AirPods Pro 2 vs QC Earbuds II
Apple versus Bose: the AirPods Pro 2 and the QC Earbuds II go after the same premium wireless earbuds buyer. The AirPods Pro 2 wins more of the areas that we compared (1 of 3), and its most convincing lead is in battery & charging. Money matters here as well, since the QC Earbuds II started out $50 above the AirPods Pro 2.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging AirPods Pro 2 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price AirPods Pro 2 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.7
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The AirPods Pro 2 has 6 h more total battery with the case
The spread here is large: 30 h on the AirPods Pro 2 versus 24 h on the QC Earbuds II. Expect to notice it. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
-
The AirPods Pro 2 has a tougher IP54 rating
The AirPods Pro 2 is slightly stronger on water resistance. The gap, IP54 versus IPX4, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. Water resistance ratings describe lab conditions and don’t make the pair safe for swimming unless stated.
-
The AirPods Pro 2 has wireless charging
Having wireless charging gives the AirPods Pro 2 one more thing the QC Earbuds II can’t match. Wireless charging lets you drop the case on a charging pad instead of hunting for a cable.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Pro 2 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stability bands |
| Water resistance | IP54 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.19 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Case weight | 1.79 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if sound & noise cancelling was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. On sound & noise cancelling alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Battery & Charging
AirPods Pro 2 leads
The AirPods Pro 2 wins the battery & charging section decisively. The AirPods Pro 2 adds 6 h more total battery with the case. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience. That makes the AirPods Pro 2 the natural choice for buyers focused on battery & charging.
Battery (with case)
AirPods Pro 2: 30 h QC Earbuds II: 24 h The AirPods Pro 2’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
Wireless charging
AirPods Pro 2: yes QC Earbuds II: no Wireless charging is slower than a cable, but it’s about convenience rather than speed.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
If features & connectivity matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. The features & connectivity verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods Pro 2 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | N/A (not specified) |
| Bluetooth codecs | N/A (not specified) | SBC, AAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods Pro 2 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 6 h | 6 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 30 h (winner) | 24 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes (winner) | No |
| Charging port | USB-C (Lightning on the original 2022 version) | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods Pro 2 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Hearing health features | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection | N/A (not specified) |
| Controls | Force sensor, swipe for volume | Touch (tap and swipe) |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Pro 2 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stability bands |
| Water resistance | IP54 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.19 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Case weight | 1.79 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | AirPods Pro 2 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $249 (winner) | $299 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
You pay $50 extra for the QC Earbuds II at launch prices, a difference of 20%. Spending less doesn’t mean getting less here: the AirPods Pro 2 undercuts the QC Earbuds II by $50 and still leads overall.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of September 2022. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if…
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (30 h vs 24 h)
- you want the tougher water resistance rating (IP54 vs IPX4)
- you want wireless charging
- you want more value for your money ($50 less at launch)
Choose the QC Earbuds II if…
- you’re comfortable with how Bose does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the AirPods Pro 2 or the QC Earbuds II?
On the specs compared here, the AirPods Pro 2 makes more sense for most buyers; the QC Earbuds II doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 or the QC Earbuds II?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the AirPods Pro 2 and the QC Earbuds II are too close to call.
Is the AirPods Pro 2 cheaper than the QC Earbuds II?
The QC Earbuds II launched at $50 more than the AirPods Pro 2, based on prices as of September 2022.
Executive Summary
Let’s set the logos aside for a minute. The AirPods Pro 2 and the QC Earbuds II are close competitors, and their spec sheets tell an interesting story. The AirPods Pro 2 wins me over with 6 h more total battery with the case. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the AirPods Pro 2 has a tougher IP54 rating.
Your priorities do the choosing here: battery & charging points to the AirPods Pro 2, the things a spec sheet can’t capture to the QC Earbuds II.
My pick: the AirPods Pro 2.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.