Over-Ear
Bose QuietComfort 45
Not yet scored
$329
Full review dataBose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Bose QuietComfort 45
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort 45 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $329 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 22 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 135 min | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 3 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 240 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Model code | Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 over-ear headphones deliver strong active noise cancellation with switchable Quiet and Aware modes, wrapped in plush, comfortable padding. They provide around 22 hours of wireless playback, support multipoint Bluetooth connections, and offer a balanced, high-quality sound profile suitable for everyday listening.
- Pro:Excellent noise cancellation with multiple modes
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Solid 22-hour battery life with quick charging
- Con:No aptX or LDAC codec support (only SBC/AAC)
- Con:Micro-USB charging would be more convenient than USB-C
- Con:Single microphone limits call clarity in noisy environments
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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