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

Rather than launch a completely 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 that’s enough to compete with the market’s two most popular entries — the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000xM5 — is up for debate.

I’ve spent the past three weeks testing the second-gen QC Ultra Earbuds and have some thoughts. Do they rank higher or lower than Apple and Sony’s true wireless gems? Read our in-depth comparison to find out.

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

Apple surprised everyone when it debuted the AirPods Pro 3, which carry a $249 MSRP and welcome various enhancements. The $299 QC Ultra Earbuds have their work cut out for them.

Battery life: A full charge nets the QC Ultra Earbuds a max of 6 hours. That drops to four hours when using spatial audio. The wireless charging case is capped at 24 hours. A 20-minute quick charge gets you two hours of listening time.

Apple increased the AirPods Pro 3’s battery life to 10 hours (eight hours with ANC on). Quick charging was left untouched: a five-minute charge equals one hour of use. The MagSafe charging case sees a six-hour decrease from the previous version. Essentially, you’re left with the same number of charges as the Bose case.

Noise cancellation: Bose updated its AI-driven algorithms for stronger noise neutralization. High-frequency sounds were less distracting this time around; emergency vehicle sirens and my loud toddler never broke my concentration. Daily disruptors like chatty pedestrians, household appliances, and thunder (how I loathe hurricane season in Florida) were muted. Aware mode was also exceptional, thanks to an 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 minimizing unwanted noises. Low- and mid-frequency sounds go unnoticed, and very few high-frequency sounds enter the soundscape. Transparency mode is top-notch for increasing ambient awareness. Other real-time listening modes (e.g., Conversation Mode, Live Translation) come in handy for certain situations.

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

Bose’s wide soundstage lets you hear more detail on music tracks. CustomTune technology is employed to auto-adjust sound on the go, and it works better than the AirPods Pro 3’s adaptive EQ. In the companion app is a three-band EQ with presets to tweak frequencies. Immersive Audio is the best spatial audio format for wireless earbuds and headphones, and delivers convincing 3D sound on all stereo content. You can listen to anything from Limewire-ripped MP3s to Netflix movies and enjoy high-quality surround sound. The feature isn’t tied to just one audio technology (cough Dolby Atmos cough).

Usability: Apple’s buds seamlessly connect to all brand devices and will be updated frequently with new features via 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 point). Heart rate monitoring and IP57 dust/water resistance make the buds a better fitness companion than the IPX4 sweat-resistant QC Ultra Earbuds. Just know that most of the AirPods Pro 3’s features are exclusive to iOS.

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

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

I can’t recommend the QC Ultra Earbuds over the AirPods Pro 3 for one reason: price. The amount of functionality Apple gives you for $50 less is too good to pass up, though this applies mainly to iPhone owners (read my AirPods Pro 3 review as an Android user). Those who own a Google-operated machine will benefit from the QC Ultra Earbuds’ tenacious noise cancellation and versatile connectivity. It’s just going to cost more.

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

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

Battery life: A single charge gives the WF-1000xM5 up to 12 hours of listening time (eight hours with ANC on). The QC Ultra Earbuds max out at six hours. Both wireless charging cases hold up to 24 hours. Sony’s buds can generate 1 hour of listening time on a 3-minute charge, whereas Bose’s buds require 20 minutes for two hours.

Noise cancellation: The QC Ultra Earbuds are better at handling high-frequency sounds. It is relieving to walk outside and not be bothered by bird chirping or emergency vehicle sirens. The same goes for talkative shoppers at the grocery store. Background interference is minimized during phone calls. Ambient noises and vocals sound clear in Aware mode.

The WF-1000xM5 aren’t far behind. They eliminate close to 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 fantastic for eavesdropping on conversations and keeping tabs on surroundings.

Sound performance: The QC Ultra Earbuds’ soundstage delivers rich bass and midrange. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec creates faster bitrate transmission to balance audio quality and lower latency when streaming music on an Android device. Immersive Audio steals the show by creating a 3D listening environment with realistic sound that complements all media formats. The technology works with all content, in both wired and wireless mode.

Trademark sound technologies push the WF-1000xM5 to another sonic level. The fine-tuned 8.5mm drivers dish out punchy bass, striking mids, and transparent highs, culminating in vibrant mixes. My favorite feature for optimizing sound on Sony headphones, DSEE, upscales fidelity on compressed low-quality audio files. LDAC grants 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). Lastly, there’s the 10-band EQ to create your own sound profile.

Usability: Both are terrific 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 wider selection of perks. Touch and volume controls go to the QC Ultra Earbuds.

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

The WF-1000xM5 get you more bang for your buck. We’re talking robust noise cancellation and signature audio powered by Sony’s proprietary sound technologies. Not to mention a broader feature set and higher playtimes. Yes, these buds are more expensive at $329, but they are frequently 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 a price drop.

At $299, the newest QC Ultra Earbuds don’t come cheap. Boosts in call quality and noise cancellation are greatly appreciated. At the same time, they seem incremental compared to the previous model, which were previously on sale for $219. That’s certainly the better value.

It all comes down to preference and priority. There’s no denying that the QC Ultra Earbuds are an excellent option and a worthy pickup for anyone seeking unbeatable ANC. All other hallmarks are either equal or superior on the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000xM5.