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 April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, top-notch noise cancellation for travel, and all-around use including TV and video with low latency, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are suitable, despite their higher cost. They also have sweatproof certification and a robust app with audio customization, which is handy for exercises and outdoor activities. However, if you're looking for exceptional sound quality, particularly for music at home, and don't need the wireless features or active noise cancelling, the HifiMan Sundara's open-back design and planar drivers offer excellent soundstage at a slightly lower price point. Keep in mind, Sundaras lack convenience features like a microphone and are not ideal for noisy environments or commuting. 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
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good.
Gaming
9.3
7.2
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
29.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$429
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
4.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones to be excellent for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
See more
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."
HifiMan Sundara
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones or the HifiMan Sundara
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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 Ultra Headphones vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Sony WH-1000XM5
VS
Compare HifiMan Sundara vs. HifiMan Edition XS
VS
Compare HifiMan Sundara vs. Sony WF1000XM5
VS
Compare HifiMan Sundara vs. Apple Airpods Pro
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
128,300
Recommendations made
19,245
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
