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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats EP are wired on-ear headphones with good build quality and sound, particularly suited for music listening. If you prefer a physical cable connection and are looking for durable headphones for home or studio use, these may suit your needs. However, they lack a microphone for calls and have lower scores for activities like gaming and air travel. On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are wireless earbuds with excellent comfort, active noise cancelling, and higher scores across various activities, including calls, exercise, and travel. They are great for a versatile, mobile lifestyle with varied use cases, but they come at a higher price point. If budget is less of a concern and you want noise cancellation for a quieter listening experience on the go, the Bose may be the better option. 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
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.4
The Beats EP is very good for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.5
The Beats EP is only fair for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.0
The Beats EP and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
6.2
The Beats EP is good for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$199
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II costs $199.
Build Quality
8.0
9.2
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Beats EP has very good build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 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 | 20 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 7.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
Get a great deal on the Beats EP or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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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