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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize comfort, excellent noise isolation, and are frequently traveling, Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds offer superior active noise canceling and comfort scores. They also have slightly better overall sound quality with a richer soundstage, which enhances the listening experience. However, they are bulkier and might not be as easy to carry around as the AirPods. If you're ingrained in the Apple ecosystem and prefer convenience, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) provide seamless integration with Apple devices, better portability, and quick charging with wireless charging support. They don't isolate noise as well as the Bose, but they are more suited for exercise due to their sweatproof design and better usability during physical activities. The AirPods also have a longer battery life for extended use and offer handier controls. Ultimately, your choice should be based on whether you value noise cancelation and sound quality over convenience and portability. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
6.6
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$199
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
7.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both good for music.
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds to be only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods (3rd generation) to have excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 18 | |
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 | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 8.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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