There is no denying that when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, Bose has always been at the top of the game. Of course, we can’t forget their revolutionary Quiet Comfort series that took the “active noise cancelling” concept to a whole new level.
Their latest make, the Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones offer even better noise cancelling, sound much better, including the option for hands-free Alexa, are ultra-comfortable, not to mention doing a stellar job blocking out the noise when making calls.
This is our unbiased Bose 700 Headphones Review. We will inform you about all the incredible features built into these headphones and of course, we will be open about their possible drawbacks and whether they are worth the hefty price tag or not.
Bose 700 Headphones Review-The Features
While they cost slightly more than their predecessor, the Quiet Comfort 35 II, lots of users are loving the feature-rich headphones.
The new design is iconic. The entire package is quite sleek and gorgeous, plus it’s quite slim so storing it in limited spaces won’t be an issue.
The headband has been revamped (from Quiet Comfort 35 II’s plastic headband), boasting of a slimmed-down stainless-steel frame that makes it both sturdy and durable.
Unlike most models though, the 700 model doesn’t fold. Both the headband and earcups lay flat in a way that allows them to easily fit in the included protective carry case.
Specifically, the earcups rotate flat for easy storage. Plus their slim design also makes for easy storage not just in its carry case, but even on your backpack, suitcase, or other areas.
You won’t even miss the fact that these headphones don’t fold up like most models.
Exceptional Comfort
The comfort level of the Bose 700 headphones is top-notch. The inner headband material is a little bit different from its predecessor, the Quite Comfort 35 II.
This particular model features a soft-to-touch padded underside that is packed with air and therefore offers extra cushioning for unmatched comfort.
This is a huge plus considering most headphones lack proper cushioning which in turn gives them headaches and fatigue due to excessive pressure. The soft cushioning gives just light and comfortable feeling so you can comfortably wear them for hours.
Unlike its predecessor’s headband which features an absorbent foam padding, the Bose 700 Noise Cancelling Headphones uses a waterproof rubber.
This means that while its predecessor does a great job absorbing sweat, the 700 lacks this ability.
While not absorbing sweat is a good thing since you’ll never have to deal with smelly headphones (save for sharing them with a friend or colleague), rubber headphones can get uncomfortable with all the sweat (especially when it gets uncomfortably hot).
Truthfully speaking, the rubber headbands are a great idea, but some people would rather go for headphones that absorbent.
Still, on comfort, the earcups use leatherlike cushions with extra padding which makes them quite comfortable and sturdy at the same time.
Again, due to their comfortable padding, the earcups won’t exert too much pressure on your head and ears. They feel lighter so you can wear them for hours with ease.
And even though the Bose 700 model is a few ounces heavier compared to the Quiet Comfort 35 II, they are still extremely light and comfortable.
The headphones also hold still in your head which means you can exercise, run, or play without them falling off.
Crisp Clarity
Another area that Bose has improved on is the sound quality. This is all thanks to the new powerful drivers that sound a lot more better compared to the Quiet Comfort 35 II headphones.
The headphone's sound quality is top-notch, even at the highest volume. They don’t sound messy at all at full blast volume. And this is one reason a lot of people are loving them.
This, of course, makes them perfect for all types of music genres. Even those hip metal and rock songs will remain crisp clear.
Speaking of sound quality, the Bose 700 headphones offer various customizable noise-cancellation levels that let you easily choose the ideal noise level. The noise-cancellation levels range from 0-11.
The lowest setting lets you listen to music while at the same time allowing for some external distractions. To block out all the external distractions, adjust it to 11 and shut out all the noise around you.
The noise-cancellation feature lets you adjust the noise based on your current surroundings. Like if you get to quickly tune it up for a conversation or tone it down when taking a nap or working.
And thanks to the BoseSimpleSync technology, you get to watch TV without disturbing anyone else in the room.
This can all be made possible syncing your Bose Noise Cancelling headphones with a Bose Soundbar 700 or 500 which seamlessly offers you a personal TV watching experience.
The improvements in noise-cancellation on the Bose 7000 headphones have also greatly enhanced the clarity of voice calls.
Each ear cups includes 4 microphones that have been designed to block all noise from your surroundings so you can only focus on your voice and the callers.
Making or receiving calls in noisy surroundings has never been this easy. Yet another reason why Bose is at the top of its game when it comes to noise cancelling and sound clarity.
Easy to Use Touch Controls
We just can’t help but marvel at Bose 700’s new touch controls that let you control everything from noise level to volume with great ease.
Located on the right earcup is a control button that lets you adjust the volume by swiping the button up/down, play or pause music with a double-tap, or even skip songs by swiping forward or backward. How awesome is that?
Want to know how much battery power is left? Well, simply touch down the touchpad with your finger and you’ll have your answer right away.
Still on the right earcup is a combination of a power button, a Bluetooth pairing, and dedicated touch control for voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
Headphones Apps Compatibility
Bose’s Audio Augmented Reality Platform (Bose AR) is one of a kind AR that creatively combines the power of Bose audio products with a series of innovative mobile apps.
Through the Bose Music App, Android, iPhone, and iPad users can now enjoy an enhanced listening experience, plus easy sound to music management.
That’s not all. These headphones are designed in a way that lets you easily switch devices in the Bose Music App.
After you create an account with Bose, you can easily switch between the saved devices especially because the headphones might run into trouble trying to figure out which device you want to listen to.
It eliminates the need to keep scrolling through the settings of your device to make the switch.
For example, if you’re watching a video on say your iPad but want to start listening to music from your phone, the Bose 700 model lets you make the switch with great ease.
The app also allows you to select the preferred voice assistant at the touch of a button. This means you get to easily choose between Alexa, Siri, or even Google Assistant.
Up to 20 Hours Listening Time
When compared to Sony WH-XB900N which offers up to 35 hours battery life, Bose is seriously a letdown.
But before we get ahead of ourselves and condemn Bose, 20 hours isn’t all that bad. Most competitors don’t make it up all the way.
But we have to commend Bose’s 700 quick-charge feature that gives you up to 3.5 hours from a mere 15 minutes charge, which is perfect for when you’re in a rush. The full battery charging time is 2.5 hours, which isn’t bad at all.
As far as the battery life is concerned, up to 20 hours of playing music back to back are quite exceptional.
All in all, we just can’t help but envy Sony’s 35 hours which is 15 hours more than Bose 700.
Still, on battery life, the headphone’s innovative touch controls let you know how much battery power is left. No surprise shutdowns!
Bose 700 Headphones Review-Final Verdict
Despite the arguably shorter battery life compared to the competitors and a hefty price tag, we have nothing but good things to say about the Bose 700 headphones.
The sound clarity is truly unmatched, the touch controls easy and reliable, and adequate battery life to keep the entertainment going for as long as you need. Oh, and a noise-cancelling ability that is out of this world.
And let’s not forget the unmatched comfort provided by the adequately padded headband and earcups. No more nasty pressure-triggered headaches.
Overall, we have to give it up to Bose for once again outshining a lot of its competitors in terms of quality, sound, design, noise-cancellation, and comfort.
It’s truly a remarkable piece of tech that will take your music listening experience to a whole new level.