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But connectivity drop-outs and weaker ANC than the Bose at this flagship level add up.

Why is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vsSonyWF-1000XM5 battle such a big one among noise-cancelling earbuds?

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds on white background

Like ‘toothbrush head’ style earbuds? Bose is your best bet

Here are some facts.

Fact three: that was before the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, whichlaunched alongside two over-ear modelson September 14.

This race just got interesting, no?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 on a white background

So which is best?

So strap in, let’s go!

That would be spatial audio processing and noise-cancellation.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony Wf-1000XM5 on black and yellow background

So how do they compare?

And it’s good.

It’s pretty remarkable.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony Wf-1000XM5 on black and yellow background

Like ‘toothbrush head’ style earbuds? Bose is your best bet

But Bose’s new audio tech doesn’t stop at Immersive Audio!

It also offers two distinct listening modes that you could toggle between in the connected Bose Music app.

Sony’s Headphones Connect app and its Adaptive Sound Control are also optimized according to what you’re doing.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony Wf-1000XM5 on black and yellow background

The Sony case charges wirelessly; the Bose one needs an additional cover (sold separately) – but both support USB-C

It means that these headphoneslearnhow you use them without manual selection, and venture to help.

Don’t like that it deploys ANC when it knows you’re ‘Staying’?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver crisp, balanced sound thanks to the new 8.4mm driver under the hood.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony Wf-1000XM5 on black and yellow background

They’re both also available in ‘white smoke’ (Bose) or silver (Sony) besides black

As mentioned, these buds work particularly well with Tidal.

But again, our winner here is Sony.

Glance at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing’s changed.

Sony WF-1000XM5 The Best…

Oddly, you still don’t get multipoint connectivity with Bose’s newest proposition either.

Got a set of the older Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II?

The cover works with that case too, if you’d rather stick with what you have.

Sony WF-1000XM5 The Best…

What you’ll notice first (aside from their smaller size) is a new, glossy texture.

Whether they look more appealing than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds will come down to personal preference.

Like a bud that features a tail?

Prime

That’s be the Bose.

We’d nudge you towards the Sony earbuds.

Want to create a near bubble of silence on your frequent long-haul flights?

Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless…

Go for the pioneers of ANC, Bose.

Smaller ears that tend to struggle with earbuds generally?

Sony, hands down.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra…

So, which should you choose?

That’s a fairly big issue and one we struggled to rectify.

We hope this helps.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra…

Whatever you do and whichever you choose, enjoy the music and the journey.

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra…