Bose brought the first commercially available noise-canceling headphones to market in 1989.
Amar Bose and his eponymous company, Bose, did not invent noise-canceling technology; however, they certainly were pioneers of commercializing the technology.
For years, they were the dominant player in the market, with few competitors. Fast forward to 2025, and Bose faces formidable competition from Apple, Bang & Olufsen, Beats, Bowers & Wilkins, Marshall, Sennheiser, Sonos, Sony, and others. Even so, I argue that while multiple companies make better-looking wireless headphones than Bose, with regard to noise-canceling and comfort, Bose is still one of the very best.
Starting with the basic QuietComfort wireless headphones (shown), which typically retail around $199 to $229, you get superior comfort and noise-cancellation, as well as a reliable app and simple controls that function well. The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 offers slight upgrades but is mostly the same as the older model for a $100 premium. At the top, the $449 Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are equipped with Bose’s latest technology, and perhaps most importantly, feature a modern aesthetic that better competes with stylish offerings from Apple and others.
Final Thoughts
Your choice of wireless noise-canceling headphones depends on your budget and what you’re looking for. Apple arguably has the best-looking over-the-ear headphones, with native Apple-centric controls, but they’re pricey. Sony headphones typically rival Bose in reviews across the web and are a good alternative. Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are close in price to the Apple AirPods Max and to Sony’s best headphones, and look much better than the older QuietComfort (shown) headphones, and should be considered if price is less of a concern. Ultimately, though, if quiet and comfort are what you seek, with excellent but not audiophile sound quality, at the lowest price, the standard QuietComfort headphones (shown) represent a phenomenal option.
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