Bose QuietComfort vs. Bose 700: Which Noise Cancelling Headphones Win?

Inside This Article:

Design and Comfort: The Battle of Form vs. Function

Bose QuietComfort: The Timeless Workhorse
Bose 700: The Futuristic Statement Piece

Noise Cancellation: Silence Is Golden (But Which Does It Better?)

Bose QuietComfort: The Veteran Performer
Bose 700: The Smarter Algorithm

Sound Quality: Audiophile or Casual Listener?

Bose QuietComfort: Balanced and Neutral
Bose 700: Customizable and Crisp

Battery Life: Marathon or Sprint?
Microphone and Call Quality: The Remote Worker’s Dilemma
Controls: Buttons vs. Touch—Choose Your Fighter
Price: The $100 Question
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Decision: Which Bose Headphones Should You Buy?

Choose the Bose QuietComfort if:
Choose the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 if:

Choosing between the Bose QuietComfort and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is like picking between two luxury sedans—both excel, but one might align better with your lifestyle. If you’ve ever agonized over specs, design, or that elusive "perfect fit," this exhaustive comparison will clarify which model deserves your investment.

Design and Comfort: The Battle of Form vs. Function

Bose QuietComfort: The Timeless Workhorse

The Bose QuietComfort series is the O.G. of noise-canceling headphones. Launched in 2000, it’s the audio equivalent of a trusty leather jacket—worn-in, reliable, and effortlessly comfortable.

Build Quality: Durable polycarbonate frame. Lightweight yet sturdy.
Foldable Design: Collapses into a compact shape, ideal for travel.
Aesthetic: Unassuming elegance. Think "business casual" for your ears.

The ear cushions? Plush memory foam that cradles your head like a cloud. If you’ve ever endured a 14-hour flight, you’ll appreciate how these disappear on your ears.

Bose 700: The Futuristic Statement Piece

The Bose 700 looks like it was designed in a lab where "sleek" is the only vocabulary word. With a stainless-steel headband and seamless touch controls, it’s the headphone version of a Tesla Cybertruck—polarizing but undeniably cool.

Build Quality: Premium materials, including reinforced steel and synthetic leather.
Non-Foldable: Slim profile, but it won’t crumple into your backpack.
Aesthetic: Minimalist chic. If Apple made headphones, they’d look like this.

Personal Insight: The 700 wins on looks, but the QuietComfort feels like a hug for your skull. If you prioritize all-day wearability, the latter reigns supreme.

Source: Wikipedia Bose Headphones List

Noise Cancellation: Silence Is Golden (But Which Does It Better?)

Both headphones boast Bose’s legendary noise cancellation, but their approaches differ.

Bose QuietComfort: The Veteran Performer

11 Adjustable Levels: Tailor noise cancellation from "subtle" to "hermit mode."
Passive Isolation: Thick ear cushions naturally muffle ambient chatter.
Best For: Airplane engines, coffee shop clatter, or your neighbor’s relentless DIY projects.

Bose 700: The Smarter Algorithm

Same 11 Levels, But Smarter: AI-driven adjustments adapt to your environment in real-time.
Superior Voice Blocking: Annoying conference calls fade into oblivion.
Transparency Mode: Hear announcements without yanking off your headphones.

Real-World Test: On a crowded subway, the 700 makes fellow passengers sound like distant murmurs. The QuietComfort? More like a muffled echo.

Sound Quality: Audiophile or Casual Listener?

Sound preference is subjective, but here’s the breakdown.

Bose QuietComfort: Balanced and Neutral

Signature Sound: Clean mids, restrained bass. No artificial "boom."
Ideal For: Jazz, podcasts, or anyone who hates over-processed audio.

Bose 700: Customizable and Crisp

EQ Adjustments: Fine-tune bass, treble, and mids via the Bose Music app.
Enhanced Clarity: Vocals and acoustic guitars shimmer.
Ideal For: Hip-hop, EDM, or if you’re the type to dissect every hi-hat.

Controversial Opinion: Neither will satisfy hardcore audiophiles (look at Sennheiser instead), but the 700’s tweakability gives it an edge.

Battery Life: Marathon or Sprint?

QuietComfort: 20 hours (with ANC on). A full workday plus a cross-country flight.
Bose 700: Also 20 hours, but real-world usage hovers around 18.

Gripe: No wireless charging in 2024? Bose, we expected better.

Microphone and Call Quality: The Remote Worker’s Dilemma

The Bose 700 was engineered for calls. Four mics + noise-rejecting algorithms = you sound studio-quality, even in a wind tunnel.

700: Crystal-clear Zoom calls. Your coworkers might ask if you’ve upgraded your setup.
QuietComfort: Adequate, but background noise occasionally sneaks in.

Pro Tip: Podcasters on a budget have used the 700 as a makeshift USB mic. It’s that good.

Controls: Buttons vs. Touch—Choose Your Fighter

QuietComfort: Tactile buttons. No frills, no mis-swipes.
700: Glossy touch panel. Feels futuristic until you fumble with cold fingers.

Who Wins? If you’ve ever cursed at unresponsive touchscreens, stick with buttons.

Price: The $100 Question

QuietComfort: ~$279 (frequent sales drop it to $250).
Bose 700: ~$379. Rarely discounted.

Value Verdict: The 700 justifies its price with superior mics, sleek design, and smarter ANC. But if you’re frugal, the QuietComfort delivers 90% of the experience for less.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the main differences between the Bose QuietComfort and Bose 700 headphones?
The Bose QuietComfort headphones focus on maximum noise cancellation and comfort, while the Bose 700 offers a more modern design, adjustable noise cancellation, and improved voice pickup for calls.
Which model has better sound quality?
Both models deliver excellent sound, but the Bose 700 has slightly more refined audio with better clarity and bass response, while the QuietComfort provides a more balanced, neutral sound.
Are the Bose 700 headphones worth the extra cost over the QuietComfort?
If you prioritize advanced features like touch controls, adjustable ANC, and superior call quality, the Bose 700 is worth the investment. However, if comfort and strong noise cancellation are your main needs, the QuietComfort may be the better choice.
Which headphones are better for travel and long listening sessions?
The Bose QuietComfort is often preferred for travel due to its superior comfort over long periods, while the Bose 700 is great for frequent travelers who also need reliable call performance and modern features.