AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case
True-wireless · 2024
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case
True-wireless · 2023
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case lands at 88 and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case at 92. That puts Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case if…
- ✓Compact carry
- ✓Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- ✓Quick pair
Pick Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case if…
- ✓Compact carry
- ✓Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- ✓Quick pair
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the sound sub-score
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case leads on sound (91 vs 87).
Comfort
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the comfort sub-score
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case leads on comfort (90 vs 86).
Noise cancelling
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case leads on anc (89 vs 85).
Value for money
AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging caseSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case more score per dollar ($229 vs $299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case | Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True-wireless | True-wireless |
| Release year | 2024 | 2023 |
AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case
- +Compact carry
- +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- +Quick pair
- −Battery life limited
- −Fit varies by ear
- −Case bulkier than pod
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case
- +Compact carry
- +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- +Quick pair
- −Battery life limited
- −Fit varies by ear
- −Case bulkier than pod
FAQ: AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case
Which is better, AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case? +
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case worth the price? +
At $229, AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Is Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case worth the price? +
At $299, Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.
Does AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound, AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case? +
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case — leads on sound (91 vs 87). Compared on the sound sub-score.
Which is better for comfort, AirPods 4 (ANC) · MagSafe charging case or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case? +
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · Midnight Black · standard case — leads on comfort (90 vs 86). Compared on the comfort sub-score.