Working out isn't just hard on the body—it can be hard on the mind as well. Staying focused on the same repetitive task is challenging, whether that's running, rowing, or lifting weights. One of the best ways to keep the mind engaged is to marinate it in the sounds of a favorite playlist, audiobook, or podcast subscription. As such, a good pair of earbuds can be an invaluable addition to your personal fitness gear. And in the audio world, the popular brand known as Bose reigns supreme in sound quality, comfort, and fit. The Bose Soundsport Earbuds are a fan favorite for a variety of reasons, but did they hold up against our expert reviewers at Active?
Below, the ACTIVE Reviews Team dives into what makes these earbuds tick, including their specs, pricing, pros, cons, and more. Keep reading to see if these earbuds are worth your investment.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated. More importantly, each member of our team is a fitness enthusiast. Fitness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
A Quick Look at Bose Soundsport Earbuds
Bose is a company with a lot of prestige, particularly within the home audio space. Their products are synonymous with sound quality, and routinely win accolades from audiophile groups. In addition to pristine sound quality, Bose is also commendable for its innovation, its emphasis on sustainability, and its sleek aesthetics.
The Bose Soundsport Earbuds are notable for being designed with workouts in mind. The audio quality is powerful and clear, while the earbuds themselves are designed to fit snugly and securely in the ear. All of this adds up to a product that runners, in particular, should love: Water and sweat resistance makes these buds a good choice for all types of weather, plus the six-hour battery life helps you stay motivated during longer treks. Simply put, these earbuds are specially engineered to power you through your toughest training and most strenuous workout sessions.
Bose Soundsport Earbuds
SPECS
- Type: In-ear, wireless
- Connectivity type: Bluetooth and NFC
- Water resistance: IPX4
- Charging time: 2 hours
- Battery life: 6 hours
- In-ear fit options: 3 sizes of StayHear+ Sport tips
- Warranty: Warranty card included
Bose claims that these earbuds are engineered to push you forward, which we found turns out to be a pretty apt description of how these earbuds function. What you'll get, first and foremost, is robust sound quality, allowing you to focus on your favorite tunes and keep your mind engaged throughout the most grueling of workouts. We also like that these earbuds fit comfortably in the ear: They offer total security for most people, meaning you can run without having to fiddle with your earbuds or worry about them falling out. Plus, three different-sized tips are included, boosting your odds of finding the perfect fit. By selecting a nice, snug-fitting tip, you'll create a seal around the ear, which actually helps the audio quality sound become that much more immersive.
High-Tech Features
Naturally, the Bose Soundsport earbuds connect with any Bluetooth device, making it easy to sync up to your preferred audio player. But in terms of high-tech features, we found that's really just the tip of the iceberg.
The Bose Soundsport earbuds also offer Tile technology, a built-in feature that enables you to track down and find your earbuds should you ever leave them someplace. Simply download the Bose app, enable Tile, and follow a few quick prompts to make sure your buds are trackable.
Speaking of the Bose app, we definitely think it's something you’ll want to spend some time exploring. There are lots of easy and intuitive ways to manage your connected devices, personalize your audio settings, and ensure that your workout soundtrack comes through loud and clear.
Another high-tech pro? These earbuds have a built-in microphone, meaning you can handle voice or video calls with total ease.
Ready for Anything
Bose products are well-regarded for their quality, and these buds are no exception. They're designed to hold up to plenty of everyday use, and to provide high-powered audio for a long time to come. And while you can't completely submerge these earbuds, they’re resistant to splashes of water and sweat, meaning they’ll keep pushing you forward even through sudden storms or unexpected downpours.
PROS
- Exceptional audio quality
- Sweat and water resistant
- Bluetooth connectivity of up to 30'
- Tile lets you find your earbuds should they ever get lost
- Secure fit for ideal ear seal
- 3 different-sized ear tips included
- Charging case included
- Robust, durable design
- Plenty of personalization options in the Bose Connect app
CONS
- Takes 2 hours to fully charge; no quick-charge mode offered
- Resistant to splashes and sweat, but not designed to swim with
- The connective wire in the back may not work for those who want completely wireless earbuds
- 6-hour battery life is so-so, but should be fine for most runners and gym goers
Final Thoughts on Bose Soundsport Earbuds
While other earbuds may eclipse Bose in terms of battery life or high-tech features, we think these earbuds offer what most runners and fitness enthusiasts really care about: Top-notch audio and a secure, comfortable fit. If you're looking for a durable, high-quality pair of earbuds to help you power through your workouts, we think the Bose Soundsport earbuds are a great option.
FAQs About Bose Soundsport Earbuds
Are Bose Soundsport Earbuds noise canceling?
The Bose Soundsport earbuds don’t offer noise cancellation technology, but other options from Bose like the Bose QuietComfort earbuds do. Keep in mind that noise canceling headphones tend to run more pricey.
How long is the battery life of Bose Soundsport Earbuds?
On a full charge, these earbuds should last for around six hours.
Are Bose Soundsport Earbuds waterproof?
They are resistant to water and sweat, and should hold up fine in any kind of inclement weather. But, they aren't designed to function in submerged water so you can't wear these while swimming.
Can you use Bose Soundsport Earbuds for phone calls?
The short answer—yes. These earbuds come with an inline microphone, which helps you take phone or video calls.
About the Author
Josh is a journalist and writer whose work has appeared in magazines and local newspapers such as Christianity Today, IMAGE Journal, Relevant Magazine, FLOOD, The Nashville Scene, True Tunes, Rise Up Daily, and Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet. Josh is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast.
Get ACTIVE on the Go
Couch to 5K®
The best way to get new runners off the couch and across the finish line of their first 5K.
Available for iOS | Android
Discuss This Article