Bose Vs. Sony: which brand of high-end headphones is best for you?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Active noise canceling headphones are everywhere you look these days, and two of the best brands on the market are Sony and Bose. Both manufacturers have been making headphones and earphones for a long, long time. When it comes to high-end audio, these products are some of the best in the industry. I use the Sony WH-1000XM4, as well as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation), and I like both pairs of cans for different reasons.

That said, given that Sony launched the new XM6 model not too long ago, it really wouldn’t be worth comparing with the XM4; thus, I will stick to the former for this article. What we will try to determine is which brand of headphones you should choose, based on criteria such as sound quality, comfort and sound insulation. What you like to listen to (e.g. music, movies, TV shows, and video game genres) will impact your final sound. But right off the beaten track, Sony and Bose lead the way with warm, balanced sound signatures. The XM6 and Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) also produce a good amount of bass, which bodes well for fans of rock, hip-hop, and EDM.

Although Sony’s overall sound is a bit darker than what Bose offers, you can use the Sony Sound Connect app to change audio presets or use the 10-band graphic equalizer to create a custom sound profile. Sound Connect even has a geofencing feature that automatically adjusts the ANC based on your location! The Bose app is also excellent, but the EQ is limited to three bands, giving you less control over the final audio; there is also no geolocation strictly speaking.

A firm, comfortable fit is one of the most important elements of the headphone experience. Cans that are too loose may not form enough of a passive seal around your ears, which can let in the sounds you’re trying to block out. Luckily, Sony and Bose know how to keep headphones on our heads without stressing our skulls. Bose has long been considered the more comfortable brand of the two, and that goes for the QC Ultra (2nd generation).

Bose’s flagship has a bit less clamping force than the Sony XM6, so the headphones aren’t as tightly bonded to your head; from the headband to the ear cups, they’re also a bit more padded. General fit aside, we’d exercise caution when taking either pair of headphones to the gym, as neither pair has an ingress protection (IP) rating. If you are not careful, it may affect the lifespan of the headphones. If you frequently enjoy longer listening sessions, the XM6 and QC Ultra (2nd Gen) both support up to 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled. That’s great, but a far cry from the 50 hours Sennheiser has offered over the past two years.

The XM6 and QC Ultra (2nd generation) also support fast charging; the former provides an additional 3 hours of playback with a 15-minute charge, while the latter only requires a 3-minute recharge for an additional 3 hours. Speaking of charging: the QC Ultra (2nd Gen) supports wired listening through the same USB-C port used for charging (XM6 wired playback is limited to 3.5mm aux).

Masterful noise cancellation is a must when you choose Sony or Bose headphones. Both brands have been perfecting their ANC systems for years, while also giving users more ways to increase or decrease ANC strength. The XM6 is just a little better at attenuating most frequencies than the QC Ultra (2nd gen), but it’s pretty neck and neck if you ask me. I would also say that the XM6 is slightly better at taking phone calls than the QC Ultra.

At the time of writing, the Sony WH-1000XM6 was listed for $460, but was marked down to $400 on Amazon. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd generation) costs $450 and was not on sale; It’s worth the wait for one, as I bought mine for $370. Arguably, the Bose cans should see more discounts than the XM6, but only because they’ve been on the market longer. You can also check out retailers like Best Buy and Walmart.

All criteria considered, and a small dose of personal bias (first-person accounts count!) thrown in for good measure, I’d say the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the better pair of headphones. Keep in mind that both companies also make cheaper noise-canceling headphones, as well as wired headphones and a whole bunch of wireless headphones.