Bose is a household name when it comes to audio gadgets like wireless earbuds. They’ve been making some of the best headphones and earbuds that always come with that “Bose” sound quality. When compared to newer players in the market such as Jabra, Jaybird or even Beats, it definitely is a great competitor. That is, if you’re willing to pay the premium.
Best Value
Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds
Heart Monitoring
Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones
Best Sound
Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Best For Workouts
Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Earbuds
Bluetooth And NFC
Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones
Reviews of the Best Bose Headphones And Earbuds For Running
Below are our individual reviews of some of the best Bose earbuds and headphones available today, we’ve reviewed these based on purpose, features, durability, comfort and of course, popularity from other runners using them.
1. Bose Soundsport Wireless Earbuds
Key Features
- 2 hour charging time
- 5-6 hours of battery life
- Sweat and moisture resistant
- Wireless
- Rechargeable
Reasons to buy
- Made out of top quality materials
- Durable and long-lasting
- Easy to recharge
- Includes all necessary pieces
- Sweat and moisture resistant
- Lightweight and easy to adjust
Reasons to avoid
- Battery life isn’t too impressive
- Not completely waterproof
There is a lot to like about the Bose Soundsport Wireless headphones. This product comes in a variety of colors, including lime green, blue, grey, and black. Made out of top-quality materials, you will be sure to get plenty of use out of the purchase. In fact, this specific set of headphones is incredibly popular due to the fact that they are so long-lasting.
Sold at a reasonable price, this option is perfect for runners shopping on a budget. It is important to note that they are specifically designed to be worn by athletes. In fact, with an IPX rating of 4, they will be able to withstand damage from sweat and poor weather. However, they are not completely waterproof.
If you are looking for a wireless set of headphones that can be easily recharged, you should definitely add this product to your list of considerations. With a lithium-ion battery, the product will take about 2 hours to recharge fully. However, it is important to note that the battery life is only about 5 – 6 hours. This is not too impressive when compared to competitor options.
These headphones are lightweight and very easy to adjust. More so, you will receive 3 separate earbud sizes upon purchase. In other words, if the default size does not fit your ear, you will be able to make the necessary changes. You will also receive all the necessary charging equipment within the package. The product also includes a carrying case, a quick setup guide, and a warranty card.
2. Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones
Key Features
- In-ear design
- Rechargeable
- Wireless
- 1.5 hour recharge time
- 6-hour battery life
Reasons to buy
- Long-lasting and durable
- Features a microphone
- Sweat and moisture resistant
- Recharges quickly
- Monitors your performance
Reasons to avoid
- 6 hours of battery life
- In-ear design
The Bose Soundsport Pulse headphones are designed to elevate your workout. This product is made for athletes in particular and includes a number of helpful features that will make your session that much better. With an IPX rating of 4, they are both sweat and moisture resistant. However, it is worth noting that they are not completely waterproof.
If you are looking for a set of headphones that are stable and reliable, the Soundsport Pulses’ should absolutely be added to your list of considerations. Since they are designed for runners, the engineers really focussed on ensuring that the earbuds do not move around when in the ear. For this reason, you will be able to run without worrying about the earbuds falling out.
Made out of top-quality materials, you will be sure to get plenty of use out of the purchase. In fact, Bose products are known for their longevity and durability. Sold at a reasonable price for Bose products, this product is ideal for runners who are shopping on a budget.
On top of this, the product features a built-in heart rate sensor. The headphones track your performance with high accuracy. For this reason, you can rely on the product to power your workout.
The Bose Soundsport Pulse headphones are wireless, meaning that you can complete your training session tangle-free. The headphones also feature a microphone, meaning that you will be able to take calls during your session.
The average battery life of this product is 6 hours. When compared to competitor options, this is not overly impressive. However, it will only take about 1.5 hours to recharge the headphones fully.
However, it is essential to note that the headphones have an in-ear design, meaning that you will struggle to hear surrounding noises while on your run.
3. Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Key Features
- Noise-canceling
- Rechargeable
- Wireless
- 1.5 hour recharge time
- 12 hours battery life
Reasons to buy
- Made out of top quality materials
- Long-lasting and durable
- Easy to charge and adjust
- Stable and reliable
- Has a very long battery life
Reasons to avoid
- More expensive than other options on our list
- IPX rating of 3
- Noise-canceling
The Bose Quiet Comfort earbuds are designed to be used when sleeping. However, they can also be used on your workouts. These new sleek, wireless earbuds are made out of top-quality materials and will last you a very long time. Even though they are more expensive than the other options mentioned on our list, they are also known for being incredibly durable.
These earbuds are completely wireless, making them even more convenient for runners. Designed to improve your music experience drastically, you will not be disappointed with the music quality. However, it is important to note that the product has an in-ear design. In other words, they are noise-canceling, meaning that you will not be able to hear surrounding sounds while on your run.
