The Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have become two of the biggest competitors in the noise-canceling earbud market. Both pairs have received high praise, so I decided to put them through a series of real world tests to see which could come out on top. After doing an in-depth analysis, I can confidently say that I’ve found the answer.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 boast a much-improved noise cancellation feature since their first-generation AirPods Pro. Apple claims the feature has been doubled in efficiency. On the other hand, Bose has also significantly improved the noise cancellation of their second-generation QuietComfort Earbuds compared to the first. CNET reviewer David Carnoy has stated that the first-gen Bose QuietComfort Earbuds’ noise canceling function is slightly better than the AirPods Pro. Because of this, I decided to go on a mini-adventure in London and see firsthand how the noise cancellation of these two pairs fare in different environments, such as parks and the London Underground.
The first test was in an open park. While walking around, I kept the sound of my footsteps, the chirping of birds, and the occasional bark of a dog in the background. When I played the same songs through both earbuds, I immediately noticed a difference in the level of background noise. The AirPods Pro 2 did a remarkably good job at blocking out the soft noise, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 were even better at keeping the background noises at bay.
The second test was the most interesting one. I went to a busy Underground station and picked the busiest carriage heading for central London. This time, I really pushed the earbuds to their limits and tested how well they could reduce the loud train noise and background chatter. Again, both pairs of noise-canceling earbuds performed quite well and managed to reduce most of the noise. Here, however, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 managed to block out even more of the unwanted noise and therefore emerged victorious.
To find out who truly comes out on top, watch the embedded video. And who knows, maybe you one day decide to purchase the right pair of headphones for yourself! Comment below which pair you prefer and why.
