Bose may have been late to the ANC earbuds game, but they didn’t disappoint with the release of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. How do they stack against one of the best-rated and practical ANC earbuds, the AirPods Pro? We take a deep dive into the noise cancellation, audio quality, and features of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and AirPods Pro to find out which pair is better for you.
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs AirPods Pro Comparison Chart
Model | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | |
Amazon product | Deal Finder Apple AirPods Pro The Apple AirPods Pro boast impressive noise-canceling, seamless connectivity, responsive touch controls, and long-lasting battery life. If you need to hear your surroundings, holding the sensor in the AirPods Pros will activate Transparency Mode. We are reader supported. When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission. | |
Price | Amazon product | Deal Finder Apple AirPods Pro The Apple AirPods Pro boast impressive noise-canceling, seamless connectivity, responsive touch controls, and long-lasting battery life. If you need to hear your surroundings, holding the sensor in the AirPods Pros will activate Transparency Mode. We are reader supported. When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission. |
Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
ANC Levels | 10 | 3 |
Earbud Battery Life | ANC on: Up to 6 hours | ANC on: Up to 4.5 hours |
Charging Case | Up to 12 hours | Up to 20 hours |
Quick Charging | 15 minutes for up to 2 hours | 5 minutes for 1 hour of runtime |
Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 |
Multi-Point Connection | No | Yes |
Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
Sweat and Water Resistant (IPX4) | Yes | Yes |
Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
Companion App | Bose Music | N/A |
Earbud Size and Weight | 1.5″ x 1″ x 1.1″, 8.5 g | 0.94″ x 0.86″ x 1.22″, 5.4 g |
Charging Case Dimensions | 3.5″ x 2″ x 1.3″ | 1.78″ x 0.85″ x 2.39″ |
Color Options | Triple Black, Soapstone | White |
Design
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are bulkier than the AirPods Pro

One of the gripes about the
Apart from their noticeably different designs, their ear tips are different, too. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have cone-like soft ear tips while the AirPods Pros’ are rounder. Bose’s new noise-canceling earbuds are still equipped with the ear tips wings that help keep them secure in your ears, similar to the older wireless earbuds models. In terms of comfort, both are comfortable, but the AirPods Pros are lighter than the Bose.
Noise Cancellation
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds deliver the best noise cancellation

Bose’s line of noise-canceling over-ear headphones are among the best in the industry, and the noise-cancellation of the tinier QuietComfort Earbuds’ is also topnotch. While the
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds also edge out the AirPods Pros when it comes to call quality. You can still hear your voice while talking on the phone so you won’t feel the need to raise your voice when talking. With the Bose, your voice sounds clearer and your background sound cannot be heard by the person on the other line.
Sound Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds sound better than the AirPods Pro

While the
Both noise-canceling earbuds have low to no audio latency and support SBC and AAC codecs. There won’t be issues if you like using your earbuds to watch YouTube videos or stream movies online.
Additional Features
Both are IPX4-rated and have long battery life

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and the AirPods Pro have an IPX4 rating, which means they can withstand sweat, splashes, and spills here and there. You can use them when running outdoors or under the rain without issues. However, they are not recommended for swimming, diving, or other aquatic sports.
In terms of overall battery life, the Bose earbuds have longer runtime with ANC on, but the AirPods Pro’s charging case adds longer battery life. On a single charge, the AirPods Pro can deliver up to 4.5 hours of playtime with ANC on. Their wireless charging case can add an additional 20 hours of battery life. Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have a runtime of up to six hours, while their charging case can add up to 12 hours more.
If you’re in a rush, charging the Bose for 15 minutes will give the earbuds two hours of extra battery life, while the AirPods Pros can give you an hour of extra juice with a quick 5-minute charge.
Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds blow the AirPods Pro out of the water
Amazon productWithout a doubt, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are superior to the AirPods Pros where it matters: noise cancellation and audio quality. That is not to say that the AirPods Pros are a terrible choice. They remain a great pair of noise-canceling earbuds, and if you want to save a little, the AirPods Pros are actually an excellent choice. However, if you’re after a better listening experience and topnotch audio and call quality, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds suit you better.
FAQs
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are better than the AirPods Pro in terms of noise cancellation, audio quality, and earbuds’ battery life.
Yes, they may be slightly more expensive than the AirPods Pro, but their superior audio and noise cancellation make them worth the small price difference.
The Bose QuietComfort fits more securely, thus it’s the better choice if you want to use your noise cancelling earbuds during workouts.
No, this is not possible with the Bose QC earbuds, but you can do this with the AirPods Pros.