Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green
Over-ear · 2020
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green lands at 90 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra at 93. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…
- ✓Best comfort in class
- ✓Excellent ANC
- ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Bose QuietComfort UltraTuning, detail, and staging
Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on sound (92 vs 90).
Noise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort UltraANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 88).
Comfort
Bose QuietComfort UltraLong-session wearability
Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 89).
Value for money
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss GreenSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green more score per dollar ($349 vs $429).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green | Bose QuietComfort Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | — |
| Release year | 2020 | — |
| Driver | — | 35 mm dynamic |
| Battery | — | 24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on) |
| Weight | — | 253 g |
| Codecs | — | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green
- +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
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- +Best comfort in class
- +Excellent ANC
- +Immersive Audio spatial feature
- −Bose app fiddly
- −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
- −No LDAC support
FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green worth the price? +
At $349, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +
At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.
Does Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 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, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on sound (92 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Moss Green or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 88). ANC strength for commute and travel.