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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If noise cancellation is a priority, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II stand out with high noise isolation capabilities, making them ideal for air travel and noisy environments. They're also rated to be more comfortable and offer better controls, which can enhance the user experience during exercise and daily use. On the other hand, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 offer superior mic quality, which may be beneficial for clear calls and meetings. They also have low latency features that are advantageous for gaming, and support a high-quality codec (AptX Adaptive) for better sound fidelity, which may be appreciated by audiophiles. However, they have a shorter battery life, and you should consider the significant price difference, as the Bose is often substantially less expensive while still delivering a well-rounded performance. 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 PI7
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
7.4
6.8
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.1
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.8
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.2
6.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Battery
7.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 costs $399.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both poor for phone calls.
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 PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Bowers and Wilkins PI7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | April 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 7 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 PI7
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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 QuietComfort Earbuds II 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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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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