Our Verdict
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are good for neutral sound listening. They have a good amount of bass that doesn't overpower the instruments and vocals in the mid and treble range. They also have a semi-open fit which gives them a slightly better soundstage than most typical in-ears/earbuds, but they won't sound like speakers in a room, which might not be ideal for more neutral listeners.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Lightweight, wireless design.
- Well balanced and versatile sound profile.
- Semi-open design results in poor noise isolation.
- Flaws in build quality.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are only okay for commute and travel. They're compact and comfortable but have weak noise isolation which won't be ideal for the loud environments involved in commuting. Their 6-hour battery life is also quite short.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Lightweight, wireless design.
- Well balanced and versatile sound profile.
- Semi-open design results in poor noise isolation.
- Flaws in build quality.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are very good headphones for sports use. They're wireless and compact enough to carry around wherever you go. They have a stable and semi-open fit that allows runners to monitor their surroundings.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Lightweight, wireless design.
- Well balanced and versatile sound profile.
- Semi-open design results in poor noise isolation.
- Flaws in build quality.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless aren't bad for office use. They don't leak much so you can play your music at higher volumes but they also don't isolate much so you will hear some of the ambient chatter in a lively office.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Lightweight, wireless design.
- Well balanced and versatile sound profile.
- Semi-open design results in poor noise isolation.
- Flaws in build quality.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless aren't recommended for gaming. These headphones are Bluetooth-only which means they aren't compatible with a PS4 or Xbox One. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC or mobile device, their latency will likely be too high for gaming.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are Bluetooth-only headphones that can't be used wired.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are mediocre for phone calls. They have an in-line microphone so you can easily take calls while on-the-go, but like most Bluetooth headphones, your voice will sound quite thin. It will also be difficult for the person you're speaking to to hear you, even in moderately noisy environments.
- Comfortable and stable fit.
- Lightweight, wireless design.
- Well balanced and versatile sound profile.
- Semi-open design results in poor noise isolation.
- Flaws in build quality.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 05, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are good sports headphones with an above-average sound and a comfortable earbud fit. They're one of the best sounding wireless earbuds and best wireless earbuds for running we've reviewed; they're compact and have a good wireless range, but their build quality isn't as durable as some of the other wireless in-ear/earbuds we've reviewed.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless and the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless have about the same performance in a slightly different format. The SoundSport Wireless are truly wireless earbuds that are a bit better for working out since they do not have a cable to hinder your movements. The Free also have a slightly better-balanced sound and a longer total battery life than the SoundSport Wireless. On the other hand, the SoundSport Wireless last a bit longer on a single charge.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a similar design and overall score as the Bose QuietComfort 20 but have much different use cases. The SoundSport Wireless are a bit more practical for every day use and sports since there are no cables to hinder your movements. They also have a better-balanced sound quality that does not sound as bass-heavy/dark as the QC 20. The QC 20, on the other hand, are better travel and commuting headphones thanks to the strong noise cancellation that blocks a lot more noise than the semi-open of the SoundSport Wireless. They also have a longer battery life and no latency for watching videos since they are wired.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are a slightly better wireless headset than the Sony WI-SP600N Wireless. The Bose have an earbud fit, which makes them a bit more comfortable for most listeners than the Sonys. They also have a longer battery life and a better-balanced sound that caters well to most music genres. They're also a tad more stable for the gym. The Sonys, on the other hand, have a better isolation performance which makes them a bit more suitable for other uses, like commute and travel. They also have a slightly more premium and durable design with better controls. You can also EQ the Sonys via their app, which you can't with the Bose.
The Sony WI-XB400 EXTRA BASS Wireless are slightly better than the Bose SoundSport Wireless in mixed usage. Although the Bose have a more neutral sound and are more comfortable to wear, they have rather disappointing noise isolation and battery life is significantly worse. The Bose can be paired to two devices simultaneously, but the microphone isn't as good as the Sony's.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless and the JBL Endurance Dive are both good sports headphones, but both are better at different things. The Bose have a better sound quality and are more comfortable, but they have a semi-open design that doesn’t isolate much ambient noise. On the other hand, the JBL Dive are waterproof and designed as swimming headphones. They're well-built, and their fit is suitable for commuting thanks to the air-tight seal that blocks out noise. While you might get a bit less battery life on the Bose, you can connect them to two devices simultaneously.
