Head to head
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM4
They split the 2 rankable specs evenly, so cost decides it: Sony WH-1000XM4 costs $81 less.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e$399Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Buying for
Your devices
Straight answer
Overall: 1 to 1
Tied overall. Sony WH-1000XM4 is cheaper.
- The 2 rankable overall specs split 1 to 1.
- Saves $81 at list price.
Deal-breakers
tick what would make you walk away
- Trips:Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones · No official IP ratingTrips:Sony WH-1000XM4 · No official IP rating
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
Weight
Bose
253 g (8.9 oz)
Sony
254 g (8.95 oz)
Active Noise Cancelling≠
Bose
Yes (Quiet Mode with CustomTune audio calibration)
Sony
Yes (HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 with Dual Noise Sensor)
Battery life
Bose
24 hours (ANC on) / 18 hours (Immersive Audio on)
Sony
30 hours (ANC on) / 38 hours (ANC off)
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
Folds flat & collapses into compact travel case
Folds flat & inward (ultra-compact zippered case)
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
Ultra-plush gentle clamp (~4.1 N, best-in-class glasses comfort)
Gentle clamp force (~4.2 N, comfortable with glasses)
Weight & Crown Pressure
253g (featherweight travel balance)
254g (lightweight plastic composite)
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Bose: What to watch for
- Hardware Quirk
Capacitive touch volume strip can be overly sensitive.
- Software / Apps
Occasional Bluetooth multi-point audio handover stutter.
Sony: What to watch for
- Hardware Quirk
Microphones struggle significantly in windy outdoor conditions.
- Ergonomics
Shallow earcups cause ear cartilage to touch inner driver grille.
Design
leads 1-0| Type | Over-ear, closed-back | Over-ear, closed-back |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 253 g (8.9 oz) (wins this row: lower) | 254 g (8.95 oz) |
| Foldable | Yes (fully collapsible hinges) | Yes (collapsible foldable headband) |
| Carrying case | Reinforced zippered hard carry case included | Compact hard-shell zippered carrying case included |
| IP rating | No official IP rating | No official IP rating |
Audio
5 differences| Driver | 35 mm dynamic biocellulose driver | 40 mm dome type (CCAW Voice coil) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (Quiet Mode with CustomTune audio calibration) | Yes (HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 with Dual Noise Sensor) |
| Transparency mode | Yes (Aware Mode with ActiveSense technology) | Yes (Ambient Sound Control with Quick Attention) |
| Supported codecs | Snapdragon Sound, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Microphones | Advanced microphone array with voice isolation | Precise Voice Pickup Technology with 5 microphones |
Connectivity & Battery
leads 1-0| Multipoint Bluetooth | Yes (Bluetooth multipoint 2 devices) | Yes (Bluetooth 5.0 multipoint for 2 devices) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 24 hours (ANC on) / 18 hours (Immersive Audio on) | 30 hours (ANC on) / 38 hours (ANC off) (wins this row: higher) |
| Charging time | 3 hours (15 min quick charge gives up to 2.5 hours) | 3 hours full charge (10 min quick charge gives 5 hours) |
Ownership
0 differences| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
|---|
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose's flagship wireless headphones featuring Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune sound calibration, and world-class quiet.
- Exceptional noise cancellation in low-frequency rumble and vocal bands
- Folds completely compact into slim travel case
- Bose Immersive Audio provides wide virtual soundstage
What you give up
- Battery life drops to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on
- Custom EQ in app is limited to 3 bands
Pick this one if
Sony WH-1000XM4
Popular folding noise-cancelling headphones with LDAC high-resolution audio, DSEE Extreme, and 30-hour battery.
- Folding headband hinges collapse smaller than the newer XM5
- Supports high-res LDAC streaming and DSEE Extreme upscaling
- Superb value with industry-tested noise cancellation
What you give up
- Microphone voice isolation trails newer XM5 in windy conditions
- Cannot use LDAC while 2-device Bluetooth multipoint is enabled
Best for each use
Flights & commutes
Tied on flights & commutes. Sony WH-1000XM4 is cheaper.
Calls & work
Too close to call on calls & work from the spec sheets. Only battery life is rankable here.
Sound quality
Too close to call on sound quality from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ↗ · Sony WH-1000XM4 ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or the Sony WH-1000XM4?
Sony WH-1000XM4 costs $81 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Sony WH-1000XM4?
Both has this deal-breaker: no IP rating. No official protection against sweat or rain.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or the Sony WH-1000XM4?
Tied on flights & commutes. Sony WH-1000XM4 is cheaper. The 2 rankable flights & commutes specs split 1 to 1. Saves $81 at list price.
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 12 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.