A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose 700s offer a comfortable over-ear experience that's excellent for phone calls, long flights, and critical listening, with superior noise cancellation and a solid build quality. They have a balanced sound that's good for a variety of content, but they may be too bulky for exercise, and their weight makes them less portable. The Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds provide a more immersive in-ear experience with exceptional sound quality and an excellent app that features a customizable equalizer. They're also more suited for exercise due to their sweatproof design and are more portable, but they may not be as comfortable for everyone, and the microphone quality lags behind the Bose. If battery life is a concern, the Sonys last longer on a single charge. Choose Bose if you want top-tier noise cancellation and comfort, especially for travel or office use; choose Sony for superior sound and portability, especially if you're active or on the move. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Bose 700
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Bose 700 is good.
Phone Calls
8.3
6.7
The Bose 700 is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose 700 is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose 700 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is very good.
Battery
20.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bose 700 has 20 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose 700 has a price of $299 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Bose 700 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Bose 700 is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose 700 to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose 700 and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose 700 | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2019 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 20 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 263 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose 700
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | June 2023
"Bose took active noise canceling and made it mainstream but eventually, the market caught up. Well, it seems like Bose was listening, because the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is a complete redesign of its iconic product. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 have a new design, improved sound quality, a touch-sensitive gesture pad for playback controls, and even USB-C charging."
Sony WF1000XM4
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Bose 700 or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
110,900
Recommendations made
16,635
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