If sound and comfort are the most important criteria for you, then the Bose SoundSport Wireless are a better option than the JBL Everest 110 Wireless. Their earbud fit doesn’t enter your ear canal and they sound accurate and well-balanced. On the other hand, since they are semi-open backs, they don’t isolate well. The JBL is noticeably better in that category, making them a better option for commuting and blocking out ambient chatter at the office. The JBL also have noticeably more battery life, but can’t connect to two devices like the Bose can.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless and the AKG N200 are two similar headphones that have good audio quality, but the Bose have a small edge over the AKG. Their semi-open design makes them more open-sounding, but this also means they barely isolate any noise. Also, the Bose have a slightly more comfortable earbud-like design. However, their cable feels thin and flimsy, and their controls are hard to register. Meanwhile, the AKG feel well-built due to their braided cable and dense magnetic earbuds.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a more neutral sound quality and their earbud-like design will be more comfortable for most people. However, the Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless have twice the battery life of the Bose and feel better-built. Also, their closed-back design isolates more than the semi-open design of the Bose. For sports, the ear-hooks of the Beats are more stable and their control scheme is easier to use.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro WIreless are better sports headphones than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. Also, due to their closed-back design, they isolate more and leak less, making them more versatile for everyday casual use as well. The Tarah Pro feel better made, and their fit is more stable than the bulkier and heavier design of the SoundSport Wireless. They also have better battery life and have a companion app to EQ their sound. On the other hand, the Bose are more comfortable and don't need a proprietary charging cradle. They also have a slightly better default sound quality.
Both headphones are great for sports, but you should choose according to your criteria as they perform well in different categories. The Bose SoundSport Wireless have better overall sound quality and are more comfortable. However, the earbuds are bulkier than average, and they are semi-open, meaning they don’t have a good isolation like the JBLs. The JBL Reflect Mini 2 Wireless also have better battery life and fins for great stability.
If a spacious, well-balanced listening experience is a priority for you, the Bose SoundSport Wireless are better headphones than the Jaybird Tarah Wireless. They have an open-back design that generates a spacious soundstage but barely isolates you from ambient noise. That can be good for outdoor runners, but you may find it annoying in a crowded gym. They are also one of the most comfortable earbuds we've tested so far. However, the Jaybird MySound app offers much greater range of customization than the Bose Connect app. The Jaybird also have a higher IPX7 rating for water resistance.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are better sports headphones than the AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction. The Bose are more typical headphones with in-ear drivers, inlcude an open design that doesn’t isolate noise, and have a neutral, even sound profile. The Bose won’t be as open as the bone-conducting design of the AfterShokz, but you should be able to monitor your surrounding with the Bose as well. On the other hand, the AfterShokz have better build quality, with rubberized coating, and have a better soundstage and battery life.
If sound quality is the most important thing for you, the Bose SoundSport Wireless are better headphones than the Jaybird X4 Wireless. Their sound quality is better and they are more comfortable. On the other hand, they barely isolate any noise, so the Jaybird are the better pick in that category. The Jaybird also have over an hour more in battery life and the Jaybird MySound app offers more customization than the Bose Connect app. The build quality is better on the Jaybird thanks to the waterproof IPX7 rating.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are a slightly better headset overall than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. The Bose have a more comfortable semi-open earbud fit that most will prefer over that of the Endurance Sprint. They also support NFC pairing with mobile phones, have a better-balanced sound and a slightly more precise control scheme than the Sprint although it is a bit difficult to use due to the heavy rubber coating. On the upside, the JBL have a slightly longer battery life on average. They also have a more isolating in-ear fit which makes them a bit more suitable for noisy environments and commuting although they will not be as comfortable as the Bose.
