Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
VS
Bose QC45 wins by 2
Sony WH-1000XM3 — Over-ear · 2018
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM3

Over-ear · 2018

86
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Bose QC45 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC45 lands at 88 and Sony WH-1000XM3 at 86. That puts Bose QC45 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC45 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Sony WH-1000XM3 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

Bose QC45

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QC45 leads on sound (88 vs 86).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC45

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC45 leads on anc (86 vs 84).

Comfort

Bose QC45

Long-session wearability

Bose QC45 leads on comfort (87 vs 85).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

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

Bose QC45 88
vs
86 Sony WH-1000XM3

Score breakdown

Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Sony WH-1000XM3
86
anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC45 versus Sony WH-1000XM3 — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC45 Sony WH-1000XM3
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2021
2018

Bose QC45

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

Sony WH-1000XM3

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 QC45 vs Sony WH-1000XM3

Which is better, Bose QC45 or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

Bose QC45 scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC45 worth the price? +

At $329, Bose QC45 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Is Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QC45 or Sony WH-1000XM3 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 or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

Bose QC45 — leads on sound (88 vs 86). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC45 or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

Bose QC45 — leads on anc (86 vs 84). ANC strength for commute and travel.