Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 assessment: Why I’ll by no means fly with out them

I used to be a convert to the Apple AirPods. I used to have a pair of Beats over-ear headphones, however as soon as the noise-canceling AirPods Professional got here out, I believed that over-ear headphones merely supplied squashed ears and one other massive case to hold in my already full baggage. After a few weeks of touring, masking north of 10,000 miles with the Bose 700 headphones, it turned obvious that my over-ear headphone stereotypes have been nothing greater than whole misconceptions, due to the plethora of high-tech options on these headphones.

At a considerably steep worth (retailing for $379), right here’s what you should know concerning the Bose 700 headphones. Be aware: Should you act now, it can save you $100 off the common worth and buy a pair of those headphones for simply $279 throughout Amazon’s Prime Day (Oct. 11–12, 2022).

What a traveler ought to search for in a very good pair of headphones

Let’s face it: All of us love encompass sound (which deepens the constancy of audio so it sounds extra pure) and noise-cancellation options that scale back exterior noise. However as good as these two options are, they’re not on the prime of my wishlist.

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Wired and wi-fi connectivity

As a frequent traveler, I at all times wish to be sure that my headphones provide wired and wi-fi connectivity. That approach, I can wirelessly use the headphones for audio on my telephone or laptop computer or use the wire to plug them into the seatback inflight leisure system. Whereas this isn’t a troublesome prerequisite to fulfill these days, as most headphones over $100 provide this, it’s nonnegotiable in any headphones I put money into.

Most notably, the Apple AirPods solely provide a connection by means of Bluetooth. Whereas some newer IFE techniques provide Bluetooth audio, I’ve but to see this characteristic on any of my flights. So, in case you’re simply touring with AirPods and wish to watch the flicks on the display in entrance of you on a aircraft, you’re more likely to be caught with the crummy inflight earbuds the airways give you — if they provide them in any respect.

Sturdiness

I additionally wish to make it possible for my headphones are sturdy. After I journey, my family and friends usually get a kick out of how a lot I squeeze into my backpack. In consequence, I’m on the lookout for a powerful case that can preserve the headphones protected when my 16-inch MacBook Professional is unexpectedly jammed again into my backpack on prime of my headphones after going by means of an airport safety checkpoint.

Painless calls

Lastly, I at all times search for a strong microphone that received’t choose up background audio. Let’s say your flight will get canceled and there’s an extended line to get rebooked. As I shared in a latest article, getting by means of shortly to an airline agent is one of the best ways to get rebooked and be in your approach. When calling your airline, the very last thing you need your agent to say is, “I’m sorry. I can’t hear you. There’s a whole lot of background noise. Please name again.” That’s why a transparent microphone that doesn’t choose up background conversations or bulletins is very necessary for vacationers.

Listed below are a number of the options of the Bose 700 headphones that I’ve grown to love.

Noise cancellation

After I let my tech-geek good friend know I’d be reviewing the Bose 700 headphones, he informed me that a number of the newer Sony headphones (just like the Sony WH-1000XM5) have higher noise cancellation. Although I’ve but to strive the Sony headphones, the Bose 700 headphones’ noise cancellation impressed me.

You possibly can change noise cancellation from 1 (minimal) to 10 (most) by means of the Bose Music app. There’s additionally a bodily button on the aspect of the headphones, which may change the noise management, however extra on that later.

Going for a stroll on a busy road with vehicles driving round 30 mph round me, I used to be left listening to quiet wooshes as vehicles drove by me with the headphones on 10. On my American Airways flight, I performed some calm, quiet Spanish guitar music within the air. Whereas I may nonetheless hear some aircraft noises, the headphones blocked bathrooms flushing and neighboring passengers speaking. As we started our descent, the primary time I eliminated the headphones, I believed to myself, “Wow, this aircraft is loud,” after being stunned by how a lot noise there was with out the headphones.

The Bose Music app

After unboxing the headphones, the directions informed me to obtain the Bose Music app (accessible on iOS and Android). After downloading the app and allowing it to entry Bluetooth, I may shortly join my headphones to my telephone immediately within the app. Certainly one of my favourite options of the headphones was the power to connect with each my telephone and laptop computer concurrently. That approach, I didn’t should manually change the audio connection between the 2.

You too can join your individual Bose Music login, however fortunately, having a Bose Music account isn’t required to make use of the headphones.

From the Bose Music app, you’ll be able to alter the noise cancellation and equalizer, see ideas, customise shortcuts and entry many extra options.

Intuitive controls

Controlling the headphones is easy with the three bodily buttons (energy/Bluetooth, voice assistant and noise management) and the touch-sensitive gesture pad. The headphones got here with a simple-to-use information that can assist you discover ways to use the controls on the appropriate ear cup:

Whereas it wasn’t onerous to study these controls, they didn’t at all times work the primary time round. For instance, two faucets on the appropriate ear cup didn’t at all times pause my music. I additionally had a tough time with the noise management button. Typically it was onerous to have the noise cancellation return to the utmost of 10, so I discovered myself utilizing my telephone and the Bose Music app to alter many of those controls.

A smooth design with two colour decisions

For my part, the Bose 700 headphones are lovely. They’re a number of the most fashionable headphones in the marketplace. You could have the selection of both going with luxe silver or black. When folding the headphones again into their case, every ear cup rotates 90 levels to slot in simply. At round 9 ounces, I by no means felt like they have been too heavy, and the comfortable headband made for hours of comfy listening.

A protracted-lasting battery

Bose claims that the battery will last as long as 20 hours. In our assessments with blended use (telephone calls, full noise cancellation and shifting the headphones from laptop computer to iPhone and again), the battery lasted 12 hours and 35 minutes. Whereas that’s a far cry from 20 hours, after simply half-hour of charging from the USB-C wire (included within the headphones), the headphones have been again to 30% battery.