Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 vs Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Products

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless

Tested using Methodology v2.1

Updated Mar 09, 2026 11:52 AM

Tested using Methodology v2.1

Updated Mar 09, 2026 05:48 PM

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Picture

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Picture

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Emphasized (3 dB)

WirelessYes

Treble Amount Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature V-Shaped

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Very Emphasized (6 dB)

WirelessYes

Treble Amount Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Warm

Our Verdict

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless are both high-end headphones. The Bose's ANC blocks out more of the low rumble of bus and plane engines, but the Sony headphones do a better job of cutting down mid-range noise like ambient chatter and treble-range sounds like the high-pitched whirl of computer fans. Their fit is also more comfortable. That said, the Sony have a few extra features over the Bose. The Sony support LDAC for hi-res audio, and they have a virtual soundstage feature to help give you a more immersive sound, though you need to subscribe to services that support it.

Variants

QuietComfort 45/QC45 (Eclipse Grey)
QuietComfort 45/QC45 (Midnight Blue)

WH-1000XM5 (Black)
WH-1000XM5 (Midnight Blue)

Review

See Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Review

See Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Review

Check Price

Midnight Blue

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Midnight Blue

WH-1000XM5

Eclipse Grey

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Black

WH-1000XM5

Triple Black

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Silver

WH-1000XM5

Triple Black

QuietComfort SE

Smoky Pink

WH-1000XM5

White Smoke

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Main Differences for

Sports And Fitness

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Full Comparison

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

Travel

0.0

0.0

Office Work

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Audio Reproduction Accuracy

0.0

0.0

Noise Isolation

0.0

0.0

Microphone (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Frequency Response Consistency

0.0

0.0

Sound

Sound Profile

Sound Profile

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Normalization Frequency

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Bass Amount

Locked

Locked

Treble Amount

Locked

Locked

Sound Signature

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Mismatch

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock°

Lock°

Show Text

Cumulative Spectral Decay

CSD

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless CSD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless CSD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Harmonics Levels

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

THD Ratio

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 94 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

Electrical Aspects

Impedance

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

Test Instrument

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Airplane Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio

Office Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio

Street Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio

Show Text

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling

Female Voice 1

Male Voice 1

Female Voice 2

Male Voice 2

ANC Wind Handling

ANC Wind Handling Graph

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

ANC Wind Noise

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

N/A

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Wired Connection

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector

Locked

Locked

Latency - Analog

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - USB

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Connection

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Bluetooth Connection

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (Android)

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS)

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - aptX

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)

N/A

N/A

Latency - LDAC

N/A

Lock ms

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Codec

Locked

Locked

AAC Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Wireless Connection (Dongle)

N/A

N/A

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Latency - Dongle

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Midnight Blue

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Midnight Blue

WH-1000XM5

Eclipse Grey

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Black

WH-1000XM5

Triple Black

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Silver

WH-1000XM5

Triple Black

QuietComfort SE

Smoky Pink

WH-1000XM5

White Smoke

QuietComfort 45/QC45

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless: Main Discussion

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