Head-to-head · Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sony WH-1000XM5 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.8). The gap is mostly about audio enthusiasts seeking premium sound — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

4.5

3 sources$327.99as of Aug 1

No headphone in this lineup cancels noise better. RTINGS calls the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 'top-of-the-line noise cancelling headphones,' and What Hi-Fi praises 'class-leading, customisable ANC' alongside sound that is 'both hugely accomplished and hugely entertaining.' Bose's Immersive Audio spatial mode is the addition over the standard QuietComfort, and they sit a clear tier above it. The price is steep and they skip hi-res codecs, but for outright silence plus comfort they are hard to beat.

Strengths

— Class-leading, highly customizable active noise cancellation — among the best measured anywhere
— Rich, entertaining, well-balanced sound that satisfies casual listeners and enthusiasts alike
— Bose Immersive Audio spatial mode adds a convincing sense of space the standard QC lacks

Watch-outs

— Premium price — the most expensive Bose in this guide
— Immersive Audio noticeably shortens battery life and not everyone will use it
— No high-resolution LDAC/aptX HD codec support, unlike the Sony WH-1000XM6

$327.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM5

4.8

6 sources$248as of Aug 1

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the default recommendation in wireless noise cancelling, and its reviews say so almost unanimously: What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar and Digital Trends all gave it full marks, Tom's Guide 4.5 out of 5 and SoundGuys 8.6 out of 10. Cancelling and sound quality are the reasons. The redesign reads less premium than the XM4, there is no IP rating at all, and the plastic build is not what everyone expects near the top of the market.

Strengths

— Outstanding active noise cancellation performance that rivals top competitors
— Superior sound quality with sensational sonic clarity and punchy delivery
— Excellent microphone quality for calls with good app features including custom EQ

Watch-outs

— Build quality feels less premium compared to previous generation
— No IP rating and vulnerable to moisture despite lack of definitive waterproofing

$248 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The QuietComfort Ultra sits a clear tier above the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones in this guide, adding Immersive Audio spatial sound and stronger ANC for roughly $80 more. Against the Sony WH-1000XM6 it arguably edges ANC and comfort but gives up hi-res LDAC playback and longer battery. Versus the Apple AirPods Max 2 it is lighter, folds flat and works equally well on Android, while costing well over $100 less.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 stands out with its superior sound quality and ANC performance that matches the Bose QuietComfort 45, but it's less comfortable than the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and lacks the premium build quality of the Apple AirPods Max. While it offers better battery life than the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, it's significantly more expensive and lacks IP rating, unlike the Sennheiser model which provides better value for money.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones	Sony WH-1000XM5
Driver	35mm dynamic	New drivers
Weight	253g	251g
ANC	Yes, adjustable + Immersive Audio	Outstanding
Codec	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.2
Battery Life	24h (18h Immersive)	Up to 30 hours
Folding	Folds flat, hinged	—
Charging Method	—	USB-C

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