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Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.4
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
5.5
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for gaming, though the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.1
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
6.0
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
TV and Video
5.4
6.2
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$130
$199
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $130 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II costs $199.
Build Quality
7.6
9.2
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$130 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 7.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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