Sony and Bose are two of the biggest names in headphones. If you're looking for a new pair – be they over-ear cans or in-ears buds, noise cancelling or not – chances are that these two brands will have something for you. But which should you choose?
We've been reviewing headphones for decades now, and many of our top pairs have been made by Sony or Bose. Hence we're well-versed in the brands' strengths and weaknesses. Our review process is the most thorough around, with each pair evaluated not only for sound quality, but comfort, build quality, design, battery life and all other aspects. All our testing is comparative too, placing each pair in context to give a definitive verdict on whether they are value for money.
Here we'll give you an overview of what headphones Sony and Bose offer, with plenty of links to further reading if you want to dig deeper. We'll even find you the best deals so you can pocket some serious savings to boot...
Sony vs Bose: overview
Sony and Bose have both changed the way we listen to music – albeit with different technologies.
Japanese electronics giant Sony famously brought us the Walkman in 1979, kicking off decades of portable audio innovation. The company released its first noise-cancelling headphones in 1995, followed by its first "3-D Surround" headphones in 2011.
More recently, Sony's headphones have won a slew of What Hi-Fi? Awards, and its latest product range is studded with numerous gems that include some of the best-value wireless headphones on the market. If you want affordable wireless headphones, you really can't go wrong with Sony's WF-C510, WH-CH520 or WH-CH700N.
Bose has an equally impressive pedigree. The American manufacturer began selling aviation headsets in 1989, before releasing its first consumer noise-cancelling headphones in 2000. Since then, Bose has arguably done more than any other brand to popularise noise-cancelling headphones and has established itself as a class-leader in this field.
Today, Bose's premium noise-cancelling headphones are used by the likes of NASA mission control, the US Military, and Formula 1 teams. And, just like rival Sony, Bose has a string of five-star What Hi-Fi? reviews to its name. It concentrates less on the budget end of the market, with the likes of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Ultra Open Earbuds aimed squarely at the mid- to high-end.
With both brands on the top of their game, deciding between the two can be tricky. Read on as we take you on a whistle-stop tour of Sony and Bose's best headphones...
- These are the best cheap headphones deals
Sony vs Bose: which is better for noise cancelling?
Sony and Bose both offer similar active noise-cancellation (ANC) technology. At the high end, both companies' ANC can optimise automatically depending on your surroundings – so the effect will become less pronounced in a quiet library than in a bustling street. (Bose calls this tech CustomTune calibration, while Sony's is called Adaptive Sound Control.) This feature is on both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
Between these two pairs, the Bose have the better noise cancellation, but not by much. During our review, we found that they dramatically reduce background rumbles and the sound of the London Underground. But the Sonys are no slouch, proving expert at cutting out constant drones and loud conversations (a different kind of constant drone).
However, Bose doesn't offer any real budget noise-cancelling headphones, whereas Sony does in the form of the WF-C700N (£100 / $120 / AU$200) and WH-CH720N (£99 / $129 / AU$259). The closest Bose comes is the QuietComfort Earbuds (£180 / $179 / AU$289). So if you want noise cancellation on a tight budget, Sony is the way to go.
Sony vs Bose: which is better for sound quality?
It's another close-run thing, and again, it depends on which pairs you're comparing.
In recent years, Sony has consistently won Awards for its headphones at all price levels. At the top end, we described the WH-1000XM5's sound as "effortlessly musical", while the in-ear WF-1000XM5 might be a little less fun than their predecessors, but are still "musical with a fine sense of timing." If it's fun you're after, the entry-level WF-C510 is what you want: they're "fun, engaging and musical," and continue the musicality for which Sony's headphones are renowned.
Bose's headphones do more than hold their own. We described the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones as "hugely entertaining," with a "precise, punchy delivery," while their in-ear equivalents, the Ultra Earbuds, are punchy and clear "with a good sense of openness." At the other end of the price spectrum, the five-star QuietComfort Earbuds deliver a ton of "drive and musicality... They’re powerful and punchy performers that build an entertaining sound on the foundations of robust low frequencies, an expressive midrange and controlled highs."
Both brands offer a slightly different sonic profile. Sony's models usually have a more neutral balance, while Bose's have a bit more get-up-and-go. Sony's usually edge it for sound in our reviews, but some ears could well prefer Bose's approach.
Sony vs Bose: which is better for comfort?
This is another close one. All of the recent Sony and Bose headphones we've reviewed have scored well for comfort.
The WH-1000XM5 are clad in memory foam and synthetic leather, which is soft and smooth. "Comfort levels are up there with the best and the Sonys deliver just the right amount of clamping force, so they feel secure without threatening to crush our ears," we said in our review. The in-ear WF-1000XM5 might lack memory foam, but they're much slimmer and lighter than their predecessors, making them comfortable for long listens. But they don't fit as securely as the original Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (from 2020), which have wing tips to keep them in place.
The modern QuietComfort Earbuds come with stability bands and three sizes of eartips. While that's one fewer than the Sony WF-1000XM5, they are arguably more stable and more comfortable. "The angle of the tips, combined with their long oval shape and shallower profile seem to promote a more effective seal when you twist and lock them into place," we found, while they also feel less intrusive than the XM5.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, meanwhile, have a slightly firmer grip than the Sony WH-1000XM5, which some users might prefer.
Ultimately, this will come down to personal preference and the size and shape of your head and ears. But as a rough guide, we would say Sony makes the more comfortable over-ear headphones, but Bose wins in terms of earbuds.
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra Headphones: which premium over-ears are better?
The jewel in each brand's crown is their over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. Sony has the WH-1000XM5, while Bose has the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Both are stunning, but there are some differences between them.
Bose's pair have the edge in terms of noise cancellation, but its Immersive Audio tech (Bose's take on spatial audio) is a bit hit and miss. Otherwise, its sound quality is up there with the XM5, though they each have their own distinctive sonic profile: the QC Ultra are richer and more full-bodied, especially in the low end, while the XM5 are clearer and more detailed. The XM5 have the longer battery life, more extensive feature set, and better call quality. Crucially, they're also quite a bit cheaper. But which is best for you really depends on your needs.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are also thought to be on the horizon, which could sway your decision.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5 head to head
Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: which premium earbuds are better?
Sony and Bose make some of the best wireless earbuds, too. Their flagship pairs offer ANC, though again Bose just pips Sony in this area. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are also a little more comfortable, with a more rounded low-end sound, but the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer more insight.
Once again, Sony wins in terms of features and price, too. Though in this case, the price difference is a lot smaller than with the brands' flagship over-ears. Both usually see decent discounts come sales time, too.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Sony WF-1000XM5 head to head
Sony vs Bose: which has the best cheaper headphones?
Sony has made a real push to the low- and mid-ranges lately. Its WF-C500 picked up an Award last year, followed by their successors the WF-C510 this year. Both were joined by the only slightly more expensive WF-C700N and WH-CH720N over-ears. Impressive.
As a premium brand, Bose doesn't really do budget. Its entry-level wireless earbuds are the QuietComfort Earbuds, and very good they are too, earning five stars in our review. But at £180 / $179 / AU$289, they're significantly more expensive than Sony's cheap pairs.
MORE:
Check out the best Sony headphones
And the best Bose headphones
These are the best cheap headphone deals
Or go for the best audiophile headphones
