Bose Sport Earbuds vs. Apple AirPods Pro

Comparison between Bose Sport Earbuds vs. Apple AirPods Pro.

We are taking a look at 2 different true wireless earbuds. While Apple AirPods Pro win in almost every category, they still lag behind Bose Sport Earbuds at some things.

The reason is that AirPods Pro are geared more towards commuters and business people, who take phone calls and like to have their hands free. The features like active noise cancellation and Transparency mode come in very handy.

Sport Earbuds are a more reliable pick for active users who want earbuds for daily exercise. Sport users will also appreciate the punchy, bassy sound that Bose produce.

Quick Comparison

Both models:

• Excellent comfort for extended listening sessions
• Reliable Bluetooth connection
• Premium construction quality
• Sweatproof housing (IPX4)
• Support for multipoint
• SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs

The Differences

Bose Sport Earbuds

Comfortable and overall more stable

No noise cancelling or Transparency mode

Bluetooth 5.1 for futureproofing

5h/charge – 10h in case

Basic customization, proximity sensor, decent microphone

Deep, controlled bass, noticeably bigger soundstage

Bose Sport Earbuds review

Buy on Amazon

Apple AirPods Pro

Comfortable but not the best fit for sports

Active noise cancellation and Transparency mode

Bluetooth 5.0

5h/charge – 19h in case

Ear scanning, EQ on iOS, Dolby Atmos, excellent microphones

Solid bass, brighter sound with better vocal clarity

Apple AirPods Pro review

Buy on Amazon

Specifications

What’s in the Box?

Bose Sport Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro

With packaging you’re getting:

• True wireless earbuds
• Charging case
• User manual
• Charging cable: Bose Sport Earbuds: USB-C to USB-A vs. Apple AirPods Pro: Lightning to USB-A
• Bose Sport Earbuds: 3 pairs of silicone ear gels (ear tip/fin combo) vs. Apple AirPods Pro: 3 pairs of silicone tips

Comfort & Fit

While some might argue that AirPods Pro are the most comfortable earbuds on the market, we have to give a point to the Sport Earbuds. They’re an overall better option if you seek both comfort and fit.

Both earbuds have uniquely designed ear tips, which should sit right at the beginning of your ear canal. That way, you don’t feel any pressure as with other in-ear headphones. Because of that, they both excel in comfort since you barely notice them during use.

However, AirPods Pro have some problems with stability during workout. When ear tips get sweaty, they start losing grip and begin to slide out. Consequently, you need to readjust them constantly.

That doesn’t happen with Sport Earbuds. Their solution are ear fins that hold earbuds in their place. You don’t feel them as much, and they genuinely make a difference when shaking your head.

Therefore, if you need excellent stability for your workouts, pick Bose. They’re far more reliable in that aspect and don’t slip out, no matter how sweaty they get. Or get one of the currently best workout headphones.

Of course, Apple’s buds are still a fantastic option if you primarily seek comfort.

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Noise Isolation

Bose Sport Earbuds can’t even compare to the Apple AirPods Pro in this category. Sport Earbuds achieve merely decent passive isolation, Pros offer effective active noise cancellation.

It seems unfair to compare the 2 earbuds in this category since one is the clear winner. Starting with Bose, their Sport Earbuds come with big ear tips that sit in front of the ear canal. Because of that, you don’t get impressive isolation.

That’s not to say that passive isolation on AirPods Pro is much better. However, Apple buds have a trick up their sleeve: active noise cancelling.

It works incredibly well for true wireless earbuds, eliminating most of the outside noise.

It’s especially effective with constant humming noises like engines, home appliances, and air conditioning. They can even mute human speech, which is excellent. Similar to best noise cancelling earbuds.

It can protect your hearing since you don’t have to crank up the volume to overpower outside noise.

You also get Transparency mode, which amplifies your surroundings. It’s particularly useful when you meet someone and you don’t want to take off your earbuds.

Bluetooth

You get a reliable connection on both, with great coverage, no video lag, and the same Bluetooth codecs. But AirPods Pro do pair and switch between Apple devices more seamlessly.

In terms of Bluetooth connectivity, both do an excellent job. AirPods Pro use Bluetooth version 5.0, whereas Sport Earbuds come with a newer 5.1 version.

However, as of right now, the differences are negligible. But in the future, where devices will support Bluetooth 5.1, it might result in a more stable and energy-efficient connection with Bose earbuds.

Both earbuds reach the standard Bluetooth range, the signal starts to break up after a second brick wall indoors.

Both models also support multipoint, you can connect them with at least two different devices. Because of Apple’s H1 chip, AirPods Pro can seamlessly switch between your iPhone and iPad.

Similarities continue when it comes to Bluetooth codecs. You find SBC and AAC on both, which is okay since Apple only uses the two. However, Android users could benefit from higher-quality ones like aptX or LDAC.

Thankfully, there is no video lag, technically it’s invisible to the naked eye.

Battery

Battery life on a single charge is a tie. Both provide around 5 hours of playtime. On the other hand, AirPods Pro takes a clear victory with their charging case which gives another 19 hours, compared to Bose’s case 10 hours.

You get the same 5-hours battery from both, which is more than enough for a lengthy listening session. Some competitors provide better results, with PowerBeats Pro giving you an impressive 11 hours on a single charge.

Differences start when you compare their charging cases. AirPods Pro’s case is hiding extra 19 hours of battery life, which is 9 hours more than what Bose offers.

