If you want a wired, folding over-ear headphone with active noise cancellation for exercise, choose SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS; if you need wireless Bluetooth listening with up to 20 hours of battery life, choose Bose QuietComfort 35.
SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS vs Bose QuietComfort 35 at a Glance
• SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS: Its strengths are wired 3.5 mm connectivity, active noise cancellation, folding design, and full ear-cup articulation; its trade-off is that it is wired rather than Bluetooth.
• Bose QuietComfort 35: Its strengths are Bluetooth and NFC pairing, active noise cancellation with three settings, and up to 20 hours of battery life; its trade-off is that it is a wireless over-ear model with a rechargeable battery.
• The SOUL is for listeners who prefer a direct cable connection and want a folding headphone for music on the move.
• The Bose is for listeners who want to move without a headphone cable and value adjustable cancellation and wireless convenience.
• Neither sheet describes an open-ear design, transparency mode, or fast charging, so those specific exercise features should not be assumed.
SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS: Who It's For
The SOUL SL300MS is a wired, over-ear headphone with active noise cancellation and a 3.5 mm jack. Its listed dynamic drivers cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The product information also describes folding headphones and full ear-cup articulation, details that make the design more adaptable for carrying and positioning than a fixed, non-folding frame.
For exercise, the practical question is whether a cable works with the activity. A wired connection means you do not have to rely on Bluetooth pairing, but it also leaves a cable between the headphones and the connected device. That may be manageable for stationary workouts or low-movement routines; someone running, cycling, or doing exercises where a cable could get in the way may prefer a wireless design. The product sheet does not list water resistance, a sweat rating, or a secure-fit feature, so I would not assume it is designed for intense or sweaty sessions.
The SOUL is a fit for someone who wants over-ear coverage, active cancellation, and a traditional wired connection. Its stated compatibility includes older iPhone models, iPad, and iPod, though the key practical connection detail is the 3.5 mm jack. Skip it if you need Bluetooth freedom, a specified battery runtime, or exercise-specific resistance to sweat or water.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series I is an over-ear wireless headphone using Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC. It has active noise cancellation, and its noise-canceling level can be adjusted across three settings through the Action button or the Bose Connect app. That adjustable approach may suit someone whose listening environment changes, rather than someone who wants only one cancellation level.
Its listed battery life is up to 20 hours, and its Bluetooth range is listed as 10 meters. In daily use, those details point to a headphone intended for cordless listening without needing to keep the phone right beside you. The sheet also lists a backup audio cable, USB charging cable, airline adapter, and carry case. Volume-optimized EQ is described as supporting balanced audio at different volume levels, while the synthetic-protein-leather ear cushions provide a cushioned over-ear contact point.
For exercise, wireless operation avoids the SOUL’s cable, but this remains an over-ear headphone rather than an open-ear model. The data does not specify water resistance, sweat protection, or a workout retention system. The sheet identifies this particular product listing as renewed and says it includes a minimum 90-day warranty; that is relevant when considering the condition and support details of this specific option. Skip it if you need a documented sweat-resistant workout design, open-ear awareness, or a wired headphone that does not depend on battery power.
• Best for a wired connection → SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS. It uses a 3.5 mm jack, while the Bose is primarily a Bluetooth and NFC wireless headphone.
• Best for cable-free movement → Bose QuietComfort 35. Bluetooth removes the headphone cable during use, with a listed range of 10 meters.
• Best for a stated battery runtime → Bose QuietComfort 35. Its battery life is listed at up to 20 hours; the SOUL sheet does not provide a battery-runtime figure.
• Best for folding and articulated ear cups → SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS. Those design details are specifically listed for the SOUL.
• Best for adjustable noise cancellation → Bose QuietComfort 35. Its three cancellation settings can be changed with the Action button or Bose Connect app.
• Best for exercise when a cable is acceptable → SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS. It offers active cancellation and a wired connection, but no listed sweat or water protection.
• Best for exercise when you want wireless listening → Bose QuietComfort 35. Its wireless design avoids a cable, though its data sheet does not identify it as a sports-specific headphone.
• Best for a built-in open-ear or transparency experience → Neither, based on the listed features. Neither product is described as open-ear or as having a transparency mode.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 15 min read · Independent comparison
Searches for crystal clear calls sleep headphones for exercise, transparency mode headphones for exercise, and best fast charging open ear earbuds for exercise point to features that are not listed for either of these over-ear headphones. Neither sheet specifies call clarity, sleep-focused construction, a transparency mode, fast charging, or an open-ear design. If any of those are essential, these two products may not match the request.
