8 Best Bose Headphones For Workout (Gym) in 2024

There are several outstanding duos in the world:  Bert and Ernie, peanut butter and Jelly, bacon, and Eggs. But perhaps one of the best combos is music and exercise.  

Listening to music while working out is a great way of keeping your energy up and maintaining focus, helping you to lift more, run faster, or increase the round of pull-ups. 

And when it comes to headphones, Bose is a name that’s synonymous with quality and performance. But with so many different models available, how do you know which headphone is right for you?

That’s where we come in. We have put together a list of the best Bose headphones for working out or gym, including options for both in-ear and over-ear styles.

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8 Top Bose Workout Headphones For Athletes And Gymers:

1. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
2. Bose Sport Earbuds
3. Bose Sports Open Earbuds
4. Bose Soundsport Free Truly Wireless Headphones
5. Bose QuietComfort 45
6. Bose NC 700 Headphones
7. Bose Soundlink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones
8. Bose QuietComfort 35

1. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out

Specs and Features:

Review:

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are well-known for their secure fit, class-leading sound, and ANC. However, their compact design with top-of-the-line comfort allows users to wear them during intense workout sessions. Plus QC earbuds 2 come with a variety of ear tips to ensure a snug fit from larger to small ear sizes. 

Moreover, if you are doing High-intensity interval training in the gym, then don’t worry about the sweat. These earbuds quite effectively handle sweat due to their IPX4 sweat and water-resistant rating. But keep in mind, these Bose Earbuds are not waterproof.

Furthermore, the sound quality of the Bose QC Earbuds 2 is outstanding. Each bud adapts to the music based on your ear canal, providing perfectly balanced audio with crisp and clear details and textures.

Also, this time ANC on QC Earbuds 2 is remarkably too much effective than the predecessor the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. If you get the right fit for your ears then you will be immune from the low-frequency sounds as well as High-frequency sounds in the gym.

Moreover, for seamless and stable connection, Bose equipped their QC earbuds 2 with the latest Bluetooth 5.3. Also, these earbuds come with lots of advanced workout features like Independent Single-Bud Use and ActiveSense technology. As these features help to keep you aware of your surroundings, which can be especially useful when you are running or cycling outdoors.

In addition, The battery life of QC earbuds 2 is also really good. Bose listed these earbuds would last up to 6 hours with the ANC after a full charge. However, during testing in a gym environment with ANC on, we get almost 7.3 hours of audio listening time.

Overall, if you are in search of the best wireless earbuds for working out then look no further. Because you can’t go wrong with the Bose QC earbuds 2 as they offer a perfect combination of comfort, sound quality, and advanced features.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

2. Bose Sport Earbuds: One of the Best Bose Workout Earbuds

Specs and Features

Review:

The Bose Sport Earbuds are one of the great options for those looking for secure, comfortable earbuds to use during their workouts. One of the reasons for this is their StayHear Max tips which ensure a secure fit, so the earbuds won’t fall out even during intense cardio exercises.

Secondly, They are IPX4-rated which provides the necessary protection against sweat during High-intensity interval training (HIIT) or Running or jogging. 

Thirdly and the most significant aspect of these best workout earbuds is Bluetooth 5.1, and a maximum wireless range (est. 30 feet). As these features provide seamless transmission of music even in the workouts that involve a lot of movement, such as running, cycling, and boxing.

Where Bose Sports Earbuds have many positive aspects, there are also a few areas where they fall short. Firstly, these earbuds do not come with Active Noise Canceling(ANC) which we think is a dealbreaker for many users who prefers to just listen to music during the Gym.

Secondly, the battery life of Bose Sports Earbuds is shorter. According to official Bose claims, these earbuds are expected to last for about 5 hours on a single charge.

However, when tested in the gym with 85dB of volume, the earbuds lasted for about 4 hours and 35 minutes. While this may be enough for shorter workouts. But during longer or more intense workout sessions users may need to recharge these earbuds more frequently.