To check the battery percentage on your Bose Sport Earbuds, you have to use the app. In contrast, if you use AirPods Pro on an iOS device, their battery levels are always displayed on the screen. Sadly, you don’t see it on Android.

Both earbuds support quick charging:

• With AirPods Pro you get around 1 hour’s worth of battery in a 5-minute charge.
• You can expect an additional 2 hours of playtime in 15 minutes on Sport Earbuds.

Apple’s case can also wirelessly charge if that is important to you (the more expensive version). Bose case doesn’t support that.

Related: How to fix AirPods not charging

How to fix AirPods not having sound

Durability

Similar high-quality construction on both, with hard plastic housing and IPX4 sweat resistance. Charging cases are different, though, with the one from Bose appearing slightly tougher in comparison.

Quality construction is essential for the product’s longevity, and in this case, both Apple and Bose deliver. Earbuds from each company feel nicely made with sturdy housing.

They even share the same IPX4 rating, which protects them from sweat but not from water. You can still splash them a little or go for a run under a light rain, but anything more than that isn’t advisable.

Charging cases are a different story. The one from Apple feels a bit too cheap for a premium product like that. The lid is flimsy and a bit annoying.

On the Bose’s side, the case comes with a button you need to press to open it. The spring that keeps the lid open feels sturdy.

However, Bose’s case is noticeable larger than Apple’s. If you’re concerned about portability, AirPods Pro are a better choice.

Features

Apple AirPods Pro features blow away the Bose Sport Earbuds. They offer a ton of features, but some of them only work on iOS.

Even though Bose Sport Earbuds come with a mobile app, the latter is somewhat empty. There are limited options you can change:

• like enabling proximity sensor (automatic play/pause feature)
• double-tap option to skip a song
• update the firmware

Sadly, there is no EQ, customizing touch controls, or even “find my earbuds” feature. The latter should be a thing with Bluetooth 5.1 products since it offers precise localization.

AirPods Pro come with a much richer set of features. For starters, you get active noise cancelling and Transparency mode. There is even an option for Dolby Atmos virtual surround and “ear scanning,” where earbuds scan your ear canal to determine optimal frequency response.

Of course, Siri integration is spotless. She can do all the things that can’t be done with touch controls. For example, to lower the volume, you have to summon Siri, which can be awkward in a room full of people.

Speaking of controls, both offer touch commands for playback, answering calls, and skipping songs. AirPods Pro can also enable Transparency mode with a double-tap.

In terms of the microphone quality, Apple AirPods Pro easily win in clarity, in both quiet and noise environment. Sport Earbuds are only decent in comparison.

Bose Sport Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro

Sound

Both earbuds are mostly balanced. The only difference is that AirPods Pro emphasize treble, whereas Sport Earbuds boost the bass.

AirPods Pro are a noticeable improvement over the original AirPods. In-ear design does increase the bass to make the sound fuller. However, the amount isn’t big enough to please bassheads. Instead, Pro’s are taking a balanced approach, which is why they’re suitable for most genres.

The only thing that stands out is the treble. It’s slightly boosted to bring out the detail in the vocals. That also helps with phone calls, making the caller’s voice clearer.

Sport Earbuds are also reasonably balanced, but the low-end receives a significant boost. The bass is extremely punchy and can reach quite low. Most importantly, it’s incredibly controlled and detailed but not as strong as in best bass earbuds.

The midrange takes a small step back, as well as the treble. The overall smooth response prevents potential harshness or sibilance, but it can lack sparkle on busier genres like metal.

There is a big difference in sound staging. Even if you enable Dolby Atmos, the one on the AirPods Pro is noticeably smaller than on Sport Earbuds.

Should You Buy Bose Sport Earbuds or Apple AirPods Pro?

If you have an Apple device in your pocket, you might be better off with AirPods Pro. They work incredibly well with iOS and offer many extra features that Bose Sport Earbuds don’t. Features like active noise cancelling, ambient awareness, and personalized EQ.

They’re also excellent for portability, with their sleek and tiny (compared to the competition) case that fits nicely into any pocket. As with many Apple products, these also come with an H1 chip for a seamless user experience.

With Bose earbuds, you get better stability thanks to the ear fins. There is also significantly more low-end, which goes deep and remains controlled. AirPods Pro prefer to stay somewhat neutral with an emphasis on the treble.

Bose Sport Earbuds do come with an app, but it’s very little in it. As of right now, it looks poor, apart from several things that you might or might not need, like checking battery levels and disabling the proximity sensor.

All in all, if you’re more of a sportsperson, Bose Earbuds are a more obvious choice. They don’t throw that many features at you, but they do stay in your ears incredibly well and produce a very punchy sound.

On the other hand, Apple AirPods Pro are suitable for a business type of user who commutes and takes many phone calls. In that case, all of those extra features can come in really handy.

Price can also decide in which direction you’re going to look. Bose Sport Earbuds are selling for $180, which is $70 cheaper than Apple AirPods Pro.

Bose Sport Earbuds review

Apple AirPods Pro review

More comparisons:

• Apple AirPods Pro vs. Beats PowerBeats Pro
• Apple AirPods Pro vs. Sennheiser Momentum 2

Peter Susic

From a childhood fascination with sound, Peter’s passion has evolved into a relentless pursuit of the finest headphones. He’s an audio expert with over 5 years of experience in testing both audiophile and consumer-grade headphones. Quote: “After many years, I can confidently tell which headphones are good and which are terrible.” Find his honest opinion in his reviews.