In my opinion, I would choose the Bose QuietComfort 35 for exercise if I wanted to avoid a cable, because Bluetooth and its listed 20-hour battery life make it the more practical of these two for moving around.
I would choose the SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS instead for a wired routine where folding construction and a 3.5 mm connection matter more than cordless freedom.
Neither sheet establishes sweat resistance or an exercise-specific fit, so I would not treat either as a purpose-built workout headphone.
For my exercise use, I give the Bose the edge, with the important caveat that its wireless convenience is not the same as a documented sports design.
Before choosing, think about how much movement your routine involves. The SOUL’s 3.5 mm cable provides a direct connection, but it stays part of the setup while you exercise. The Bose removes that cable through Bluetooth, though it depends on its rechargeable battery. If you switch between a phone and another audio source, the Bose offers Bluetooth and NFC pairing; the SOUL’s listed connection is wired.
Noise cancellation is another meaningful difference. Both products list active noise cancellation, but the Bose sheet specifically describes three adjustable settings. That gives it a documented way to change cancellation for different surroundings. The SOUL’s listed details establish active cancellation but do not describe adjustable levels. Neither product lists a transparency mode, so do not count on either to let outside sound through on demand.
Consider the over-ear form factor, too. Both are over-ear headphones, not open-ear earbuds. The SOUL adds folding construction and full ear-cup articulation, while the Bose includes synthetic-protein-leather cushions and a carry case. Those details may matter for storage and wearing preference, but the sheets do not give a basis for comparing clamping force, comfort during long workouts, or how securely either stays in place during vigorous movement.
Finally, review the exact product listing and included items before deciding. The Bose listing is for a renewed Series I unit and identifies a minimum 90-day warranty; it also lists a USB charging cable, backup audio cable, airline adapter, and case. The SOUL’s sheet identifies its wired connection and media controls but does not provide a battery specification or a comparable included-accessories list. For either one, check the current listing details for the specific unit you are considering.
For cable-free movement, the Bose has the clearer advantage because it connects wirelessly over Bluetooth. The SOUL is wired, and neither product’s listed information specifies sweat resistance or an exercise-specific fit.
The listed features describe active noise cancellation with three settings, not a transparency mode. I would not assume it can deliberately pass outside sound through as a dedicated transparency feature.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 has a listed battery life of up to 20 hours. The SOUL’s sheet does not provide a battery-runtime figure, so there is no supported runtime comparison for it.
No. Both are described as over-ear headphones, and neither sheet lists open-ear construction, fast charging, or earbuds. Buyers seeking those specific exercise features should look for a different product category.
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If you want a wired over-ear headphone for exercise, choose SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS; if you need wireless freedom for exercise, choose Bose QuietComfort 35.
The distinction is straightforward: the SOUL offers a folding design and a 3.5 mm connection, while the Bose adds Bluetooth, NFC pairing, and a listed battery life of up to 20 hours. Neither product is described as sweat-resistant or as having an exercise-specific fit.
• SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS: Its strengths are wired listening, active noise cancellation, folding construction, and full ear-cup articulation; its main trade-off is that it connects by cable rather than Bluetooth.
• Bose QuietComfort 35: Its strengths are Bluetooth and NFC pairing, adjustable active noise cancellation, and up to 20 hours of battery life; its trade-off is that it relies on a rechargeable battery.
• The SOUL suits listeners who want a wired over-ear headphone that folds for carrying.
• The Bose suits listeners who want to move without a headphone cable and adjust noise cancellation.
• Neither product is listed as open-ear, sweat-resistant, fast-charging, or equipped with a transparency mode.
SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS: Who It's For
The SOUL SL300MS is a wired over-ear headphone with active noise cancellation and a 3.5 mm jack. Its dynamic drivers have a listed frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The product information also describes folding construction and full ear-cup articulation. In practical terms, folding can make the headphone easier to pack away than a design that does not fold, while articulated cups can move to accommodate different positions when the headphone is handled or stored.
The SOUL makes sense for someone who wants active noise cancellation in a wired over-ear format and values a folding design. Its listed compatibility includes older iPhone models, iPad, and iPod; the key connection detail to check for any intended device is its 3.5 mm jack.
Skip it if you want Bluetooth freedom, a listed battery runtime, or documented protection against sweat or water.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series I is an over-ear wireless headphone with Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC. It has active noise cancellation, and the listed controls allow you to choose among three cancellation settings using the Action button or the Bose Connect app. That adjustment is useful in principle for listeners whose surroundings change, because the product offers more than a single stated cancellation level.
