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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for affordability, the Audio Technica ATH M20X may be a better choice due to their lower price. However, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer advanced noise-cancellation features, which are excellent for immersive listening experiences in noisy environments and for frequent travelers seeking isolation from ambient noise. In contrast, the Audio Technica headphones are designed for studio monitoring with a focus on sound clarity and fidelity which may not be as convenient for on-the-go use due to their bulkier design. If having a wireless option with noise-cancellation is important for your lifestyle, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds may justify the higher cost. Keep in mind also that earbuds are generally more portable and less conspicuous than over-ear headphones. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- The Audio Technica ATH M20X has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$249
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds costs $249.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to be very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $249 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.2/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 7.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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
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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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.
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