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1 / 6Bose
Bose SoundLink On-Ear
These are still great headphones years later.
Overall Rating & value for money
7.8/ 10
7.8
0.010.0
A 7.8 puts its overall rating in the top quarter of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 16 of the 64 we've cataloged.
7.7/ 10
7.7
0.010.0
At 7.7, its value for money beats 44% of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 16 of the 64 we've cataloged.
No one has reported on this pair yet.
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Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
15 hBelow average15 h
7 h100 h
below average for on-ear headphones — based on 43 of 64 we've cataloged.
Full Charge Minutes
90 minBelow average90 min
2 min240 min
below average for on-ear headphones — based on 36 of 64 we've cataloged.
Weight
257 gAbove average257 g
6 g328 g
above average for on-ear headphones — based on 55 of 64 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 15 h
- Full Charge Minutes
- 90 min
- Charging Method
- Micro USB
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 257 g
- Foldable
- Yes
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Build
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam, velour
- Material Headband
- Plastic with padding
Connectivity
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth wireless
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- Cable Type
- 3.5mm single-ended
- USB Charging
- Yes
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
- Noise Reduction Type
- Active noise cancellation
- Type
- Dual microphone
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Frequency Response Signature
- Bright
Features
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Auto Pause
- No
- Inline Controls
- No
- Touch Controls
- No
SoundGuys review
Battery life8.5
Comfort & fit8.8
Connectivity4.0
Design8.1
Portability8.7
Value7.7
The verdict
These headphones can keep up with the non-stop pace of life, thanks to their 15-plus-hour endurance and supreme comfort. If you're privy to a sound signature that favors the midrange and treble, and don't mind paying a premium for a world-renowned brand, then the Bose On-Ear Wireless are an excellent pick.
✓Liked: Comfortable<br>, Battery life<br>, Portable<br>, Dedicated virtual assistant button<br>
✕Could be better: Poor noise isolation<br>, Dubious durability<br>
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Bose SoundLink On-Ear has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Bose SoundLink On-Ear?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Bose ditched the headphone jack without ditching the headphone jackThis is the one cable I want every pair of USB-C headphones to include.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSkip the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro: Here are 2 look-alikes I'd buy for lessYou don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. Here's two I'd recommend instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBose SoundTouch is officially dead, but your speakers may still surviveBose didn’t completely brick SoundTouch speakers, but the shutdown still changed what owners originally paid for.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterApple just took down Bose at their own gameFor decades, Bose has prided itself on this one major advantage of their headphones and earbuds. Now, Apple has beat them at their own game.
Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSkip the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro: Here are 2 look-alikes I'd buy for lessYou don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. Here's two I'd recommend instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBose SoundTouch is officially dead, but your speakers may still surviveBose didn’t completely brick SoundTouch speakers, but the shutdown still changed what owners originally paid for.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterApple just took down Bose at their own gameFor decades, Bose has prided itself on this one major advantage of their headphones and earbuds. Now, Apple has beat them at their own game.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore On-Ear Headphones
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