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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise cancellation and sound quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lead the pack, making them suitable for busy environments and high-fidelity audio enjoyment. However, they come with a higher price tag compared to the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2. The Pi5 S2, while less expensive, offer great value with good sound performance and are more compact, potentially making them a better choice for travel or sports activities. They don't match the Bose in noise cancellation, but they are still a capable pair of earbuds that won't disappoint in everyday use. It ultimately depends on whether top-tier noise cancellation and audio quality justifies the additional cost for you. 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 Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- 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 Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
6.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
8.8
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
5.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both very good for noise reduction, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$129
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $129.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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 Ultra Earbuds to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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 Ultra Earbuds and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $129 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 21 | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 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 Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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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 Ultra Earbuds 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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.
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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.
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