Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods 4: 58% of 113 owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple AirPods 4

58%of 113 owners recommend
58% recommend · 15% neutral · 27% don't
Owners praise
  • Very comfortable for long wear, no silicone tips in the ear canal
  • ANC is impressive for an open, non-sealed earbud
  • Noticeably better sound than older AirPods
Owners complain about
  • Fall out or work loose with movement since there are no ear tips
  • Short battery life, especially with ANC on
  • ANC is weaker and more limited than the sealed Pro 2
Full owner report →

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

34%of 50 owners recommend
34% recommend · 14% neutral · 52% don't
Owners praise
  • Noise cancellation is best-in-class, making flights, gyms, vacuums, and noisy stores go nearly silent
  • Fit is extremely comfortable for all-day wear and the eartips/wings stay locked in during workouts
  • Sound quality is rich with punchy, deep bass that owners rate above AirPods Pro and similar Sony models
Owners complain about
  • Bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7
  • A faint static, hiss, or high-pitched "mosquito" sound shows up in the left earbud, especially with ANC on
  • Call and mic quality can be muffled or noisy, with people on the other end struggling to hear the caller clearly
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Apple AirPods 4 if
  • ✓People who dislike silicone in-ear tips
  • ✓Unusual ear shapes that reject Pro tips
  • ✓Calls in windy, noisy places needing a strong mic
  • ✓Everyday commuting and around-the-house listening
Skip it if
  • Running and workouts, where they slip out
  • Long days needing extended battery life
Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
  • ✓Frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation
  • ✓Gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit
  • ✓Bass fans who like an immersive, punchy sound
  • ✓Commuters silencing crowds, restaurants and offices
Skip it if
  • People needing rock-solid Bluetooth after firmware updates
  • Listeners bothered by faint hiss they can't fully disable

What Apple AirPods 4 owners say

“SON GENIALES ! El sonido es muy bueno”
— @ing.alanaranda1317 on YouTube
“son muchísimo mas cómodos que otras versiones, pese a no tener cancelación de ruido son muy pero muy buenos”
— @emmanuelcastro749 on YouTube
“la verdad son un desperdicio los 4ta y no traen cable”
— @silvestre_7439 on YouTube

What Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) owners say

“I will be returning my AP3 and just sticking with the Bose gen 2.”
— @triniflyer8685 on YouTube
“They’re my instant new favorite.”
— @Thegonagle on YouTube
“I wish Bose would fix the microphone during calls most people tell me they hear excessive noise when I am on a call if I am in a noisy environment”
— @ait0317 on YouTube

Apple AirPods 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): frequently asked questions

Is the Apple AirPods 4 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) better?

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods 4: 58% of 113 owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Who should get the Apple AirPods 4?

Owners point the Apple AirPods 4 at people who dislike silicone in-ear tips, and unusual ear shapes that reject Pro tips.

Who should get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation, and gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Apple AirPods 4 is fall out or work loose with movement since there are no ear tips. For the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), it's bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7.