We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a pair of over ear noise cancelling headphones built for long battery life and game-day listening, choose SOAR Collegiate Active; if you need the more refined noise cancelling experience with adjustable modes and app control, choose Bose QuietComfort.
• SOAR Collegiate Active — biggest strength: up to 40 hours of playtime with Bluetooth 5.3 and a quick 1–2 hour charge. Biggest trade-off: simpler noise cancelling with no adjustable modes or app.
• Bose QuietComfort — biggest strength: adjustable active noise cancellation with Quiet and Aware modes, custom modes, Wind Block, and an adjustable EQ through the Bose App. Biggest trade-off: up to 24 hours of battery life, roughly half of what the SOAR offers.
• Choose SOAR Collegiate Active if you want maximum battery life, a lightweight pressure-free fit, and a wireless-or-wired setup for sports and commuting.
• Choose Bose QuietComfort if you want granular control over your noise cancelling, a metal-and-protein-leather build, and a travel bundle with a carry case and cables.
The SOAR Collegiate Active is a team-themed over-ear headphone with active noise cancelling, and it leads with stamina. The spec sheet lists up to 40 hours of battery life and a charge time of 1–2 hours, which is the kind of number that matters if you're the person who forgets to plug things in. Bluetooth 5.3 is the newer of the two wireless versions here, and it feeds 32mm dynamic drivers that the brand positions around bold, crowd-sized sound.
The physical design leans toward all-day wear. It's listed at 1.2 pounds, with super-soft ear pads and an over-ear fit the brand describes as pressure-free — the kind of thing you'd want during a full slate of games, a long tailgate, or a commute where you're wearing them for hours rather than minutes. If your noise-control needs are straightforward — you want the crowd, the traffic, or the bar noise pushed back so you can hear commentary or music — that's the job it's built for.
So: buy it if you want long runtime, a light fit, and simple, effective noise blocking. Skip it if you want to fine-tune how much of the world gets through.
Bose QuietComfort: Who It's For
The Bose QuietComfort is the more sophisticated instrument of the two. Bose has built this model around adjustable active noise cancellation, and the spec sheet backs that up: Quiet and Aware modes, custom modes you configure for different environments, and a Wind Block feature for breezy outdoor conditions. That's not a single on/off switch — it's a system you shape. For anyone who moves between a loud train, a windy street, and a quiet office in the same afternoon, that flexibility is the actual product.
Sound is handled by dynamic drivers with a listed frequency range of 20Hz–20,000Hz, 32 ohm impedance, and 118dB sensitivity — full-range coverage on paper, and the brand pairs it with an adjustable EQ in the Bose App so you can push bass, lift treble, or balance the mids yourself. Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.1 with a 10-meter range, plus a 3.5mm jack and an included 2.5-to-3.5mm AUX cable for wired listening. Touch controls on the earcups handle volume, playback, and calls, and Spotify Tap lets you jump straight into a playlist.
Two things stand out as trade-offs. First, battery life is listed at up to 24 hours — plenty for most days, but noticeably less than the SOAR. The 15-minute charge figure appears in the battery details, so a short top-up is part of the pitch. Second, the build is heavier at 1.7 pounds, with metal, plastic, and protein leather in the construction and plush protein-leather earcups. That's a premium-feeling material mix, but it's weight you'll notice over a very long session.
Buy it if you want the most control over your noise cancelling, app-based tuning, and a travel-ready bundle with a durable carry case and cables. Skip it if raw battery endurance is your top priority.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best noise-cancelling control → Bose QuietComfort. Adjustable ANC, Quiet and Aware modes, custom modes, and Wind Block.
• Best for app tuning → Bose QuietComfort. Adjustable EQ and Spotify Tap live in the Bose App; no app is listed for the SOAR.
• Best for lighter wear → SOAR Collegiate Active. 1.2 pounds with soft, pressure-free ear pads versus 1.7 pounds.
• Best for travel kit → Bose QuietComfort. Carry case, AUX cable, and USB-C cable are included.
• Best for newer wireless spec → SOAR Collegiate Active. Bluetooth 5.3 versus Bluetooth 5.1.
• Best for team-themed gear → SOAR Collegiate Active. It's sold in collegiate team colors as the point of the line.
• Best for wired flexibility → basically a tie. Both support wired listening; Bose includes the AUX cable, and SOAR lists wired as a supported option.
In my opinion, I'd buy the Bose QuietComfort. The adjustable noise cancelling, Quiet and Aware modes, and app-based EQ make it the more capable tool for anyone who wants to control how much of the world reaches them — and the included carry case and cables make it the better travel companion. That said, if you know your priority is marathon battery life and a lighter fit for game days, the SOAR Collegiate Active is the smarter pick at up to 40 hours. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you decide, then match it to which spec you actually care about.
what is the best over ear noise cancelling headphones
There's no single answer, because "best" depends on your priority. If you want the most control over your noise cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort's adjustable ANC and Aware mode are the stronger feature set. If you want the longest runtime, the SOAR Collegiate Active's up to 40 hours is the standout figure.
which over ear noise cancelling headphones
Which one fits you comes down to use case. Choose the SOAR Collegiate Active for light weight, 40-hour battery, and Bluetooth 5.3. Choose the Bose QuietComfort if you want app control, adjustable EQ, a 3.5mm jack with a bundled AUX cable, and a travel case.
what are the most comfortable over ear noise cancelling headphones
Comfort is personal, but the specs give you clues. The SOAR Collegiate Active is listed at 1.2 pounds with super-soft ear pads and a pressure-free fit, which favors long, light sessions. The Bose QuietComfort uses plush protein-leather earcups with an adjustable headband, but weighs more at 1.7 pounds.
how to on noise cancelling headphones
On both, you enable active noise cancelling through the headphone's controls. The SOAR Collegiate Active uses a straightforward ANC setting, while the Bose QuietComfort adds Quiet and Aware modes plus custom modes you set in the Bose App. Bose also supports wired listening via the 3.5mm jack if you prefer a cable.
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