AirPods Pro 3
H2 chip · IP57 · 8 h ANC
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Lossless
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Pro 3 lands at 92 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at 92. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick AirPods Pro 3 if…
- ✓Up to 8 hours ANC on a single charge
- ✓IP57 dust + water resistance
- ✓MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch + USB-C charging
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if…
- ✓Best ANC for earbuds
- ✓Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
- ✓Immersive Audio
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testNoise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsCompared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leads on anc (98 vs 94).
Comfort
Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsCompared on the comfort sub-score
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leads on comfort (94 vs 92).
Features
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on features (96 vs 90).
Value for money
AirPods Pro 3Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
AirPods Pro 3 more score per dollar ($249 vs $299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple H2 headphone chip | — |
| Battery (ANC on) | Up to 8 hours | — |
| Battery (with case, ANC on) | Up to 24 hours | — |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming + inward-facing + speech-detecting accelerometer | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | — |
| Water rating | IP57 (case + earbuds) | IPX4 |
| Charging | MagSafe / Apple Watch charger / Qi / USB-C | — |
| Battery | — | 6 h (ANC) / 24 h case |
| Codecs | — | aptX Lossless, SBC, AAC |
AirPods Pro 3
- +Up to 8 hours ANC on a single charge
- +IP57 dust + water resistance
- +MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch + USB-C charging
- −Android features remain limited
- −Premium price
- −In-ear fit not for everyone
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- +Best ANC for earbuds
- +Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
- +Immersive Audio
- −Only 6 h battery
- −Case is chunky
- −No wireless charging standard
FAQ: AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Which is better, AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? +
Both score 92 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is AirPods Pro 3 worth the price? +
At $249, AirPods Pro 3 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in features.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worth the price? +
At $299, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in anc.
Does AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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 noise cancelling, AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on anc (98 vs 94). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.
Which is better for comfort, AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on comfort (94 vs 92). Compared on the comfort sub-score.