When I think about market-leading electronics companies and headphone manufacturers, Sony and Bose always rise to the top because they are the cream of the crop. They have been battling it out for audio supremacy for as long as I can remember. And the fight still rages on today. 

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When it comes to buying the best Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones, these two companies have some immense choices. And, in this Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 comparison, I’ll be looking a two of the best models on the market. 

To be fair, there’s not much between the two. But it’s the small details and nuances that make life so wonderful. So, let’s pitch these two market-leading ANC headphones against each other to see who comes out on top.

Bose QuietComfort and Sony WH-100XM4 Headphones – Design Comparison

The build of these two headphone sets is probably the best place to start. It might seem obvious that the Bose headphones are more comfortable; as they say, it’s in the name!

Indeed, they are uber-comfortable, and that makes them ideal for wearing over longer periods. They are a little bit lighter than the Sony, from 240g to 254g. Although that might not seem like much, you really can tell the difference. But that doesn’t mean the Sony WH-1000XM4 is uncomfortable, far from it.

From the outside looking in… 

Both headphones seem to have very different designs from each other. Although that’s true, they are both very similar to their respective predecessors. 

The QuietComfort 45 model looks almost the same as the QuietComfort 35 II version, apart from having a USB-C charging port. And the Sony WH-1000XM4 looks almost the same as the previous WH-1000XM3. Although, it does have thicker and more comfortable ear pads than its predecessor.

Solid design elements…

Both models have solid designs. The majority of the QuietComfort is made from plastic and has a compact and portable foldable design. Rotating hinges make it easy to fold, especially when you lay them down flat. The Sony model also has a foldable design and is also largely made from durable plastic. Overall, both are very similar in terms of design and build elements.

How Do the Controls Work?

You’ll find small control buttons on the side of both headphones. The QC 45 controls are basic, but that’s the best way. There are three buttons on the back-right of the headphones that allow you to easily control the volume and playback features and even toggle the active noise canceling functions on the back-left side.

The controls for the Sony WH-1000XM4 are also very similar and easy to use. The touch-responsive buttons allow you to control the power and toggle the active noise-canceling features and the transparency modes. These buttons are found on the back-left of the headphones. If you want to control the volume and playback features, you can use the buttons on the right side of the headphones.

Does the WH-1000XM4 and QuietComfort 45 Support Bluetooth Codecs

Any modern wireless headphones that are worth their salt support a vast array of Bluetooth codecs. And these two models are no different in that regard. They are both similar when it comes to how they handle Bluetooth codecs. The QuietComfort 45 model can wirelessly connect to your devices using Bluetooth 5.1 and also supports other codecs like AAC and SBC. 

Because the WH-1000XM4s are a bit older, they have slightly different connection options. They use Bluetooth 5.0, SBC, and AAC codecs, but they also support some high-end Sony codecs, such as LDAC. iPhone users will be happy to hear that both headsets have excellent audio and connection strength when using AAC codecs, so that’s all good. 

But, if you are not using an Apple device, I would suggest that you opt for the Sony. That’s because the AAC on an Android device can be a little sketchy. If your devices do not use Bluetooth, no worries because both headsets also have a jack port for wired connections.

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 – Active Noise Canceling Features

The main reason for comparing Bose QuietComfort 45 and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones is their active noise-canceling capabilities. How does the ANC of these two models match up against each other? It’s a very competitive fight, to be honest, and there is not much between the two. 

It’s common knowledge that the WH-1000XM4 has better isolation in the 200 to 1000Hz range when compared to the Bose QC 45. But, regarding the ANC across that range, the Bose QC 45 is better than the Sony WH-1000XM4. 

That’s because it almost reached 40dB in attenuation. Essentially, that means any sort of noise in that range will sound like they are one-sixteenth louder. So, if you are playing frequencies at 1000Hz and higher, the isolation of the Bose C 45 is far superior.

Sound and frequency handling…

The type of sounds that affect ANC the most are very well handled by both sets of headphones. But, there are some major differences between the Bose QuietComfort 45 and the Sony WH-1000XM4. 

A great example of this would be the way that the Bose QuietComfort headset reduces high-end incidental noise. It handles these frequencies much better. If you turn off the ANC on the QC 45, it will automatically go into aware mode. However, if you do the same to the Sony headset, you will get a standard listening experience as it disables both modes.

Always ensure that the seal between the earphones and your ears is solid if you want to take advantage of these ANC capabilities. You need to eliminate any gaps. Otherwise, you won’t get a reliable active noise-canceling experience. Because both sets of headphones have oval ear pads, they should fit most heads well and create the proper seal needed for ANC.

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 – Sound Quality

How headphones sound is what they are mainly judged on, and rightfully so. All the features and functionality in the world don’t matter if the sound quality is inferior. Fortunately, that’s not an issue with Sony or Bose products. 