If you want to focus on your training and block the outside world noise, get the Jabra Elite Active 65t, but if you jog outside and need to be aware of your surroundings, the Bose SoundSport Wireless are a better option thanks to their semi-open-back enclosure. The Jabra Elite Active 65t have a more typical in-ear fit while the SoundSport Wireless feel more like earbuds, which some users may find more comfortable. However, if you’re looking for sports headphones to also use daily for different uses, the Elite Active 65t will be a better choice thanks to their isolation and truly wireless design.
The Jaybird Freedom 2 Wireless 2017 are a slightly better headphone overall than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. The Freedom have a better isolating fit which is more suitable for commuting and loud environments. They also have a customizable sound and easier to use controls. The Bose, however, are a bit more compact when not in their bulky charring case. They also have a better-balanced sound quality that may not even need an EQ on most tracks. They have a longer battery life overall, and a more typical earbud fit that some will prefer over that of the Freedom 2.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Fitbit Flyer. The Bose have a more comfortable earbud fit that most will prefer over the in-ear fit of the Fitbit Flyer. They also have a better-balanced sound quality and a better battery performance overall, thanks to their auto-off feature. The Fitbit Flyer, on the other hand, have a more isolating in-ear fit that's more suitable for noisy environments. They also leak a lot less so you can play your music at higher volumes without distracting the people around you. On the upside, both headphones are stable enough for sports and most physical activities.
The Beats BeatsX Wireless are a slightly better and more versatile headset than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. The Beats have a better isolating in-ear fit that is more suitable for use in noisy environments, like when commuting. They also have a fast-charging battery life that gives you over an hour's worth of listening from a quick 5-minute charge. On the upside, the Bose have a more comfortable earbud fit that most will prefer over the fit of the BeatsX. They also have a more balanced sound quality, and their semi-open fit, while not great for commuting, is a bit more suitable for outdoor runners, so you can more easily monitor for traffic and obstacles than with the in-ear fit of the Beats.
The Jaybird Freedom are slightly better sports headphone than the Bose SoundSport WIreless, mostly due to their isolating in-ear fit which might not be as important for outdoor runners. The Bose have a more comfortable earbud fit with a semi-open design that's a bit better suited for running outdoors but won't be as good for blocking noise in louder environments. The SoundSport also have a much better sound quality than the Freedoms with a longer continuous playback time but a shorter battery life overall. The Jaybird, on the other hand, have a better isolation performance for noisy and quieter conditions. They also have easier to use controls and slightly longer battery life overall thanks to their charging clip. You can also customize their sound profile with their app, which you can't with the Bose.
The Jaybird X3 are slightly better wireless in-ear/earbuds than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. The Jaybird X3 have a more isolating in-ear fit that is better suited for loud and quiet environments since they block a lot of noise and do not leak much. They're also a bit more stable for working out and running than the SoundSport Wireless and have a longer battery life. On the upside, the SoundSport have a much better default sound quality. They're also a lot more comfortable to wear for most listeners, thanks to their earbud fit.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are a much better wireless headset than the Apple AirPods (1st generation). The Bose have a more stable fit and are better suited for sports and running. They also have a better-balanced sound that delivers a lot more bass than the Apple. The Bose block a bit more noise, although they will not be the best headphones for commuting due to their semi-open earbud fit. On the other hand, the Apple are a lot more portable and come with an excellent case that gives them more than 24 hours of battery life. The Apple also have a slightly more stable connection, are easier to use, and have lower latency with iOS devices.
The Jaybird X2 are a better headphone overall than the Bose SoundSport Wireless if you prefer in-ear designs over earbuds. The X2 have stronger passive isolation in loud environments thanks to their in-ear fit. The X2 leak less than the SoundSport Wireless, so you can play your music at really high volumes to mask more noise and not distract the people around you. The SoundSport Wireless, on the other hand, have a comfortable earbud fit, which most will prefer over in-ears like the X2. They also have a better-balanced sound, come with an app, and support NFC which the X2 does not.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a sleek sporty aesthetic. They come in a few different colors to match your taste and look premium and well-designed. Unfortunately, they're a little bulky and protrude out of your ears once you have them on, which is a little disappointing.
