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The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are both noise-canceling wireless headphones, but the available manufacturer information does not prove that one is better overall. If battery life with noise cancellation on is your priority, their listed maximums are tied at 30 hours; Bose lists longer playback with cancellation off, while Sony lists LDAC support and passive wired operation. Comfort, real-world noise cancellation, sound quality and call performance need independent comparative evidence or a personal audition to judge.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key specifications | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Buyers who value LDAC support or passive wired operation | Approximately 8.82 oz; up to 30 hours with noise cancellation on and 40 hours off; Bluetooth 5.2; SBC, AAC and LDAC | November 2026 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint or a choice of noise-canceling and Immersive Audio modes | Up to 30 hours with noise cancellation on and Immersive Audio off; 23 hours with both on; 45 hours with noise cancellation off; SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive | November 2026 |
These are manufacturers’ stated figures, not results from a side-by-side test. “Best for” describes which documented feature may suit a buyer; it is not a verdict on sound, comfort or cancellation. Sony’s approximately 8.82-ounce figure is a published specification, not an indication that it will feel lighter or more comfortable on your head than the Bose model.
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Which model is better overall?
Neither can be named the better headphone for everyone from the documented specifications. The practical choice depends on which measurable differences matter to you—and on listening qualities that a specification sheet cannot settle.
For battery duration with noise cancellation on, the listed maximum is the same: up to 30 hours for each. Sony lists up to 40 hours with cancellation off, while Bose lists up to 45 hours with cancellation off. Bose also gives a separate figure of up to 23 hours when both noise cancellation and Immersive Audio are on. These are different usage modes, so compare the figure that matches how you expect to listen rather than treating “battery life” as one universal number.
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For supported audio codecs, Sony lists SBC, AAC and LDAC. Bose’s 2nd Gen announcement lists SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive. The codec available in practice depends on the headphones’ connection and the source device; a codec appearing in a specification does not mean every phone, computer or game system will use it. See Sony’s WH-1000XM5 specifications and Bose’s 2025 announcement for the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
For wired listening, Sony lists a stereo mini jack and passive operation, as well as a connection cable in the box. Bose’s guide for the original QuietComfort Ultra says its wired audio cable requires the headphones to be powered on. That guide does not establish whether the same rule applies to the 2nd Gen, so do not assume the generations behave identically.
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Which Bose QuietComfort Ultra is being compared?
This comparison uses the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), announced by Bose in 2025. The generation matters: the cited Bose battery, codec and Bluetooth details are specifically for the 2nd Gen, while the wired-use caveat comes from a guide for the original model.
Bose says the 2nd Gen supports Bluetooth Core 5.4 with multipoint connectivity, allowing it to remain connected to two source devices at once. That can be useful if you switch between, for example, a computer and a phone, but multipoint is a connection feature—not evidence of better audio, cancellation or gaming performance. Confirm the exact generation in a product listing before buying; a listing for the original QuietComfort Ultra is not interchangeable with one for the 2nd Gen.
Check the wording in the product title, specification table and manual. “QuietComfort Ultra” without “(2nd Gen)” may refer to the earlier model. A retailer can also combine photographs or accessories from different listings, so use the model name and generation—not color, image or a discount label—as your identification check. The 2nd Gen announcement is dated 2025; the Sony specification page carries a 2023 copyright notice, so the documents describe products from different release periods.
How do the battery-life claims compare?
The manufacturers’ published maximums make the two models look similar with noise cancellation on, but Bose separates out its Immersive Audio mode and documents the conditions behind its battery test.
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| Listening mode | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Noise cancellation on | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours with Immersive Audio off |
| Noise cancellation and Immersive Audio on | Not listed in the cited Sony specification | Up to 23 hours |
| Noise cancellation off | Up to 40 hours | Up to 45 hours |
Bose’s 2nd Gen owner’s guide says its battery test used production-representative headphones, A2DP Bluetooth streaming, playback at 75 dBSPL, three-band EQ set to zero and Quiet Mode. Bose also notes that battery life varies with settings and usage. Those details help explain the conditions behind Bose’s claim; they do not make the result a direct comparison with Sony, whose cited specification does not provide matching test conditions. See the Bose 2nd Gen owner’s guide.
In ordinary use, listening volume and selected features can affect how long a charge lasts. Treat “up to” as a manufacturer maximum, not a promise that every listener will reach that duration. If you regularly use Bose Immersive Audio, its 23-hour figure is the more relevant listed estimate than the 30-hour figure for noise cancellation with Immersive Audio off. If you normally disable noise cancellation, the listed Bose maximum is five hours longer than Sony’s; if you keep cancellation on, the headline figures are tied.
