Over-Ear
Bose QuietComfort 45
Not yet scored
$330
Full review dataBose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort 45 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
Sony WH-1000XM6
89Outstanding
$400
Full review dataScore 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
- Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
-
89
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 (2021). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3).
- QuietComfort 452021
- WH-1000XM620254 yr newer
What differsQuietComfort 45WH-1000XM6
- Top codec
- AAC
- LC3
- LE Audio (LC3)
- No
- Yes
Platform
Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
QuietComfort 45WH-1000XM6
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $400
- HearWiki score
- Not scored
- 89
- Released
- 2021
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- dynamic
- 30 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 30 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 4 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 48 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 103 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 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)
- 22 h
- 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
- 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
- -
- Clamp force
- 150 g
- -
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- 4
- 12
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- -
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 delivers top-tier active noise cancellation with dedicated Quiet and Aware modes, wrapped in plush leatherette cushions for all-day comfort. With a robust 22-hour battery life, wireless Bluetooth connectivity, and a lightweight 240g frame, these over-ears balance premium sound with practical, everyday usability.
- Pro:Excellent noise cancellation with multiple modes
- Pro:Very comfortable, plush ear cushions
- Pro:Solid 22-hour battery life
- Con:No aptX or LDAC codec support
- Con:Buttons-only controls (no touch gestures)
- Con:Average 9m wireless range
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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