The Bose SoundSport have a comfortable earbud tip design. They don't fully enter the ear canal, removing the pain that some listeners often experience with in-ear headphones. Also, their Stayhere+ tips are a bit more comfortable and open than the Stayhere+ tips of the SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear and the QuietComfort 20. Unfortunately, they sometimes shift around while you're walking, which can cause slight discomfort and frustration, especially when it affects the audio.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a mediocre control scheme. They provide call/music, track skipping, and volume controls, but lack good tactile feedback. The buttons are fairly large and heavily rubberized to make them sweatproof. Sadly, this also makes the buttons hard to push, especially the volume controls, unlike the more clicky and responsive in-line remote found on the AKG N200.
Like most in-ear headphones, the Bose SoundSport Wireless are very breathable headphones. They trap a little bit of heat within the ear canal due to their design, which makes the notch of your ears a little warmer, but it's a very negligible rise in temperature that shouldn't make you sweat more than usual.
The Bose SoundSport wireless are easy to carry around in a pocket, bag, or purse. They're a little larger than regular in-ear models, but the cable isn't too long or thick and doesn't take too much space. This makes them very portable even if they're a little larger than some other wireless in-ear headphones.
The Bose SoundSport come with the same small, circular soft pouch as the wired SoundSport In-Ear. It's a decent case that will shield your headphones from scratches and everyday wear and tear. However, the soft fabric won't protect the headphones from water damage or heavy physical stress.
Update 06/28/2021: Some users have reported issues with the headphones' build quality, ranging from the rubber casing falling apart to the charging port cover ripping off. Although we don't test for durability over time, your unit may be prone to breakage over time. That said, the scoring of this box hasn't changed.
The Bose SoundSport have a satisfactory build quality. The earbuds are dense and made of tough plastic that shouldn't get damaged by a couple of drops. The audio cable has a decent thickness, and the in-line control module is coated with a layer of rubber to make them sweatproof. Unfortunately, the cable isn't flat or additionally rubberized to be more durable. They're also not as sweatproof as expected and may get damaged by regular exposure to humidity, which is disappointing.
These headphones feel quite stable in the ear. The Stayhere+ tips fit well within the contours of your ears and should stay in place during runs or moderate workouts. Unfortunately, they aren't quite as stable as headphones with an ear hook design like the JBL Endurance Sprint or the Powerbeats3.
- Bose SoundSport Wireless headphones
- Earbud tips (x3)
- Micro USB charging cable
- Carrying case
- Manual
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a very well-balanced and neutral sound profile. They have a tiny bit of extra bass, but it shouldn't be overpowering or boomy at all. Overall, they'll be well-suited for a very wide variety of genres and contents.
The frequency response consistency of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is very good across multiple users and re-seats, ensuring consistent delivery of bass and treble. Provided you achieve a good fit and seal with the included tips, you should experience the same sound every time you use these headphones.
The bass accuracy of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is excellent. These headphones can produce very deep thumps and rumbles. The entire bass range is virtually flat, resulting in a very well-balanced bass, with a tiny amount of kick and punch.
The mid accuracy of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is superb. The slightly recessed mid-mid range could nudge the vocals and lead instruments towards the back of the mix by giving a bit more emphasis to bass/kick instruments. Overall, however, vocals and instruments in this range should be fairly detailed and present.
The treble accuracy of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is great. Low-treble is flat, neutral, and consistent. This ensures that vocals and lead instruments have a well-balanced presence and articulation. Mid-treble and high-treble, however, are a bit less consistent, which could make the sibilances (S and T sounds) a bit uneven.
The peaks and dips performance of these headphones is very good. Almost the entire range is fairly flat, with only a few sharp peaks in the treble range which may cause some sounds to come across as slightly piercing or harsh, though it likely shouldn't be too noticeable for most people.
