Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL 2025

What QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) does better (1) and where Fairbuds XL 2025 wins (2) — every spec side by side.

5.5Score

1 advantage≈ $260

Fairphone · 2025Fairbuds XL 2025

5.9Score

2 advantages≈ $210

Higher score

8.5Noise control & calls8.5

2.6Battery4.1

8.2Connectivity3.3

Why is QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) better than Fairbuds XL 2025?

Specifications

Only differences	Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)≈ $2605.5	Fairphone Fairbuds XL 2025≈ $2105.9
Sound
Fit	Over-ear	On-ear
Ear cup design	—	Closed-back
Driver type	Dynamic	Dynamic
Driver size	—	40 mm
Lowest frequency	—	20 Hz
Highest frequency	—	20,000 Hz
Impedance	—	32 Ω
Sensitivity	—	99 dB
Hi-Res Audio	—	Yes
Adjustable equaliser	Yes	Yes
Noise control
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency / ambient mode	Yes	Yes
Microphones	6	6
Battery & charging
Battery life	24 h	30 h
Battery life with ANC	24 h	26 h
Battery capacity	—	800 mAh
Charging time	3 h	3 h
Quick charge (claimed)	—	15 min → 15 h
Fast charging support	—	Yes
Connectivity
Wireless	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth version	5.4	5.1
Bluetooth codecs	—	aptX HD, AAC, SBC
Hi-res codec (LDAC / aptX HD / LHDC)	—	Yes
aptX	—	Yes
LDAC	—	No
Multipoint (two devices)	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
3.5 mm jack / AUX	Yes	Yes
Smart & streaming
Voice assistant	—	Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Design & build
Weight	—	330 g
Protection rating	—	IP54
Water resistance (IPx)	—	IPx4
Dust protection (IP)	—	5
Foldable	Yes	Yes
Features
Hands-free calls	Yes	Yes