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Sony WH-1000XM5 — Over-ear · 2022
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM5

Over-ear · 2022

93
/ 100
From $399
VS
Sony WH-1000XM5 wins by 3
Bose QuietComfort Headphones — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Over-ear · 2023

90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Sony WH-1000XM5 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM5 lands at 93 and Bose QuietComfort Headphones at 90. That puts Sony WH-1000XM5 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sony WH-1000XM5 if…

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

Pick Bose QuietComfort Headphones 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-1000XM5

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on sound (93 vs 90).

Noise cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM5

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on anc (91 vs 88).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM5

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on comfort (92 vs 89).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

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

Sony WH-1000XM5 93
vs
90 Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Score breakdown

Sony WH-1000XM5
93
anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Sony WH-1000XM5 versus Bose QuietComfort Headphones — full spec comparison
Spec Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2022
2023

Sony WH-1000XM5

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 Headphones

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: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sony WH-1000XM5 worth the price? +

At $399, Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in sound.

Is Bose QuietComfort Headphones worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QuietComfort Headphones delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones 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-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 — leads on sound (93 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Headphones? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 — leads on anc (91 vs 88). ANC strength for commute and travel.