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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, consider your priorities. The AirPods Pro 2 offer seamless integration with Apple devices, active noise cancellation, and a compact, wireless charging case. They're ideal if you're often on the go and value convenience, especially within the Apple ecosystem. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, while less expensive, are known for their high-quality audio and premium materials, making them a top choice for audiophiles. However, they may not be as convenient for active lifestyles or as feature-rich with non-B&W devices. Choose AirPods Pro 2 for Apple-centric convenience or Pi7 S2 for superior sound at a lower price. 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 gaming
Good for TV and video
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Pro 2.
Key differences
Gaming
8.4/10
5.3/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8/10
5.2/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
5.6/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8/10
6.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1/10
8.3/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$199
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $249 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 costs $199.
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Apple Airpods Pro 2 are both good for music.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.9/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro 2 to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"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."
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
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 Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.