The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and discreet listening, the Apple Airpods Pro 2 would be a better choice due to their smaller earbud design and excellent noise isolation quality. They're also more suited for use with Apple devices, featuring special enhancements like improved spatial audio when paired. On the other hand, if you desire the most comfortable option with superior active noise cancelling for long periods of listening or air travel, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones stand out. These are also preferable for watching TV and video due to their excellent score in that area, but are bulkier and often significantly more expensive. Both offer very good overall sound quality; however, if you often engage in calls and meetings, be aware that the Bose headphones have a poorer score for that use case. 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 2
Good for phone calls
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
7.0/10
8.3/10
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Gaming
8.4/10
9.3/10
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good.
Phone Calls
7.8/10
5.3/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
6.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8/10
9.0/10
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
29.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$329
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $249 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones costs $329.
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
"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 Pro 2 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.
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.