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 January 10, 2024·
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offer better noise isolation and are more comfortable, which makes them excellent for air travel and noisy environments. They're also more secure for exercising, but they're usually slightly pricier than the Sony WF1000XM3. In contrast, the Sonys have a longer battery life in the case and better microphone quality, making them a stronger choice for calls and meetings. If you're more concerned with sound quality and larger earbud size isn't an issue, the Sony may appeal to you, whereas if you prioritize comfort and noise isolation for frequent travel or gym use, the Bose might be the way to go. Both models have active noise cancelling and offer an equalizer in their apps for a personalized audio experience. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.1
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
TV and Video
6.2
5.7
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is very good.
Battery
7.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.4
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both poor for gaming.
Build Quality
9.2
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 24 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
See more
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."
Sony WF1000XM3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Sony WF1000XM3
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs. Apple Airpods Pro 2
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs. Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
VS
Compare Sony WF1000XM3 vs. Sennheiser 560S
VS
Compare Sony WF1000XM3 vs. Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
VS
Compare Sony WF1000XM3 vs. Beats Fit 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
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
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
