Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh) vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh) vs Sony WH-1000XM6, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Over-Ear

Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)

Not yet scored

$330

Full review data

Over-Ear

Sony WH-1000XM6

89Outstanding

$400

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

Noise cancelling

9.6

Battery

8.1

Calls

9.6

Value

8.2

Price (USD)

$330

$400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh) (2024). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.1, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3).

QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)2024
WH-1000XM620251 yr newer

What differsQuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)WH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.1; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)WH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $330; $400
HearWiki score: Not scored; 89
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: -; 30 mm
Drivers per side: -; 1
Frequency response: -; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.1; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 9 m; 10 m
Battery life: 22 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 30 h
Full charge time: 135 min; 210 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 3 h; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: -; Yes
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 240 g; 254 g
Water resistance: -; none
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: leatherette; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 4; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$330	$400
HearWiki score	Not scored	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	-	30 mm
Drivers per side	-	1
Frequency response	-	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	48 Ω
Sensitivity	-	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.1	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	9 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	22 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	30 h
Full charge time	135 min	210 min
Quick charge	15 min → 3 h	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	-	Yes
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	240 g	254 g
Water resistance	-	none
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	leatherette	-
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	4	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

Bose QuietComfort 45 (2024 refresh)

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones deliver adaptive active noise cancellation with Quiet and Aware modes, wrapped in plush leatherette cushions for long-lasting comfort. They offer up to 22 hours of battery life, quick charging, and support for multipoint Bluetooth connections, making them a solid choice for everyday wireless listening.

Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation with adjustable modes
Pro:Comfortable plush leatherette ear cushions for extended wear
Pro:Long 22-hour battery life with quick charge support

Con:No support for aptX or LDAC codecs
Con:Controls limited to physical buttons only
Con:No wired USB-C audio option

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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