Head-to-head · Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 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 clear margin (4.0 vs 4.8). The gap is mostly about audio enthusiasts seeking premium sound — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #8 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

4.0

4 sources$359as of Aug 1

Bose's QuietComfort Headphones (2023) replaced the QC45 as the company's mainstream over-ear, one tier below the QuietComfort Ultra. TechRadar gave them 4 stars for 'flagship noise-cancelling for less,' and SoundGuys clocked 27 hours of real-world battery along with excellent ANC. There is no Immersive Audio and no high-res codecs, but at 240g they are the most comfortable headphone in this guide and the easiest recommendation for long-haul flights.

Strengths

— Plush memory foam earcups, only 240g — the most comfortable pair in this guide
— Excellent Bose ANC, only narrowly behind the QuietComfort Ultra
— Tested ~27 hours real-world battery life

Watch-outs

— Only SBC and AAC codecs — no aptX or LDAC
— 3-band EQ is more limited than rivals' parametric tools
— No spatial audio (saved for the QuietComfort Ultra)

$359 · 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 Headphones

The QuietComfort sits below the Sony WH-1000XM6 on sound and feature depth but matches it on ANC and beats it on raw comfort thanks to a 240g chassis. Versus the AirPods Max 2 it is roughly $200 cheaper, lighter by nearly 150g, and platform-agnostic — but gives up Apple's H2 chip integration, spatial audio, and lossless USB-C playback.

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 Headphones	Sony WH-1000XM5
Driver	40mm dynamic	New drivers
Weight	240g	251g
ANC	Adaptive ANC with Aware mode and adjustable Quiet modes	Outstanding
Codec	SBC, AAC	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.1 with multipoint, USB-C, 3.5mm	Bluetooth 5.2
Battery Life	24 hours rated (~27 hours measured)	Up to 30 hours
Charging Method	—	USB-C

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