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AirPods Pro 3 vs QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Reddit rates both Stay Away. The split is what you want: the AirPods Pro 3 — don’t buy it — get the AirPods Pro 2 instead. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — don’t buy it — get the Sony instead.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple · Audio

AirPods Pro 3

Stay Away$189.99
45% of 1,252 owners recommend
~1 in 10 failure rate — ~1 in 10 long-term reports mention a failure, spread across charging case, battery, and earbuds components, typically within the first 1–8 months of ownership. Of tracked cases, 16 were resolved under warranty and 9 were not — so outcomes lean resolved but a meaningful share lands outside coverage. At ~7% serious failure, this is the lowest failure rate of the 4 wireless earbuds we track.

Don’t buy it — get the AirPods Pro 2 instead

+ A vocal minority call the ANC best-in-class; it's the single most cited strength across threads.

− A vocal minority report fit issues — the most recurring complaint, nearly matching praise on the same topic.

Full verdict →
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose · Audio

QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Stay Away$299
30% of 700 owners recommend
~1 in 2 failure rate — ~1 in 2 long-term reports describe a failure, most commonly the left earbud (including buzzing and audio issues), with onset typically within the first 8 months. Of tracked warranty outcomes, 75 were resolved and 56 were unresolved — meaning a meaningful share lands outside warranty or goes unremedied. This is the highest failure report rate of the 4 wireless earbuds we track.

Don’t buy it — get the Sony instead

+ Repeatedly mentioned as reference-level audio; the single most cited reason owners keep or recommend them.

− A recurring pattern: ~1 in 2 long-term reports mention a failure, most often the left earbud, within 8 months.

Full verdict →

Questions people keep asking

Which is better, the AirPods Pro 3 or the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Reddit rates both Stay Away. The split is what you want: the AirPods Pro 3 — don’t buy it — get the AirPods Pro 2 instead. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — don’t buy it — get the Sony instead.

Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth it?

Reddit's verdict is Stay Away. Don’t buy it — get the AirPods Pro 2 instead. Best-in-class ANC and sound, but only 45% would buy again — long-term owners are warmer than new buyers.

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worth it?

Reddit's verdict is Stay Away. Don’t buy it — get the Sony instead. Strong ANC and sound, but ~1 in 2 long-term reports describe a failure — mostly the left earbud — within the first 8 months.