Overall, we would say the Bose Sport Earbuds are a great choice if you looking for comfortable earbuds for your workouts, with a few trade-offs to consider.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

3. Bose Sports Open Earbuds: Best Bose Open-Ear Headphones

Review:

When it comes to wireless headphones for gym, Bose’s Sports Open Earbuds are quite unusual than any other workout headphones on the market.

The open-ear style allows you to hear your surroundings because they have no ear tips. So the earpiece of earbuds sits on top of your ear, which is great for runners and those who work out with trainers.

One of the selling points of these earbuds is their long battery life. When we tested them with a full charge in the Gym, these earbuds lasted for about 7 hours and 53 minutes, which is exactly the same amount of time mentioned by Bose. This extended battery life allows users to enjoy their Circuit training workouts in the Gym.

Moreover, with decent sound quality, these earbuds are also equipped with Bluetooth 5.1, which not only improved connectivity and stability but also allows for a maximum wireless range of approximately 30 feet.

Plus, They are also water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating, meaning you don’t have to worry about them getting wet.

Additionally, the earbuds feature controls on the right side and support of Bose Music App allows users for additional customization options to control their audio experience according to the exercise they are doing.

However, The only downside of Bose Open Sports Earbuds is that they don’t have noise cancellation. So users can hear external noises while listening to their music during the workouts.

Overall, we would definitely recommend these as one of the best gym headphones for workout lovers.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

4. Bose Soundsport Free Truly Wireless Headphones: Best In-Ear Headphones for Working Out

Specs and Features

Review:

If you are looking for ideal in-ear headphones for working out then look no further. The Bose Soundsport Free Truly Wireless earbuds are one of them which offer a top-notch sound, secure fit, and durability.

Made from solid plastic and weighing just 9 grams per bud, these earbuds are small and lightweight enough to not be a nuisance during a workout. Plus three different sizes of ear tips allow athletes or Gymers to find the perfect fit for their intense workouts.  

Moreover, the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless earbuds offer the same battery performance and sweat-resistance as the Bose Sports Earbuds. With 5 hours of playback time, plus an IPX4 sweat rating these earbuds are perfect for a quick workout. 

The major difference between the Bose SoundSport Free and Sports Earbuds is the Bluetooth connectivity and control options. SoundSport Free comes with Bluetooth 4.1 and features physical buttons to change songs, and so on during a workout. 

However, these earbuds have a Bluetooth range of about the length of a basketball court. Which allows users to move around the gym without having to worry about music cutting or interruption. 

Furthermore, just like Bose Sports earbuds, they also do not feature any noise cancellation technology. But their design creates a good seal without being too deep in the ear canal if you wear them perfectly, which provides some passive noise isolation.

Overall, we would say Bose SoundSports Free is somehow gym headphones if you compromise on ANC and Bluetooth connectivity.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

5. Bose QuietComfort 45: Best Headphone for Gym

If you are looking for over-ear headphones for your gym sessions, and comfort is your ultimate priority then we would say Bose QuietComfort 45 is your go-to choice. 

These headphones are designed to provide ultimate comfort thanks to their generous padding, secure fit, adjustable headband, smooth underside padding, and lightweight design so that you can enjoy your music during the workouts without any fatigue. 

However, they are stable as some of the other listed headphones, but they are ideal for gym activities that involve less movement like weightlifting or stationary biking. Plus, the controls on the headphone are very user-friendly, allowing users to control the music or call with ease.

Moreover, Bose QC 45 is not equipped with any sweat-resistant rating. As a result, you may need to dry and clean them off during intense workout sessions to ensure their longevity.

Furthermore, The Bose QC 45 headphones provide an energetic and lively sound with engaging basslines that would create an upbeat atmosphere that will help you to maintain your pace and intensity during exercise.

The ANC performance of Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones is exceptional, especially in the gym environment. The new ANC system handles midrange frequencies such as people talking, weights clanging, and treadmills whirring with ease.

Lastly, they feature Bluetooth 5.1 as well as 24 hours of playback time with a single charge. So if you are going to stay longer in the gym, then don’t have to worry about headphones running out of juice.

