A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Airpods Pro
Company ProductName Specs




Quiet Comfort Earbuds
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

Chevron down
PerfectRec Logo
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

If you're invested in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro seamlessly integrate with other Apple devices and offer convenience features like 'Hey Siri' voice commands. However, if you prioritize noise canceling and audio quality above all and don't mind a larger case and a higher price, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds excel in these areas. The AirPods Pro are more compact and generally more comfortable for a wider range of ear shapes, making them better for longer listening sessions, whereas the Bose may offer a more secure fit for vigorous activities. 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
  • Good for phone calls
  • Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
  • Good for music
  • Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks

Key differences

Chevron down

Phone Calls

7.4
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
6.6
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.3
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Pro is very good.

Battery

5.0 Hours
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
7.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.

Cost

$260
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
$199
Product image
Product image

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$400

The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
Image of Earbuds & Headphones
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones

Key similarities

Chevron down

Music

6.8
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds to be good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.

Gaming

5.1
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
5.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Apple Airpods Pro are both poor for gaming.

TV and Video

5.7
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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 Pro is poor.

Noise Reduction

9.1
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
9.1
The Apple Airpods Pro and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both excellent for noise reduction.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods Pro
Quiet Comfort Earbuds
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro to have excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality.

Give feedback

We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones

Chevron down

Spec Comparison

Chevron down
Apple Airpods ProBose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
Apple Airpods ProBose Quiet Comfort Earbuds

GENERAL

Price
$260
$199
Brand
AppleBose
Release Date
October 1, 2019October 1, 2020
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WirelessWireless

SOUND

Music Score
6.9/107.1/10
Phone Calls Score
7.4/106.7/10
Gaming Score
5.2/105.6/10
TV and Video Score
5.7/106/10
Exercise Score
6.1/106.8/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
5 Hours7 Hours
Wireless charging
YesNo
Charging time
1.5 Hours1.5 Hours
Bluetooth version
5.25.1
Case Battery Life
2418

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
YesYes
Noise Reduction Score
9.1/109.1/10
Virtual Surround
YesNo
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
NoYes
Mic Quality
7/105.4/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/108.9/10
Comfort score
8/108.6/10
Size
MediumLarge
Weight (headset or single earbud)
5.4 Grams8.5 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

Chevron down

Apple Airpods Pro

See more

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 Earbuds

See more

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 Pro 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.

Give feedback

We're constantly perfecting our model

Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in

Chevron down

FAQs

Chevron down

FAQs about earbuds and headphones

Questions about PerfectRec >

Why trust us

Chevron down
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
113,900
Recommendations made
17,085
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.

Featured in

Color LTT LogoGeekwire logo9to5 Mac logoPhone Arena LogoColor Daring Fireball logo