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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 7 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
8.6
-
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
-
Calls
7.4
-
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$300

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Both shipped in 2025. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Apple AirPods Pro 3 adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.

  • AirPods Pro 32025
  • QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)2025
What differsAirPods Pro 3QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IPX4

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$300
HearWiki score
86
Not scored
Released
2025
2025
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
-
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
9 m
Battery life
8 h
6 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
6 h
Battery incl. case
-
18 h
Full charge time
-
120 min
Quick charge
-
20 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
-
Weight
5.5 g
7.3 g
Case weight
44 g
59.9 g
Water resistance
IP57
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
-
USB-C
Model code
-
QCUE2-HEADPHONEIN
Microphones
3
4
Microphone type
beamforming
-
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
  • Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
  • Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) deliver top-tier adaptive noise cancellation and a comfortable, secure fit, enhanced by CustomTune technology for personalized sound. They offer immersive spatial audio, clear call quality via SpeechClarity, and convenient wireless charging, making them a premium choice for all-day listening.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
  • Pro:Immersive spatial audio
  • Con:Battery life is modest at 6 hours
  • Con:Pricey at around $299
  • Con:No explicit mention of multi-device pairing in source

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonApple AirPods Pro 3Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)