AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White
H3 · Adaptive ANC · Real-time translation
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Lossless
AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White lands at 94 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at 92. That puts AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White if…
- ✓H3 chip doubles ANC performance
- ✓Real-time Live Translate
- ✓Improved fit/heart-rate sensor
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if…
- ✓Best ANC for earbuds
- ✓Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
- ✓Immersive Audio
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testNoise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsCompared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leads on anc (98 vs 96).
Comfort
TieCompared on the comfort sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Features
AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic WhiteCompared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White leads on features (98 vs 90).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | H3 | — |
| Battery | 6 h (ANC) / 35 h case | 6 h (ANC) / 24 h case |
| Connectivity | BT 5.4 | — |
| Water rating | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Release year | 2025 | — |
| Codecs | — | aptX Lossless, SBC, AAC |
AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White
- +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
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- +Best ANC for earbuds
- +Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
- +Immersive Audio
- −Only 6 h battery
- −Case is chunky
- −No wireless charging standard
FAQ: AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Which is better, AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? +
AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White worth the price? +
At $279, AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in features.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worth the price? +
At $299, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in anc.
Does AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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 noise cancelling, AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on anc (98 vs 96). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.
Which is better for features, AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds? +
AirPods Pro 4 · Arctic White — leads on features (98 vs 90). Compared on the features sub-score.