Whether you're shopping for a pair of headphones, a Bluetooth speaker or new audio equipment, Bose products are likely somewhere on the top of your list, and for a good reason.
Since the company's debut in 1964, Bose has earned a reputation for manufacturing some of the best audio products and most effective noise-cancellation technology available to consumers at a reasonable price point. Bose is the reason why, to this day, I refuse to step on an airplane without noise-cancelling headphones.
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our product analysts and audio experts regularly test the latest headphones and earbuds throughout the year. We've been hands-on with everything from noise-cancelling headphones to AirPods (and even AirPods alternatives). That's why I jumped at the opportunity to test Bose's latest QuietComfort Ultra headphones and compare them to the top-performing Bose 700.
Even though I'm a longtime user of the QuietComfort line and have watched each generation evolve and improve over time, I've also familiarized myself with the Bose 700. Below you'll find everything you need to know about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra compared to the 700 model, including which pair I think is worth purchasing in 2024.
At a glance
Pros
- Fantastic noise cancellation
- Excellent audio quality, including spatial audio
- Comfortable design
- Compact carrying case
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Pricier (if not on sale)
| Type | Over-ear |
|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Yes |
| Weight | 0.56 lbs. |
| Dimensions | 7.7" H x 5.5" W x 2.0" D |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours (or 18 in immersion mode) |
| Battery charge time | 3 hours |
Pros
- 11 levels of noise cancellation
- Great sound quality
- Sleek, modern design
- Good battery life
- Slightly more affordable
Cons
- Controls are not as intuitive
- Doesn't collapse into more portable shape
| Type | Over-ear |
|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Yes |
| Weight | 0.56 lbs. |
| Dimensions | 8" H x 6.5" W x 2" D |
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery charge time | Up to 2.5 hours |
Price
Neither the Bose QuietComfort nor the 700 are inexpensive. Both headphones are around $400, with the Bose 700 costing slightly less at $380 and the QuietComfort costing slightly more at $430.
Though it might be tempting to save $50 and opt for the Bose 700, keep in mind that the QuietComfort are Bose's newest headphones and are packed with Bose's latest technology, like spatial audio. According to Bose, this technology is an "upgraded version of surround sound" and can "simulate the sensation of specific instruments, voices and other sounds coming from all directions and distances, fully immersing the listener in 3D audio." If you're not in a rush, we recommend keeping an eye on both price tags during major holiday weekends or sales to snag a good deal.
Design
When it comes to design, there's no denying that the Bose 700 are some of the sleekest noise-cancelling headphones out there. They look extremely professional and feature a thinner band and slimmer profile that is attractive in any scenario. The QuietComfort Ultra look a bit bulkier and are no longer available in a single shade like previous QuietComfort models. These headphones come in black, sandstone and white smoke, all of which use a blend of two colors (black and dark gray, sandstone and gold and white smoke and silver). If you prefer a more classic design and single shade like me, rest assured that the Bose 700 come in two solid colors: black or silver luxe.
Both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Bose 700 come with an included case to protect your headphones from damage that could occur in a suitcase, backpack or purse, as well as sudden drops. The QuietComfort's case is slightly more compact, though this shouldn't be a dealbreaker unless you tend to be tight on space. It's important to keep in mind, however, that the reason the QuietComfort's case is more compact is because the headphones collapse into a more compact size. I absolutely love this feature when traveling, but it's certainly not a must. Lastly, both cases feature a dedicated pocket to store wired cables like the included 3.5mm aux cable and a USB-C charging cable.
Controls
Most headphones today come with on-ear controls, whether you need to press, tap or touch to play or pause tracks or switch to transparency mode. Yet the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and 700 have distinct differences, with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra relying mainly on two buttons and a touch volume slider while the 700 has three buttons in addition to touch controls.
Personally, I found the QuietComfort Ultra significantly more intuitive and easier to navigate than the 700. The smaller button turns the headphones on and off, while the larger button can be used to play or pause music, skip tracks and more. By long-pressing that same button you can switch among Immersion, Quiet and Aware modes. Lastly, there's a volume strip that's super responsive to touch and easy to find on the headphones.
The Bose 700 do offer more control options overall with buttons and touch controls, but they take some adjusting to. There's an on and off button, as well as another to wake up your voice assistant. On the other ear you'll find one button that lets you adjust your levels of noise cancellation. What I liked least were the 700's touch controls, which can solely be accessed on a relatively small area (the front of the right earcup). From there you can swipe up and down to adjust volume, double tap to play or pause audio and much more. Some users might appreciate having so many on-ear controls, but I found them a bit confusing and can never seem to get used to tapping as much as I can pressing a button.
