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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have better overall sound quality, comfort, built-in controls, and are more suitable for air travel and exercise due to better stability bands and noise isolation. However, they offer lower microphone quality and a shorter battery life compared to the Sony WF1000XM5. The Sony earbuds lack aptX Adaptive codec support, but they have a longer battery life, support wireless charging, and charge faster. Both have dynamic drivers, equivalent soundstages, and are similarly optimized for Android and Apple devices with app customization features. Choose Bose for better sound and comfort or Sony for longer use and convenient charging. 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 WF1000XM5
- The Sony WF1000XM5 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF1000XM5 are both very good for music, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.8
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
5.4
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$298
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF1000XM5 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 21 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 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 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 WF1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Ultra Earbuds 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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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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