Sony
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2022
93
/ 100
From $399
VS
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
93
/ 100
From $429
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black lands at 93 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra at 93. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black 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
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black 93
vs 93 Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Score breakdown
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black
93 anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93 anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black | Bose QuietComfort Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | — |
| Release year | 2022 | — |
| Driver | — | 35 mm dynamic |
| Battery | — | 24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on) |
| Weight | — | 253 g |
| Codecs | — | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
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
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
FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Both score 93 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
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.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +
At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.
Does Sony WH-1000XM5 · Midnight Black 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.