Bose QC45 · Navy Blue
Over-ear · 2021
Sony WH-1000XM6
LDAC · 30 h · 12-mic ANC with QN3
Sony WH-1000XM6 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC45 · Navy Blue lands at 88 and Sony WH-1000XM6 at 95. That puts Sony WH-1000XM6 ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QC45 · Navy Blue if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
- ✓Best sound quality in ANC class
- ✓LDAC + multipoint + Auracast support
- ✓Excellent EQ app and ANC tuning
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Sony WH-1000XM6Tuning, detail, and staging
Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on sound (96 vs 88).
Noise cancelling
Sony WH-1000XM6ANC strength for commute and travel
Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on anc (94 vs 86).
Comfort
Sony WH-1000XM6Long-session wearability
Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on comfort (92 vs 87).
Value for money
Bose QC45 · Navy BlueSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QC45 · Navy Blue more score per dollar ($329 vs $449).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC45 · Navy Blue | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | — |
| Release year | 2021 | — |
| Driver | — | 30 mm dynamic |
| ANC | — | Hybrid · 12-mic with QN3 HD Noise Cancelling Processor |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3 LE |
| Codecs | — | LDAC + LC3 + AAC + SBC |
| Battery | — | 30 h (24 with ANC on) |
| Charging | — | USB-C, 3 min for 3 h |
| Weight | — | 254 g |
Bose QC45 · Navy Blue
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
Sony WH-1000XM6
- +Best sound quality in ANC class
- +LDAC + multipoint + Auracast support
- +Excellent EQ app and ANC tuning
- −ANC marginally trails Bose QC Ultra
- −Plastic build vs premium rivals
- −No higher-res codecs above LDAC
FAQ: Bose QC45 · Navy Blue vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Which is better, Bose QC45 · Navy Blue or Sony WH-1000XM6? +
Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QC45 · Navy Blue worth the price? +
At $329, Bose QC45 · Navy Blue delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Is Sony WH-1000XM6 worth the price? +
At $449, Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.
Does Bose QC45 · Navy Blue or Sony WH-1000XM6 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 sound quality, Bose QC45 · Navy Blue or Sony WH-1000XM6? +
Sony WH-1000XM6 — leads on sound (96 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC45 · Navy Blue or Sony WH-1000XM6? +
Sony WH-1000XM6 — leads on anc (94 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.