Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Headphones were the leading noise-cancelling headphones of their generation. Both have since been replaced (by the WH-1000XM6 and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen), so this comparison is mainly useful for remaining stock and used pairs.
It is based on SoundGuys' lab comparison (published November 23, 2023, updated October 16, 2025), re-read on 2026-11-02. These are the lab's measurements, not AYORAHUB's.
Key differences at a glance
- Battery (lab-measured, ANC on): 31 h 53 min for Sony against 27 h 37 min for Bose.
- Noise cancelling: SoundGuys gave Bose a slight edge in its measurements and called both top-tier.
- Codecs: LDAC (Android) on Sony; aptX Lossless on Bose, which needs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer Android phone with Snapdragon Sound.
- Microphones: in a SoundGuys reader poll of 8,918 votes, 66% preferred Sony's mic.
- Portability: Sony folds flat only; Bose folds down and ships with a carrying case.
Specification comparison
| Feature | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (ANC on, measured) | 31 h 53 min | 27 h 37 min |
| Codecs | LDAC (most Android phones, not iPhones); Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC and AAC | aptX Lossless, which needs an Android phone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer (Snapdragon Sound) |
| Noise cancelling | Described as among the best on the market; no measured winner | Judged the better performer in the article's measurements; both described as stellar |
| Microphone | Excellent; slightly better in wind. Reader poll (8,918 votes): 66% preferred Sony's mic | Excellent; slightly weaker in wind. Same poll: 34% preferred Bose's mic |
| Multipoint | Listed as a positive | Not mentioned in the cited source |
| Spatial audio | Supports Sony 360 Reality Audio; spatial features need the Sony Sound Connect app | Immersive audio listed as a negative; MDAQS immersiveness score 4.5 (Nov 2024 retest) |
| Portability | Similarly light; folds flat only | Similarly light; folds down and includes a carrying case |
| Status (Oct 2025 update) | Discontinued; replaced by WH-1000XM6 | Discontinued; replaced by QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
| Price | Not shown: the source's price information is internally inconsistent | Not shown: the source's price information is internally inconsistent |
Shaded cells mean the cited sources did not state the value. We do not fill gaps from memory.
Noise cancellation and sound
SoundGuys measured both as top-tier noise cancellers, with a slight edge for Bose. Differences at this level are smaller than the effect of fit and ear-pad seal, which vary from person to person. SoundGuys lists Bose's Immersive Audio as a negative, with an MDAQS immersiveness score of 4.5 in a November 2024 retest; Sony supports 360 Reality Audio, with spatial features handled in the Sony Sound Connect app.
Battery and charging
In SoundGuys' testing, the XM5 lasted about four hours longer with ANC on. For long-haul travel that is a real advantage, though both comfortably cover a long flight. Real-world battery life depends on volume, codec and noise-cancelling settings.
Codecs and phones
Sony supports LDAC for higher-bitrate Bluetooth audio on most Android phones (not iPhones), plus SBC and AAC on Bluetooth 5.2. Bose supports aptX Lossless, but only with Android phones that have Snapdragon Sound on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer chip. iPhone users get AAC on both, which removes the codec advantage.
Calls, multipoint and portability
SoundGuys rates both microphones as excellent, with Sony slightly better in wind; its readers preferred Sony's mic. Multipoint is listed as a positive for Sony. Bose folds more compactly and includes a case, which matters if you carry headphones daily.
Buying a discontinued model
Because both are discontinued, compare prices with their successors and check return policies and warranty on remaining stock. We do not show prices because SoundGuys' price information was internally inconsistent.
Strengths and limitations
Sony WH-1000XM5
Strengths
- Longer measured battery life with ANC on (31 h 53 min).
- LDAC support and multipoint; slightly better mic in wind per the source.
Limitations
- Folds flat only.
- Spatial features require the Sony Sound Connect app; LDAC is not supported on iPhones.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Strengths
- Judged the better noise canceller in the article's measurements.
- Folds down with a carrying case; aptX Lossless on compatible phones.
Limitations
- Shorter measured battery life (27 h 37 min).
- aptX Lossless needs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer Android phone; immersive audio listed as a weakness.
Pricing not verified
The source lists MSRPs that conflict with its own text, and both models are discontinued, so no price is shown. Check current retailer prices and the newer replacement models.
Which should you choose?
- Longest battery life: Sony WH-1000XM5 — 31 h 53 min versus 27 h 37 min in the cited test
- Best noise cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra — the source judged it the better performer, though both are stellar
- iPhone user: Either (AAC) — LDAC is not supported on iPhones and aptX Lossless needs a specific Android phone, so the codec advantages do not apply
- Android phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer: Bose QuietComfort Ultra for aptX Lossless — the source lists it as the compatible codec route
Our verdict
These were close rivals. If you want battery life and codec flexibility on Android, Sony's XM5 fits; if the strongest noise cancelling and a folding design with a case matter more, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra fits.
Because both models have been discontinued and replaced, treat this as a guide to what each brand emphasised, and compare the replacement models before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Which has better noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
SoundGuys measured a slight edge for Bose and described both as top-tier.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
In SoundGuys' testing with ANC on, the Sony lasted 31 h 53 min and the Bose 27 h 37 min.
Are these headphones still sold?
SoundGuys' October 2025 update says both are discontinued and replaced by the WH-1000XM6 and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen.
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How this was checked
Specifications compiled on 2026-11-02 from the sources below. The cited sources were re-opened and the key table values re-checked on 2026-11-02.
SoundGuys article re-read on 2026-11-02; all cited values matched.
Disclosure: AYORAHUB did not hands-on test these products or services. Nothing on this page is a lab measurement, benchmark or review score; analysis explains what the cited specifications mean in practice.
- Single testing source (SoundGuys, published 23 November 2023, byline updated 16 October 2025).
- The source's price table conflicts with its own text; prices are omitted.
- Battery figures are a lab's measurements; real use will differ.
- Both headphones are listed as discontinued in the October 2025 update.
Sources
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5 — SoundGuys (independent, 2023-11-23)