AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QC Earbuds II
Apple brings the AirPods Pro 3; Bose answers with the QC Earbuds II. Both play in the premium wireless earbuds class. The scorecard favors the AirPods Pro 3, which leads in 2 of 3 areas. Its strongest showing is in the battery & charging category. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the AirPods Pro 3 undercut the QC Earbuds II by $50.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging AirPods Pro 3 wins
- Features & Connectivity AirPods Pro 3 wins
- Price AirPods Pro 3 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.8
- 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
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The AirPods Pro 3 has 2 h more listening per charge
Few buyers will miss this one. The AirPods Pro 3 brings 8 h to the table; the QC Earbuds II brings 6 h. The AirPods Pro 3 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
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The AirPods Pro 3 has a tougher IP57 rating
When it comes to water resistance, the AirPods Pro 3 wins comfortably with IP57 against IPX4. Water resistance ratings describe lab conditions and don’t make the pair safe for swimming unless stated.
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The AirPods Pro 3 has wireless charging
This is a feature gap rather than a spec gap: the QC Earbuds II simply lacks it. Wireless charging lets you drop the case on a charging pad instead of hunting for a cable.
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The AirPods Pro 3 has built-in heart-rate sensing
If you’ve come to rely on built-in heart-rate sensing, note that the QC Earbuds II leaves it out. The AirPods Pro 3 can measure your heart rate during exercise; the QC Earbuds II leaves that to other devices.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stability bands |
| Water resistance | IP57 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.20 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Case weight | 1.55 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
If sound & noise cancelling matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Net result on sound & noise cancelling: level.
Battery & Charging
AirPods Pro 3 leads
The AirPods Pro 3 clearly takes the battery & charging round. On its side, the AirPods Pro 3 has 2 h more listening per charge. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips. If this section decides it for you, choose the AirPods Pro 3.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods Pro 3: 8 h QC Earbuds II: 6 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Wireless charging
AirPods Pro 3: yes QC Earbuds II: no If you already own a wireless pad, the AirPods Pro 3 fits right into your routine.
Features & Connectivity
AirPods Pro 3 leads
Call it a small but real win for the AirPods Pro 3 in this area. The AirPods Pro 3 delivers built-in heart-rate sensing. If you already wear a fitness tracker, this feature is a nice extra rather than a must-have. For anyone who cares most about features & connectivity, the AirPods Pro 3 is the safer choice.
Heart-rate sensing
AirPods Pro 3: yes QC Earbuds II: no Built-in heart-rate sensing lets you track workouts without wearing a watch or chest strap.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | 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 3 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8 h (winner) | 6 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 24 h | 24 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes (winner) | No |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Heart-rate sensing | Yes (winner) | 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 3 | QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stability bands |
| Water resistance | IP57 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.20 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Case weight | 1.55 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | 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
The AirPods Pro 3 launched at $50 less than the QC Earbuds II, a gap of 20%. Less money, more wins: the AirPods Pro 3 beats the QC Earbuds II on value by a clear margin and saves $50.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods Pro 3 if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (8 h vs 6 h per charge)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP57 vs IPX4)
- you already own a wireless charging pad
- you like tracking your heart rate during workouts without a watch
- you want more value for your money ($50 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the AirPods Pro 3 or the QC Earbuds II?
On the specs compared here, the AirPods Pro 3 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 3 or the QC Earbuds II?
The AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead on battery (single charge), with 8 h compared with 6 h on the QC Earbuds II.
Is the AirPods Pro 3 cheaper than the QC Earbuds II?
At launch, the AirPods Pro 3 undercut the QC Earbuds II by $50. These figures are as of September 2025, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
The AirPods Pro 3 versus the QC Earbuds II is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Apple and Bose made different bets. Here’s what matters most to me: the AirPods Pro 3 offers 2 h more listening per charge. Then there’s a tougher IP57 rating, another point for the AirPods Pro 3.
I’d match them like this: battery & charging to the AirPods Pro 3, the things a spec sheet can’t capture to the QC Earbuds II.
My pick: the AirPods Pro 3.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.