Overall, the Bose QC 45 is one of the best over-ear headphones for workouts, with Exceptional ANC and Sound quality, and a comfortable fit.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

6. Bose NC 700 Headphones: Best Over the Head Headphones for Working Out

Specs and Features

Review:

The Bose 700 is one of the best over the head headphones for working out in the markets. These headphones allow you to keep your audiophile lifestyle active inside the gym parameters. 

Moreover, with both ANC and Transparency Mode, like the AirPods Max, the Bose 700 is one of the most recommended and appreciated headphones by fitness enthusiasts. 

However, When we tested the ANC of these headphones inside the gym, they effectively block the Sound of cardio machines or Low-frequency sounds. Which allows us to fully immerse ourselves in music without being distracted by the sounds of the gym.

As they weigh only 256 grams they provide you the comfort that is needed during static workout activities like leg lifts or bench presses. But when you running on the treadmill or doing Zumba, you can feel a bit of heft on your ears.

And If you are doing some intense workouts then don’t worry about Bose NC 700 as they are IPX4 certified. Which would provide protection for the headphone against sweat in your high-intensity exercise.

Moreover, They also come with Bluetooth version 5, which includes all of the headphone profiles. The Bluetooth range on these headphones is also impressive, reaching up to 33 feet which is more than enough for a limited area of the Gym. 

However, if you are concerned about the Battery life of the Bose NC 700, then don’t worry. These headphones have up to 20 hours of battery life, making them perfect for longer workout sessions. Plus if you forget to charge them, a quick 15-minute charge will give you up to 3.5 hours of listening time. 

If you’re looking for one of the best Bose headphones for exercising, the Bose Noise-Canceling 700 headphones are your go-to choice without any second thoughts.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

7. Bose Soundlink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones ii: Best Bose Headphones for Working Out

Specs and Features:

Review:

The Bose SoundLink 2 Around-Ear Wireless Headphones are one of the best Bose headphones for working out. Moreover, they’re recommended by Jamie Hickey, a personal trainer at Truism Fitness, making them a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts.

The main reason for their popularity is their lightweight design and comfortable fit. As these over-ear headphones weigh 198 grams and are tight-fitted enough to stay in place on your ears during exercise. Plus, these headphones have a simple control system, making them very convenient for your workouts.

Moreover, In terms of sound quality, Bose SoundLink 2 Around-Ear is highly regarded by many fitness lovers. These headphones offer clean and well-balanced sound without the overpowering bass which is well-suited in a crowded Gym.

Furthermore, these headphones are also fitted with noise-canceling technology, although they may not be as effective as the ANC found on the Bose NC 700. However, they still do a decent job of blocking out ambient noise and letting you focus on your favorite workout tunes!

These headphones offer 15 hours of playback time so that you can enjoy your music throughout your entire workout. Additionally, 15 minutes of quick bursts of energy will give you up to 2 hours of playback time. 

Overall, the Bose SoundLink Around-Ear 2 are good over ear headphones for working out due to their Comfort and excellent sound Profile.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

8. Bose QuietComfort 35 ii: Best Wireless Headphones for Workout

Specs and Features:

• Weight: 235 grams 
• Size: 7.1 x 6.7 x 3.2 inches
• Style: Over-ear
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
• Charging time: 3 hours
• Quick-charge time: 15-minute charge for 2.5 hours
• Bluetooth Range: Up to 10 m
• Bluetooth version: 4.1
• Water Resistant: IPX4
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Connectivity: wired and wireless
• Controls: simple touch controls

Review:

The Bose QuietComfort 35 ii are the best wireless headphones for workouts on our list.  These headphones are extremely comfortable due to their lightweight, weighing 235 grams, and slim design. And with this kind of comfort, you can do whatever exercise in the gym for extended periods without any discomfort.

Plus, these headphones also have sweat resistance with the IPX4-rated, ensuring Bose QC 35 ii would stand in high-intensity workouts. 

