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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're prioritizing comfort and active noise cancellation for long flights or commutes, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones may be a better fit due to their "Best in Class" comfort and excellent noise isolation. These also offer superior battery life and sound quality for TV and gaming. However, if you need something more portable with good mic quality for calls, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 earbuds could be more suitable, along with the convenience of wireless charging and an app equalizer for sound customization. The PI7 are also sweat and dustproof, making them a better option for exercise. Both support AptX Adaptive for better sound quality over Bluetooth, but the Bose has an edge for wired listening since it includes a detachable cable. 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 Ultra Headphones
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has no clear advantages over the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones.
Key differences
Music
8.3
6.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
8.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
6.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Battery
29.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$429
$399
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 costs $399.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
5.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | Bowers and Wilkins PI7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | April 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 0.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 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 | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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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 Ultra Headphones 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.
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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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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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