Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 evaluation: 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 Pro 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 grew to become obvious that my over-ear headphone stereotypes have been nothing greater than complete 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 might want to know concerning the Bose 700 headphones.

What a traveler ought to search for in an excellent pair of headphones

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

Wired and wi-fi connectivity

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

Most notably, the Apple AirPods solely provide a connection via Bluetooth. While some newer IFE techniques provide Bluetooth audio, I’ve but to see this characteristic on any of my flights. So, when you’re simply touring with AirPods and need to watch the flicks on the display screen 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.

Durability

I additionally need to ensure that my headphones are sturdy. When I journey, my family and friends typically get a kick out of how a lot I squeeze into my backpack. As a consequence, I’m in search of a robust case that can maintain the headphones secure when my 16-inch MacBook Pro is rapidly jammed again into my backpack on prime of my headphones after going via an airport safety checkpoint.

Painless calls

Lastly, I at all times search for a stable microphone that received’t choose up background audio. Let’s say your flight will get canceled and there’s a protracted line to get rebooked. As I shared in a current article, getting via shortly to an airline agent is one of the best ways to get rebooked and be in your means. 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 lot of background noise. Please call back.” That’s why a transparent microphone that doesn’t choose up background conversations or bulletins is particularly essential for vacationers.

Bose 700 options

Here are a few of the options of the Bose 700 headphones that I’ve grown to love.

Noise cancellation

When I let my tech-geek buddy know I’d be reviewing the Bose 700 headphones, he instructed me that a few of the newer Sony headphones (just like the Sony WH-1000XM5) have higher noise cancellation. Though I’ve but to strive the Sony headphones, the Bose 700 headphones’ noise cancellation impressed me.

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

Going for a stroll on a busy avenue 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 Airlines flight, I performed some calm, quiet Spanish guitar music within the air. While 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 plane 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 instructed me to obtain the Bose Music app (obtainable on iOS and Android). After downloading the app and allowing it to entry Bluetooth, I may shortly join my headphones to my cellphone straight within the app. One of my favourite options of the headphones was the power to hook up with each my cellphone and laptop computer concurrently. That means, I didn’t should manually change the audio connection between the 2.

You can even join your personal 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 straightforward 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 will help you discover ways to use the controls on the appropriate ear cup:

While it wasn’t laborious 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. Sometimes it was laborious to have the noise cancellation return to the utmost of 10, so I discovered myself utilizing my cellphone and the Bose Music app to vary many of those controls.

A smooth design with two coloration selections

In my opinion, the Bose 700 headphones are stunning. They’re a few of the most fashionable headphones available on the market. You 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 soft headband made for hours of snug listening.

An extended-lasting battery

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