Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Lossless
AirPods Pro 3
H2 chip · IP57 · 8 h ANC
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lands at 92 and AirPods Pro 3 at 92. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if…
- ✓Best ANC for earbuds
- ✓Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
- ✓Immersive Audio
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
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 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 6 h (ANC) / 24 h case | — |
| Codecs | aptX Lossless, SBC, AAC | — |
| Water rating | IPX4 | IP57 (case + 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 |
| Charging | — | MagSafe / Apple Watch charger / Qi / USB-C |
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
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
FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs AirPods Pro 3
Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or AirPods Pro 3? +
Both score 92 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worth the price? +
At $299, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in anc.
Is AirPods Pro 3 worth the price? +
At $249, AirPods Pro 3 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in features.
Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or AirPods Pro 3 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, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or AirPods Pro 3? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on anc (98 vs 94). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.
Which is better for comfort, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or AirPods Pro 3? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on comfort (94 vs 92). Compared on the comfort sub-score.