Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM5: The Definitive Noise-Canceling Showdown
Based on RTINGS measurements, expert reviews, and real user experiences
The short answer: Bose QuietComfort Ultra wins for most buyers. It has the best noise cancellation in the industry, superior comfort for long sessions, and better build quality. Sony WH-1000XM5 fights back with longer battery life (30+ hours vs 24) and a lower price. But if you're spending $300+ on headphones, the Bose delivers the premium experience you're paying for. Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra on Amazon for $329 →
The Fighters
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329-$429 on Amazon | $300-$399 on Amazon |
| Best For | Best ANC, comfort, calls | Battery life, value, neutral sound |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (ANC on) | 30+ hours (ANC on) |
| Weight | 254g | 250g |
| ANC Quality | Best-in-class | Excellent (slightly behind Bose) |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Noise Cancellation
This is why people buy premium headphones, and Bose dominates. RTINGS gives Bose the edge in noise isolation. SoundGuys concurs: "The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ekes out a win here." What Hi-Fi? found the Bose "dramatically reduced background rumbles while out walking, and the sound of the London Underground during daily commutes."
Tom's Guide calls it outright: "The best noise-canceling tech in the world." The Sony XM5 is still excellent—in the top tier of ANC headphones—but every major reviewer gives the nod to Bose.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| 10/10 | 8/10 |
Round 1 Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Every major reviewer agrees: Bose has the best ANC.
Score after Round 1: Bose 10 | Sony 8
Round 2: Sound Quality
This round is closer and depends on your preferences. The Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers what What Hi-Fi? calls "effortlessly musical" sound with "greater clarity and a more open presentation." The XM5 has a leaner, more neutral signature that audiophiles often prefer.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes a different approach—richer, more bass-forward. Recording Now calls it "better audiophile-level sound quality." But there's a catch: out of the box, the bass is "TOO MUCH" according to Head-Fi users, who recommend turning bass down to -7 in the EQ. Sony's default tuning is more balanced.
The Bose also offers "Immersive Audio" spatial sound, which creates a 3D listening experience some love and others find gimmicky. It does drain battery faster (18 hours vs 24).
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| 8/10 | 8/10 |
Round 2 Winner: Tie — Sony's more neutral, Bose is more fun. Both excellent.
Score after Round 2: Bose 18 | Sony 16
Round 3: Comfort
Long listening sessions reveal clear differences. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra lives up to its name. SoundGuys notes: "The Bose QC Ultra is slightly more comfortable due to feeling much more plush and supportive overall." The wider headband distributes pressure better, and the deeper earcups mean your ears don't touch the inside fabric.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has issues. Multiple reviewers note the "skinny headband that creates some pinpoint top-of-head pressure" and "shallower earcup space" where "ears may touch the fabric." TechGearLab found testers could wear the Bose for "up to 10 hours at a time" and they were "among the most comfortable for wearing with glasses."
If you wear glasses, this matters even more—the Bose's softer clamping pressure doesn't create hot spots where frames meet your head.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 3 Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Plushier padding, deeper earcups, better for glasses.
Score after Round 3: Bose 27 | Sony 23
Round 4: Battery Life
Sony wins this round convincingly. The WH-1000XM5 delivers 30-31 hours with ANC on (RTINGS measured 31 hours 53 minutes). Turn ANC off and you get up to 40 hours. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra lasts 24 hours with ANC—still a full day, but 6+ hours less than Sony.
If you use Bose's Immersive Audio feature, battery drops to 18 hours. For frequent travelers or people who forget to charge, that difference matters.
Both support fast charging—a few minutes gives you hours of playback—but Sony's overall endurance is simply better.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 10/10 |
Round 4 Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5 — 30+ hours beats 24 hours. Simple math.
Score after Round 4: Bose 34 | Sony 33
Round 5: Build Quality & Portability
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a reputation problem. Multiple users report paint chipping "within the first month of use" and concerns about the hinge design. Recording Now states: "When it comes to build quality, this is one area where the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is superior to the Sony WH-1000XM5, without a doubt."
Portability favors Bose too. The QuietComfort Ultra folds flat AND inward, fitting into a more compact carrying case. The Sony only folds flat, requiring a larger case. For commuters and travelers, the Bose's smaller footprint in your bag matters.
Both headphones lack water resistance (no IP rating), so neither is workout-friendly. But day-to-day, the Bose feels more solid and travels better.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 6/10 |
Round 5 Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Better build, compact folding, no paint issues.
Score after Round 5: Bose 43 | Sony 39
Round 6: Value & Price
Sony fights back here. The WH-1000XM5 regularly sells for $300-328, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra hovers around $329-429. That's potentially $100 difference for headphones with similar core functionality.
For that extra money with Bose, you get: better ANC, better comfort, better build quality, better portability. Whether that's worth $50-100 depends on your priorities and budget.
If you want the absolute best experience and have the budget, Bose justifies the premium. If you want 90% of the experience for less money and longer battery life, Sony is the smarter financial choice.
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 6 Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5 — Lower price, longer battery = better value on paper.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | 50/60 | WINNER |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | 48/60 |
The Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra wins because it delivers the best experience in the category that matters most: noise cancellation. When you're paying $300+ for headphones, you want the best—and every major reviewer agrees Bose has it.
But this isn't a blowout. The margin is close because Sony excels where Bose doesn't: battery life and price. If those factors matter more to you than maximum ANC performance, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent and costs less.
The Bose also wins on comfort (crucial for all-day use), build quality (no paint-chipping reports), and portability (compact folding). These add up to a more premium overall experience that justifies the higher price for most buyers.
One note: both companies have released newer models (Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen, Sony WH-1000XM6). The originals reviewed here remain excellent and are often available at significant discounts, making them potentially better value than their successors.
Ready to buy the winner? Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
Sony WH-1000XM5 isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- Battery life is critical — 30+ hours vs 24 hours matters for long flights or forgetful chargers
- Budget is tight — Usually $50-100 cheaper with similar core performance
- You prefer neutral sound — More transparent, less bass-heavy out of the box
- You want LDAC support — High-res audio streaming from compatible devices
- You prioritize extensive EQ customization — Sony's app offers more tweaking options
Sony WH-1000XM5 might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bose noise cancellation really better than Sony?
Yes, according to virtually every major reviewer. RTINGS, SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi?, and Tom's Guide all give the edge to Bose. The difference isn't dramatic—both are excellent—but Bose consistently blocks more ambient noise.
Are these headphones good for phone calls?
Both are solid, with Bose having a slight edge in noisy environments. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra uses a 5-microphone beamform array that's particularly effective at wind noise rejection. Consumer Reports notes Sony's call quality is excellent too, praising its AI-based noise reduction.
Should I wait for the newer models?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen ($449) and Sony WH-1000XM6 ($459) offer incremental improvements. If you can find the originals at $300-350, they represent better value. The core ANC and sound quality differences between generations are minor.
Can I use these for working out?
Not recommended. Neither has water resistance (no IP rating). The Bose specifically states they're not for "workouts or wearing in rain/snow." For gym use, consider true wireless earbuds with sweat resistance.
Sources
- RTINGS - Sony XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra Comparison
- SoundGuys - Bose vs Sony Detailed Comparison
- What Hi-Fi? - Bose vs Sony: Which is Better?
- Tom's Guide - QC Ultra vs XM5 Face-Off
- Rolling Stone - Bose vs Sony Comparison
- Recording Now - Which is Better?
- Head-Fi Forums - Bose QC Ultra Reviews
- Consumer Reports - Sony WH-1000XM5 Review
- TechGearLab - Bose QC Ultra Tested