They both have very similar frequency responses, although there are a few definite differences. If you listen to bass-heavy music, you might want to opt for the WH-1000XM4. That’s because they have more emphasis on the lower end. But, to be fair, they both handle bass well, as the QC 45 has a lower frequency at around 2000Hz.

Definable audio playback issues…

Both headphones are not perfect regarding the ideal audio profiles. But you’ll probably get fewer problems with the Sony model. The bass response might be high with the Sony XM4, but it’s not too overbearing, as the vocals and increased mid-range balance it all nicely. 

However, the highs on the Bose QC can be a bit unpleasant, even when the volume is at a normal level. So, this is one area where Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones outperform Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones.

Use the Connect App for the WH-1000XM4 to control the EQ and frequency response or the Bose Music app to do the same for the Bose QuietComfort 45. I love the Bose EQ multi-band equalizer in comparison to the more limited options in the Bose EQ. So, in terms of sound quality and playback, I would opt for the Sony model. Although, in all honesty, there’s only a slight difference.

Which Headphones Have a Better Battery?

The battery life and quality of wireless headphones are very important. It doesn’t matter how great they sound if you get almost no battery life. Sony reports that their WH-1000XM4 headphones have around 30 hours of continuous playback after a full charge. But, if you use them at 75dB, you are more likely to get around 20 hours of continuous usage after a full charge. So, still very solid.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones also come into their own where battery lifespan is concerned. The QC 45 battery can last slightly over the stated official 24-hour battery life they advertise. They both use USB-C connections to charge and are very fast. 

For example, you can get 180 minutes of play from a single 15-minute charge on the Bose model. When charging the Sony model for just ten minutes, you get a massive five hours of listening time. The battery life of both headsets is very good, so no qualms there.

Bose Music App vs Sony Connect App

Additional features and apps are very important in this day and age. Fortunately, both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose QuietComfort 45 have excellent app options and additional features that you can unlock. 

The Sony Connect app is already known for its excellence and is easy to use. You can use it to customize the buttons on the side of your headphones and even toggle the ANC modes. Also, you can use it to initiate Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and to decide which one is the default.

You can even use it to set up Sony’s 360 Reality Audio and optimize the ANC. Or, you could use it to simply customize the EQ, access firmware updates, and even regulate the connection stability over the sound quality. 

On the other hand…

The Bose Music app needs you to share a bunch of info, such as call and message history, and location, to get updates for firmware or even for the equalizer. So, you’ll need the help of the virtual assistant integration, but in all honesty, it’s a solid app. 

Furthermore, it’s important to use it to update your app. That’s because Bose is known to make some pretty big changes in the software in updates, especially where the equalizer is concerned. 

Which Headphones Have a Better Mic?

Microphone quality might not be something that you need. But it only makes sense to buy headphones with the best mic if the prices are similar. The truth is that these Sony and Bose headphones do not have the best microphones, so they are very similar in that regard. If microphone quality is very important to you, it’s probably best that you buy some different headphones from these two.

They both have more than enough to handle normal calls, and the mics are loud enough, to be honest. You won’t get anything close to studio quality. But, in fairness, both headphones are more about sound quality and noise-canceling, not for conference calls. 

Still, as I said, the mics are enough for normal calls, so nothing to worry about. This is not something that will make or break your decision on whether Sony XM4s are better than Bose QC 45s.

What Alternative Headphones Should I Look For?

If active noise canceling and sound quality are the reasons you are buying headphones, not many can match the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose QuietComfort 45 for usability and value for money. However, if you do want to look at alternatives, there are quite a few to choose from. 

I would say that the biggest competitor and alternative is the Apple Airpods Max. It’s perfect for Apple users and anyone familiar with the brand’s devices. Also, these earbuds are great for noise canceling and even offer a bunch of other features that you don’t get with the other two.

Another highly recommended alternative, although they might not have the same ANC functions, is the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless headphones. They offer fantastic sound quality. 

If you want an upgrade instead of an alternative…

You could always check out these brand-new Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. They are similar to the XM4 but come with a load of improvements regarding design and ANC, but they are more expensive.

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 – Conclusion

We made it to our final destination, and the biggest takeaway in this headphones debate is both sets are very similar to each other. Especially where active noise canceling is concerned. 

If you are looking for headphones that handle bass-heavy music better, I would opt for the Sony model. It also has a bunch of Bluetooth codec options while still coming equipped with a wired 3.5 audio cable option.

In comparison…

The Bose model is newer and supports Bluetooth 5.1, and is slightly cheaper than the Sony headphones. It might not be as quick to charge or have the same app options, but it’s still a viable set. 

Both are fantastic when it comes to the ANC options. And, although the Sony is a bit inferior in this department when compared to the Bose QC 45, overall, it’s probably the better headphone set to buy. You get more for your money with the Sony model, but not that much, so there really isn’t that much in it.

Until next time, happy listening.