, if you’re looking for earbuds that offer you all the bells and whistles, including excellent sound quality, adjustable noise canceling, and a comfortable fit, then you can’t go wrong with the best overall pick—the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless.
Active Noise Cancellation
Bose is well known for its outstanding active noise-canceling technology. However, not all their earbud models have this feature; for example, their sporty models allow for some surrounding noise.
When picking noise-canceling earbuds, remember that adjustable levels of ANC are an added advantage. The various levels allow you to select the best noise cancellation level for you at the time.
Audio Quality
Audio quality is non-negotiable, and the earbuds you choose should provide you with crisp and clear sound for all forms of media, including music, videos, and games.
Go for models with customization settings to personalize your listening experience and powerful drivers that produce well-balanced sound. Nonetheless, remember that sound is subjective, and you should read reviews and understand how your earbuds of choice deliver your favorite music genres.
Battery Life
The industry standard playtime for noise-canceling earbuds is 5 hours per charge. Thankfully, all the earbuds on this list meet this criterion, and most allow you some extra hours thanks to the charging cases.
You should also look out for fast charging, as it allows you to get your groove back on in minutes.
Connectivity
For wireless earbuds, connectivity is another issue of contention.
You should consider options that support the latest Bluetooth 5.0 versions to give you faster connectivity, an increased range (up to 30 feet), multipoint connection, and longer battery life.
It’s also an advantage if you have guaranteed support for some of the common digital assistants, like Siri, Google, and Alexa.
Comfortable Fit
A comfortable fit will determine how much you enjoy using your earbuds.
For starters, if your earbuds fit well, they won’t apply unnecessary pressure to your ear, which could get uncomfortable as you use them for long periods.
Another thing, the fit of your earbuds determines how well they filter out the noise and whether they’ll fall out. Your earbuds need to seal your ear canal as much as possible, especially if they have ANC.
Earbuds with multiple ear tips will ensure you get the right fit.
What to Know Before Buying Bose Earbuds
Bose makes well-rounded earbuds with great comfort, noise cancellation, and well-balanced sound.
Most Bose headphones are compatible with the Bose mobile companion app, but unfortunately, the app doesn’t offer as many customization options as other brands’ apps.
You should check the ear dimensions for each earbud, as every earbud has different dimensions, and one bud being comfortable doesn’t mean the other will be as comfortable. This is where the different ear tips come in handy as you try the options to ensure you find one perfect for your ear.
On the flip side, battery life is not a stronghold for Bose, but they perform averagely well in the earbuds category.
Using Bose Earbuds: What it’s Like
Bose earbuds are incredibly comfortable, thanks to the silicone ear tips on most of them. They also have excellent noise cancellation for the options enhanced with ANC technology.
They give a well-balanced sound profile that works with most music genres without much tweaking.
Bose earbuds also have great connectivity potential, and you’ll find good options for fitness enthusiasts to use indoors and outdoors. They withstand water and sweat, so you can have them on during intense sweat sessions or out during light rains without worrying. While over-the-ear headphones offer better noise-canceling, earbuds are great for their portability, affordability, and comfort, even for sleeping.
Battery life is within industry standards, with up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge. Their charging cases also offer extra charging hours. Unlike Bose headphones, the earbuds don’t leak as much.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Danut Vieru/Shutterstock.com.
