Headphones
See the meaningful differences, category strengths and community preference using the product data currently available.
Quick verdict
This matchup is too close to call from the available scored specs.
Buy Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones if
Buy Apple AirPods Pro 2 if
Personal fit
Best fit if your photos, messages, watch, laptop, and apps already live in Apple services.
Best fit if you want Android customization, Google services, and more control over defaults.
Better endurance for heavy daily use.
Category score
Evidence
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Apple AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Details | ||
| Release Date Verified release date for this exact product variant. | 2023 | 20230923 |
| Type Verified type for this exact product variant. | Wireless noise-cancelling headphones | In-ear monitor |
| Manufacturer SKU Verified manufacturer sku for this exact product variant. | QCUH-HEADPHONEARN | — |
| Wear Style Verified wear style for this exact product variant. | Over-ear | In-ear monitor |
| Fit & Design | ||
| Headphone Weight Verified headphone weight for this exact product variant. | 254 g | — |
| Replaceable Earpads Verified replaceable earpads for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Audio Hardware | ||
| Published Frequency Response Verified published frequency response for this exact product variant. | Warm and consumer-friendly | — |
| Codecs & Hi-Res Audio | ||
| Published Codec Support Verified published codec support for this exact product variant. | SBC,AAC,aptX Adaptive | AAC, SBC |
| Noise Control & Spatial Audio | ||
| Noise Cancelling Verified noise cancelling for this exact product variant. | Adjustable active noise cancelling with ActiveSense | Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) |
| Active Noise Cancellation Verified active noise cancellation for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Adaptive ANC Verified adaptive anc for this exact product variant. | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient / Transparency Mode Verified ambient / transparency mode for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Head Tracking Verified head tracking for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Custom Equalizer Verified custom equalizer for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Equalizer Bands Verified equalizer bands for this exact product variant. | 3 | — |
| Microphones & Calls | ||
| Published Microphone System Verified published microphone system for this exact product variant. | Built-in eight-microphone system with echo reduction | — |
| Microphone Count Verified microphone count for this exact product variant. | 8 | — |
| Call Noise Reduction Verified call noise reduction for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth Version The product's listed bluetooth version specification or capability. | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Connection Type Verified connection type for this exact product variant. | Bluetooth and analogue audio cable | Bluetooth |
| Multipoint Verified multipoint for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Claimed Wireless Range Verified claimed wireless range for this exact product variant. | 9 m | — |
| Battery & Charging | ||
| Published Battery Life Verified published battery life for this exact product variant. |
Up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio off; up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on
|
6h listening
|
| Music Runtime, ANC On Verified music runtime, anc on for this exact product variant. | 24 hours | — |
| Charging Time Verified charging time for this exact product variant. | 3 hours | — |
| Quick-Charge Time Verified quick-charge time for this exact product variant. | 15 min | — |
| Quick-Charge Playback Verified quick-charge playback for this exact product variant. | 3 hours | — |
| Charging Connector Verified charging connector for this exact product variant. | USB-C | — |
| Independent Measurements | ||
| OPRA EQ Profiles Verified opra eq profiles for this exact product variant. | — | 18 |
| OPRA Measurement Sources Verified opra measurement sources for this exact product variant. | — | Measured by Filk | Measured by Harpo | Measured by HypetheSonics | Measured by crinacle | Measured by crinacle (51dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (56dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (60dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (65dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (69dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (73dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (77dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (81dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (84dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (88dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (91dB + ANC) | Measured by crinacle (ANC mode) | Measured by crinacle (passive mode) | Measured by crinacle (transparency mode) |
| Identity | ||
| Model Number Verified model number for this exact product variant. | QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | — |
| Design | ||
| Colors The product's listed colors specification or capability. | Black, White Smoke, Lunar Blue | White |
| Weight The product's weight, measured in g. |
0.560 lb (approximately 254 g)
|
50.80 g
|
| Dimensions The product's listed dimensions specification or capability. | 7.7 in H × 5.5 in W × 2.0 in D | — |
| Water Resistance The product's listed water resistance specification or capability. | IPX4 | IPX4 (earbuds + case) |
| Airframe | ||
| Foldable Verified foldable for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Power | ||
| Charging Wired The product's listed charging wired specification or capability. | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging The product's listed wireless charging specification or capability. | — | MagSafe / Qi wireless charging |
| Pricing | ||
| Price The product's listed price specification or capability. |
449.95
|
$249
|
| Audio & Media | ||
| Spatial Audio Verified spatial audio for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Connectivity & Ports | ||
| Bluetooth Profiles Verified bluetooth profiles for this exact product variant. | A2DP, HFP, AVRCP, Bluetooth Low Energy | — |
| Controls & Smart Features | ||
| Companion App Verified companion app for this exact product variant. | Bose app | — |
| Firmware Updates Verified firmware updates for this exact product variant. | Yes | — |
| Performance | ||
| Headphone Processor The product's listed headphone processor specification or capability. | — | Apple H2 chip |
| Headphone Operating System The product's listed headphone operating system specification or capability. | — | Pairs with iOS / Android / other Bluetooth devices |
Community decision
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Upgrade logic
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User opinions
Awesome headphones that work seamlessly
Prices and availability
Release Date 
Bluetooth Version 
Published Battery Life 
Weight 
Dimensions 
Water Resistance