Premium Noise-Cancelling Showdown

Sony and Bose dominate the premium headphone market. Here's how their flagship models compare.

Noise Cancellation

Sony WH-1000XM5: Industry-leading ANC, superior wind noise handling Bose QC Ultra: Excellent ANC, slightly more natural ambient pass-through

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5 - Best overall ANC performance

Sound Quality

Sony: Balanced, detailed, excellent bass control Bose: Slightly warmer, immersive spatial audio

Winner: Sony - More accurate, versatile tuning

Comfort

Sony: Lightweight, excellent padding, glasses-friendly Bose: Legendary comfort, slightly heavier

Winner: Bose - Marginally more comfortable for extended wear

Battery Life

Sony: 30 hours with ANC Bose: 24 hours with ANC

Winner: Sony - 25% longer battery life

Verdict

Choose Sony WH-1000XM5 for: Best ANC, better battery, more features Choose Bose QC Ultra for: Maximum comfort, spatial audio, Bose ecosystem