Comfort
Both headphones are extremely comfortable and feature soft, squishy leather earpads that make them easy to wear throughout hours of meetings or flights.
Though it looks like the Bose 700 have slightly more padding, I'm actually biased toward the QuietComfort Ultra (and previous QuietComfort headphones like the QuietComfort 45). Though this could partly be because I'm more familiar with their design, I prefer how the headphones fit and find them easier to adjust. They feel a bit looser on the sides of my petite head while remaining secure, and they cover up my ears perfectly. They're just as comfy when wearing glasses (though I'll admit they can start to bother me after hours of use) and feel lighter on my head even though the headphones are the same weight.
When choosing between the two it'll come down to personal preference as both pairs are carefully and meticulously designed to suit a variety of users.
Performance
Battery Life
The Bose 700 feature up to 20 hours of battery life, while the QuietComfort Ultra take it up a notch and offer up to 24 hours (or 18 with immersive audio). Though the difference is minimal and battery life is excellent on both pairs, heavy headphone users will likely appreciate the extra four hours.
Noise Cancelling
When it comes to noise cancellation, you can count on Bose to deliver. After all, the brand has been manufacturing noise-cancelling headphones for pilots and consumers for more than two decades.
In fact, in our most recent in-Lab noise-cancelling headphone test, the Bose 700 outperformed more than 10 other pairs of headphones. Nikolas Greenwald, the GH Institute's data engineer, described the noise cancelling capabilities as "top tier," with the Bose QuietComfort 45 trailing right behind. Unlike other headphones, they feature adjustable noise cancellation, meaning you can choose just how much external noise you want blocked out when using your headphones.
While we haven't run the latest QuietComfort Ultra through our audio analysis software yet, I did test the headphones on a recent flight from New York to Florida. Throughout the three hours, I compared the Bose 700 with the QuietComfort Ultra, paying attention to which headset best drowned out the drone of the plane, announcements and any crying. To my delight, the QuietComfort Ultra were slightly more effective at blocking out external noise so I could enjoy watching a movie without any distractions. Just keep in mind that it can only switch between noise cancellation and transparency modes, unlike the Bose 700, which allows you to customize how much noise cancellation you really need.
Sound Quality
There's no denying that the Bose 700's audio quality is exceptional, making it a strong
contender against many of the best headphones on the market today, like the AirPods Max and Sony XM5. But when switching between the QuietComfort Ultra and 700 repeatedly, the Ultra had that extra something I couldn't quite put my finger on but couldn't get enough of.
Frankly, I was blown away by the QuietComfort Ultra's sound quality, which is a distinct improvement over previous QuietComfort generations like the QuietComfort 45. All genres of music sounded so clear and crisp, and it felt like audio surrounded me from all sides when listening via immersion mode. The sensation was similar to being in a concert hall or movie theater as opposed to my living room couch.
Though you'll be far from disappointed with the Bose 700, I'd advise Bose loyalists or anyone seeking an immersive experience to first consider the QuietComfort Ultra.
The bottom line: Should you buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or the 700?
You simply can't go wrong with either pair of headphones. If you're seeking excellent audio quality and premium noise cancellation, whether it's for work, commuting or travel, both the QuietComfort Ultra and 700 are impressive and some of the finest headphones you'll find on the market. While neither pair is the cheapest, their quality is worth the investment.
But for anyone seeking the very best noise cancellation and crispest audio quality, I'd opt for the QuietComfort Ultra. Not only do these headphones feature immersive spatial audio that makes music come to life around you, but they are slightly more effective at canceling out low frequencies like airplane engines or the hum of an AC. For frequent travelers, that's certainly worth paying a bit extra.
I also find the QuietComfort Ultra more intuitive to navigate and control, as well as slightly more comfortable. But that being said, the Bose 700 have a super sleek, modern design that's hard to overlook. They also allow you to adjust your noise cancellation levels to exactly what suits you, which isn't an option on the QuietComfort Ultra. Though I'm happy toggling between noise cancellation and transparency modes, frequent headphone users might appreciate being able to better adjust their audio to their environment.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Product Reviews Analyst and Writer Olivia Lipski tests and reviews the latest gadgets and gear in tech, travel, fitness, home and more, including audio equipment like the Beats Solo 3, JBL earbuds, cheap earbuds and AirPods Max vs. Sony XM5. Not only does she bring years of product review experience to GH, but since joining in 2021 she tests at least 25 pairs of earbuds and headphones per year and rotates them out as she takes flights, commutes to the Hearst Tower or walks her dog. She’s a longtime Bose user and has been wearing various generations of the QuietComfort for more than five years.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
