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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for something more affordable and portable with good overall sound quality for music and calls, especially optimized for use with Apple devices, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) would be suitable. They're great for exercise and have features like head detection and wireless charging, but they don't offer great noise isolation and aren't the best choice for gaming or watching TV. On the other hand, if you prioritize a very comfortable fit with superior noise cancellation for a premium audio experience during air travel, TV, and gaming, and don't mind spending more, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones would be a better choice. They also have a longer battery life on a single charge, but are bulkier and less convenient to carry around compared to the AirPods. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.1
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Gaming
5.4
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
6.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
TV and Video
5.5
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
29.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$429
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones costs $429.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $429 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 29 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 255 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 Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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