I spent $279 on over-ear headphones and now I'll never travel with earbuds again
- I switched to Bose over-ear headphones after being a relatively early adopter of AirPods.
- Even though they're bulkier, they're so much more comfortable on my ears.
I'm not someone who religiously checks Prime Day deals every year, but this year I was on a mission — I wanted to get new over-ear headphones to replace my (second) pair of AirPods Pros.
Since my first pair of AirPods in January 2018, I've been a loyal user. I eventually gave my first-generation pair to my mom and replaced them with the AirPods Pro in 2020, in a pandemic purchase. After they were stolen, I replaced those with another pair for $249, though I was able to use some credit-card points to bring the price down.
But after taking five international flights this year, I knew it was time for a change. My AirPods were constantly falling out of my ears no matter what I did. And as any New York City resident knows, having earbuds fall out on a plane is one thing, but it's another to drop them on the sidewalk, the subway, or even down a grate.
So when Prime Day came around, I pounced. AirPods Max were too expensive for me — even with the Prime Day deal of $100 off, they retailed at around $450. As Insider wrote in its April 2021 review, even though the audio quality is excellent, the price is just too high and most people would be better off with Sony or Bose.
As a longtime Bose speaker fan, I instead opted for the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones in the color white smoke. With the Prime Day deal, they cost $279.
And I love them.
After 2 weeks with my new headphones, I can confidently say I won't be switching back to earbuds any time soon
With the new headphones, I don't have to worry that one false move or a shove from someone in a crowd will send an earbud flying through a train or plane, or onto the dirty sidewalk.
It's also easier to nap with my Bose headphones — they don't get shoved into my ear canal when I nod off.
Additionally, I've struggled with eczema-like symptoms in my ears over the last few years, and I'm intrigued to see if the change of headphones makes a difference. While it never occurred to me that there's a potential my symptoms could be allergic contact dermatitis from the rubber in my earbuds, the National Eczema Association has reported it's a possibility for some people. Apple did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Although I have not noticed a difference yet, I'm looking forward to seeing if my symptoms subside, since I don't have rubber earbuds directly in my ears anymore.
My new headphones also share some of the best features of the buds. To me, one of the best things about AirPods Pro is that you can switch between "transparent" and noise-canceling mode. Thankfully, the QuietComfort 45s also offer this feature, and a way better battery life.
All this means I don't see myself ever going back to the AirPods lifestyle. Even though my new over-ear headphones are much bigger than my old earbuds, I'll always make room for them in my travel bag.