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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is paramount, both the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Sony WF1000XM5 offer great audio experiences with slight nuances that might not be significant to the average listener. The Bose has a slight edge in comfort and noise isolation, which would make them ideal for long listening sessions and air travel. However, if you prioritize battery life and features like wireless charging, the Sony provides a longer battery life and supports this convenience. For those who exercise, the Bose has a higher use during exercise score, suggesting better stability and sweat resistance. Note that Sony supports LDAC, which may interest audiophiles who value high-resolution audio streaming from compatible devices. Both offer similar mic quality and app-enabled customization; ultimately, the Bose could be more wallet-friendly and offers better noise isolation, while the Sony has tech-forward features and longer battery life. 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.4
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.9
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
6.2
5.4
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$298
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.2
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is very good.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Sony WF1000XM5
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.
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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.
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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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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.
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