A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Earpods are a budget-friendly option and offer decent sound quality, comfort, and better microphone quality, making them suitable for calls and meetings; they're also good for listening to music and podcasts. However, Earpods may fall short during exercise and aren't great for noise isolation or air travel due to their open design. If cost is a significant factor and you prioritize call quality and simplicity, Apple Earpods might be suitable. But if you seek the best audio experience with noise cancellation and are willing to invest more, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds would be the better choice. 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 Earpods
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
7.1
The Apple Earpods and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both good for music, though the Apple Earpods is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.3
5.6
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
8.0
6.6
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Earpods is good.
TV and Video
7.4
6.0
The Apple Earpods is good for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$199
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
Build Quality
7.6
8.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Earpods and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
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 | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 8.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
See more
Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
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 Earpods 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
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple Earpods vs. Koss KSC75
VS
Compare Apple Earpods vs. Sony MDREX15AP
VS
Compare Apple Earpods vs. Jlab Go Air Sport
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds vs. Apple Airpods Pro 2
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds vs. Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
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
