Prime Day price drop: Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
- For a modern traveler, reliable headphones block surrounding noise, last more than 10 hours on a single charge and have a crystal-clear microphone for calls.
- The best headphones offer an adjustable equalizer and offer both wired and wireless connectivity.
- While the Bose 700 headphones don’t have the most noise cancellation on the market, they continue to set the standard at their price point.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. Pricing and availability are accurate as of 9:30 a.m. on July 12, 2023.
Deal alert: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 via Amazon.
I was a convert to the Apple AirPods.
I used to have a pair of Beats over-ear headphones, but once the noise-canceling AirPods Pro came out, I believed that over-ear headphones merely offered squashed ears and another big case to carry in my already full luggage.
However, after a couple of weeks of traveling, covering north of 10,000 miles with the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, it became apparent that my over-ear headphone stereotypes were nothing more than total misconceptions thanks to this pair of headphones’ plethora of high-tech features.
These headphones, which regularly retail for $379, are an investment, so it’s notable that right now, the black Bose 700 headphones are at the lowest price ($299) we’ve seen from Amazon this year (as of the time of publication).
What a traveler should look for in a good pair of headphones
Let’s face it: We all love surround sound (which deepens the fidelity of audio so it sounds more natural) and noise-cancellation features that reduce external noise. But as nice as those two features are, they’re not at the top of my wish list.
Wired and wireless connectivity
As a frequent traveler, I always want to ensure that my headphones offer wired and wireless connectivity. That way, I can wirelessly use the headphones for audio on my phone or laptop or use the cord to plug them into the seatback inflight entertainment system. While this isn’t a difficult prerequisite to meet nowadays, as most headphones over $100 offer this, it’s non-negotiable in any headphones I invest in.
Most notably, the Apple AirPods only offer a connection through Bluetooth. While some newer IFE systems offer Bluetooth audio, I have yet to see this feature on any of my flights. So, if you’re just traveling with AirPods and want to watch the movies on the screen in front of you on a plane, you’re likely stuck with the crummy inflight earbuds the airlines offer you — if they offer them at all.
Durability
I also want to make sure that my headphones are durable. When I travel, my friends and family often get a kick out of how much I squeeze into my backpack. As a result, I’m looking for a strong case that will keep the headphones safe when my 16-inch MacBook Pro is hastily jammed back into my backpack on top of my headphones after going through an airport security checkpoint.
Painless calls
Lastly, I always look for a solid microphone that won’t pick up background audio. Let’s say your flight gets canceled and there’s a long line to get rebooked. As I shared in a recent article, getting through to an airline agent quickly is the best way to get rebooked and be on your way. When calling your airline, the last thing you want 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 clear microphone that doesn’t pick up background conversations or announcements is especially important for travelers.
Bose 700 features
Here are some of the features of the Bose 700 headphones that I’ve grown to like.
Noise cancellation
When I let my tech-geek friend know I’d be reviewing the Bose 700 headphones, he told me that some of the newer Sony headphones (like the Sony WH-1000XM5) have better noise cancellation. Though I have yet to try the Sony headphones, the Bose 700 headphones’ noise cancellation impressed me.
You can change noise cancellation from 1 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) through the Bose Music app. There’s also a physical button on the side of the headphones, which can change the noise control, but more on that later.
Going for a walk on a busy street with cars driving roughly 30 mph around me, I was left hearing quiet wooshes as cars passed with the headphones on 10. On my American Airlines flight, I played some calm, quiet Spanish guitar music in the air. While I could still hear some plane noises, the headphones blocked toilets flushing and neighboring passengers talking. As we began our descent, the first time I removed the headphones, I thought to myself, “Wow, this plane is loud,” after being surprised by how much noise there was without the headphones.
The Bose Music app
After unboxing the headphones, the instructions told me to download the Bose Music app (available on iOS and Android). After downloading the app and permitting it to access Bluetooth, I could quickly connect my headphones to my phone directly in the app. One of my favorite features of the headphones was the ability to connect to both my phone and laptop simultaneously. That way, I didn’t have to manually change the audio connection between the two.
You can also sign up for your own Bose Music login, but luckily, having a Bose Music account isn’t required to use the headphones.
From the Bose Music app, you can adjust the noise cancellation and equalizer, see tips, customize shortcuts and access many more features.
Intuitive controls
Controlling the headphones is simple with the three physical buttons (power/Bluetooth, voice assistant and noise control) and the touch-sensitive gesture pad. The headphones came with a simple-to-use guide to help you learn how to use the controls on the right ear cup:
| Command | Feature |
|---|---|
Two taps. | Play/pause music and answer or decline calls. |
Swipe of finger up or down. | Volume change. |
Swipe of finger left or right. | Change tracks. |
Hold Bose logo. | Battery reading. |
Hold Bose logo during an incoming call. | Decline the call. |
While it wasn’t hard to learn these controls, they didn’t always work the first time around. For example, two taps on the right ear cup didn’t always pause my music. I also had a hard time with the noise control button. Sometimes it was hard to have the noise cancellation return to the maximum of 10, so I found myself using my phone and the Bose Music app to change many of these controls.
A sleek design with 2 color choices
In my opinion, the Bose 700 headphones are beautiful. They’re some of the most stylish headphones on the market. You have the choice of either going with luxe silver or black. When folding the headphones back into their case, each ear cup rotates 90 degrees to fit in easily. At around 9 ounces, I never felt like they were too heavy, and the cushy headband made for hours of comfortable listening.
A long-lasting battery
Bose claims that the battery will last up to 20 hours. In our tests with mixed-use (phone calls, full noise cancellation and moving the headphones from laptop to iPhone and back), the battery lasted 12 hours and 35 minutes. While that’s a far cry from 20 hours, after just 30 minutes of charging from the USB-C cord (included in the headphones), the headphones were back to 30% battery.
Bottom line
The Bose 700 headphones have unparalleled craftsmanship and quality; however, the elephant in the room is the hefty price tag, which thankfully is a bit lower than normal right now at just under $300 for the black version.
Sony has several headphones that offer great sound quality, better battery life and high-quality noise cancellation for under $200. Still, the Bose 700 headphones offer superior comfort while ticking off all the items on my lengthy headphone wishlist. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to a friend.
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- The 18 best places to travel in 2023
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.