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Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
VS
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue wins by 2
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue — Over-ear · 2020
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

Over-ear · 2020

90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC45 lands at 88 and Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue at 90. That puts Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue 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-1000XM4 · Navy Blue if…

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

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

Sound quality

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue leads on sound (90 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue leads on anc (88 vs 86).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue leads on comfort (89 vs 87).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

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

Bose QC45 88
vs
90 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

Score breakdown

Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC45 versus Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC45 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2021
2020

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-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

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-1000XM4 · Navy Blue

Which is better, Bose QC45 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue? +

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue scores 90 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-1000XM4 · Navy Blue worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QC45 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue 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-1000XM4 · Navy Blue? +

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue — leads on sound (90 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC45 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue? +

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Navy Blue — leads on anc (88 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.