Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) vs Bose Sport Earbuds II
Which is Better? Full Specs & Score Comparison
Compare Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ($128.5) and Bose Sport Earbuds II ($147.5). AirPods offer Spatial Audio, wireless charging. Bose lacks published specs.
Review
Score breakdown by dimension
Features
Comfort
Battery
StealScore (Overall)
Weighted composite across all dimensions
Key Differences
Data-backed advantages of each product
Reasons to consider AirPods 3
No significant advantages found
Reasons to consider Sport Earbuds II
- + Newer — released 2 years later
Full Specifications
Side-by-side specs of AirPods 3 and Sport Earbuds II
Audio
| Specification | AirPods 3 | Sport Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size (mm) | -- | -- |
| Impedance (Ω) | -- | -- |
| Sensitivity (dB) | -- | -- |
| Active Noise Cancellation | N | -- |
| Spatial Audio | Y | -- |
Design & Build
| Specification | AirPods 3 | Sport Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per bud) (g) | 4.28 | -- |
| Case Weight (g) | 37.91 | -- |
Other
| Specification | AirPods 3 | Sport Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Type | dynamic | -- |
| Frequency Range | -- | -- |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | -- |
| Audio Codecs | ["AAC"] | -- |
| Multipoint Connection | N | -- |
| ANC Reduction (dB) | -- | -- |
| Transparency Mode | N | -- |
| Battery (buds, ANC off) (hours) | 6 | -- |
| Battery (buds, ANC on) (hours) | -- | -- |
| Battery (total w/ case) (hours) | 30 | -- |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes for 1 hour | -- |
| USB-C Charging | N | -- |
| Wireless Charging | Y | -- |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | -- |
| Companion App | N | -- |
| Voice Assistant | Siri | -- |
| Warranty (months) | 12 | -- |
Price Comparison
Current retail prices and value analysis
AirPods 3
Price History
Sport Earbuds II
Price History
Value Index
Value index estimates how much performance and quality you get per dollar, relative to the category average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which product offers better battery life?
Are either of these earbuds suitable for workouts or active use?
Do either of these products feature Active Noise Cancellation?
How do these earbuds handle charging?
When comparing the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) and the Bose Sport Earbuds II, a primary consideration for many users is comfort, and here the available specifications offer a partial picture. The AirPods (3rd Gen) are notably lightweight at just 4.28 g per bud, suggesting a comfortable, barely-there feel often associated with their open-fit design. This can be a significant advantage for extended listening sessions or for users who find in-ear tips intrusive. In contrast, the Bose Sport Earbuds II do not publish their per-bud weight, making a direct comparison on this specific comfort metric impossible based on the provided data. While the ‘Sport’ designation might imply a more secure, potentially deeper-fitting design, this often comes with trade-offs in long-term comfort for some users.
Delving into other technical aspects, the AirPods (3rd Gen) offer a robust battery performance with 6 hours of listening time on the buds and an impressive 30 hours total with the charging case. They also support convenient Wireless Charging and a Quick Charge feature, providing 1 hour of listening from just 5 minutes of charge. For the Bose Sport Earbuds II, battery life figures for the buds, total with case, quick charge capabilities, and wireless charging support are not published, leaving potential buyers without crucial information for endurance comparison. Similarly, while AirPods (3rd Gen) feature Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience, Product B doesn’t publish whether it offers a similar feature.
Both products are designed for wireless use, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) utilizing Bluetooth Version 5.0 and the AAC audio codec. Product B doesn’t publish its Bluetooth version or supported audio codecs, which are key details for connectivity and audio transmission quality. Water resistance is a known factor for the AirPods (3rd Gen) at IPX4, making them suitable for splashes and light sweat. For the Bose Sport Earbuds II, despite their ‘Sport’ branding, a specific IP rating for water resistance is not published, which is a critical omission for earbuds marketed for active use. Neither product offers Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency Mode based on the published specs for AirPods (3rd Gen), and these features are not published for Product B either.
In terms of value, the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) are priced at $128.5, while the Bose Sport Earbuds II come in at a slightly higher $147.5. Given the extensive published specifications for the AirPods (3rd Gen) and the significant lack of technical detail for the Bose Sport Earbuds II, the AirPods offer a clearer picture of what you’re buying. The absence of key specifications for the Bose Sport Earbuds II makes a comprehensive, spec-driven comparison challenging, forcing potential buyers to rely on brand reputation or external reviews rather than verifiable product data.
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