Apple
Apple AirPods Pro 3
$249Cheaper
Released 2025-09
Best Wireless Earbuds · head-to-head
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Apple AirPods Pro 3 is cheaper at $249. Every spec and price links to its source.
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
$299
Released 2025-06
Which is better: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the cheaper at $249. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $249 | $299 |
| Brand | Apple | Bose |
| Released | 2025-09 | 2025-06 |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | — | — |
| Battery buds hr | 8 | 6 |
| Battery case hr | 24 | 24 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| IP rating | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Weight per bud (g) | 5.55 | 7.3 |
| Release | 2025-09 | 2025-06 |
Sources — Apple AirPods Pro 3: apple.com (verified 2026-06-15). Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): bose.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Battery buds hr: Apple AirPods Pro 3 8 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) 6
- IP rating: Apple AirPods Pro 3 IP57 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) IPX4
- Codecs: Apple AirPods Pro 3 SBC, AAC vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- Weight per bud (g): Apple AirPods Pro 3 5.55 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) 7.3
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 set a new bar for in-ear noise cancellation. SoundGuys measured ~90% noise reduction (about 40 dB), the best they have ever tested in earbuds, beating Sony's WF-1000XM5 and Bose's QC Ultra, plus a big battery jump to 8h42m with ANC. Main gripes: no EQ, weak Android support. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Class-leading, best-ever-measured ANC (~90% / ~40 dB noise reduction); Long battery life with ANC on (8h 42min, 24h with case); Durable IP57 rating and improved, more secure fit.
Flagged: No EQ / equalizer controls; Poor Android support; limited codecs (SBC/AAC only, no aptX/LDAC); Live Translation still in beta and unrefined.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Two whitelisted outlets (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi) both hands-on tested these and rate them a strong premium pick at an unchanged $299 / £299: class-leading noise cancelling and a comfortable, secure fit via Bose's stability bands. SoundGuys measured 85% external-noise reduction and a below-average 5h34m battery, and knocks the poor 3-band EQ. Verdicts split on sound: What Hi-Fi awards five stars for richer, punchier tuning, while SoundGuys' reviewer personally dislikes the bass/treble-heavy signature and calls the refresh minor enough to just buy the cheaper 1st-gen on sale. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Class-leading active noise cancellation; Comfortable, secure fit aided by stability bands; No price increase, still $299 / £299.
Flagged: Battery is a relative weak point (below average per SoundGuys; heavily drained by Immersive Audio per What Hi-Fi); Minor, iterative upgrade over the 1st-gen buds; Poor, limited 3-band EQ tuning options.