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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Apple AirPods Pro 2
16 hours ago
For many years, Bose held a reputation as the go-to company for all your noise-canceling needs, but is that still true? In this article, we’re comparing the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) to the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which have become the most popular wireless earbuds in the world. We put both earbuds through our testing lab, measuring sound quality, noise canceling performance, and battery life. I also used both earbuds in the real world, and I have some strong opinions about which one of these is worth buying.
This article was originally published on July 15, 2025 and this is the first version.
What’s it like to use the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) compared to the Apple AirPods Pro 2?
The second generation of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds retains the same design as the first generation product. In 2025, the design looks a bit clunky. The earbud housing is very large, which means that if you have small ears, you likely won’t attain a comfortable fit. On the other hand, if you can fit them in your ears, you can select from a few different sizes of ear tips and fins for a tight seal. The only real upgrade with the earbud housing is an earwax guard on the nozzles, which is nice, but not a game-changer.
At only 5.3g each, the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are lighter and smaller than the Bose earbuds. While those with smaller ears will appreciate this design more, those with large ears might find themselves reaching for third-party fins or hooks to keep them in place. While the AirPods Pro 2 don’t come with stabilizer fins or hooks, they do at least come with a few different sizes of ear tips to choose from. Personally, I find the AirPods Pro 2 more comfortable to wear.
When it comes to controls, I also find Apple’s implementation more intuitive. The pinch controls of the AirPods Pro 2 are easy to access without disrupting the fit of the earbuds in the ears. On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) use touch controls on the back of each earbud. While tap controls feel futuristic, I find it too easy to accidentally pause my music every time I adjust the fit of the earbuds. If I tap against the outside of the earbuds too hard, I can also end up jamming the earbuds uncomfortably deep into my ears. Add to this the intuitive voice and head gesture controls that come with AirPods, and this section is a clear win for Apple.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have an IPX4 rating, whereas the Apple AirPods Pro 2 have an IP54 rating. This means both are water-resistant, but not fully waterproof.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Apple AirPods Pro 2 have more features?
You can access all of the features of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) from a companion app, which is available on both iOS and Android. Within the app, you can view battery life information, adjust listening modes, enable Immersive Audio, and EQ the sound of the earbuds. The equalizer only supports 3-bands of customization (bass, mids, and treble) which is very limiting for audiophiles. On the other hand, this is still better than the AirPods Pro 2, which don’t have any native custom equalizer functionality.
All of the features and controls for the AirPods Pro 2 are baked right into your Apple device. You can swipe into your control center or dive into the Settings app on your iPhone to access spatial audio and ANC listening modes. If you lose an AirPod, you can head over to the Find My app on your iCloud device to track it down. The AirPods Pro 2 can even function as a hearing aid, measuring your hearing ability and amplifying sounds accordingly. If you have an iPhone, you’ll find more features with the AirPods Pro 2, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the better option for Android users.
How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 connect?
The Bose earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 and support SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive for codecs. Multipoint works reliably through the Bose app, and if your device has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer, you’ll get access to aptX Lossless for high-fidelity playback. Manual pairing is done through the pairing button on the back of the charging case.
Apple also uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC and AAC, but the real kicker is the H2 chip. It enables seamless pairing and automatic switching across Apple devices. Pairing is a breeze on iOS thanks to Apple’s pop-up UI, and all your listening preferences are saved directly to your iCloud account. Android users can still connect manually, but it’s a bare-bones experience without the smart features.
Is battery life better on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Apple AirPods Pro 2?
Battery life is nearly identical between the two. In our testing, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) lasted 5 hours and 34 minutes with ANC, while the Apple AirPods Pro 2 edged slightly ahead with 5 hours and 43 minutes. The differences are negligible in daily use. Bose’s case holds three full charges and supports Qi wireless charging, giving you about 22 hours total.
