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 Ultra Earbuds offer exceptional noise isolation and sound quality, especially for music and air travel use, along with more built-in control features, and are somewhat less expensive than the Bowers and Wilkins PI7. However, the PI7 has better microphone quality, which could be advantageous for calls. Both offer similar wireless features with aptX Adaptive codec support, but if portability and battery life are concerns, note that Bose provides slightly longer usage per charge while Bowers and Wilkins earbuds support wireless charging. For active users, the Bose model includes stability bands for a secure fit during exercise. 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 TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
6.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.8
8.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both very good for gaming, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
6.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both very good for noise reduction, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$399
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 costs $399.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both poor for phone calls.
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 PI7 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Bowers and Wilkins PI7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | April 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 21 | 20 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
See more
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 PI7
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 Ultra Earbuds 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sennheiser Momentum 4
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins PI7 vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins PI7 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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
128,000
Recommendations made
19,200
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
