Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Sony WF-1000XM5
The Verdict
Both earbuds deliver flagship noise cancellation at the same $299 price point, but with distinct strengths. Sony's WF-1000XM5 extend playback to 8 hours per charge with ANC enabled, compared to Bose's 6 hours, providing genuine extra listening time between charges. Sony also supports LDAC codec for hi-res audio streaming and includes DSEE Extreme upscaling technology, making them better for audiophiles and music streaming services that support lossless quality. Bose counters with CustomTune, an intelligent auto-calibrating ANC system that adapts to your ear canal in real-time, plus their Aware Mode offers slightly more natural pass-through audio. Both feature Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, Qi wireless charging, and IPX4 water resistance. Sony's 5.9g buds are marginally lighter than Bose's 6.24g, though this difference is negligible in daily use. The Sony wins on audio fidelity potential and battery endurance, while Bose offers superior transparency mode and a more personalized ANC experience. Choose Sony if extended battery life and hi-res audio matter most; choose Bose if you prefer adaptive noise cancellation that learns your ears.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II if…
- →Best-in-class ANC that rivals over-ear headphones
- →CustomTune calibrates noise cancellation and sound to your ears
- →Compact and lightweight at 6.24 g for comfortable all-day wear
Buy the Sony WF-1000XM5 if…
- →Best-in-class active noise cancellation for true wireless earbuds
- →LDAC hi-res audio support with rich, customizable sound
- →Smaller and lighter than predecessor with improved comfort
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Pros
- Best-in-class ANC that rivals over-ear headphones
- CustomTune calibrates noise cancellation and sound to your ears
- Compact and lightweight at 6.24 g for comfortable all-day wear
- Multipoint Bluetooth for dual-device connectivity
- Qi wireless charging case for convenience
Cons
- Only AAC and SBC codecs — no LDAC or aptX
- 6-hour battery with ANC is relatively short
- IPX4 is basic splash resistance
- $299 is expensive for true wireless earbuds
- Call quality can be inconsistent in windy environments
Sony WF-1000XM5
Pros
- Best-in-class active noise cancellation for true wireless earbuds
- LDAC hi-res audio support with rich, customizable sound
- Smaller and lighter than predecessor with improved comfort
- Bluetooth multipoint and LE Audio with Auracast
- Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control
Cons
- Expensive at $300 launch price
- Reports of build-quality issues with case hinge
- Touch controls can be sensitive
- Only IPX4 water resistance (no dust rating)
Full Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 6.24 g (each) | 5.9 g (per bud) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 hrs (ANC on), 24 hrs total with case | 8 hrs buds (ANC on), up to 24 hrs total with case |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless, 20 min = 2 hrs playback | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | 9.3mm dynamic driver | 8.4 mm Dynamic Driver X |
| Features | CustomTune auto-calibrating ANC and sound, ActiveSense transparency mode, Aware Mode for hearing surroundings, Bose Music app with EQ, Touchpad controls | Integrated Processor V2 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e, LDAC hi-res audio and DSEE Extreme upscaling, 360 Reality Audio, Adaptive Sound Control and Speak-to-Chat, Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast support, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, LC3, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 (buds) |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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