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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering price and usage, if cost is a major consideration and you mostly enjoy music in quieter environments, the Beats EP may serve you well as they offer a good balance of sound quality and value. However, if you often find yourself in noisy environments or travel frequently and prioritize the ability to block out surrounding noise, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with their active noise cancellation would be a worthy investment despite the higher cost, as they can greatly enhance your listening experience by isolating you from external sounds. Keep in mind that active noise cancellation is a feature not present in the Beats EP, which may be important depending on where you plan to use your earbuds most. 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 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
8.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Beats EP are both very good for music, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.3
8.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.0
The Beats EP and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
8.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Beats EP is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$249
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds costs $249.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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 Ultra Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $249 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | September 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | N/A | 6.2/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 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 Beats EP or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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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