Recently, Apple and Bose introduced their latest truly wireless earbuds: AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. Both earbuds provide better Active Noise Canceling and improved audio in similar designs, albeit with their distinct features that set them apart.
The AirPods Pro includes adaptive transparency, spatial audio, and Find My (AirPods) integration for the MagSafe charging case, as well as top-notch performance standards of the original AirPods Pro. On the other hand, the QuietComfort earphones from Bose boasts of its industry-leading ANC technology, incorporating exclusive calibration of sound and noise cancellation based on hearing to deliver premium wireless performance for uninterrupted music, voice, and video calls.
Design
When it comes to design, the Apple AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have different approaches to what makes a good pair of earbuds. The AirPods Pro has stems and silicone grommets in various sizes, ensuring a comfortable and stable fit. In contrast, the QuietComfort earbuds have a bulky pill-shaped design, with its StayHear Max wing tips that also provide stable and comfortable cushioning.
Moreover, both earbuds have an IPX4 rating, making them suitable during workouts, along with different touch functions, such as transparency mode, playbacks, or skipping songs. The AirPods Pro contains various touch controls on the stems, while QuietComfort earbuds similarly offer touch controls and transparency modes.
Connectivity
The AirPods Pro uses Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC and AAC codecs, providing optimal connectivity, although some users may experience connection issues that can be resolved through firmware upgrades. However, the firmware upgrades are only available to iPhone users, while QuietComfort Earbuds offer Bluetooth 5.1, slightly more energy-efficient than AirPods Pro’s Bluetooth 5.0. Also, it supports SBC and AAC codecs, offering high-quality audio that Android users will appreciate.
Noise Cancelling
Both AirPods Pro and QuietComfort Earbuds provide active noise canceling that is helpful in suppressing unwanted noise. However, Bose’s industry-leading ANC technology provides a better experience than the AirPods Pro when it comes to isolation and blocking sounds. Furthermore, the Bose earbuds offer ten levels of noise cancellation, which enables users to customize the amount of audio passthrough in any environment according to their preferences.
Notably, active noise cancellation is most effective in attenuating low-frequency sounds like the hums of traffic or airplanes, while rubber tips that provide good seals have been the best defense against high-pitch sounds. Both AirPods Pro and QuietComfort Earbuds offer this feature, adding to the noise-canceling experience.
Sound Quality
Concerning sound quality, the AirPods Pro offers a neutral tonal balance, making the mid-range and vocal textures and details sound impressive, with considerable sparkle in the highs. However, the sound quality suffers a little when Noise Cancellation or Transparency modes are activated.
Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds convey a contagious sense of enthusiasm, excitement, and balanced sound. The bass lines are full-bodied, while the melodies are well-rendered with power and precision, thanks to its impressive yet discreet noise-canceling technology. The Bose earbuds’ ANC provides high-quality audio that allows every note to shine, even with noise cancellation increased to 10.
Call Quality
In terms of call quality, QuietComfort earbuds have sidetone technology called ‘personal voice’ that allows users to hear their voices through the earbuds, modulate it, and avoid shouting. However, the noise reduction is not as good as AirPods Pro, particularly in attenuating background sounds. Nonetheless, they have vastly improved in this aspect compared to Bose’s previous SoundSport Free, which only had mono sound in a bud for calls.
The QuietComfort earbuds managed to reduce a considerable amount of ambient sound on the streets of New York during calls, providing clear audio to the callers, even when hearing some background noise.
Battery Life
The AirPods Pro has up to 24 hours of battery life, five hours of autonomy on its own, along with an additional 19 hours provided by its charged case. Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have 18 hours of total battery life, six hours on the earbuds and another 12 hours provided by its case.
Both earbuds have fast-charging technologies, where a five-minute charge with the AirPods Pro provides an hour of listening, while the QuietComfort Earbuds offer two hours of 15-minute music.
Price
The AirPods Pro are expensive, retailing at £ 249 ($ 249, AU $ 399), while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds cost £ 250 in the UK and $ 280 in the US.
Conclusion
Ultimately, both earbud models have their strengths and may be preferred depending on usage. The AirPods Pro excel in comfort and ANC features, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer a slightly better balance in sound and recording quality. The Bose earbuds also have a better companion app and lower latency on iOS and Android, though some apps compensate for latency differently.
