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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise cancellation and comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have excellent features in these areas, along with stability bands for a secure fit during activities. However, their battery life is shorter than the Sony WF1000XM4, which also offers exceptional sound quality and features Sony's 360 Reality Audio for an immersive experience, though this requires compatible apps. Sony's slightly better battery life may be a deciding factor if you're frequently on the go, whereas Bose might be your top pick for active use and quiet listening environments. 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 Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
5.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
8.1
6.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Music
8.6
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be excellent for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.2/10 | 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 | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Sony WF1000XM4
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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 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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.
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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