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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation for focused music listening or for air travel, and desire high-quality sound with the convenience of wireless technology that includes features like active noise cancelling and an app that allows equalizer customization, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are well-suited for you, despite their higher price. However, if you're looking for an affordable, basic set of earbuds primarily for wired listening without the need for advanced features like noise cancellation, app support, and wireless capability, the Sony MDREX15AP would be a more economical choice. Keep in mind, the Sony earbuds have a lower overall sound quality and lack modern amenities such as active noise cancelling and app-based customization. Additionally, for activities like exercise, the Bose earbuds are sweatproof certified, whereas the Sony earbuds are not, which could influence your decision based on your lifestyle needs. 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 gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
6.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
3.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.4
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
Noise Reduction
8.9
7.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.6
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony MDREX15AP are both very good for music.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.2/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the Sony MDREX15AP
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.
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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
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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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