The listed battery life is up to 20 hours, and its Bluetooth range is listed as 10 meters. Those specifications make it a more natural fit than the SOUL for someone who wants to leave the headphone cable out of their exercise routine. The Bose also includes a backup audio cable, so the product information does identify a wired listening option alongside its primary wireless connection. Volume-optimized EQ is described as supporting balanced audio at different volume levels, and the ear cushions are made from synthetic protein leather.
The Bose listing is for a renewed Series I product. Its details identify a minimum 90-day warranty and list a USB charging cable, backup audio cable, airline adapter, and carry case. Those specifics may matter when weighing what comes with the particular listing. They do not establish a workout-focused fit or resistance to perspiration.
Skip it if you need a headphone with documented sweat protection, an open-ear design, or a wired connection that does not depend on battery power for its wireless features.
• Best for a direct wired connection → SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS. It has a 3.5 mm jack; the Bose is primarily a Bluetooth and NFC headphone.
• Best for avoiding a cable during exercise → Bose QuietComfort 35. Bluetooth lets you listen without the SOUL’s wired connection.
• Best for a stated battery runtime → Bose QuietComfort 35. Its battery life is listed as up to 20 hours; no runtime is provided for the SOUL.
• Best for folding construction and articulated ear cups → SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS. Both features are listed for the SOUL.
• Best for adjustable noise cancellation → Bose QuietComfort 35. Its three settings can be changed with the Action button or Bose Connect app.
• Best when you want a backup cable included → Bose QuietComfort 35. Its listed accessories include a backup audio cable as well as a USB charging cable.
• Best for exercise when a wire will not bother you → SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS. It offers a wired connection and active cancellation, but no stated sweat protection.
• Best for exercise when you prefer wireless listening → Bose QuietComfort 35. It avoids a headphone cable, but the listed information does not identify a sports-specific fit or water resistance.
Some searches point to features neither model claims to have. Phrases such as crystal clear calls sleep headphones for exercise, transparency mode headphones for exercise, and best fast charging open ear earbuds for exercise suggest call-quality details, sleep-focused designs, transparency, fast charging, or open-ear construction. Those features are not listed for either product. If one is essential to your workout, these two over-ear headphones may not be the right comparison.
In my opinion, I would choose the Bose QuietComfort 35 for exercise when cable-free movement is the priority.
Its Bluetooth connection and listed battery life of up to 20 hours give it the stronger case for an untethered routine.
I would choose the SOUL by Ludacris SL300MS for a workout where a cable is no concern and folding construction matters more.
Neither product’s listed features establish sweat resistance or a secure sports fit, so I would keep that limitation in mind.
Buying Considerations
Think first about how much your routine involves movement. The SOUL’s 3.5 mm cable gives you a wired connection, but it also stays part of the setup while you exercise. The Bose removes that cable when used over Bluetooth, although wireless listening means relying on its rechargeable battery. If you alternate between audio sources, the Bose’s Bluetooth and NFC pairing are useful differences to weigh against the SOUL’s straightforward wired connection.
Noise cancellation is another point where the listed details are not identical. Both headphones include active noise cancellation, but the Bose is specifically described as offering three settings. The SOUL’s product information confirms active cancellation without describing adjustable levels. Neither product lists a transparency mode, so do not assume either can deliberately let outside sounds through on demand.
Both are over-ear headphones, not open-ear earbuds. The SOUL’s folding design and articulated ear cups may matter if you want a headphone that can be packed away more compactly or repositioned. The Bose’s listed features include synthetic-protein-leather cushions and a carry case. These facts do not establish which will feel more comfortable during a long workout, how securely either will stay put during vigorous movement, or how either handles sweat.
Check the details of the specific listing before buying, especially for the renewed Bose Series I. Its product information identifies a minimum 90-day warranty and lists several accessories, including the backup audio cable and carry case. The SOUL’s information specifies its wired connection and media controls but does not provide a battery-runtime figure or a comparable list of included accessories. If the current price is important to your decision, check the current Amazon listing rather than relying on a price quoted here.
The Bose is the more convenient option if you want to move without a cable, thanks to its Bluetooth connection. The SOUL is wired, and neither product’s listed information specifies sweat resistance or an exercise-specific fit.
A transparency mode is not listed. The product information describes active noise cancellation with three settings, which is different from a stated feature for intentionally passing outside sound through.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 has a listed battery life of up to 20 hours. The SOUL’s product information does not provide a battery-runtime figure, so there is no stated runtime to compare.
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