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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Lossless
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Lossless

92
/ 100
From $299
VS
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds wins by 1
Sony WF-1000XM5 — Integrated V2 · LDAC · Dual processors
Sony

Sony WF-1000XM5

Integrated V2 · LDAC · Dual processors

91
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lands at 92 and Sony WF-1000XM5 at 91. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if…

  • ✓Best ANC for earbuds
  • ✓Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
  • ✓Immersive Audio

Pick Sony WF-1000XM5 if…

  • ✓Excellent ANC for the size
  • ✓LDAC hi-res on Android
  • ✓Smaller than XM4
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leads on anc (98 vs 93).

Sound

Tie

Compared on the sound sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Compared on the comfort sub-score

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds leads on comfort (94 vs 88).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 92
vs
91 Sony WF-1000XM5

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
92
anc 98
sound 92
comfort 94
battery 78
features 90
Sony WF-1000XM5
91
anc 93
sound 92
comfort 88
battery 84
features 90

Specs side-by-side

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds versus Sony WF-1000XM5 — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Sony WF-1000XM5
Battery
6 h (ANC) / 24 h case
▲ 8 h (ANC) / 24 h case
Codecs
aptX Lossless, SBC, AAC
LDAC, LC3, AAC, SBC
Water rating
IPX4
IPX4
Drivers
—
8.4 mm dynamic

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Pros
  • +Best ANC for earbuds
  • +Excellent comfort with StayHear Max tips
  • +Immersive Audio
Cons
  • −Only 6 h battery
  • −Case is chunky
  • −No wireless charging standard

Sony WF-1000XM5

Pros
  • +Excellent ANC for the size
  • +LDAC hi-res on Android
  • +Smaller than XM4
Cons
  • −Case fingerprint magnet
  • −Some find them bass-heavy
  • −Price pressure from rivals

FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Sony WF-1000XM5

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or Sony WF-1000XM5? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds worth the price? +

At $299, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in anc.

Is Sony WF-1000XM5 worth the price? +

At $299, Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in anc.

Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or Sony WF-1000XM5 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or Sony WF-1000XM5? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on anc (98 vs 93). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.

Which is better for comfort, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or Sony WF-1000XM5? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — leads on comfort (94 vs 88). Compared on the comfort sub-score.