Bose is known for making some well-fitting, in-ear headphones that, in particular, perform well. Soundsport Pulse is no exception. The model builds further on the SoundSport Wireless, and has. as its name suggests, a heart rate monitor thrown in on the one side. It works well, and substitutes nicely for a smartwatch or a tracker.
The fit is good as always, if you are fond of silicone earbuds with wings, like me. They are comfortable, and do not sit too far into the ear, which means you can still hear the traffic or people around you. It is especially advantageous if you are jogging outdoors. Unfortunately, the wireless mechanics also mean that they have become a bit large and clumsy compared to the wired models. It is neither particularly nice looking nor practical, and on several occasions I experienced that they completely fell off my ears.
Sound quality
Fortunately, there are a lot of positive things to say about Soundsport Pulse. The sound quality is the highlight, and you get a pair that plays both loud and with a huge bottom. I like a little heavy bass, and Bose delivers this. Another smart thing I appreciated is the built-in voice messages. For example, when you turn on the headset, it tells you how much power there is. Unfortunately, this also quickly reveals how much the heart rate monitor drains the battery. I was going out for a run, and had 30% power left. That wasn’t enough to last an hour.
Conclusion
The Bose Soundsport Pulse is a good wireless training headset. However, a few things drag it in the wrong direction. The size means that it has a tendency to fall out of your ears, and the heart rate monitor drains the battery too quickly. In addition, the price is quite high. On the positive side, it plays incredibly well and is comfortable to wear. You can’t have it all.