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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offer superior comfort, noise isolation, and are optimized for exercise, with high scores in these areas due to their stability bands, active noise cancelling, and sweatproof certification. They are well-suited for air travel and have a slightly longer battery life than the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2. However, the Pi5 S2 earbuds feature faster charging and wireless charging capabilities, which the Bose lacks. Both sets have similar overall sound quality and support AAC codec for improved sound over Bluetooth. Neither is designed for low latency, making them less ideal for gaming or TV where syncing audio with video is crucial. 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Key differences
Music
7.4
6.7
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
TV and Video
6.2
5.6
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good.
Battery
7.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$172
$129
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $172 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $129.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Build Quality
9.2
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$172 | $129 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 19 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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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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.
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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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