Head to head
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5
They split the 4 rankable specs evenly, so cost decides it: Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $30 less.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Buying for
Your devices
Straight answer
Overall: 2 to 2
Tied overall. Sony WH-1000XM5 is cheaper.
- The 4 rankable overall specs split 2 to 2.
- Saves $30 at list price.
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
Weight
Bose
253 g (8.9 oz)
Sony
250 g (8.8 oz)
Active Noise Cancelling≠
Bose
Yes (Quiet Mode with CustomTune audio calibration)
Sony
Yes (Dual Processor V1 + HD QN1 with 8 microphones)
Battery life
Bose
24 hours (ANC on) / 18 hours (Immersive Audio on)
Sony
30 hours (ANC on) / 40 hours (ANC off)
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
Folds flat & collapses into compact travel case
Swivels flat only (larger case, does not fold inward)
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
Ultra-plush gentle clamp (~4.1 N, best-in-class glasses comfort)
Balanced clamp force (~4.4 N, synthetic leather)
Weight & Crown Pressure
253g (featherweight travel balance)
250g (featherweight on crown)
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Bose: What to watch for
- Hardware Quirk
Capacitive touch volume strip can be overly sensitive.
- Software / Apps
Occasional Bluetooth multi-point audio handover stutter.
Sony: What to watch for
- Ergonomics
Non-folding headband takes up significantly more backpack space.
- Software / Apps
Auto-NC Optimizer cannot be manually locked to maximum.
- Hardware Quirk
Matte plastic coating shows greasy finger smudge marks easily.
Design
3 differences| Type | Over-ear, closed-back | Over-ear, closed-back |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 253 g (8.9 oz) | 250 g (8.8 oz) (wins this row: lower) |
| Foldable | Yes (fully collapsible hinges) (wins this row: has it) | No (swivels flat into case) |
| Carrying case | Reinforced zippered hard carry case included | Collapsible hard-shell zip travel case included |
| IP rating | No official IP rating | No official IP rating |
Audio
5 differences| Driver | 35 mm dynamic biocellulose driver | 30 mm Carbon Fiber composite dome |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (Quiet Mode with CustomTune audio calibration) | Yes (Dual Processor V1 + HD QN1 with 8 microphones) |
| Transparency mode | Yes (Aware Mode with ActiveSense technology) | Yes (Ambient Sound mode with Quick Attention) |
| Supported codecs | Snapdragon Sound, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Microphones | Advanced microphone array with voice isolation | 4 beamforming mics with AI noise reduction |
Connectivity & Battery
3 differences| Multipoint Bluetooth | Yes (Bluetooth multipoint 2 devices) | Yes (connects up to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 24 hours (ANC on) / 18 hours (Immersive Audio on) | 30 hours (ANC on) / 40 hours (ANC off) (wins this row: higher) |
| Charging time | 3 hours (15 min quick charge gives up to 2.5 hours) (wins this row: lower) | 3.5 hours full charge (3 min quick charge gives 3 hours) |
Ownership
0 differences| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
|---|
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose's flagship wireless headphones featuring Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune sound calibration, and world-class quiet.
- Exceptional noise cancellation in low-frequency rumble and vocal bands
- Folds completely compact into slim travel case
- Bose Immersive Audio provides wide virtual soundstage
What you give up
- Battery life drops to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on
- Custom EQ in app is limited to 3 bands
Pick this one if
Sony WH-1000XM5
Flagship wireless noise-cancelling headphones with 8-microphone ANC system and LDAC support.
- Industry-leading active noise cancellation with Auto NC Optimizer
- Exceptional 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled
- Lightweight, pressure-relieving soft fit leather design
What you give up
- Headband does not fold into compact ball (swivels flat only)
- Touch sensor gestures can occasionally misfire in rain
Best for each use
Flights & commutes
For flights & commutes, buy the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Calls & work
Too close to call on calls & work from the spec sheets. Only battery life is rankable here.
Sound quality
Too close to call on sound quality from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ↗ · Sony WH-1000XM5 ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or the Sony WH-1000XM5?
Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $30 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Sony WH-1000XM5?
Sony WH-1000XM5 has this deal-breaker: does not fold. Takes a bigger slot in a carry-on.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or the Sony WH-1000XM5?
For flights & commutes, buy the Sony WH-1000XM5. Leads 2 of 3 rankable flights & commutes specs; Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones takes 1. Battery life: 30 hours vs 24 hours
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 10 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.