The sound quality on QC 35 ii is also good but not class-leading as you get from the Bose NC 700 headphones. However, you can still get a balanced sound across any workout music genre with clear vocals and decent mids. 

Moreover, the ANC is also decent on QC 35 ii headphones, blocking effectively the low-level frequency sounds in the gyms, effectiveness may vary for high-frequency sounds.

Furthermore, the QC 35 ii headphones are Bluetooth 4.1 supported and work efficiently in a radius of 10 meters.

However, in the department of battery life, they shine, as they last up to 20 hours on a single charge. And for a quick boost, just charge them for about 15 minutes and enjoy the music for 2.5 hours.

Overall, With their lightweight and slim design, as well as their noise-canceling technology, the Bose QuietComfort 35 ii are the best headphones for the gym.

Reason to Buy and Avoid:

Buying Guide:

There are several things to consider while selecting the finest Bose headphones for workouts; these are the most crucial ones, which we consider when making our decision.

1. Headphone Design and Style: 

Headphones are available in one of three designs: in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear. In ear, earbuds are the smallest that fit inside the ears, but they can be uncomfortable for people with larger ears. 

On-ear headphones rest on top of your ear instead of inside it, making them more comfortable but less stable than in-ear. 

Over-ear headphones completely cover your ear, providing the most comfort and best sound quality. 

However, due to the smallest in size, the Bose Earbuds are the most popular option, with around two dozen professional athletes and trainers opting for them while working out on basketball courts, in gyms, dance studios, and at home.

But there are some Bose on-ear and over-ear headphones that are built specifically for exercise and have added features to make them ideal for workouts.

2. Waterproof Rating:

There’s no getting away from the fact that when you exercise, you’ll sweat. The headphones you use should be able to tolerate some moisture without breaking without regard to how much you sweat.

The Bose earbuds and headphones I suggest have soft, padded ear cushions that should prevent any electrical damage due to sweat and will provide an isolated environment in your workout sessions.

After each usage, we recommend cleaning the headphones with a disinfecting wipe to prevent bacteria from accumulating on the ear pads and headbands.

3. Weight:

When it comes to headphones for a workout, weight is an important factor to consider. 

Heavier headphones can be cumbersome and distracting, while lightweight headphones can be easy to wear and won’t get in the way. 

For this reason, many people prefer to use Bose earbuds for working out, as they are lightweight and provide great sound quality.

4. Bluetooth:

Wires may also be a source of distraction during exercise as they often tangle in fitness equipment and cause you to stop the workout in order to fix them. 

For this reason, I listed only those headphones that work wirelessly and are Bluetooth-compatible.

5. Ease of use:

Ease of use is an important factor to consider when choosing headphones for working out. If the headphones are difficult to use, you’re more likely to get frustrated and give up on them.

However, Bose headphones are known for their easy-to-use designs, and this makes them a great choice for people who want to stay focused during their workouts.

6. Noise cancellation:

can be very helpful during workouts, especially if the person is trying to focus on their breathing or listening to music. 

Noise cancellation within any headphones is great for working out because they help to block out any noise that might distract you. 

This includes the sound of people talking, music playing, and other noises in the gym.

Additionally, the headphones can help to improve the sound quality of whatever it is that the person is listening to, which can make the workout more enjoyable.

7. Battery life:

Battery life is one of those things that can be overlooked. If you choose a pair with limited battery time, then it will limit your workouts. 

In this case, I am referring to Bose wireless headphones specifically designed for workout sessions or other similar activities where there is no way to charge them at all during use (e.g., running). 

In such cases having an hour-long playtime might not be enough; especially when compared to something like Apple AirPods which have about five hours – and even more than that in some cases.

Final Words:

So whether you’re looking for headphones that can handle a strenuous workout or just something to keep you pumped up while commuting,  Bose has a great option for you. 

With such a wide variety of headphones on the market, it can be tough to determine which is the best for your needs.

But with this list, I hope that I have made your decision a little bit easier. These are all tried and tested by me, so you can be sure that they’ll live up to your expectations.

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