Do not compare the 23-hour Bose figure with Sony’s 40-hour figure as if they describe the same setup. One includes two active features and the other describes cancellation off. Before buying, write down your normal mode—cancellation on, cancellation off, or cancellation plus Immersive Audio—and use only the matching row. That simple check prevents the most common battery-life misunderstanding in this comparison.
How do their codecs and connections differ?
The Sony specification lists Bluetooth 5.2 and SBC, AAC and LDAC. Bose’s 2nd Gen announcement lists Bluetooth 5.4, SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive, plus multipoint for two source devices. Neither codec list alone establishes which headphone will sound better: the source device and active connection determine which supported option is actually available.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Connection detail | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth version listed | 5.2 | Core 5.4 |
| Codecs listed | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint detail | Not established by the cited specification | Remain connected to two source devices simultaneously |
| Bluetooth version meaning | The cited documents do not establish comparative range, stability, latency or sound quality. | |
If you already know your device supports a particular codec and want to use it, check that codec against the headphone’s published list and your device’s own specifications. Sony lists LDAC; Bose lists aptX Adaptive. Both list SBC and AAC. A phone may support one codec while a computer, television or game system uses another. Operating-system settings, application support and the active connection can also determine what is actually selected.
Do not choose on Bluetooth version number alone. The cited documents do not show a comparative range, stability or audio-quality result for the two models. Likewise, aptX Adaptive or LDAC on a box does not guarantee a better result if your source cannot transmit it, if the connection falls back to SBC or AAC, or if your listening service and device do not expose the relevant setting.
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What does multipoint change in daily use?
Bose specifically describes the 2nd Gen as supporting two-source multipoint. For a person moving between a computer and a phone, that can reduce the need to disconnect and pair repeatedly. It is still a convenience feature, not proof of superior cancellation, sound or microphone quality.
The cited Sony specification does not establish an equivalent multipoint behavior, so this comparison cannot promise that the WH-1000XM5 will or will not handle the same switching pattern. If two-device switching is essential, verify the current Sony instructions and the exact Bose 2nd Gen listing, then test the devices you actually use. A generic claim that headphones support Bluetooth does not answer whether two particular sources can stay connected together.
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What do the specifications say about wired use and what is included?
Sony’s product listing specifies a stereo mini jack, passive operation and a carrying case, connection cable and USB cable in the box. That makes the listed wired option and included accessories straightforward to verify before purchase. The cited information does not establish that the supplied cable or any other accessory is necessary beyond what is included.
Passive operation is particularly relevant if you want to listen from a source with a headphone output or conserve wireless battery. Sony’s listing is the basis for that feature; follow the product instructions for the exact cable connection and controls. Passive operation does not by itself tell you how noise cancellation, microphones or other powered functions behave while the cable is connected.
For Bose, the available wired-use detail is generation-specific to the original QuietComfort Ultra: its owner’s guide says the headphones must be powered on to use the wired audio cable. Because that source is not the 2nd Gen guide, it cannot confirm the 2nd Gen’s behavior. If wired listening with a depleted battery is important, verify the 2nd Gen manual or ask the seller before buying rather than transferring the original model’s instruction to the newer one.
The cited materials do not establish a complete, like-for-like Bose in-box accessory list. Do not assume that the Bose package contains the same cable types or case as Sony’s package. Read the exact 2nd Gen listing for your market and check the box contents before paying for an additional cable or case.
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What will each one cost?
Sony lists the WH-1000XM5 at a US manufacturer suggested retail price of $399.99 on its product page. That is an MSRP, not a guarantee of the current selling price or availability; promotions and retailer pricing may change. The cited Bose materials do not provide a verified current Bose price, so there is no reliable like-for-like price comparison here.
Use the exact generation when comparing offers. A lower price may be for the original QuietComfort Ultra rather than the 2nd Gen, or may be a temporary promotion. Compare the seller’s listed model name, included accessories, return terms and warranty alongside the dollar amount. Do not infer a better value from MSRP alone: the documents do not establish which model has better cancellation, sound, comfort or calls.
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 product page is the source for its listed MSRP and included items. Verify both manufacturers’ current pages or an authorized seller’s listing at the time you buy, because stock and promotions can change after the cited page dates.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can the specifications tell you which has better noise cancellation, sound or comfort?
No. The official sources establish product specifications and manufacturer claims, not controlled head-to-head results for active noise cancellation, sound quality, microphone performance, calls or comfort.
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Those are important differences in daily use, but a feature list cannot answer them. Fit and comfort vary between listeners, and a noise-cancellation claim does not show how effectively one model handles a particular environment compared with the other. Ear shape, glasses, hair, head size and seal can all affect an individual experience, but the cited documents do not provide a controlled comparison of those factors.
