Apple brings heart rate tracking and live translation while Bose doubles down on the best noise cancelling in the business. Here is how the two flagship earbuds stack up.
8.0
KADS SCORE
Quick Take
The AirPods Pro 3 ($249) add heart rate sensing, live translation, and up to twice the noise cancelling of the Pro 2, plus up to 8 hours of battery per charge. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen ($299) counter with legendary Bose noise cancelling, CustomTune personalized audio, and immersive spatial sound. Apple wins on ecosystem features; Bose wins on pure quiet.
Loves
- AirPods Pro 3 add heart rate sensing and live translation through Apple Intelligence
- Bose delivers best in class noise cancelling with CustomTune calibration
- Both support multipoint pairing and wireless charging cases
- AirPods offer hearing aid and hearing test features via iOS
- Bose Immersive Audio adds spatial depth for music and movies
Not For
- Bose costs $50 more at full retail
- AirPods Pro 3 only come in white
- Bose battery life is shorter at up to 6 hours per charge
- AirPods best features require a recent iPhone
The Details
Full Review
Quality
Both pairs are flagship build quality: snug silicone tips, wireless charging cases, and refined touch controls. Bose ships a fit kit with three tip and three stability band sizes; Apple includes five ear tip sizes from XXS to large.
Value
At $249 the AirPods Pro 3 undercut Bose by $50 while adding health and translation features Apple users will love. The Bose buds justify $299 with the strongest noise cancelling available. Both drop near $200 during sales, where either is a steal.
You’ll Love It If
iPhone owners who want health tracking and seamless device switching should pick the AirPods Pro 3. Commuters and frequent flyers who want the quietest ride possible should pick the Bose buds.
Skip It If
Budget shoppers should look at mid range models from Sony or Nothing instead. Android users get less out of the AirPods Pro 3 best features.
FINAL VERDICT
Pick the AirPods Pro 3 for features and Apple integration at $249. Pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen for maximum noise cancelling at $299. There is no wrong answer at flagship level.
8.0 / 10
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