Wireless Earbuds / Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Outstanding ANC and a real hearing-aid mode — if you own an iPhone.
Wins overall by 0.7 points
Quick Verdict
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.7 points. Outstanding ANC and a real hearing-aid mode — if you own an iPhone.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are both current-generation wireless Earbuds models, and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 is $50 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ($249 vs $299). On Battery, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (8.0 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. On Durability, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness. On Features, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (9.0 vs 8.0/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. Overall, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.6/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.9/10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 | $299.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 8✓ | 6 |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24 | 24 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Apple ANC on the H2 chip; Apple claims roughly twice the noise reduction of AirPods Pro 2 | Bose adjustable ANC with CustomTune ear-canal calibration; Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by the manufacturer | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | No — Apple offers iCloud automatic device switching, which hands the connection over rather than holding two at once | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Weight per Bud (g) | 5.55✓ | 7.26 |
| Codecs | SBC and AAC only — no aptX or LDAC | Bose lists Bluetooth profiles only; aptX Adaptive was on the first generation but is unconfirmed here |
| Spatial Audio | Yes, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Yes — Bose Immersive Audio with Still and Motion head-tracked modes, plus a new Cinema Mode |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | White | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. tuning, detail and codec support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is marginally ahead, 9.8 to 9.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if how much ambient noise is actually removed is your priority.
Battery
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — a 2.0-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on microphone performance and background noise rejection. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on IP rating, build materials and case robustness. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.0/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
- • Durability matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.5/10 here (IP rating, build materials and case robustness).
- • Features matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
- • Comfort & Fit matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions).
- • Call Quality matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (microphone performance and background noise rejection).
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- • You prefer the Bose ecosystem, app, and design language.
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Pros
- +Among the best noise cancelling in any earbud, and a huge step over the Pro 2
- +The FDA-authorised hearing aid feature is a genuine health function, not a gimmick
- +IP57 is the toughest rating here
- +Heart-rate sensing and Live Translation
Cons
- −No EQ of any kind — you cannot adjust the tuning at all
- −No true multipoint, only Apple device switching
- −AAC and SBC only, with no hi-res codec
- −On Android you get playback and almost nothing else — you cannot even update the firmware without an Apple device
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +Best noise cancelling available in an earbud, comfortably ahead of Apple and Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration meaningfully improves both ANC and sound
- +Nine fit combinations means almost anyone can get a seal
- +Wireless charging finally built into the case rather than a separate cover
Cons
- −Worst battery in the premium tier — 6 hours, dropping to just 4 with Immersive Audio on
- −Only IPX4, with no dust protection at $299
- −Heaviest buds here at over 7g each
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor codec support
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Battery, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Battery (8.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case.
Which is better for Durability, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Durability (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — IP rating, build materials and case robustness.
Which is better for Features, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Features (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras.
Which is better for Comfort & Fit, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Comfort & Fit (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions.
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth the price difference over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the cheaper option at $249 versus $299. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the better fit if you mainly care about workout. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is the better fit for travel or commute.
What's the warranty on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Premium Option
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.