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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Pro are more portable, have a slightly better sound quality for music, and offer a more comfortable fit for exercise, with sweatproof certification and a longer battery life of 5 hours, which extends to 24 hours with the charging case, whereas the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 headphones provide exceptional comfort and superior noise isolation, making them ideal for air travel and work environments. The AirPods Pro are also optimized for Apple devices and support wireless charging, while the Bose headphones have a cable for wired use, ensuring connection regardless of battery life, which lasts about 22.5 hours. 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 Pro
- The Apple Airpods Pro has no clear advantages over the Bose Quiet Comfort 45.
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort 45
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.4
8.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Pro is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Pro is very good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
10.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is best in class for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods Pro is excellent.
Battery
5.0 Hours
22.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has 22.5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
6.4
The Apple Airpods Pro and Bose Quiet Comfort 45 are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.1
5.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and Apple Airpods Pro are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and Apple Airpods Pro are both poor for TV and video.
Cost
$260
$260
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 costs $260.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | Bose Quiet Comfort 45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $260 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 22.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 235.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
Bose Quiet Comfort 45
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | November 2022
"If you want a set of wireless over-ear headphones you can put on, deploy noise-cancelling on your commute or at your desk and largely extinguish the outside world for up to 24 hours, the Bose QC 45 has the edge over most of the competition at the price."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro or the Bose Quiet Comfort 45
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.
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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
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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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