Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
93
/ 100
From $429
VS
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2022
93
/ 100
From $399
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra lands at 93 and Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black at 93. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…
- ✓Best comfort in class
- ✓Excellent ANC
- ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature
Pick Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 93
vs 93 Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
Score breakdown
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93 anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
93 anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 35 mm dynamic | — |
| Battery | 24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on) | — |
| Weight | 253 g | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | — |
| Type | — | Over-ear |
| Release year | — | 2022 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Pros
- +Best comfort in class
- +Excellent ANC
- +Immersive Audio spatial feature
Cons
- −Bose app fiddly
- −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
- −No LDAC support
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
Pros
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black? +
Both score 93 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +
At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.
Is Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black worth the price? +
At $399, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in sound.
Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black 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.