Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
CustomTune · ANC · 6hr
AirPods Pro 3
H2 chip · IP57 · 8 h ANC
AirPods Pro 3 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) lands at 89 and AirPods Pro 3 at 92. That puts AirPods Pro 3 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- ✓Best-in-class ANC for earbuds
- ✓CustomTune calibrates per ear
- ✓IP54 sweat resistance
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 Earbuds (2nd Gen)Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads on anc (96 vs 94).
Features
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on features (96 vs 84).
Sound
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the sound sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on sound (90 vs 88).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Custom dynamic | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | aptX Adaptive + AAC + SBC | — |
| Battery | 6 hr (24 hr with case) | — |
| Charging | USB-C / Qi | MagSafe / Apple Watch charger / Qi / USB-C |
| Weight | 6.2 g per bud | — |
| IP rating | IP54 | — |
| 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 |
| Water rating | — | IP57 (case + earbuds) |
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- +Best-in-class ANC for earbuds
- +CustomTune calibrates per ear
- +IP54 sweat resistance
- −No multipoint at launch
- −Bose app slow
- −Bulky compared to AirPods Pro
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 Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs AirPods Pro 3
Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth the price? +
At $229, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) delivers a Specdex score of 89 — 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 Earbuds (2nd Gen) 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 Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 3? +
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) — leads on anc (96 vs 94). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.
Which is better for features, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 — leads on features (96 vs 84). Compared on the features sub-score.