Bose Answers the AirPods 4 With the QuietComfort Earbuds

Bose already has a response to Apple’s imminent AirPods 4 with the noise-cancelling QuietComfort Earbuds.

The second-generation in-ears are built for “active, everyday” users and mate six-microphone active noise cancellation (ANC) with snug-fitting eartips, stabilizing bands, and workout-ready IPX4 water resistance. You might not need higher-end buds whether you’re exercising or on a commute.

Battery life is also a potential draw. Bose claims up to 8.5 hours of playback with the QuietComfort Earbuds themselves (likely with ANC off), and another 2.5 charges from the wireless charging case. While you’ll need 1.5 hours for a full charge, a 20-minute top-up is enough to provide another three hours of listening.

As with many modern earbuds, the Bose offering includes a transparency mode (Aware), multipoint device connections, and app-based EQ adjustments. You can activate whichever voice assistant you use through a “hey headphones” command, though, and you can use your earbuds as a remote camera trigger for self-portraits. You’ll likewise find low-lag audio for gaming and voice-based sound calibration.

The QuietComfort Earbuds are available now from Bose in three colors for $179.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds vs. AirPods 4

The features and pricing pit the Bose earbuds directly against the AirPods 4 with Noise Cancellation. Both have their namesake ANC features and wireless charging cases.

There are marked differences that could influence your choices. The AirPods don’t have eartips, so their ANC is more about lowering the volume of unwanted noises than eliminating them entirely. The design could also make them more prone to falling out of your ears if you don’t have a good fit. Some people prefer that design to let in ambient sounds and make the buds easier to clean, however.

A battery life comparison is difficult without ANC enabled on both models. Apple has an official dust resistance rating in addition to water (IP54), so the AirPods 4 might be more viable than the QuietComfort Earbuds at the beach or during hikes.

Your choice of phone might play a factor. If you’re using Android or Windows, the AirPods 4 lose signature features like seamless audio switching and always-available voice controls. iPhone and Mac owners, meanwhile, get tight feature integration that just isn’t available with the Bose hardware.

There’s also a wildcard element. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and other higher-end earbuds frequently go on sale, in some cases as low as $199. At that price, there’s little reason to choose either the AirPods 4 or the QuietComfort Earbuds if you’re deep into the Apple ecosystem.