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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If price is a major concern for you and you don't need wireless capabilities or active noise cancelling, the Beats EP could be a suitable choice, especially given they are often significantly less expensive. They are wired on-ear headphones with good sound quality and a sturdy build, but they lack a microphone and feature poor built-in controls. On the other hand, if you're looking for top-notch noise isolation for air travel, an immersive TV and gaming experience with low latency, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are worth the premium. They are wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, excellent build quality, and a range of features including an app equalizer, app controls customization, and optimized usage for both Android and Apple devices. They offer the convenience of a long battery life, ear/head detection, and wireless charging at the cost of being more expensive. 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 Beats EP
- The Beats EP has no clear advantages over the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones.
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.0
The Beats EP and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats EP is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
29.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$429
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones costs $429.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has excellent build quality, while the Beats EP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Beats EP are both very good for music.
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How the Beats EP and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $429 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | November 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 29 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 255 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"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 Beats EP or the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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