Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2: I compared the best ANC earbuds, and this pair wins

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The latest AirPods Pro 3 are yet here, introducing a scope of caller features, enhanced audio, and improved sound cancellation. However, Apple's caller champion wireless earbuds came soon aft the motorboat of different brace of highly anticipated wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). 

Also: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: I listened to some models, here's who wins

With some released comparatively adjacent together, you mightiness presume that they vie reasonably closely. Do they? Should you bargain the AirPods Pro 3 oregon the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)? I've utilized some extensively. Here are my thoughts.

Specifications

You should bargain the AirPods Pro 3 if...

Jada Jones/ZDNET

1. You usage Apple devices

It's nary concealed that Apple's first-party vantage is undeniable. You'll beryllium capable to usage the AirPods Pro 3 with immoderate of your different Apple devices, switching betwixt those devices automatically You tin entree heart-rate accusation captured by the AirPods Pro 3 successful Apple Health, usage Apple's coagulated Spatial Audio tech (which is really beauteous bully erstwhile you usage it for movies and TV shows) with an Apple TV, and usage your Apple Watch charger to support your AirPods Pro 3 topped up. 

You tin adjacent usage the AirPods Pro 3 with an iPhone for unrecorded translation, which uses on-device AI to construe code successful different languages. Essentially, if you're seeking much than the basal audio-related features, the first-party features offered by the Apple ecosystem apt marque the AirPods Pro 3 a worthwhile purchase.

2. You privation fitness-tracking features

One of the header upgrades to the AirPods Pro 3 is their in-ear bosom complaint monitor. The AirPods Pro 3 tin beryllium utilized arsenic fittingness trackers; adjacent without an Apple Watch, you tin inactive way implicit 50 antithetic types of workouts successful the iPhone's Fitness app. 

Also: AirPods Pro 3 vs. Powerbeats Pro 2: I tested some bosom rate-tracking earbuds, and the victor is not truthful obvious

The Apple Fitness app features Apple's caller Workout Buddy, which utilizes Apple Intelligence to show and analyse your workout data, providing personalized information passim your session. Even if you bash usage an Apple Watch, the bosom complaint information whitethorn beryllium much close erstwhile you usage both, arsenic Apple Health volition harvester the information, alternatively of simply relying connected 1 oregon the other.

3. You privation a much neutral audio response

The audio successful the AirPods Pro 3 is beauteous importantly upgraded implicit the second-generation AirPods. The AirPods Pro 3 present a coagulated bass response, comparatively elaborate highs, and well-tuned mids, resulting successful an wide enjoyable listening experience. 

It's not the astir neutral listening acquisition retired there, but it is much neutral than Bose's earbuds, which much importantly chopped mids successful favour of accrued bass and precocious frequencies. 

You should bargain the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 if...

Jada Jones/ZDNET

1. You don't usage Apple devices

The AirPods Pro 3 are fantabulous earbuds, but the immense bulk of the features that marque them large lone enactment wrong Apple's ecosystem. If you don't usage Apple devices oregon person immoderate devices you privation to usage your earbuds with that aren't made by Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 whitethorn not beryllium the champion enactment for you. 

Also: Bose's QuietComfort Ultra shows the institution inactive outperforms Apple successful 1 cardinal area

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) connection afloat functionality with immoderate Bluetooth-enabled device, and the Bose companion app is compatible with Android and iOS devices. No substance what devices you use, you'll inactive beryllium capable to marque usage of things similar Bose's instrumentality connected spatial audio, a basal EQ, and truthful on.

2. You privation the champion sound cancellation

The AirPods Pro 3 connection fantabulous sound cancellation, efficaciously cutting retired a wide scope of noise, from the hustle and bustle of a engaged metropolis to the dependable of a plane, allowing you to perceive to your euphony oregon podcasts successful peace. But the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) inactive connection somewhat stronger ANC. Where Apple tin earnestly quieten audio, Bose tin wholly soundlessness it. 

Also: I tried Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds' AI sound cancelling, and can't spell backmost to regular ANC

Bose's ANC does adhd immoderate hiss to the background, but it's not noticeable astatine mean measurement oregon above, truthful it apt won't fuss you. 

3. You privation much power implicit however your audio sounds

The EQ built into the Bose app is beauteous subpar. You'll lone get 3 EQ bands, and they're not adjacent labeled with existent frequencies; instead, they're simply labeled "bass," "mids," and "treble." Still, Bose's buds have an EQ. 

AirPods are notorious for lacking a existent equalizer, and whether the crushed is that Apple doesn't privation radical tweaking what it sees arsenic a cleanable dependable profile, oregon thing else, the extremity effect is that if you privation to tweak however audio sounds, you'll request to opt for the Bose earbuds. It's ironic because, retired of the box, the AirPods bash dependable a small much neutral. They're conscionable not customizable. 

Writer's choice

Personally, I urge the AirPods Pro 3 to anyone who uses Apple products. They're fantabulous earbuds that dependable large and acceptable comfortably, and the other features that integrate into Apple's ecosystem marque important improvements to mundane usage. However, if you don't usage Apple products, they whitethorn not beryllium the close prime for you, and you should see Bose's earbuds arsenic an alternative.