Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
CustomTune · ANC · 6hr
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case
H3 · Adaptive ANC · Real-time translation
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) lands at 89 and AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case at 94. That puts AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- ✓Best-in-class ANC for earbuds
- ✓CustomTune calibrates per ear
- ✓IP54 sweat resistance
Pick AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case if…
- ✓H3 chip doubles ANC performance
- ✓Real-time Live Translate
- ✓Improved fit/heart-rate sensor
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testNoise cancelling
TieCompared on the noise cancelling sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Features
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case leads on features (98 vs 84).
Sound
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard caseCompared on the sound sub-score
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case leads on sound (92 vs 88).
Value for money
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) more score per dollar ($229 vs $279).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) | AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Custom dynamic | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | — |
| Codecs | aptX Adaptive + AAC + SBC | — |
| Battery | 6 hr (24 hr with case) | 6 h (ANC) / 35 h case |
| Charging | USB-C / Qi | — |
| Weight | 6.2 g per bud | — |
| IP rating | IP54 | — |
| Chip | — | H3 |
| Connectivity | — | BT 5.4 |
| Water rating | — | IP57 |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- +Best-in-class ANC for earbuds
- +CustomTune calibrates per ear
- +IP54 sweat resistance
- −No multipoint at launch
- −Bose app slow
- −Bulky compared to AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case
- +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
FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case
Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case? +
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth the price? +
At $229, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in anc.
Is AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case worth the price? +
At $279, AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in features.
Does Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · 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 features, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case? +
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case — leads on features (98 vs 84). Compared on the features sub-score.
Which is better for sound, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2nd Gen) or AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case? +
AirPods Pro 4 · Midnight Black · standard case — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Compared on the sound sub-score.