Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the hot new wunderkind of the earbuds world. But how does it stack up against some of the best options already on the market? The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have earned its reputation as a solid pair of earbuds with good design language, usability, and active noise canceling (ANC). So, how do the two of these top contenders compare?

What’s new?

• Bose has since released their latest flagship earbuds, the QuietComfort Ultra. Find out how they compare to the Sony WF-1000XM5.
• This article was updated on April 9, 2024, to ensure the timeliness of the information within.

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What’s it like to use the Sony WF-1000XM5 compared to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

Both the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are IPX4 rated, meaning they can handle water splashes. Their primarily plastic designs are slightly different, with the Bose earbuds having more of a stem. They both come with multiple swappable ear tips for customizable sizing. The Sony WF-1000XM5 come with four different sizes of ear tips, whereas the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II come with three. We notice more fit issues with Bose’s earbuds than with Sony’s very comfortable WF-1000XM5. However, the stemmed shape on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II helps with stability somewhat. Sony’s charging case uses a matte material that resembles the recyclable packaging the product comes in. The WF-1000XM5 case supports Qi wireless charging, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II case does not.

How do you control the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QC Earbuds II feature touch pads on the backside of the earbuds that allow you to control your music, and the controls available are similar. The Sony WF-1000XM5 will automatically pause playback if you take one of the earbuds out.

Sony WF-1000XM5 controls:

You can adjust the controls in the Bose Music App if you’re unhappy with the default setup.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II controls:

Should you use the apps of either Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

How do the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II connect?

For setup and pairing, the Sony WF-1000XM5 introduce a dedicated pairing button, simplifying the initial connection process. Furthermore, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer Bluetooth multipoint, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously. This feature is absent from the Bose QuietComfort II, making the Sony a more versatile choice for users who frequently switch between devices.

Is battery life better on the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 have the advantage when it comes to battery life. According to our testing, the Bose QuietComfort II provides a respectable 7 hours, 15 minutes of playback on a single charge with ANC on. In comparison, the Sony WF-1000XM5 surpass this with 9 hours, 32 minutes of continuous playback with ANC on. Qi wireless charging in the Sony WF-1000XM5 adds extra flexibility to keep the earbuds powered up on the go.

Do the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II block noise better?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are fairly comparable regarding active noise canceling performance. Although Sony is well known for its superb ANC, Bose keeps up with it here. Passive noise isolation is slightly improved thanks to the better fit on the WF-1000XM5. It’s important to note that there’s no way to disable the active noise canceling on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II; you can only turn on the passthrough mode that amplifies the sounds around you. Sony allows you to disable ANC and Ambient Sound Mode (aka passthrough mode).

Do the Sony WF-1000XM5 sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II each offer something different when it comes to sound. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II can acoustically measure your ears to automatically adjust the EQ to fit the shape of your ear canals best. The Sony WF-1000XM5 don’t have this feature, but they have a frequency response that matches our headphone preference curve much more closely. Of course, both of these earbuds offer the option to change the EQ in their respective apps. The Sony WF-1000XM5 app can automatically change the sound settings depending on your environment, whether you’re at home in a quiet room or out and about on a loud subway train.

Do the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have a better microphone?

Neither the Sony WF-1000XM5 nor the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have great microphone quality. They both use an array of microphones to best pick up the voice and to try to filter out excess noise and turbulence from wind. Both sound bad, but in different ways, and are barely adequate for phone calls, Zoom meetings, and other everyday tasks.

You can listen below to samples from each of them and judge for yourself.

Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II microphone demo (Office conditions):

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Price and availability

The Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are dead matched for price at $299.99. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a little older, so they may also be subject to discounts you might not find on the Sony WF-1000XM5 yet.

Should you get the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer a more compelling package for most people. They better justify their premium price with impressive noise canceling capabilities, superior sound quality, and robust software support. Although they may not warrant an upgrade from the previous Sony WF-1000XM4 ($278 at Amazon), the improved comfort in the Sony WF-1000XM5 could be a significant factor for those who may have struggled with the fit of their predecessor.

For those seeking top-notch noise cancelation, sound quality, and enhanced comfort, the Sony WF-1000XM5 represents a better value proposition compared to the Bose QuietComfort II. However, some may still find something to like about the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, such as preferring the design or the very bass-heavy default sound profile.

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