Bose A30 Aviation Headset Review

The latest generation of Bose headset feels lighter due to streamlined padding and less clamping force, according to a FLYING review.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 12:35 PM ET

Verified

The weight of the Bose A30 headset feels lighter because of how it is distributed along the headband. [Courtesy: Bose]

Key Takeaways:

The Bose A30 improves upon its predecessor, the A20, with a lighter feel due to better weight distribution, reduced clamping force, and a redesigned headband with streamlined padding.
It features adjustable noise cancellation modes (high, medium, low) optimized for various cockpit environments, from loud propeller planes to quieter commercial jets.
A new "tap control" function allows pilots to temporarily reduce noise cancellation in one ear for easier talk-through communication with a co-pilot.
The A30 boasts enhanced durability tested over five years, a customizable cable side, Bluetooth connectivity, and a more compact carrying case, retailing for $1,249.

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I still remember the first time I wore an active noise reduction (ANR) headset—I had thousands of hours underneath a pair of 1980s-era David Clarks—when I hit the power on button, there was a noticeable reduction in noise, and transmissions became more clear. I understood why the Bose A20s were so popular with pilots. That was back in 2010. The latest generation of Bose headset, the A30, was released Tuesday, and although it may be hard to believe, it is an improvement on the A20 in several ways.

The Weight

Right out of the bag, the A30 is slightly lighter than the A20. How much? According to Bose, the A30 tips the scale at 14.2 ounces, and the A20 is 14.46. While that’s not much of a difference according to Bose, you will note that the A30 has less clamping force. That’s because the weight of the A30 is distributed differently along the headband.