Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones

9.1/10 Excellent

4.6★ (28,400 owners)

Quiet and Aware modes, 24hr, foldable, USB-C, Bose acoustic tuning. The comfortable ANC standard.

Full Review

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

9.4/10 Excellent

4.6★ (32,400 owners)

Industry-leading ANC, 30hr, Multipoint, LDAC, speak-to-chat. The ANC headphone benchmark.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones	Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
247Verdict Score	9.1/10	9.4/10
Owner Rating	4.6★ (28,400)	4.6★ (32,400)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
ANC	Quiet Mode (excellent)	Industry-leading (8 mics)
Battery	24 hours	30 hours ANC on
Codec	aptX + AAC	LDAC (990kbps)

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 9.1/10. Industry-leading ANC, 30hr, Multipoint, LDAC, speak-to-chat. The ANC headphone benchmark. That said, the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones is worth considering if Quiet and Aware modes, 24hr, foldable, USB-C, Bose acoustic tuning. The comfortable ANC standard. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones

Most comfortable over-ear headphones available — Bose's 30-year headphone ergonomics expertise
Folds flat for travel — smaller packed footprint than Sony XM5
Aware Mode is Bose's best transparency implementation — natural ambient passthrough
24-hour battery is adequate for most use cases
Bose's neutral, accurate tuning is preferred by those who find Sony XM5 too bass-heavy

ANC is excellent but doesn't match Sony XM5's industry-leading cancellation depth
No multipoint connection (connects to one device at a time)
No LDAC — Bluetooth codec limited to aptX and AAC

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

Industry-leading ANC remains the benchmark after multiple generations of refinement
30-hour battery with ANC active — the highest of any premium ANC headphone
Multipoint connects two devices simultaneously — phone and laptop without re-pairing
LDAC codec delivers 990kbps hi-res wireless audio — better than any other ANC headphone
Speak-to-chat pauses music and activates transparent mode when you start speaking

XM5 ear cups don't fold flat — bulkier carry case than XM4 which folded completely
Premium pricing — Jabra Evolve2 55 matches ANC quality for professional use at comparable cost
Some find the treble slightly emphasised vs competitors' more balanced tuning

FAQ

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort 45 or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Is the Bose QuietComfort 45 worth the extra cost?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Bose QuietComfort 45 best suited to?

Quiet and Aware modes, 24hr, foldable, USB-C, Bose acoustic tuning. The comfortable ANC standard.

Who is the Sony WH-1000XM5 best suited to?

Industry-leading ANC, 30hr, Multipoint, LDAC, speak-to-chat. The ANC headphone benchmark.

What are the main downsides of each?

Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones: ANC is excellent but doesn't match Sony XM5's industry-leading cancellation depth; No multipoint connection (connects to one device at a time). Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones: XM5 ear cups don't fold flat — bulkier carry case than XM4 which folded completely; Premium pricing — Jabra Evolve2 55 matches ANC quality for professional use at comparable cost.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones sits at 4.6★ from 28,400 verified Amazon owners, and Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones at 4.6★ from 32,400.

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