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AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black — True-wireless · 2019
Apple

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black

True-wireless · 2019

86
/ 100
From $249
VS
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case wins by 6
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case — True-wireless · 2023
Bose

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

True-wireless · 2023

92
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black lands at 86 and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case at 92. That puts Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Compact carry
  • ✓Platform integration (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Quick pair

Pick Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case if…

  • ✓Compact carry
  • ✓Platform integration (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Quick pair
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

Compared on the sound sub-score

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case leads on sound (91 vs 85).

Comfort

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

Compared on the comfort sub-score

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case leads on comfort (90 vs 84).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case leads on anc (89 vs 83).

Value for money

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($249 vs $299).

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black 86
vs
92 Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

Score breakdown

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black
86
anc 83
sound 85
comfort 84
battery 78
features 82
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case
92
anc 89
sound 91
comfort 90
battery 78
features 88

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black versus Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case
Type
True-wireless
True-wireless
Release year
2019
2023

AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Compact carry
  • +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
  • +Quick pair
Cons
  • −Battery life limited
  • −Fit varies by ear
  • −Case bulkier than pod

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

Pros
  • +Compact carry
  • +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
  • +Quick pair
Cons
  • −Battery life limited
  • −Fit varies by ear
  • −Case bulkier than pod

FAQ: AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case

Which is better, AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case? +

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $249, AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Is Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case worth the price? +

At $299, Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.

Does AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard 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 sound, AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case? +

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case — leads on sound (91 vs 85). Compared on the sound sub-score.

Which is better for comfort, AirPods Pro (1st gen) · Midnight Black or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case? +

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds · standard case — leads on comfort (90 vs 84). Compared on the comfort sub-score.