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·
If you're looking for exceptional sound quality and noise isolation for use in environments like air travel, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are superior, but they come with a higher price. These also provide better build quality and built-in controls. Conversely, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are more affordable and offer good sound quality and noise isolation, albeit slightly lesser in comparison. They have a shorter battery life but offer wireless charging, which Bose lacks. Both are suitable for exercise and have similar weight. If cost is less of a concern and you prioritize sound and silence in noisy places, go for Bose. If you're budget-conscious but still want quality earbuds with the convenience of wireless charging, consider the Bowers and Wilkins. 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 Pi7 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
8.8
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
6.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 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 Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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 Pi7 S2 is poor.
Cost
$249
$259
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 costs $259.
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 S2 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 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $259 | ||
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 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | 13 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 S2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 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.
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. Moondrop Blessing 2
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Apple Airpods 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
122,300
Recommendations made
18,345
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
