Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
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Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4
Comparison: Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4
| Criterion | Bose QuietComfort Headphones | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(16,733)Amazon | ★4.5(623)Amazon |
Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear (closed-back) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, 2.5mm to 3.5mm analog cable | Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 mm; USB-C (charging only); NFC |
Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
ANC | Yes (Quiet & Aware modes + Custom modes) | Yes (Industry-leading Digital Noise Cancelling) |
Transparency | Yes (Aware Mode) | Yes (Ambient Sound Mode) |
Drivers | Custom dynamic drivers (Size/Type undisclosed by manufacturer) | 40 mm, Dome type (CCAW Voice coil) |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz (Measured) | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz (Wired) |
Microphones | Microphone system with noise-rejecting boomless array | 5 mics (Precise Voice Pickup + Dual Noise Sensor) |
Battery Life | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 30 h (ANC On) / 38 h (ANC Off) |
Battery Life | N/A (Headphones only) | N/A (Not TWS) |
Charging | USB-C; 2.5 hrs for full charge; 15 min = up to 2.5 hrs play | USB-C (Fast charge: 10 min ≈ 5 h playback) |
Multipoint | Yes (2 devices with seamless switching) | Yes (2 devices) |
Low Latency Mode | No (SimpleSync available only for Bose Soundbars) | No (Video sync is good, but no dedicated Gaming Mode) |
Wired Mode | Yes (Active or Passive - passive sounds different) | Yes (3.5 mm) |
Water Resistance | None | No IP Rating |
Weight | 238 g | 254 g (8.96 oz) |
Controls | Physical buttons (Volume, Play/Pause, Mode Switch) | Touch sensor (Right earcup); Physical buttons (Power, Custom) |
App Eq | Bose Music app (3-band EQ + Presets) | Sony Headphones Connect (5-band EQ + Clear Bass) |
Extras | Wind Block feature; Spotify Tap; Foldable design; Hard carry case included | Speak-to-Chat; DSEE Extreme; Wearing Detection (Auto-pause); 360 Reality Audio |
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Bose QuietComfort Headphones
✓ Pros:
- • Legendary comfort (low clamping force, deep ear pads)
- • Best-in-class physical buttons (preferred by many over touch)
- • Excellent noise cancellation consistency
- • Foldable design is travel-friendly (unlike Sony XM5/Bose Ultra)
✗ Cons:
- • No wear sensors (music does not auto-pause when taken off)
- • 2.5mm audio jack limits third-party cable options
- • Still uses older Bluetooth 5.1 compared to competitors
- • No high-bitrate codecs (no LDAC or aptX)
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Sony WH-1000XM4
✓ Pros:
- • Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- • Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5)
- • Multi-device pairing works seamlessly
- • Comfortable lightweight fit for long sessions
✗ Cons:
- • No official IP water resistance rating
- • Microphone quality is good, but not best-in-class anymore
- • Touch controls can be sensitive to moisture/cold
- • LDAC disables when using Multipoint (on older firmware)
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Which one is better?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones is stronger in quality and performance, but Sony WH-1000XM4 could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (Legendary comfort (low clamping force, deep ear pads), Best-in-class physical buttons (preferred by many over touch))
For value or versatility: Sony WH-1000XM4 (Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5))
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones excels if you value legendary comfort (low clamping force, deep ear pads). Sony WH-1000XM4 is better if you prioritize top-tier active noise cancellation (anc). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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