- Quick verdict
- What stands out
- Watch-outs
- What we would choose first
- Design & Comfort
- Sound Quality
- Noise Cancellation
- Battery Life
- Keep narrowing your shortlist
- Keep exploring
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Review: Comfort Kings Return
- Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones 2024: Our Top Picks After 80+ Hours of Testing
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Which Noise-Cancelling Headphone Wins?
Quick verdict
The XM5 sets the standard. Class-leading ANC, excellent audio, and all-day comfort make this the default recommendation for anyone prioritising noise cancellation.
What stands out
- Best-in-class noise cancellation
- Exceptional comfort for extended wear
- Multipoint Bluetooth works flawlessly
- Outstanding 28-hour battery life
Watch-outs
- Premium price
- No IP rating for water resistance
- Case is bulkier than competitors
Quick answer
What we would choose first
After spending three weeks with the Sony WH-1000XM5 on planes, in open-plan offices, and on busy commutes, our verdict is straightforward: it remains the best noise-cancelling headphone at its price point, and by a meaningful margin.
Design & Comfort
The simplified hinge feels more confident than earlier models. Ear pad material is noticeably softer, allowing 6-hour sessions without the pressure-fatigue that plagued the XM4. The weight distribution is excellent — you rarely feel the headphone on your head.
Sound Quality
The soundstage is wide and well-layered. Bass is present and satisfying without overpowering the midrange. Treble is crisp and detailed but never sibilant. Multipoint Bluetooth connects reliably between two devices and switches seamlessly when you take a call on your phone.
Noise Cancellation
Best-in-class. In our standardised 65dB ambient noise test, the XM5 achieved 38dB of attenuation — the highest we’ve recorded. Speak-to-Chat activates quickly and accurately without false positives.
Battery Life
We measured 28 hours at 70% volume with ANC active and Multipoint enabled — marginally under Sony’s 30-hour claim, but exceptional in practice. Ten minutes of charging delivers roughly 3 hours of playback.
Explore next
Keep narrowing your shortlist
Keep exploring
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Review: Comfort Kings Return
The QC Ultra headphones deliver the best in-class comfort and a genuinely improved ANC system — but the price requires justification.
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones 2024: Our Top Picks After 80+ Hours of Testing
We tested 14 headphones over 80 hours. Here are the only ones worth buying, for every budget and use case.
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Which Noise-Cancelling Headphone Wins?
Two weeks, two headphones, identical test conditions. We have a clear winner — and it is closer than the specs suggest.
