OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Bose Freestyle Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Bose Freestyle Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Bose Freestyle
5.6/10

Overall score

Score
5.6/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

80%

4.7

Technical score

20%

9.2

User score

▼Worse than 84% of headphones
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

▼Worse than 79%
4.7

Technical score

Technical score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

52%

4.2

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 99%
9.2

User score

User score
9.2/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 95% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 95%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Bose Freestyle

Technical score
Technical score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

52%

4.2

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

4.7
User score
User score
9.2/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 95% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.2
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Bose Freestyle has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
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 distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components:

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

6.9
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
10 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 10 mm, smaller driver size than 87.7% of headphones and equal to 4.1% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Bose
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
18 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 18 g, lighter than 86.5% of headphones and equal to 0.6% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Bose Freestyle vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 91.7% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (18 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    18 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Water resistance
    This pair of headphones is water resistant, the average pair of headphones is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
  • 14.4% higher user score
    User score
    9.2/ 10
    ✕
    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 distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Bose Freestyle
    the average pair of headphones
    Bose Freestyle has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (9.16 vs 8).
    9.16 vs 8
  • 70.4% more popular
    Bose Freestyle is more popular than the average pair of headphones (10 vs 5.9).
    10 vs 5.87
  • 14.4% higher user score
    User score
    9.2/ 10
    ✕
    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 distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Bose Freestyle
    the average pair of headphones
    Bose Freestyle has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (9.16 vs 8).
    9.16 vs 8
  • 70.4% more popular
    Bose Freestyle is more popular than the average pair of headphones (10 vs 5.9).
    10 vs 5.87
  • 91.7% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (18 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    18 g vs 218 g
  • Water resistance
    This pair of headphones is water resistant, the average pair of headphones is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 30 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (10 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    10 mm vs 40 mm
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 5.7% worse value for money
    Bose Freestyle has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.88 vs 7.3).
    6.88 vs 7.27
  • 5.7% worse value for money
    Bose Freestyle has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.88 vs 7.3).
    6.88 vs 7.27
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 30 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (10 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    10 mm vs 40 mm
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.5
SoundGuys
✓ explicit
05/05/2014
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and connectivity tests
Verdict
Bose Freestyle is a good-sounding, comfortable pair of earbuds with few features, recommended if the look suits you.
Overview video
Not graded
Overview video
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
11/09/2014
Review · Sporty in-ear headphones
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a comfortable, sweat-resistant in-ear for people who dislike ear tips, though its sound isn't the best for the money.
pcmag.com
08/10/2014
Listening test · Colorful in-ear
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a stylish in-ear with clean, bright sound, best suited to pop, rock and hip-hop, not to buyers who want deep bass or flat response.
techradar.com
28/05/2014
Everyday review · Sport earbuds
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle earbuds are a sturdy everyday pick for active iPhone users who want good sound, but they block little noise and suit Android users less.
soundguys.com
05/05/2014
Hands-on review · Wired earbuds
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a solid-sounding, comfortable in-ear for iPhone users, but rivals offer Bluetooth and more features for similar money.
indianexpress.com
31/07/2014
Review · Replacement phone earbuds
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a good in-ear to replace basic phone earbuds, but it nearly copies the earlier Sie2 series, so it adds little that is new.
uk.pcmag.com
08/10/2014
Listening test · Fashion earphones
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a fashion-led in-ear with lively, sculpted sound, best for pop, rock and hip-hop, but not for listeners who want flat sound.
computerbild.de
14/11/2014
Hands-on test · Colourful earbuds
Verdict
The Bose Freestyle is a comfortable earbud with gentle, balanced sound and a built-in call mic, but it is not a bargain for the price.
hifitest.de
08/11/2014
Hands-on test · Sporty in-ear
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a colorful, sporty in-ear that fits securely and sounds warm and practical, suited to everyday and outdoor listening.
kopfhoerer.de
10/06/2014
Hands-on test · Lifestyle in-ear
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle sounds fuller than most in-ears and stays comfortable for hours, suiting people who want to hear their surroundings on the move.
audiocasque.fr
13/08/2015
Hands-on test · Sport earphones
Verdict
The Bose FreeStyle is a comfortable, sporty in-ear that holds firmly during runs, but it isolates poorly and its volume and skip buttons work only on Apple devices.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Bose Freestyle

  • Secure and comfortable fit using 'StayHear' wing-like tips that don't need to be jammed deep into the ear canal
  • Lightweight and durable design, with sweat-resistance suitable for workouts and active use
  • Clear audio performance with strong mid-range detail and balanced, pleasant bass for most music genres
  • Youthful and vibrant design options (Ice Blue and Indigo) that stand out compared to traditional Bose styles
  • Includes a high-quality, roomy semi-rigid carrying case and a built-in clothing clip

What customers don't like about Bose Freestyle

  • Open design provides almost no passive noise isolation, making them difficult to use in noisy environments like city streets or subways
  • Limited remote and microphone compatibility; while fully functional for iOS, volume controls often do not work with Android or Windows devices
  • Lacks advanced modern features such as Bluetooth connectivity or active noise cancellation
  • Considered expensive by some reviewers for a 'barebones' wired model when compared to similarly priced competitors
  • Straight-plug cable design is noted as potentially less durable over time than an L-shaped plug

Verdict

The Bose FreeStyle is a wired, in-ear headphone featuring proprietary TriPort technology for balanced, lifelike audio with deep bass without the need for electronic boosting. Designed for active use, these earbuds are sweat- and weather-resistant and include StayHear silicone tips in three sizes to ensure a secure, comfortable fit that conforms to the ear's natural shape. Key technical specifications include a 1.15-meter cable with a 3.5mm connector, a three-button inline remote with an omnidirectional microphone, and a lightweight build weighing approximately 18 grams. Main pros include a very stable and comfortable fit for sports, high durability with reinforced connections, and a clear soundstage suitable for various music genres. Major cons are the lack of passive noise isolation due to the open-ear design, full remote functionality being limited primarily to Apple (iOS) devices, and a lack of wireless connectivity.

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