Best Noise Cancellation Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) and Sony WH-1000XM5 are two of the most popular and industry leading noise-canceling headphones in the market, each offering unique strengths in their own way. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you understand their features, performance, and which might suit your needs better.

1. Design and Comfort

• Bose QC45: Known for its lightweight and comfortable design, the QC45 continues Bose's tradition of prioritizing comfort. The headphones primarily made up of very high quality and durable plastic feature plush ear cushions and a well-padded headband, making them ideal for extended use. They also fold flat, where the ear-cups fold inside of the headband which enhances portability and storage.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Sony has opted for a sleeker, more modern design with the WH-1000XM5. It is well built with aluminum adjustment for height. While they don’t fold like the QC45, they come with a hard carrying case for protection. The ear cups are made of soft leather, and the headphones are slightly heavier than the QC45, but they still offer a comfortable fit for most users. Users who have tested both back to back felt the QC 45s were comfortable and lighter where as the XM5s were more softer but heavier on the head.

2. Noise Cancellation

• Bose QC45: Bose has long been a leader in Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and the QC45 lives up to this reputation. It excels at blocking out low-frequency noises, such as the hum of airplane engines, vacuum cleaners, low chatters and gossips in an enclosed room or air conditioners, making it a favorite for travelers and people who want to focus with least noise around them.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Sony’s ANC technology is equally impressive, with a slight edge in handling mid-range and high-frequency noises, such as ambient chatter or the whir of computer fans. The WH-1000XM5 uses advanced algorithms and multiple microphones (8 in XM5s compared to 4 in QC45s) to deliver a highly effective noise-canceling experience.

3. Sound Quality

• Bose QC45: The QC45 offers a balanced sound profile with clear mids and highs, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres. However, some users may find the bass slightly less pronounced compared to Sony’s offering. However, users can customise their equaliser in the app for their own taste.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Sony is known for its rich, bass-heavy sound signature, and the WH-1000XM5 doesn’t disappoint. It also supports LDAC for high-resolution audio, providing an immersive listening experience for audiophiles. Unfortunately LDAC is not supported in iOS devices. Just like Bose, Sony also has an option to customise equaliser.

4. Features and Controls

• Bose QC45: The QC45 keeps things simple with physical buttons for playback, volume control, and toggling between noise-canceling and Aware modes. While it lacks some advanced features when compared to the XM5s, its straightforward design appeals to users who prefer ease of use.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Sony packs in a host of features, including touch controls, adaptive sound settings, and a “quick attention” mode that lets you hear your surroundings by placing your hand over the right ear cup. It also integrates seamlessly with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.

5. Battery Life

• Bose QC45: Offers up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is more than enough for most users. It also supports quick charging, providing 3 hours of playback with just a 15-minute charge.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Slightly edges out the QC45 with up to 30 hours of battery life. It also features fast charging, delivering 5 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge.

6. Connectivity

• Bose QC45: Uses Bluetooth 5.1 for a stable connection and supports multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, the WH-1000XM5 also supports multipoint pairing and offers additional codec support, including LDAC, for high-quality audio streaming.

7. Price

• Bose QC45: Generally priced slightly lower than the WH-1000XM5, making it a more economical option for those who prioritize noise cancellation and comfort. These are retailed at around ₹20,000 INR onwards depending on the offers.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: While more expensive, the WH-1000XM5 justifies its price at ₹30,000 INR with additional features and superior sound quality. However one can find these at ₹25,000 INR with credit card offers and discounts.

8. Durability and Build Quality

• Bose QC45: Built with impact-resistant materials, the QC45 is designed to withstand daily wear and tear. However, it lacks an IP rating, so it’s not ideal for use in wet conditions. To elaborate more, users who sweat profusely cannot wear these and workout as the sweat might damage the drivers.
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Similarly, the WH-1000XM5 doesn’t have an IP rating but it does fine with little bit of sweat or light sprinkle of water, but its build quality feels premium and durable.

Conclusion

Here’s a concise table comparing the Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) and Sony WH-1000XM5 across key features:

The Bose QC45 leans towards simplicity and comfort, while Sony WH-1000XM5 excels in advanced features and sound quality. However they come at a premium but after a lot of research it has been found out that these are totally worth the money. There are many people who have let go of their premium true wireless earbuds for a proper pair of headphones even sacrificing on portability and the ecosystem.

Both the Bose QC45 and Sony WH-1000XM5 are excellent choices, but they cater to slightly different audiences:

• Choose the Bose QC45 if you prioritise comfort, simplicity, and top-notch noise cancellation for low-frequency sounds.
• Opt for the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you value advanced features, high-resolution audio, and a more modern design.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you’d like, we can help you get these at a stellar price! Just let us know :).