Bose SoundSport, Wireless Earbuds, (Sweatproof Bluetooth Headphones
Score: 69/100
Apple AirPods 3rd Generation
Score: 54/100$154.11
Rankings
The Bose SoundSport Wireless earbuds are neckband-style, sweat-proof earbuds designed for active users, offering balanced sound, a secure fit and quick charging, but they have modest battery life and lack ANC.
AirPods (3rd Gen) provide a comfortable, lightweight fit, spatial audio and impressive total battery life via a MagSafe case, but lack ANC and rely on a single AAC codec. They integrate tightly with Apple devices and are sweat-resistant, making them a solid everyday choice for iPhone users.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
6 hoursbest | 6 hoursbest | |
9.1 mbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 22.68 g | 4.28 gbest |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 22.68 g | 4.28 g |
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Charging Port Type | Micro-USB | USB-C |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Macworld's Séamus Bellamy praised the SoundSport Wireless for their balanced, bass-enhanced sound, comfortable fit, situational awareness, and Tile tracking, while noting the bulky design, average 6-hour battery life, and lack of full waterproofing as drawbacks.
Everyday users commend the earbuds for staying in place during vigorous activity, the comfort of the StayHear+ tips, and the ability to hear surrounding traffic. Common complaints revolve around the weight, modest battery life, outdated Micro-USB port, occasional cable noise, and occasional Bluetooth dropouts.
“Balanced sound with extra bass keeps me motivated during runs.”
“The StayHear+ tips never fall out, even on intense workouts.”
“Quick charge is great, but I wish the battery lasted longer.”
Professional reviewers commend the AirPods 3 for delivering noticeably better audio, a more secure fit, and the addition of Spatial Audio and MagSafe charging, while noting the absence of ANC and limited codec support as primary shortcomings.
Everyday users love the effortless pairing, comfort and long battery life, but miss having active noise cancellation and wish for more color options and on-ear volume controls.
