Bose AE2i Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£130
  • Avg. price in US: ~$180
  • Form factor: over-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Bose AE2i review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.1

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.

Score components:

80.0%

5.1

Technical Score

20.0%

?

User score

Good
5.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

4.8

Sound

20.0%

4.1

Features

10.0%

8.2

Design

8.0%

5.3

Connectivity

6.0%

4.9

Battery

4.0%

4.9

Calls & Controls

Good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 2.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 1.6
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    7.1

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    0.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 2.7
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 4.2
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    7.1

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

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Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £130

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Bose AE2i is a lightweight, wired around-ear headphone weighing just 4.9 ounces, featuring a closed-back design and proprietary TriPort acoustic structure for balanced audio across the frequency range. It includes a detachable 67-inch single-sided cable equipped with an inline three-button remote and microphone specifically optimized for Apple devices, allowing for seamless call and music control. Main pros include exceptional long-term comfort due to redesigned padded headbands and soft ear cushions, along with a portable fold-flat design for easy storage in the included carry bag. However, notable cons include a lack of active noise cancellation, a proprietary 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable that can be difficult to replace with generic alternatives, and a bass response that some users find insufficient for bass-heavy genres.

Technical Specifications of Bose AE2i

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

?

Sound

20.0%

?

Features

10.0%

?

Design

8.0%

?

Connectivity

6.0%

?

Battery

4.0%

?

Calls & Controls

5.1
Bose AE2i has a technical score of 5.06 points, which is higher than that of 54.9% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
1.0
Bose AE2i has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 72.7% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.1

Overall score

40.0%

9.8

Price

6.5
Bose AE2i has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.5 points, which is lower than 60.6% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Bose AE2i does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

40 mm
Bose AE2i uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.2% of headphones and equal to 53.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
Bose AE2i uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

20 Hz
Bose AE2i reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.6% of headphones and equal to 47.5% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Bose AE2i does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Bose AE2i is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

1
Bose AE2i has 1 microphones, more microphones than 25.9% of headphones and equal to 52.2% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

no
Bose AE2i does not include a boom microphone. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?
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Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wired
Bose AE2i supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Bose AE2i does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

yes
Bose AE2i supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
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Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Bose
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

140 g
Bose AE2i weighs 140 g, lighter than 72.2% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

1.3
Bose AE2i has a clamp force of 1.3, lower clamp force than 98.9% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
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Bose AE2i vs the average headphone

  • 35.8% lower weight
    Bose AE2i is lighter than the average headphone (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Bose AE2i is lighter than the average headphone (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.140 g vs 218 g
  • 3 lower clamp force
    Bose AE2i has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (1.3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
    When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Bose AE2i has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (1.3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.1.3 vs 4.3
  • In-line controls
    Bose AE2i includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
    What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
    When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.

    Importance: LOW

    Bose AE2i includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Bose AE2i has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
    When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <=1%

    Bose AE2i has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Foldable design
    Bose AE2i has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
    What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
    When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.

    Importance: LOW

    Bose AE2i has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
  • Quick mic mute
    Bose AE2i includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
    What it is: Ability to mute microphone during calls
    When it matters: When you need to silence the mic quickly during meetings or multiplayer games.

    Importance: LOW

    Bose AE2i includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 35.8% lower weight
    Bose AE2i is lighter than the average headphone (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • 3 lower clamp force
    Bose AE2i has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (1.3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
  • Foldable design
    Bose AE2i has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Bose AE2i has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
  • In-line controls
    Bose AE2i includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Quick mic mute
    Bose AE2i includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 11 mm tighter earcup width
    Bose AE2i has tighter earcup width than the average headphone (32 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Bose AE2i uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 2 mm tighter earcup height
    Bose AE2i has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (58 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    Bose AE2i has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    Bose AE2i has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
  • 6 years older release date
    Bose AE2i was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    November 2011
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    Bose AE2i has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Bose AE2i has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 11 mm tighter earcup width
    Bose AE2i has tighter earcup width than the average headphone (32 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
    What it is: Internal width of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When earcup fit affects comfort and pressure around your ears.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Bose AE2i has tighter earcup width than the average headphone (32 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.32 mm vs 43 mm
  • 4.65x less popular
    Bose AE2i is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    Bose AE2i is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Bose AE2i uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
    When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.

