It's an exciting time in wireless audio, with two major players releasing updated earbuds that promise better sound and smarter features. Let's compare the $179 Apple AirPods 4 and $179 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds to help you make the right choice for your needs.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's models pack impressive technology into tiny packages - active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out environmental noise), spatial audio (creating a 3D sound experience), and smart features that adapt to your surroundings.
Both these models represent 2024 releases, bringing notable improvements over their predecessors. The AirPods 4 finally add active noise cancellation to the regular AirPods line, while the Bose QuietComfort refines their already excellent noise cancellation and adds better battery life.
Here's where these earbuds take fundamentally different approaches. Apple sticks with their signature open-ear design - there's no rubber tip sealing your ear canal. This makes them incredibly comfortable for many users and lets you maintain better awareness of your surroundings. However, it also means less bass response and weaker noise isolation.
Bose takes the traditional sealed approach with silicone tips in multiple sizes. This creates better isolation and enables stronger bass, but some users find sealed designs less comfortable for long sessions. The Bose also includes stabilizing fins, making them more secure for exercise.
From my testing, I find the AirPods 4 more comfortable for long work sessions, but the Bose definitely wins for commuting or travel where isolation matters more.
Let's talk audio quality. The Bose QuietComfort delivers a richer, fuller sound with noticeably better bass response. This is partly due to the sealed design, but also Bose's acoustic engineering. They've tuned these for a slightly warm signature that works well across most music genres. Rock, hip-hop, and electronic music especially benefit from the stronger low end.
The AirPods 4 take a different approach, focusing on clarity and detail in the midrange where voices and most instruments live. They sound impressively open and natural, but bass-heavy music can feel a bit thin. However, they have a secret weapon: spatial audio. This feature creates a convincing 3D soundstage for compatible content, making them excellent for movies and TV shows. When watching content on an Apple device, the sound feels like it's coming from the screen, even as you move your head.
This is where the design differences really show. The Bose QuietComfort earbuds offer class-leading noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or train noise. The sealed design provides passive isolation, while the active noise cancellation effectively reduces both constant and varying noise.
The AirPods 4's open design limits their noise cancellation effectiveness, particularly for low frequencies. However, they do a decent job with mid and high-frequency noise, and their Adaptive Audio feature intelligently adjusts noise cancellation based on your environment. This works surprisingly well for office environments where you want some awareness of your surroundings.
Battery life is straightforward: the Bose wins handily with 8.5 hours per charge versus the AirPods' 5 hours (both with noise cancellation enabled). The Bose case provides additional charges for 29 total hours, while the AirPods case gives you 20 hours total.
Both support wireless charging and use USB-C, a welcome standard across both models. Quick charging is available on both, though the specifics differ slightly.
Here's where Apple's ecosystem advantage shines. The AirPods 4 offer seamless switching between Apple devices, instant pairing, Find My integration, and hands-free Siri access. The spatial audio feature, while not unique to Apple, works better in their ecosystem and adds significant value for movie watching.
The Bose QuietComfort works well across all platforms and offers more customization through their app, including adjustable EQ and custom button controls. They also support multipoint pairing, letting you connect to two devices simultaneously - something the AirPods can only do within the Apple ecosystem.
For home theater use, the choice largely depends on your setup. The AirPods 4's spatial audio creates an impressive virtual surround sound experience with Apple TV and supported apps. The effect is quite convincing for movies and shows, making them a strong choice for solo viewing.
The Bose offers stronger bass and better isolation, which can make action movies more immersive. However, they lack the spatial audio processing of the AirPods. They do work well with any TV or streaming device, while the AirPods' best features require an Apple device.
Choose the AirPods 4 if:
Choose the Bose QuietComfort if:
Both the Apple AirPods 4 and Bose QuietComfort are excellent earbuds that take different approaches to solve similar problems. Your choice should ultimately depend on how you plan to use them and which features matter most to you.
| $179 Apple AirPods 4 | $179 Bose QuietComfort |
|---|---|
| Design & Fit - Determines comfort, isolation, and bass response | |
| Open-ear design, no tips, lighter at 4.3g | In-ear sealed design with tips/fins, 6.2g |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use without recharging | |
| 5 hours (20 total with case) | 8.5 hours (29 total with case) |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for commuting and travel | |
| Moderate ANC, limited by open design | Superior ANC with sealed design, great for travel |
| Sound Signature - Affects music enjoyment and content experience | |
| Balanced, mid-focused, lighter bass | Fuller sound, stronger bass, better isolation |
| Special Features - Can significantly impact daily usability | |
| Spatial Audio, seamless Apple integration | MultiPoint pairing, customizable EQ |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise and outdoor use | |
| IP54 (dust and water resistant) | IPX4 (water resistant only) |
| Case Size - Affects pocket-ability and portability | |
| Compact case (46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2mm) | Larger case (55.3 x 87.3 x 25.9mm) |
| Quick Charging - Helpful for last-minute power needs | |
| 1 hour playback from 5 min charge | 2 hours playback from 15 min charge |
| Controls - Essential for daily interaction | |
| Force sensor stems, limited customization | Touch panels, fully customizable |
The $179 Apple AirPods 4 offer superior spatial audio features that create a virtual surround sound experience when watching movies, especially with Apple devices. While the $179 Bose QuietComfort provide better bass and isolation, they lack the immersive spatial audio processing that makes the AirPods 4 particularly good for home theater use.
The Bose QuietComfort significantly outperform the AirPods 4 in noise cancellation due to their sealed design with ear tips. This makes them better for noisy environments like airplanes or commuting.
The Bose QuietComfort offer 8.5 hours per charge (29 hours total with case), while the AirPods 4 provide 5 hours (20 hours total with case).
The AirPods 4 integrate seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, offering instant pairing, automatic switching, and Find My functionality. The Bose QuietComfort work well but lack these ecosystem benefits.
The AirPods 4 typically feel lighter and more comfortable for long sessions due to their open design. The Bose QuietComfort offer a more secure fit but some users find the sealed design less comfortable over time.
The Bose QuietComfort deliver notably stronger bass due to their sealed design, while the AirPods 4 have lighter bass response due to their open-ear design.
Both models work with any Bluetooth-enabled TV, but the AirPods 4 offer special features when used with Apple TV. The Bose QuietComfort maintain consistent performance across all platforms.
The AirPods 4 have lower latency when used with Apple devices, making them better for gaming within the Apple ecosystem. The Bose QuietComfort may experience more lag depending on the device.
The Bose QuietComfort offer a more secure fit with ear tips and fins, making them better for vigorous movement. The AirPods 4 may require more frequent adjustment during exercise.
The AirPods 4 generally offer better call quality with superior voice isolation, though both models perform well. Background noise reduction is slightly better on the AirPods 4.
The AirPods 4 create a more convincing virtual surround sound experience through spatial audio, especially when watching movies. The Bose QuietComfort provide excellent stereo but lack specialized surround processing.
Both the $179 AirPods 4 and $179 Bose QuietComfort justify their premium price points, but for different users. The AirPods 4 offer better value for Apple users and movie watchers, while the Bose excel for travelers and audiophiles seeking maximum noise cancellation.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: tomsguide.com - apple.com - youtube.com - apple.com - staples.com - support.apple.com - connection.com - support.apple.com - pcrichard.com - adorama.com - zones.com - cdw.com - techradar.com - rtings.com - global.bose.com - cnet.com - bose.com - bestbuy.com - tomsguide.com - abt.com - boselatam.com - boseapac.com - audioxpress.com - cdw.com
