Comparison
Bose A20 vs Bose A30 (Updated October 2026)
Buy the Bose A30 if you are choosing a new Bose headset. It lists at $1,299, adds three ANR modes and tap-control talk-through, and Bose says it clamps with less force than the A20. The A20 is discontinued. AvBrief reported on October 2026 that Bose stopped out-of-warranty A20 repairs on October 1, 2026, while units still inside the original five-year warranty can still be serviced.
· Prices and specs checked
On this page
Our picks at a glance
| Category | Pick | Price (USD) | Why this one | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick: Buy new | Bose A30 | $1,299 | It is the current Bose aviation headset, with three ANR modes and a 5-year warranty. | The list price is $1,299. The Lightspeed Zulu 3 costs less and warrants the headset for 7 years. |
| Keep the A20 you own | Bose A20 | Discontinued | A working A20 still has ANR and, on later models, Bluetooth. There is no reason to replace it on the day it still meets your needs. | Parts for out-of-warranty repairs have dried up, according to AvBrief's report of a Bose spokesperson. |
Specs checked October 26, 2026. List prices and retailer prices change. Noise figures are manufacturer-stated unless a cell names a certified NRR.
Top pick
Bose A30
Bottom line It is the current Bose aviation headset, with three ANR modes and a 5-year warranty.
404 g (14.2 oz) on the head, per Bose · not published · Dual GA, LEMO, XLR, and helicopter configurations are sold · 5 years · $1,299 · checked October 26, 2026
What we like
- Bose's current around-ear ANR headset
- Three noise-cancellation modes
- Bluetooth
- Tap-control talk-through
- FAA TSO certification
What we don't
- List price is $1,299
- Warranty is 5 years, shorter than the Zulu 3
- Continuous Bluetooth cuts rated battery life to 25+ hours
- No certified NRR
Who it's for Pilots who want the current Bose flagship
Skip it if The list price is $1,299. The Lightspeed Zulu 3 costs less and warrants the headset for 7 years.
See price at AmazonKeep the A20 you own
Bose A20
Bottom line A working A20 still has ANR and, on later models, Bluetooth. There is no reason to replace it on the day it still meets your needs.
Bose says the A30 has a lower on-head weight than the A20 · not published · Dual GA and other aircraft connectors were sold · Original warranty was 5 years · Discontinued · checked October 2026
What we like
- The previous Bose flagship
- ANR
- Discontinued
What we don't
- Discontinued
- Bose ended out-of-warranty repairs on October 1, 2026, according to AvBrief
- Fewer ANR modes than the A30
Who it's for Owners who already have one and are still inside the original warranty
Skip it if Parts for out-of-warranty repairs have dried up, according to AvBrief's report of a Bose spokesperson.
See price at Bose| Spec | Bose A30 | Bose A20 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299 | Discontinued |
| Type | ANR | ANR |
| Bluetooth | Yes, Bluetooth 4.2 | Yes on the later dual-GA version |
| Noise | Three ANR modes. Bose does not publish a certified NRR for the A30. Full ANR operating range is listed to 115 dB SPL in the owner's guide. | ANR. Bose does not publish a certified NRR we can set next to the A30. |
| Warranty | 5 years | Original warranty was 5 years. Out-of-warranty factory repair has ended, per AvBrief. |
| Power | Two AA batteries. At least 45 hours in typical noise, and 25+ hours with continuous Bluetooth. | At least 45 hours from two AA batteries on the Bluetooth dual-GA version, per retailer specifications archived from Bose's A20 materials. |
| Plugs | Dual GA, LEMO, XLR, and helicopter configurations are sold | Dual GA and other aircraft connectors were sold |
| Weight | 404 g (14.2 oz) on the head, per Bose. The owner's guide also lists 12 oz for the headset alone. | Bose says the A30 has a lower on-head weight than the A20. A single comparable on-head ounce figure was not confirmed. |
Specs checked October 26, 2026. Source: manufacturer pages and named retailer prices. This site did not measure these figures.
The A20 was Bose's flagship for a long time. The A30 replaced it. If you are spending new-headset money, the A30 is the Bose to buy. If you already own an A20 that is quiet and comfortable, the upgrade is optional until serviceability matters.
What Bose says changed
Bose's A30 materials describe lower on-head weight, about 20 percent less clamping force than the A20, three modes of active noise reduction, and tap control for talk-through. The A30 keeps a 5-year warranty, Bluetooth, and a dual-GA battery rating of at least 45 hours, or 25-plus hours with continuous Bluetooth. The weight figure Bose publishes for the A30 on the head is 404 grams. This page does not quote a single A20 on-head weight, because the figures in circulation are not on one comparable Bose spec line we could pair with that 404 gram number.
The A30 review covers the current headset alone. The A30 vs Zulu 3 page is the cross-brand comparison if you are not committed to Bose.
The repair cutoff
AvBrief reported in October 2026 that a Bose spokesperson said out-of-warranty A20 repairs ended on October 1, 2026, because the parts were no longer available in the quantities needed. The same report said later A20s still inside the original five-year warranty would still be serviced, and that Bose was offering a credit toward an A30 for U.S. customers. That is journalism about Bose, not a sentence copied from a Bose support page we captured in full. Check Bose before you rely on it for a used purchase.
A used A20 can still be a good headset for the pilot who owns it. It is a weaker purchase than a new A30 or a new Zulu 3 once factory parts are gone.
Who should skip both
Pilots who fly a light trainer a few hours a month do not need either Bose. A passive headset solves the intercom for less money. The category picks are on the homepage.
Questions pilots ask
Is the Bose A30 better than the A20?
Bose describes the A30 as the next headset after the A20, with lower on-head weight, about 20 percent less clamping force, three ANR modes, and tap-control talk-through. Both have Bluetooth on the common dual-GA versions and a battery rating around 45 hours.
Can Bose still repair an A20?
AvBrief reported that Bose ended out-of-warranty A20 repairs on October 1, 2026 because parts were no longer available in the needed quantities, and that A20s still inside the original warranty can still be serviced. Confirm with Bose before you buy a used A20.
What do used A20 headsets cost?
AvBrief described used A20s selling for roughly $700 around this update. That is a reported market range, not a price this site can lock.
Does the Bose A30 have Bluetooth?
Yes. The A30 includes Bluetooth 4.2, and later dual-GA A20 versions also have Bluetooth. The A30 lists at $1,299.
What is the A30 warranty?
The warranty used in this comparison is 5 years. AvBrief reported that Bose ended out-of-warranty A20 repairs on October 1, 2026. A20 units still inside the original warranty can still be serviced, according to that report.
How much does the A30 weigh?
Bose lists 404 grams on the head and says that figure is lower than the A20. A matching A20 ounce figure was not confirmed, so this page does not invent one. The owner's guide also lists 12 ounces for the A30 headset alone.
What changed
: Specs and prices on this page were checked against the manufacturer pages and retailer listings named in the copy. This site does not add its own noise measurements.