When it comes to high-end wireless earbuds in 2024, two compelling options stand out: the newer LG TONE Free T90Q ($229.99) and the established Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($249.95). Let's dive into what makes each special and who they're best for.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since their early days of spotty connections and mediocre sound. Today's premium models offer features that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago: spatial audio that tracks your head movement, noise cancellation that adapts to your environment, and even UV cleaning technology.
The Bose QuietComfort earbuds, released in 2020, set a high bar for noise cancellation and sound quality. Three years later, the LG T90Q arrived with innovative features that showcase how far the technology has advanced.
Let's start with what matters most: how they sound.
The Bose QuietComfort earbuds deliver what I'd call a "reference quality" sound – natural, balanced, and true to the original recording. They use something called Volume-optimized Active EQ, which automatically adjusts various frequencies as you change volume levels. This means your music sounds consistent whether you're listening quietly or cranking it up.
The LG T90Q takes a different approach, offering Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking. This means when you turn your head, the sound stays fixed in space, as if you're listening to real speakers. It's particularly impressive for movies and TV shows, making them more immersive. However, the sound can sometimes feel a bit processed compared to the Bose.
For home theater use, the LG T90Q has a clever trick: its case doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter. You can plug it into any audio source (like a TV) using the included cable, and it will wirelessly send that audio to the earbuds. This is fantastic for late-night movie watching without disturbing others.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external noise and create inverse sound waves to cancel it out. However, they implement it differently.
The Bose QuietComfort is still the king of noise cancellation. It's particularly effective at blocking low-frequency sounds like airplane engines, train rumble, or air conditioner hum. In my experience testing both on flights, the Bose consistently creates a more peaceful environment.
The LG T90Q's noise cancellation is good but not quite at the same level. However, it offers more customization options through its app, letting you adjust exactly how much external sound you want to let in. This can be helpful in situations where you need to stay aware of your surroundings.
Here's how they stack up:
This is where the LG T90Q really shines, offering several unique features:
The Bose QuietComfort focuses more on perfecting the basics:
After extensive testing, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The Bose QuietComfort wins here due to its superior noise cancellation and more stable fit in your ears. The sound isolation makes a real difference on noisy trains or buses.
The LG T90Q takes the lead thanks to its transmitter case and Dolby Atmos support. Watching movies feels more cinematic, and the low latency means audio stays perfectly synced with video.
Both perform well, but the LG T90Q's multi-point connection makes it easier to switch between your phone and computer. However, the Bose has better call quality for video meetings.
The Bose QuietComfort's more secure fit and better sweat resistance make it the better choice for workouts.
While the Bose QuietComfort launched at $249.95, it's often available for less now that it's been on the market longer. The LG T90Q maintains its $229.99 price but offers more features.
Think about your priorities:
Consider these questions:
Your answers should point you toward one or the other:
Choose the LG T90Q if:
Choose the Bose QuietComfort if:
Both the LG T90Q and Bose QuietComfort are excellent earbuds that showcase different priorities in design and functionality. The Bose excels at the fundamentals of sound quality and noise cancellation, while the LG pushes the envelope with innovative features and versatility.
For most users, I'd recommend the Bose QuietComfort if you can find it at a good price. Its superior noise cancellation and sound quality make it a safer choice. However, if you're excited about spatial audio and want the latest features, the LG T90Q offers an impressive package that's particularly good for home theater use.
Remember, the best choice depends entirely on your specific needs and how you plan to use them. Consider your priorities and choose accordingly.
| LG TONE Free T90Q ($229.99) | Bose QuietComfort ($249.95) |
|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and office work | |
| Good ANC, customizable levels | Superior ANC, best-in-class performance |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without recharging | |
| 9h (5h with ANC), 29h with case | 6h (with ANC), 24h with case |
| Sound Quality - Core feature affecting daily enjoyment | |
| Good with Dolby Atmos, slightly processed sound | Excellent natural sound, superior clarity |
| Special Features - Added value beyond core functions | |
| Bluetooth transmitter case, UV cleaning, head tracking | Basic but refined feature set |
| Call Quality - Essential for work use | |
| Average, struggles in noisy environments | Very good, clear voice pickup |
| Connectivity - Important for switching between devices | |
| Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection, transmitter mode | Bluetooth 5.1, single device connection |
| Fit and Comfort - Critical for long-term wear | |
| Lightweight, comfortable for extended use | Secure fit, better for active use |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX4 (splash resistant) |
| Charging Speed - Helpful for quick top-ups | |
| 60min playback from 5min charge | 120min playback from 15min charge |
| Case Size - Affects portability | |
| Larger due to transmitter features | Compact, more pocket-friendly |
The LG TONE Free T90Q ($229.99) is superior for home theater use thanks to its Dolby Atmos support and transmitter case feature. You can connect the case directly to your TV and enjoy low-latency audio, plus head-tracking spatial audio makes movies more immersive.
The Bose QuietComfort ($249.95) justifies its higher price through superior noise cancellation and sound quality. However, it lacks some modern features found in the LG T90Q. Currently, the Bose can often be found at discounted prices, making it an excellent value.
The LG TONE Free T90Q offers longer battery life at 9 hours (5 hours with ANC) compared to the Bose QuietComfort's 6 hours with ANC. With their cases, you get 29 total hours from the LG versus 24 hours from the Bose.
Yes, but the LG T90Q has a significant advantage here. Its case doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter that can connect to any TV via optical or analog input, while the Bose requires your TV to have Bluetooth capability.
The Bose QuietComfort offers superior noise cancellation, particularly for low-frequency sounds. The LG T90Q has good noise cancellation but doesn't quite match Bose's performance in this area.
Both work well for calls, but the Bose QuietComfort performs better with clearer voice pickup and superior background noise reduction. The LG T90Q is adequate but can struggle in noisy environments.
The LG T90Q supports multipoint connection, allowing easy switching between devices. The Bose QuietComfort only connects to one device at a time, requiring manual reconnection to switch devices.
The LG TONE Free T90Q has more advanced spatial audio features with Dolby Atmos and head tracking, making it better for immersive content. The Bose QuietComfort doesn't offer head-tracking spatial audio.
The LG T90Q has lower latency and its transmitter case can help reduce audio delay. However, neither model is specifically designed for gaming, and dedicated gaming headphones might be a better choice.
The Bose QuietComfort offers more natural, balanced sound quality. The LG T90Q has good sound but can sometimes feel processed, especially with spatial audio enabled.
Both have IPX4 water resistance, but the Bose QuietComfort has a more secure fit making it better for workouts. The LG T90Q is comfortable but may not stay as secure during vigorous activity.
The LG T90Q is better suited for home theater use with its transmitter case, Dolby Atmos support, and head tracking. These features make it more versatile for different TV setups and provide a more immersive movie-watching experience.
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: techradar.com - soundstagesolo.com - digitaltrends.com - loudnwireless.com - tomsguide.com - soundguys.com - thetechnologyman.com - youtube.com - musicphotolife.com - aptx.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
