Listen to the verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the better all-rounder; the Bose QC Ultra wins on raw comfort and flights.
If you fly often or live in open-plan offices, buy the Bose. If you listen to music more than you take calls, want the better app, and prefer richer sound, buy the Sony. Both are excellent — this is a preference call, not a quality gap.
€449 · Best ANC + comfort, Immersive Audio
Check Bose QC Ultra on Amazon →The Bose Product Support clip below is that manufacturer’s own product video — marketing by one of the two parties this page compares, not independent evidence. The verdict here is ours.
Official Bose product overview
Bose walkthrough of Immersive Audio, the physical volume slider, and the new aware mode.
MKBHD review
Marques Brownlee's WH-1000XM5 review covering sound, mic quality, and the controversial design refresh.
| Metric | Bose QC Ultra | Sony XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall sound (music) | Neutral, slightly bright | Bass-leaning, V-shaped |
| ANC on planes | Best-in-class | Excellent (slightly behind) |
| ANC on office chatter | Excellent | Best-in-class |
| Comfort (8-hour wear) | Outstanding (253g) | Very good (250g) |
| Battery life | 24h (18h with Immersive) | 30h |
| Call quality | Good (6 mics) | Best-in-class (12 mics) |
| Companion app | 3-band EQ, basic | 5-band EQ, full features |
| Foldable | Yes (compact case) | No (larger case) |
| Price | €449 | €349 (-€100) |
The Bose ANC is the strongest on continuous low-frequency drone — airplane engines, train rumble, server room hum, fans. If you fly more than 5 times a year or commute on rail, this is the difference between landing tired and landing rested.
It also wins on raw comfort. At 253g with denser earpad foam and a softer headband, the QC Ultra stays comfortable for the 11-hour Amsterdam-LAX flight where the Sony starts to clamp.
For pure music listening, the Sony's signature is more engaging — richer low-end, fuller mid-range. The 360 Reality Audio feature (with the spatial-audio app onboarding) gives a more immersive music experience than Bose's Immersive Audio, which is tuned more for podcasts/films.
Sony's 12-microphone array with beamforming makes calls audibly cleaner in cafe and street environments. The 5-band EQ in the Sony Headphones Connect app lets you fix the bass tilt if you prefer neutral sound. And the 30-hour battery vs Bose's 24h matters for 2-3 day trips without charging.
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Fly more than 5x/year | Bose QC Ultra |
| Work in an open-plan office | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
| Listen to podcasts/audiobooks/films primarily | Bose QC Ultra |
| Listen to music (any genre) primarily | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
| Take 4+ calls a day from headphones | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
| Have a head >57cm or sensitive ears | Bose QC Ultra |
| Want the best Android codec (aptX Adaptive) | Bose QC Ultra |
| Want the smarter companion app | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
| Want to save €100 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
Most readers should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5. It's the more versatile all-rounder, beats the Bose on the things most people use headphones for (music, calls, daily mixed listening), and saves you €100.
Buy the Bose QC Ultra only if you specifically need top-tier flight ANC and all-day comfort and you're willing to pay 30% more for those gains. For business travellers and people who wear headphones 8+ hours a day, that premium is worth it.
Read our full reviews: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review · Sony WH-1000XM5 review
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