The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and use during exercise, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, being wireless and sweatproof, are suitable for active lifestyles and travel. They also offer excellent noise isolation, making them ideal for air travel. However, for the best experience in calls, meetings, gaming, and TV and video with superior mic quality, the Rode NTH-100M headphones, though wired and less portable, excel in these areas. The Rode headphones lack active noise cancelling, unlike the Bose earbuds. The Rode’s over-ear design provides lasting comfort for prolonged sessions, whereas the Bose earbuds offer greater convenience for on-the-go use. 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
Very good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
Very good for music
Best in class for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.4/10
8.2/10
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good.
Gaming
5.5/10
8.9/10
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1/10
9.5/10
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0/10
7.6/10
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
TV and Video
6.2/10
7.7/10
The Rode NTH-100M is good for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1/10
5.3/10
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Build Quality
9.2/10
8.5/10
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality.
"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."
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Rode NTH-100M
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 Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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
113,600
Recommendations made
17,040
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.