Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass
The Verdict
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass target different use cases. Bose delivers superior ANC through CustomTune auto-calibration, responding to your ear canal shape for personalized noise isolation. Six hours of playtime with ANC on is respectable for earbuds, expandable to 24 hours total with the case. The 9.3mm drivers produce balanced sound, and IPX4 water resistance suits active users. Sony's over-ear design provides 30 hours with ANC enabled, far outpacing the Bose for marathon listening sessions. The 40mm drivers emphasize extra bass, appealing to bass lovers, and LDAC codec support delivers higher audio quality when paired with compatible devices. Sony includes wired 3.5mm connectivity as backup. However, Sony lacks water resistance and weighs 252 grams versus Bose's portability at 6.24g per earbud. Price favors Sony at $249 versus $299. Choose Bose for daily commutes, workouts, and portable listening with top-tier ANC. Pick Sony for extended home use, bass preference, and maximum battery life without recharging.
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 WH-XB910N Extra Bass if…
- →Extra Bass delivers deep, powerful low-end for bass-heavy genres
- →30-hour battery life with ANC matches the premium XM series
- →LDAC support for high-resolution audio streaming
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 WH-XB910N Extra Bass
Pros
- Extra Bass delivers deep, powerful low-end for bass-heavy genres
- 30-hour battery life with ANC matches the premium XM series
- LDAC support for high-resolution audio streaming
- Multipoint Bluetooth connects to two devices simultaneously
- Comfortable, lightweight design at 252 g
Cons
- Bass emphasis can overwhelm mids and highs for balanced listeners
- ANC is decent but noticeably weaker than WH-1000XM5
- No water resistance limits outdoor use
- Touch controls lack the precision of the XM5's panel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 6.24 g (each) | 252 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 hrs (ANC on), 24 hrs total with case | 30 hrs with ANC |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless, 20 min = 2 hrs playback | USB-C, 10 min = 4.5 hrs playback |
| Drivers | 9.3mm dynamic driver | 40mm driver with Extra Bass |
| Features | CustomTune auto-calibrating ANC and sound, ActiveSense transparency mode, Aware Mode for hearing surroundings, Bose Music app with EQ, Touchpad controls | Extra Bass for deep, punchy low end, Noise Cancellation, Quick Attention mode, 360 Reality Audio, Speak-to-Chat, Adaptive Sound Control |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | None |
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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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