Apple’s case delivers up to 24 hours of listening time and includes more versatile charging: USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, and Apple Watch compatibility. It also has a built-in speaker and tracking functionality. Apple’s battery optimization feature also preserves battery longevity by delaying full charging until it predicts you’ll need the buds, which can extend the lifespan of the earbuds.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Apple AirPods Pro 2 block noise better?
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Both earbuds are excellent when it comes to blocking out noise. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) reduce the loudness of external noise by 85% in our tests, which is among the best performance from any earbuds we’ve measured. A secure fit helps maximize this effect, although ANC introduces a perceptible hiss that some might notice with the Bose earbuds when using them in silent environments. Apple’s ANC isn’t far behind in performance, reducing the loudness of noise by 83% in our tests.
When it comes to staying aware of your surroundings, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 support an adaptive transparency mode that automatically attenuates sudden loud noises. If you plan on listening in a variety of environments, you can’t go wrong with either option.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) sound better than the Apple AirPods Pro 2?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have a default sound that’s heavy on sub-bass and treble, and the rudimentary EQ doesn’t offer much help. While audiophiles might not like this sound signature, our tests show that most casual listeners will enjoy the default sound of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
On the other hand, the AirPods Pro 2 place more emphasis on the mids. You don’t get a custom equalizer with Apple, but thanks to Adaptive EQ, the AirPods Pro 2 automatically adjust the way they sound based on the fit of the earbuds in your ears. I find Apple’s Spatial Audio effect superior to Bose Immersive Audio, though most of the time I prefer to listen to music in its original mix.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Both sets of earbuds attain an Overall sound quality score of 4.8 on a scale from 1-5. This means that most listeners will enjoy the sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Objective Measurements
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As you can see from our frequency response measurements above, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have noticeably more bass and treble than the Apple AirPods Pro 2. That means the AirPods Pro 2 follow our industry-validated SoundGuys Preference Curve closer than the Bose earbuds.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Apple AirPods Pro 2 have a better microphone?
When it comes to microphone and call quality, the Bose and Apple earbuds both deliver. We tested both in a variety of simulated noise environments and didn’t run into any major issues. Note that the AirPods rely on Apple device processing for AI enhancement, which means you’ll get better microphone quality when paired to an iPhone than an Android device or PC.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Apple AirPods Pro 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) microphone demo (Office conditions):
Apple AirPods Pro 2 microphone demo (Office conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Apple AirPods Pro 2: Price and availability
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have a starting price of $299, which exceeds the AirPods Pro 2 starting price of $249. Since the AirPods Pro 2 are a few years older, we’ve seen them on sale for as little as $150. With that kind of discount, the decision is a no-brainer.
Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Apple AirPods Pro 2?
If you have an iPhone, you are better off buying the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Not only are Apple’s earbuds (surprisingly) cheaper, but they also offer a ton of convenient features for those with an Apple device. I also find that I prefer the comfort and sound quality of the AirPods Pro 2 over that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), and the noise canceling performance is comparable, so there is no reason to switch.
On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are a good option for Android users. We have no major complaints with these earbuds, aside from the hefty starting price. If you want a complete wireless earbud package with exceptional noise canceling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) deliver.
Great auto-wear detection
Water-resistant buds and case
Four ear tip options (XS-L)
Pressure-sensitive stems and sliding controls
MagSafe, Wireless, and Apple Watch compatible charging
What should you buy instead of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Apple AirPods Pro 2?
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get great wireless earbuds. In our list of the best wireless earbuds of 2025, we highlighted a few options that you should consider that don’t break the bank.
If blocking out noise is a priority for you, consider the Sony WF-C710N ($119.99 at Amazon). In our testing, we found the Sony WF-C710N reduce the loudness of external noise by 85%, which is equal to the ANC performance of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
On the other hand, if you want the best sound quality, consider the Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi ($129.99 at Manufacturer site). These earbuds have unique xMEMS drivers that deliver exceptional sound quality, especially when it comes to detail in the treble.
If you want the absolute best bang for your buck, check out the CMF Buds 2 Plus ($69 at Amazon). Don’t let their budget price tag fool you, these earbuds have all the features and performance that most people need.