
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Sony WF-1000XM4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Sony WF-1000XM4, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2025 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | - | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 18 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 20 min = up to 2 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 7.7 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 59.9 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | - |
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
These premium wireless earbuds focus on delivering top-tier adaptive noise cancellation and a comfortable, secure fit. They include spatial audio, clear call quality, and a charging case that supports wireless charging, making them a solid choice for all-day use. Battery life is average, but quick charging helps offset that limitation.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
- Pro:Immersive spatial audio feature
- Con:Battery life is modest at 6 hours
- Con:No stated frequency response specs
- Con:Touch controls may be sensitive for some users
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are high-end true wireless earbuds that excel in active noise cancellation and sound quality, with a compact 6mm driver and support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They provide about 8 hours of playback per charge, extendable to 24 hours with the case, and include handy features like multipoint connectivity and quick charging. Their IPX4 rating makes them suitable for workouts, though the overall design is a bit bulky for some ears.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Good battery life with fast charging
- Con:Bulkier fit compared to rivals
- Con:No wireless charging on the case
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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