Are Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones Waterproof?
Bose started taking pre-orders on its Noise Cancelling 700 headphone back in 2019.
The 700 is the natural successor to its popular QuietComfort 35 II.
The big question that a lot of us were asking at the time was whether or not the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 headphone would be waterproof or at the very least water resistant.
More and more people want to get the maximum value and enjoyment out of their headphones and that includes premium branded Bose cans.
Wireless noise-cancelling headphones are often more useful outside the home. It makes sense people want to wear them in the gym, on a commute, on a flight or in a busy open-plan office. With the Bose 700 costing £250+, it’s important to understand the limitations of a product as well as its benefits.
Are Bose 700 Headphones Worth it?
It was Bose that first developed active-noise cancelling (ANC) headphones back in the 1980s, and it’s been one of the biggest names and one of the best-selling brands ever since.
Competition from the likes of Sony (and potentially from Apple IF the company ever releases its StudioPods) has meant that it’s no longer everyone’s first choice for ANC.
- It has 11-levels of noise-cancellation with quick-interruption mode for when you’re in an environment where people might want to ask you quick questions.
- It has a 4-microphone system to isolate your voice from background noise which makes it easier for you to talk to someone else in noisy places (despite Sony’s super-impressive WHM1000XM3, its ANC it can’t compete with Bose 700 on this score).
- It’s optimised for use with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- It uses Bluetooth 5.0 with wireless hitting up to 33 feet.
- A 3-and-a-half-hour charge gives you up to thirty-three hours of playback.
- In a hurry? 15 minutes on charge will deliver more than 3 hours of music.
- Very comfortable cushions so these can be worn for extended periods.
- The pivot system on the headphones means you can easily fold them down and put them safely into the case included in the box.
The biggest downside to these headphones is the price.
That’s something that a lot of online reviewers agree on. For example, overall WhatHiFi? had a lot of positive things to say but they didn’t feel that they justified retailing at £80 more expensive than the Sony’s.
Whether or not the Bose 700 is worth it will probably depend on how you feel about the Bose brand and how often you believe you’ll need noise-cancellation when making phone calls.
Are Bose 700 Headphones Waterproof?
No, they’re not.
If you wear these regularly for intense workouts or if you wear them outside a lot in the pouring rain, they’re going to break.
The material on the cushions will start to peel and the internal components of the headphones will stop working.
It’s a shame.
These are damn good headphones and a lot of on-ear and over-ear sports headphones don’t quite pass muster for ANC, sound quality or comfort.
Often with gym-ready headphones there’s a compromise that has to be made on design or technology in order to satisfy an IPX rating.
Fortunately, you can add moisture-resistant covers to your Bose 700 headphones.
EarHugz quickly wick sweat away from the surface of the cushions to keep your 700s fresh and sweat free.
Are Bose 700s Wireless?
Yes.
Is the Bose 700 Headphone Better than the QuietComfort 35 II?
Yes, but be prepared to pay around £100 more for the 700s.
The 700 has a more modern and attractive design, is a better fit and is more comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The 700 also has better noise-cancellation and intuitive touch controls on the ear cups.
The QC 35 II headphone is an older model and so we can therefore expect the 700 to be more up-to-date but you won’t go far wrong with spending your money on the QC 35 if you’re not keen on the bigger price tag of the 700.
EarHugz fits both headphones so you can make either gym-ready.
How Long Should Bose Headphones Last?
You get what you pay for, or so the saying goes.
That’s not always true.
A lot of what we do with our headphones can dictate how long it is that they’re going to last.
Bose headphones come with a 1-year warranty. Although, this won’t cover moisture damage.
You should expect a good few years of use from your Bose 700s. Although, it’s important that you take responsibility for keeping them in good condition. That means using the carry case they came in, adding sweat-resistant covers if you’re hitting the gym or if you wear makeup, keeping them out of sunlight and being careful when they’re plugged in…
Headphone sound quality shouldn’t degrade.
Certainly, some people have been wearing their QC 35 II’s for many, many years without any noticeable decline in range of appearance.
Are Bose Headphones Better than Beats?
On paper?
Yes.
But everything is down to person choice.
Audiophiles have been tough on both Bose and Beats in the past for sound quality but generally, reviewers and critics will say that Bose are the superior manufacturer. Apple’s H1 chip has made Beats a more attractive brand, though.
The connectivity between iOS devices and increased battery power means what was once quite an easy choice between models is now harder.
Although, Beats Studio3 Headphones (the closest to Bose 700) don’t yet have the H1 chip.
What do you think about the Bose 700 headphone and does it bother you that its neither waterproof nor resistant?
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