Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
CustomTune · ANC · 6hr
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case
H3 · Adaptive ANC · Real-time translation
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) lands at 89 and AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case at 94. That puts AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case ahead by 5 points — a decisive 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 4 · wireless charging case if…
- ✓H3 chip doubles ANC performance
- ✓Real-time Live Translate
- ✓Improved fit/heart-rate sensor
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testNoise cancelling
TieCompared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Features
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging caseCompared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case leads on features (98 vs 84).
Sound
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging caseCompared on the sound sub-score
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case leads on sound (92 vs 88).
Value for money
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) more score per dollar ($229 vs $309).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) | AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Custom dynamic | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | — |
| Codecs | aptX Adaptive + AAC + SBC | — |
| Battery | 6 hr (24 hr with case) | 6 h (ANC) / 35 h case |
| Charging | USB-C / Qi | — |
| Weight | 6.2 g per bud | — |
| IP rating | IP54 | — |
| Chip | — | H3 |
| Connectivity | — | BT 5.4 |
| Water rating | — | IP57 |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
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 4 · wireless charging case
- +H3 chip doubles ANC performance
- +Real-time Live Translate
- +Improved fit/heart-rate sensor
- −Pricier than AirPods Pro 3
- −Android compatibility limited
- −Battery ~6h still
FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case
Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case? +
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. 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 4 · wireless charging case worth the price? +
At $309, AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in features.
Does Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging 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 features, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case? +
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case — leads on features (98 vs 84). Compared on the features sub-score.
Which is better for sound, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case? +
AirPods Pro 4 · wireless charging case — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Compared on the sound sub-score.