The earbuds have an IPX rating of 3. A minimal amount of moisture will not damage them. However, it is not recommended that you wear the earbuds in poor weather conditions.
These earbuds are designed to stay put no matter how much you move. For this reason, you can go on your run without worrying about the earpieces moving around or falling out. It is also very convenient to manage your music with these earbuds. At the simple tap of a button, you can play, pause, fast forward or rewind your songs.
The battery life of this product is also very impressive. You will get about 12 hours of use out of a single change. On top of this, it will only take about 1.5 hours to recharge the earbuds fully. To make it even more convenient, you can charge the earbuds by simply inserting them into the case that comes included.
4. Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Earbuds
Key Features
- 5-hour battery life, extra 10 hours with the charging case when recharged.
- In-ear design
- Wireless
Reasons to buy
- Made out of top quality materials
- Made specifically for runners
- Easy to manage music and adjust
- Fits comfortable in the ear
- Long-lasting and durable
- Comes in a variety of colors
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive when compared to competitor options
- In-ear design
- Device battery life is not very impressive
The Bose SoundSport Free earbuds are specifically designed to be used by athletes. This product comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, black, blue, and grey. It is important to note that this product is pricey when compared to other options on our list. For this reason, they are better suited for runners who are not shopping on a budget.
However, the high price tag becomes more reasonable when you consider all the helpful features. For example, the earbuds have an IPX rating of 4. This means that they are sweat and moisture resistant. While they are not fully waterproof, they are more water-resistant than some of the other options on our list.
The battery life of these earbuds is not very impressive. In fact, you will only get about 5 hours of use out of a single charge. On average, it will take you roughly 1.5 – 2 hours to recharge the product.
The earbuds are not noise-canceling, meaning that you will still be able to hear surrounding sounds while out on your run. However, it is worth noting that they have an in-ear design.
The engineers behind this product-focused heavily on stability. In other words, you will be able to go on your run without worrying about the earpieces moving around or falling out. The earbuds also feature a microphone, allowing you to make calls while on your run.
These earbuds are lightweight and very easy to adjust. In fact, you will be able to manage your music at the simple tap of a button. This makes them even more ideal for runners, as it can be incredibly inconvenient to take out your phone in order to do this.
5. Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones
Key Features
- In-ear design
- Rechargeable
- Wireless
- 10-hour battery life
- 1 – 2 hour recharge time
Reasons to buy
- Made out of top quality materials
- Sweat and moisture resistant
- Great sound quality
- Great battery life
- Stable
- Easy to manage music
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive when compared to competitor options
- In-ear design
- Not completely waterproof
The Bose Quiet Control 30’s are one of their most popular and successful products. These headphones are specifically designed for athletes. In fact, like with many Bose products, the engineers focussed heavily on the stability factor. In other words, you will be able to go on a run without worrying about the earpieces moving around or falling out.
It is important to note that this option is also on the pricier side. However, when you consider the quality and longevity, the price tag seems a lot more reasonable. You will be sure to get a number of years of use out of this investment.
It is important to note that this product has an IPX rating of 4. In other words, they are both sweat and moisture resistant. You will also be able to go for a run in poor weather conditions without worrying about rain causing damage. However, they are not completely waterproof.
The Quiet Control 30’s make it incredibly easy to manage your music while on the run. The product features an attached controller that can be used to adjust the volume, play, pause, fast-forward and rewind songs.
With an in-ear design, it can be difficult to hear surrounding sounds while on your run. However, it is worth noting that the headphones are not completely noise canceling. One factor that you will be very impressed with is the overall sound quality. These headphones feature top-quality speakers, making your music experience that much better.
On average, you will get about 10 hours of use out of a single charge. On top of this, it will take roughly 1 – 2 hours to recharge the headphones.
How To Choose The Best Bose Headphones Or Earbuds For Running
If you are on the market for a new pair of running headphones/earbuds, there are plenty of great options to choose from. However, it is very important that you invest in a product that suits your needs and wants.
For starters, if you are shopping on a budget, you will need to narrow down your options accordingly. You will then need to look at specific features that you may find useful. For example, since they will be used while running, you will want a product that is sweat/moisture resistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bose is one of the most popular headphone brands in the world. With numerous models to choose from, you will have plenty of variety in terms of features. While Bose products are on the pricier side, they are also known for being of great quality and lasting a very long time.
When it comes to sporting headphones/earbuds, wireless is definitely the way to go. When running, having a wired product can be very inconvenient, as your arms could get tangled up or end up ripping the cord out of your device.
It is very important that you pay attention to your surroundings when running with headphones/earbuds in. Some Bose products feature an open ear design, meaning that you will still be able to hear what is going on around you when the headphones/earbuds are in.
Conclusion
Bose has been around since 1964 and has developed a sound quality that people have come to trust, its not undeniable that the Bose headphone and earbuds are a good choice for quality. How suitable are they for runners? Well if you’re willing to pay the price tag they will deliver results, but there are of course more affordable options as well that are available
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.