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Bose vs Soundcore

Bose comes out ahead overall.

The verdict in 10 seconds

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at work: a commuter wearing noise cancelling headphones on a train platform

Best Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsBose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsBest-in-class quiet in a bulky earbud with only average battery life

Suits you if

  • You commute or fly often and want the quietest earbuds you can get
  • You like a rich, bass-forward sound
  • You have medium to large ears and want a secure, stable fit

Best Soundcore

Soundcore Sleep A30Soundcore Sleep A30Tiny, comfortable sleep earbuds that quiet snoring well, but pricey

Suits you if

  • You sleep next to a snorer or a noisy pet
  • You're a side sleeper who finds regular earbuds uncomfortable
  • You want built-in sleep sounds and a quiet alarm that won't wake anyone else

The short version

Bose is the stronger brand for noise cancelling headphones right now. The best single model of the two is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which suits you if you commute or fly often and want the quietest earbuds you can get.

We researched 53 expert reviews, analyzed 52,914 owner ratings and comments across 24 sources for every Bose and Soundcore model we cover, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.

See the evidence

Brand scoreboardAverage score 79 vs 72 · reliability 66 vs 54
BoseSoundcore
Product Review score7972
Experts8580
Owners7973
Reliability6654
Models scored32
Most reliable modelBose QuietComfort HeadphonesSoundcore Sleep A30

Averages across scored models. ● marks the better number on each row.

Quick answers

Which is better, Bose or Soundcore?

Bose, on balance. Its models do better overall.

Based on: Average Product Review score 79 for Bose vs 72 for Soundcore.

Which brand is more reliable, Bose or Soundcore?

Bose. Its models are less likely to give you trouble.

Based on: Average reliability 66 vs 54.

What is the best Bose noise cancelling headphones?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. It suits you if you commute or fly often and want the quietest earbuds you can get.

Based on: Highest Product Review score among Bose models (81).

What is the best Soundcore noise cancelling headphones?

The Soundcore Sleep A30. It suits you if you sleep next to a snorer or a noisy pet.

Based on: Highest Product Review score among Soundcore models (79).