If cancellation is your priority, audition both in the environment that matters to you when possible: a commute, office, airplane cabin or home with steady background noise. Listen for the sounds you actually need to reduce rather than relying on a general reputation. If sound is decisive, use familiar tracks and equal listening levels. For calls, make a test call from the places where you normally talk. These steps are practical evaluation methods, not claims that one model wins.
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Look for an independent comparison that evaluates both exact generations under comparable conditions. Confirm that a review is testing the Bose 2nd Gen, not the original, and that it identifies its test settings. A review that discusses only one model, uses different firmware or changes listening modes cannot settle this head-to-head question by itself.
Which one should you choose?
Choose by the documented feature that fits your priorities, and keep the unknowns in view:
- Choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 if LDAC support or Sony’s listed passive operation and stereo mini jack are important to you. Sony also lists a carrying case, connection cable and USB cable as included accessories. Its listed maximum is 40 hours with noise cancellation off and approximately 8.82 ounces in weight.
- Consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if you want its documented Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint connection or expect to use Immersive Audio and want a separate battery maximum for that mode. Bose lists up to 23 hours with both noise cancellation and Immersive Audio on, 30 hours with cancellation on and Immersive Audio off, and 45 hours with cancellation off.
- If you mainly care about noise cancellation, sound, calls or comfort, the cited specifications do not establish a winner. Seek independent comparative evidence or judge fit and sound in person, if an audition is available.
- If you need to compare prices, use current listings for the exact products and generations. Sony’s cited US page gives a $399.99 MSRP, but no current Bose price is established here.
- If you switch between two devices, Bose’s 2nd Gen announcement explicitly describes two-source multipoint. Treat that as a convenience advantage only; verify how your own phone and computer behave.
- If you listen mostly with a cable, Sony’s listed passive operation is the clearer documented option. For Bose, confirm the 2nd Gen wired-power requirement because the cited power-on instruction belongs to the original model’s guide.
A practical buying checklist
- Identify the Bose generation. Make sure the listing says “QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)” if that is the model you intend to compare.
- Match the battery mode. Decide whether you will use noise cancellation, Immersive Audio, both, or neither, then compare the corresponding manufacturer figure.
- Check your source codec. Confirm whether your phone, computer or other source supports LDAC, aptX Adaptive, AAC or only SBC, and remember that the active connection controls the result.
- Confirm wired requirements. Sony lists passive operation and a stereo mini jack. For Bose 2nd Gen, read the current manual rather than relying on the original model’s power-on instruction.
- Audit the package. Sony lists a case, connection cable and USB cable. Verify what is in the Bose 2nd Gen box before buying extras.
- Compare current prices. Treat Sony’s $399.99 figure as an MSRP and check current Bose pricing, promotions, stock and return terms for the exact generation.
- Test the unresolved qualities. If possible, audition fit, comfort, cancellation, sound and calls yourself or consult a controlled review that tests both exact models.
For a purchase, verify the exact model name and the features that matter on the product page. In particular, do not mistake the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra for the 2nd Gen, do not treat battery modes as interchangeable, and do not assume that a listed codec will be used by every source device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WH-1000XM5 work over a cable when its battery is empty?
Sony lists passive operation and a stereo mini jack for the WH-1000XM5, which indicates a wired listening option that does not require active powered operation. Check the included connection cable and the product’s instructions for the exact setup.
Can I use LDAC with any phone that pairs with the Sony headphones?
No. Sony lists LDAC as a supported codec, but the codec used depends on the source device and connection; pairing alone does not establish that LDAC is available. Check your phone’s audio or Bluetooth specifications if LDAC is a deciding feature.
Does Bose Immersive Audio reduce battery life?
Bose lists up to 30 hours with noise cancellation on and Immersive Audio off, but up to 23 hours when both are on. If you plan to keep Immersive Audio enabled, use the 23-hour figure for planning.
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No. The battery, codec and Bluetooth details cited here are for the 2nd Gen, while the wired-power note comes from the original model’s guide. Confirm the generation in both the product listing and any manual you consult.
What does Bose multipoint mean on the 2nd Gen?
Bose says the 2nd Gen can remain connected to two source devices simultaneously. That may help when switching between a phone and computer, but it does not prove better sound, cancellation, calls or gaming performance.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) tie on the listed 30-hour maximum with noise cancellation on, but diverge in battery modes, codecs, Bluetooth details and documented wired use. Choose Sony for its listed LDAC and passive mini-jack operation, or consider Bose for 2nd Gen multipoint and its Immersive Audio options. Noise cancellation, sound, comfort and call quality remain questions for an independent head-to-head test or your own audition.
