Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) vs. AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000xM5 earbuds

Instead of launching an entirely new model of earbuds, Bose decided to re-release its flagship buds with smarter algorithms and stronger specs. The result is the QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2).

This update sees improvements in active noise cancellation, connectivity and voice calling. Whether it’s good enough to compete with the two most popular entries on the market – the AirPods Pro 3 and the Sony WF-1000xM5 – is up for debate.

I’ve spent the last three weeks testing the second-generation QC Ultra earbuds and I have a few thoughts. Do they rank higher or lower than the true wireless gems from Apple and Sony? Read our in-depth comparison to find out.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) vs Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple surprised everyone by launching the AirPods Pro 3, which come with a $249 MSRP and welcome various enhancements. The $299 QC Ultra earbuds get the job done.

battery life: Once fully charged, the QC Ultra earbuds last for a maximum of 6 hours. This drops to four hours when using spatial audio. The limit of wireless charging case is fixed at 24 hours. A quick 20-minute charge gives you two hours of listening time.

Apple also increased the battery life of the AirPods Pro 3 to 10 hours (eight hours with ANC on). Quick charging left untouched: a five-minute charge is equivalent to an hour of use. The MagSafe charging case sees a reduction of six hours compared to the previous version. Basically, you face the same charges as in the Bose case.

noise cancellation: Bose updated its AI-powered algorithms for stronger noise cancellation. This time the high-frequency sounds were less distracting; Emergency vehicle sirens and my loud baby never broke my concentration. Daily distractions like chatty pedestrians, household appliances, and thunder (how I hate hurricane season in Florida) were muted. The Aware mode was also exceptional, thanks to the eight-mic array that made ambient noise and vocals sound more natural.

Apple isn’t beating Bose on the noise-canceling front. However, its new ANC technology is incredibly effective at reducing unwanted noise. Low- and mid-frequency sounds go unnoticed, and very few high-frequency sounds penetrate the sound landscape. The transparency mode for enhancing ambient awareness is top notch. Other real-time listening methods (for example, conversation mode, live translation) come in handy for some situations.

Sound Performance: The audio is equally good. AirPods Pro 3 have a dynamic soundstage with deep bass response. You can only adjust their frequency ranges when using Apple Music. Personalized spatial audio makes Dolby Atmos content immersive. Apple’s headtracking technology accurately places effects and vocals on the soundscape, creating a sense of realism that no other spatial-audio-enabled buds except the QC Ultra earbuds can duplicate.

Bose’s wide soundstage lets you hear more detail on music tracks. CustomTune technology is used to automatically adjust the sound on the go, and it works better than the AirPods Pro 3’s Adaptive EQ. The companion app has a three-band EQ with presets for adjusting frequencies. Immersive Audio is the best spatial audio format for wireless earbuds and headphones, and delivers impressive 3D sound on all stereo content. You can listen to anything from LimeWire-ripped MP3s to Netflix movies and enjoy high-quality surround sound. This feature is not tied to just one audio technology (cough dolby atmos cough,

Applicability: Apple’s buds connect seamlessly to all brand devices and will be frequently updated with new features through iOS updates. The stem inputs produce solid tactility when pressed. Touch controls operate smoothly for easy volume adjustment. Voice activation works flawlessly (“Hey Siri” is always on). Heart rate monitoring and IP57 dust/water resistance make the buds better fitness companions than the IPX4 sweat-resistant QC Ultra earbuds. Just know that most of the features on the AirPods Pro 3 are specific to iOS.

Expect a better multiplatform experience from the QC Ultra earbuds. Bose makes it easy to pair these buds with iOS/macOS and Android devices. The latter offers Google Fast Pair for one-tap pairing. Bluetooth multipoint can connect the buds to two devices simultaneously, no matter the platform. There are several listening profiles that optimize ANC performance based on different environments or scenarios. The Bose app also lets you personalize the buds in a variety of ways. Responsive touch controls and voice commands complete things.

Should you buy the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) or the AirPods Pro 3?

I can’t recommend the QC Ultra earbuds over the AirPods Pro 3 for one reason: the price. The amount of functionality Apple gives you for under $50 is too good to ignore, although this primarily applies to iPhone owners (read my AirPods Pro 3 review as an Android user). Those who have a Google-powered machine will benefit from the QC Ultra earbuds’ strong noise cancellation and versatile connectivity. Its price is going to be higher.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) vs Sony WF-1000xM5 Earbuds

The WF-1000xM5 have taken the title of best overall wireless earbuds for two years in a row, while the latest QC Ultra earbuds take over the crown of best noise-canceling earbuds from their predecessor. One would think that Bose’s hardware and software advancements would have sealed the deal.

battery life: The WF-1000xM5 gets up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge (eight hours with ANC on). The QC Ultra earbuds have a maximum battery life of six hours. Both wireless charging cases last up to 24 hours. Sony’s buds can generate 1 hour of listening time on a 3-minute charge, while Bose’s buds require 20 minutes for a two-hour charge.

noise cancellation: The QC Ultra earbuds are better at handling high-frequency sounds. It’s a relief to be outside and not be bothered by birds chirping or emergency vehicle sirens. The same applies to chatty shoppers at the grocery store. Background interference during phone calls is minimized. In Aware mode, ambient noises and tones are heard clearly.

The WF-1000xM5 is not far behind. They eliminate about 85% of noise, which is about 5% less than the QC Ultra earbuds. High-frequency sounds are more noticeable, especially on calls. Sony’s 20-level transparency mode is great for eavesdropping on conversations and keeping an eye on the surrounding environment.

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Sound Performance: The soundstage of the QC Ultra earbuds offers rich bass and midrange. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec creates faster bitrate transmission to balance audio quality and low latency when streaming music on Android devices. Immersive audio steals the show by creating a 3D auditory environment with realistic sound that complements all media formats. This technology works with all content in both wired and wireless modes.

Trademark sound technologies push the WF-1000xM5 to another sonic level. Fine-tuned 8.5mm drivers deliver powerful bass, striking mids and transparent highs, resulting in a vibrant mix. My favorite feature for optimizing sound on Sony headphones, DSEE, increases fidelity on compressed low-quality audio files. LDAC provides higher resolution over Bluetooth than aptX Adaptive. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format is fine for 3D audio, but it only works with select DSPs (Amazon Music Unlimited, Deezer). Finally, there’s a 10-band EQ for creating your own sound profile.

Applicability: Both are great multiplatform buds that come with dual-device and fast pair integration. Their companion apps (iOS/Android) extend functionality in various areas. This includes control customization, listening mode activation, and sound personalization. The WF-1000xM5 has a wide selection of features. Touch and volume controls go to the QC Ultra earbuds.

Should you buy the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) or the Sony WF-1000xM5 Earbuds?

The WF-1000xM5 gives you more bang for your buck. We’re talking about strong noise cancellation and Signature Audio powered by Sony’s proprietary sound technologies. Not to mention the extensive feature set and high playtime. Yes, these buds are more expensive at $329, but they’re often on sale (I’ve seen them for as low as $180).

So, should you buy the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2)?

Yes…if you can wait for the price to drop.

At $299, the latest QC Ultra earbuds don’t come cheap. The improvements in call quality and noise cancellation have been greatly appreciated. Plus, they appear to be incremental compared to the previous model, which was previously on sale for $219. This is definitely better value.

It all depends on preference and priority. There’s no denying that the QC Ultra earbuds are an excellent choice and a worthy pick for anyone wanting unique ANC. All other hallmarks on the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000xM5 are either on par or better.