If you want a wireless, all-day companion that handles calls and movies with ease, choose Bose SoundLink Around Ear; if you need an open-back audiophile experience for deep listening sessions at home, choose Sennheiser HD 599. This choice is not about which brand is more famous, but about matching the right engineering to your daily life, especially when considering these headphones for kids who might be exploring different genres of music or gaming. The path between these two options leads in opposite directions: one offers freedom from wires and active connectivity, while the other delivers pure, unadulterated sound quality through a wired connection designed for stationary use.
• Bose SoundLink Around Ear: Delivers immersive wireless sound with a 15-hour battery and seamless switching between devices, but lacks noise isolation due to its design focus on comfort and open-air feel. Best for families needing portable audio for travel and commutes.
• Sennheiser HD 599: Offers exceptional spatial audio and detail with plush velour cushions for long listening, but requires a wired connection and leaks sound, making it unsuitable for noisy environments. Best for quiet home listening where sound fidelity is the priority.
• The Verdict for Kids: If your child needs headphones for the car, airplane, or gym, the Bose model wins on convenience; if they are settling into a quiet corner for homework or focused gaming, the Sennheiser provides a richer sonic landscape.
The Bose SoundLink Around Ear Wireless Headphones II is built for the modern family on the move. Its core strength lies in the ability to stay connected without being tethered to a device. With Bluetooth 4.2 technology, users can maintain a stable connection up to 30 feet away, allowing a kid to roam around the house or yard without dropping the audio stream. The inclusion of dual-device pairing is a game-changer for households with multiple screens; a user can watch a movie on a tablet while remaining instantly reachable by a parent's smartphone. When a call comes in, the audio seamlessly pauses and switches, ensuring no missed moments.
Battery life is another critical factor for parents looking for reliable gear. This model boasts up to 15 hours of playtime on a single charge, meaning a full day of school, practice, and evening entertainment is covered before needing a plug-in session. The charging time of three hours is reasonable for a device of this caliber, though it does require planning ahead for extended trips. The impact-resistant materials and lightweight build (6.88 ounces) suggest durability against the bumps and drops common in younger hands. The earcup controls allow for easy management of music and calls without fumbling with a phone, which is a significant plus for independent usage.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
However, this headphone is not designed for total silence. It lacks active noise cancellation, relying instead on passive fit to block some ambient noise. While the TriPort technology and Active EQ deliver crisp, strong sound at any volume, the open nature of the design means sound leakage occurs. This makes it excellent for personal listening but less ideal if you need absolute privacy or want to listen in a very loud environment like a busy playground. It is best suited for children who need versatility—those who switch between watching videos, playing games, and taking calls throughout the day.
In stark contrast, the Sennheiser HD 599 Special Edition is engineered for the dedicated listener who prioritizes sound quality above all else. This is an open-back headphone, a design choice that fundamentally changes how the audio is experienced. The open ear cups allow air to flow freely, creating a natural tonal balance and an impressively wide soundscape. For a kid interested in classical music, detailed video game soundtracks, or high-fidelity streaming, this "open" presentation offers a level of depth and spatial performance that closed-back cans simply cannot match. The proprietary transducer technology with aluminum voice coils ensures extremely low distortion, revealing details in the music that are often hidden in cheaper models.
Comfort is a standout feature here, specifically tailored for long durations. The large ear cups are fitted with plush velour cushions and a padded headband, reducing pressure points during marathon gaming sessions or study periods. At 9.17 ounces, it is slightly heavier than the Bose, but the weight distribution is designed to minimize fatigue. The package includes two detachable cables: a long 3-meter cable with a 6.35mm jack for home theater systems and a shorter 1.2-meter cable with a 3.5mm jack for phones and laptops. This flexibility allows for various setups around the house, though it strictly limits movement to the length of the wire.
The trade-off for this superior audio fidelity is the lack of wireless capability and sound isolation. Because the back of the ear cups is open, sound leaks out, and external noise leaks in. This makes the HD 599 completely unsuitable for outdoor use, public transport, or shared living spaces where others might hear the music or distractions could ruin the listening experience. It is also not suitable for "best bluetooth headset for exercise" scenarios or active sports, as there is no wireless connection and the open design offers no protection against wind or sweat. This product is strictly for a controlled, quiet environment where the user can fully immerse themselves in the audio without interruption.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for Battery Life → Bose SoundLink Around Ear: With 15 hours of wireless playback, it easily outlasts any wired setup where you have to manage power outlets or battery packs.
• Best for Portability → Bose SoundLink Around Ear: The wireless range and included carrying case make it the clear winner for travel, cars, and moving around the house.
• Best for Multi-Device Switching → Bose SoundLink Around Ear: The ability to toggle between a tablet and a phone instantly is a feature the wired Sennheiser cannot offer.
• Best for Long Listening Sessions → Sennheiser HD 599: The velour cushions and ergonomic design are superior for keeping ears cool and comfortable over hours of stationary use.
• Best for Quiet Home Use → Sennheiser HD 599: If you have a dedicated room or quiet corner, the audio fidelity here is unmatched.
• Best for Active Lifestyles → Bose SoundLink Around Ear: Impact resistance and wireless freedom make it safer and more practical for kids who don't sit still.
• Best Value for Versatility → Bose SoundLink Around Ear: While both are premium, the Bose covers more use cases including calls, movies, and travel in one package.
If I were buying a pair of headphones for a child today, I would choose the Bose SoundLink Around Ear. While the Sennheiser HD 599 offers arguably better sound quality for music, the reality of a child's life involves movement, distraction, and the need to connect with parents and friends. The wireless freedom, the ability to handle phone calls clearly even in windy conditions, and the 15-hour battery life make the Bose the only logical choice for a "best bluetooth headset for exercise" or general daily use. The Sennheiser is a fantastic tool for specific, quiet moments, but the Bose is a versatile companion that grows with the child's changing needs. For a kid, the ability to wear them anywhere without worrying about tangled wires or running out of power is worth far more than the extra acoustic detail.
The Bose SoundLink Around Ear is the better option for light exercise due to its wireless design and impact-resistant build, whereas the Sennheiser HD 599 is wired and open-backed, making it unsafe and impractical for physical activity.
Neither model features active noise cancellation technology; the Bose relies on a snug fit for passive isolation, while the Sennheiser uses an open-back design that intentionally lets sound in and out for a natural feel.
For mobile movie watching, the Bose is superior because it connects wirelessly to tablets and switches seamlessly from phone calls. For a home theater setup, the Sennheiser offers a more immersive, wide-soundstage experience via its long 3-meter cable.
The Bose SoundLink Around Ear provides up to 15 hours of wireless playback on a single charge, while the Sennheiser HD 599 has no internal battery since it operates entirely through a wired connection to your audio source.
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