Head to head
AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): ANC, battery, water resistance, codecs and a $120 price gap. Here's which to buy.
PCMag and SoundGuys call the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) class-leading for noise cancelling. But SoundGuys also measured the AirPods Pro 3's ANC as among the best of any earbud, and the Apple pair is cheaper, better protected against water and longer-lasting per charge. The question is whether Bose's ANC edge is worth the extra money.
This is an editorial comparison built from manufacturer specs and published reviews, not our own testing. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026, and they move often. On that day the AirPods Pro 3 cost about $120 less.
Option A
Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Earbuds ANC
- ~$179
- Sep 2025
- iPhone
The default earbuds for iPhone owners, with ANC SoundGuys ranks among the best of any earbud.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Value
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Apple AirPods Pro 3Option B
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- Earbuds ANC
- ~$299
- 2025
- Any phone
The noise-cancelling earbuds to buy when silence matters more than price or battery life.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
- Workouts
- 3 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)Spec sheet
Side by side
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. Amazon price (Oct 2026) | ~$179Edge | ~$299 |
| List price | $249Edge | $299 |
| Battery | Up to 8 h with ANC; up to 24 h with caseEdge | 6 h (4 h with Immersive Audio); 24 h with case |
| Weight | 5.55 g per budEdge | ~7.3 g per bud |
| Water resistance | IP57 (buds and case)Edge | IPX4 |
| Codecs | Not specified | aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound |
| Multipoint | Not specified | Yes |
| Case charging | USB-C, MagSafe or Qi | Wireless charging case |
| Fit | Five ear-tip sizes | Stability bands; CustomTune |
| Health & hearing | Heart-rate sensing; Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection | Not specified |
| ANC (review consensus) | Among the best of any earbud in SoundGuys' measurements | Class-leading (PCMag, SoundGuys)Edge |
| Best for | iPhone owners; value | Android users with aptX Adaptive who want maximum ANC |
Manufacturer specs and published reviews; prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. “Edge” marks the side we think comes out ahead on that row.
Fit scores
How you listen, scored
| Scenario | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel / commute | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Office calls | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Workouts | 4 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Music listening | 3 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Gaming / latency | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Value | 5 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
Editorial fit scores, 1–5 — not lab measurements. Higher score per row highlighted.
Choose the AirPods Pro 3 if…
- You use an iPhone and want the better value: ~$179 against ~$299.
- You work out or commute in the rain. The buds and case are rated IP57; the Bose is IPX4.
- You want more listening per charge: up to 8 hours with ANC, against 6 for the Bose.
- You want heart-rate sensing, hearing health features and Live Translation.
Choose the QC Ultra Earbuds if…
- Noise cancelling matters more than anything. PCMag and SoundGuys call it class-leading.
- Your Android phone supports aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound.
- You switch between a phone and a laptop and want multipoint.
- Earbuds tend to fall out of your ears. Bose includes stability bands, and reviewers praise the fit as comfortable.
Our verdict
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Buy the AirPods Pro 3, especially if you own an iPhone. They're about $120 cheaper, rated IP57 instead of IPX4, lighter, longer-lasting per charge, and their ANC is among the best of any earbud by SoundGuys' measurements. The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds keep the ANC crown by PCMag and SoundGuys' consensus, so choose them if you're on Android with aptX Adaptive and quiet matters more than price.
Watch
The matchup on video
Video by SoundGuys on YouTube. Their views are their own.
Frequently asked questions
Which has better noise cancelling, AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds?
The Bose, by PCMag and SoundGuys' consensus; both call its earbud ANC class-leading. That doesn't make the AirPods weak: SoundGuys also measured the AirPods Pro 3's ANC as among the best of any earbud. You pay about $120 more for Bose's edge at October 5 prices.
Are the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds worth it on an iPhone?
For most iPhone owners, no. iPhones don't support aptX, so the Bose's aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound goes unused. You'd pay ~$299 against ~$179 for Bose's ANC edge, while giving up IP57 water resistance and two hours of battery per charge. Pick the Bose on an iPhone only if maximum quiet outweighs everything else.
Which is better for the gym, AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds?
The AirPods Pro 3. IPX4 means splash resistance, while IP57 adds dust protection and survives brief submersion, and Apple rates both buds and case IP57. They're lighter (5.55 g vs ~7.3 g per bud) and earn a workouts fit score of 4 to the Bose's 3. The Bose's stability bands do help keep the buds in place.
Disclosure: Independent editorial comparison based on published reviews and manufacturer specs, not our own lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.