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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Earpods are a budget-friendly option with decent overall sound quality and comfort, making them suitable for casual listening and calls, especially if you prefer a wired connection and open design that doesn't isolate noise so you're more aware of your surroundings. However, they are not great during exercise or air travel due to their lack of sweatproofing and active noise cancelling. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are pricier but offer superior noise isolation and active noise cancelling, making them ideal for noisy environments and travel. They feature better build quality, controls, and music playback, and are optimized for active use with sweatproofing and a secure fit; plus, they support advanced Bluetooth codecs for higher-quality wireless sound. If you often exercise or value peace in noisy spaces, and don't mind spending more, the Bose might be the better choice. If you're on a budget and mainly need earbuds for calls and casual listening without wireless connectivity, consider the Apple Earpods. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.8
8.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Phone Calls
8.0
5.1
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
6.0
The Apple Earpods is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
7.4
8.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$249
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds costs $249.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.3
8.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Apple Earpods are both very good for gaming.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $249 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | September 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 7.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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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 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Get a great deal on the Apple Earpods or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 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.
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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
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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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