    Importance: LOW

    Bose AE2i uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    Bose AE2i has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
    When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=106 dB/mW

    Bose AE2i has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 6 years older release date
    Bose AE2i was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    November 2011
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    Bose AE2i was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2011 vs 2017
  • 2 mm tighter earcup height
    Bose AE2i has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (58 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    What it is: Internal height of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When larger ears need enough space inside the earcups.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Bose AE2i has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (58 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.58 mm vs 60 mm
  • 3.7% worse value for money
    Bose AE2i has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.50 vs 6.736).
    What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
    When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
    Bose AE2i has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.50 vs 6.736).6.5 vs 6.74

Graphic comparison of Bose AE2i and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bose AE2i?

  • Exceptional comfort, often described as 'disappearing' on the head even during long listening sessions
  • Lightweight and flexible design, making them highly portable and easy to wear
  • Detailed and crisp sound quality with good clarity in mids and trebles
  • Effective passive noise isolation due to the around-ear acoustic seal
  • Integrated 3-button remote and microphone optimized for iOS devices
  • Detachable and replaceable cable system

What customers dislike about Bose AE2i?

  • Bass response is often cited as weak or lacking 'punch' for bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or techno
  • The 5.5-foot audio cable is considered excessively long for some users' portable use
  • Build quality feels somewhat 'plasticky' or less sturdy compared to premium competitors
  • Poor active noise cancellation; they rely solely on passive isolation, which struggles in loud environments like airplanes
  • Artificial leather on ear cushions is prone to peeling or wear over time
  • High retail price relative to sound performance compared to rival brands

Expert reviews

D
djitz.com
21/12/2011

In his December 2011 review, Trijito Santoso evaluates the Bose AE2i headphones, giving them an overall score of 9.0/10 for sound quality alone and an 8.0/10 when factoring in the $162 Amazon price tag. The reviewer highlights several prominent pros, starting with the physically comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and lightweight around-ear design that gives users an instant "cool...Read more

T
trustedreviews.com
28/03/2013

The Trusted Reviews analysis of the Bose AE2i highlights an lightweight, around-ear design featuring an iOS-compatible 3-button remote, offering superior comfort and a more balanced, warm sound signature compared to older, active noise-canceling Bose models. Key strengths include a wide soundstage and practical portability, though the design’s light clamping force may cause...Read more

F
forum.lesnumeriques.com
16/08/2012

Les Numériques' review of the Bose AE2i underscores its positioning as a lightweight, highly portable, and neutrally tuned headphone tailored for daily commutes and multi-device convenience. A major pro highlighted in the review and forum discussion is the addition of an integrated inline remote control and microphone on the detachable cable, specifically optimized for Apple...Read more

L
lesnumeriques.com
16/08/2012

The Bose AE2i is a lightweight and highly flexible over-ear headphone that breaks away from the brand's typical bass-heavy sound profile, delivering an surprisingly neutral and clear performance. It features an exceptionally light 140-gram construction and memory foam ear cushions that provide excellent comfort during extended listening sessions. Despite its plasticky feel, the...Read more

I
iphoneitalia.com
01/07/2013

The Bose AE2i over-ear headphones are specifically tailored for iOS users and feature an inline remote control and microphone strategically positioned high up the cable near the earcups to optimize voice clarity during calls and Siri commands. The audio performance is highly defined and cleanly prioritized toward mid-range and high frequencies, supported by Bose's proprietary...Read more

M
macitynet.it
13/07/2013

The Bose AE2w is a lightweight and highly comfortable pair of Bluetooth headphones designed around the architecture of the acclaimed, wired AE2 model. To transition into wireless territory, Bose added a unique, detachable Bluetooth module to the left ear cup via a standard 3.5mm jack. This allows users to easily swap the wireless transmitter for a traditional cable to continue...Read more

T
tweakers.net
14/05/2013

In this Tweakers product review, the user "deimos" gives the Bose AE2 Zwart over-ear headphones a perfect five-star rating, calling it a superb device. The reviewer originally purchased the headphones in Japan for approximately €150 due to favorable exchange rates. Despite considering the pricier Bose QuietComfort series, they chose the AE2 instead and have no regrets. The reviewer...Read more

Video reviews

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