A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for top-notch noise isolation and comfort for longer wear, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are a considerable choice and they won't hit your wallet as hard as the Bowers and Wilkins PI7. However, if call quality is paramount to you or if you're into gaming, the PI7 outperforms the Bose with a better mic and lower latency. Keep in mind, though, for sweat resistance during exercise and wireless charging, the Bose has the upper hand, but the Bowers and Wilkins offer unique features like dual drivers for potentially better sound quality and AptX codec support for high-quality Bluetooth audio. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Good for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
5.6
8.1
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.5
4.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
6.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both only fair for TV and video, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Battery
7.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$399
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has a price of $199 and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 costs $399.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.1
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds to be good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Build Quality
8.9
8.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds | Bowers and Wilkins PI7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | April 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 0.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.5 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
Get a great deal on the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds or the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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.
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds vs. Apple Airpods Pro 2
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds vs. Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins PI7 vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins PI7 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,300
Recommendations made
14,295
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
Featured in