The imaging of the Bose SoundSport is excellent. As shown in the graph, its group delay is consistently below our audibility threshold even in the high-treble region, resulting in a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. This is in contrast to some other Bluetooth headphones we have measured, such as the Google Pixel Buds, which have high group delay in both the bass and treble ranges. Additionally, the L/R drivers of our SoundSport test unit were very well-matched, resulting in accurate and clear placement and localization of objects and instruments (footsteps, voices, drums) in the stereo image.
Like most in-ears, the soundstage of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is poor. One of the key factors in creating a good soundstage is activating the resonances of the pinna (the outer ear). Since earbuds/in-ears don't interact with the pinna, their soundstage tends to be small and located inside the listener's head, as opposed to in-front like a loudspeaker. However, since the SoundSport are relatively open earbuds, their soundstage will feel more open and spacious than that of closed-back in-ears.
The weighted harmonic distortion of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is great. All frequencies fall within good limits, which should result in a clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. We expect these results to only be valid and accurate when using these settings.
The noise isolation of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is very bad, though this is expected due to their semi-open earbud design. They won't do anything to block the low rumble of bus or plane engines, and will barely help with blocking out background chatter. While these won't help block out background noise, they can be good if you want to stay aware of your surroundings while listening to music or audiobooks. However, since they still block your ear canal, they won't be as open as the AfterShokz Trekz Air which will be a better option if you really do need to monitor your environment while running outdoors.
The sound leakage of the Bose SoundSport Wireless is good. As a rule of thumb, closed-back in-ears leak the least, and open-back over-ears leak the most. Earbuds sit kind of in between, which is also the case with the SoundSport. Their leakage is present only in the treble range, meaning sounds leaking out of the Bose will mostly consist of S and T sounds (speech, cymbals) and will be very thin. However, the overall level of the leakage is moderately loud, so if you blast your music/podcasts in a quiet environment, chances are people around you would hear some of the leakage.
These headphones have an in-line microphone on the wire connecting the left and right drivers.
The recording quality of the SoundSport's integrated mic is sub-par. The high LFE (low-frequency extension) means your voice will sound thin, while the low HFE will make speech sound muffled and airless. This will have a subtle but negative effect on the understandability of speech recorded with the microphone.
The noise handling capabilities of the Bose SoundSport Wireless' mic is okay. While the person on the other end of the line should hear you fine in quiet environments, your voice will likely get lost in even moderately noisy situations.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have a mediocre overall battery performance. Their 6-hour battery life is unremarkable, and they take 1.5 hours to charge, which is fairly long considering their short battery life. On the upside, they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery a bit. For wireless in-ears with more battery life, look at the JBL Everest 110, the Anker SoundCore Spirit X Wireless, or the Sony WI-XB400.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless use the same app as the QuietComfort 35 and SoundLink Around-Ear II, which looks sleek and stylish but only provides a disappointingly small list of features. You get an auto-off timer you can set at different intervals, a bare-bones in-app media player, and the battery level status. Unfortunately, there's no equalizer, room effects, or any other experience-enhancing features that would set this app apart from the others.
Update 03/03/2022: These headphones were updated to Test Bench 1.5 and their latency values have changed. Our previous Test Bench 1.4 measurements reported 'Android Latency' at 196 ms. However, our new test bench uses an average of three measurements instead of one, resulting in 136 ms of latency on Android. As a result, we have updated our text to better reflect test bench 1.5 measurements.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless support NFC and multi-device pairing, which is great. It means you can easily pair them to an NFC-capable device or pair them to both your work PC and phone to easily listen to audio from both. While these headphones have fairly high latency on PCs, their iOS and Android latency is much lower, which is good. It's worth noting that some apps seem to compensate for this.
These headphones are Bluetooth-only.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless have no wired option. If you want a similarly designed wired in-ear, then check out the Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear or the wired Bose SoundSport In-Ear.
These Bluetooth-only headphones aren't compatible with the Xbox One.
The Bose SoundSport Wireless don't have a dock. If you want headphones that are versatile and have a dock, try the SteelSeries Arctis 7. However, they're over-ear gaming headphones that aren't as compact and easy to bring with you on-the-go.