Bose QuietComfort Ultra Review: The Comfort King
Bose's most comfortable headphone ever tested, with Immersive Audio that changes how you hear music.
✓ Pros
- +Best-in-class noise cancellation
- +30-hour battery life
- +Excellent call quality
- +Premium, lightweight build
- +Multipoint Bluetooth
✗ Cons
- −Cannot fold flat
- −Touch controls can misfire
- −Expensive at full price
- −Case feels plasticky
Our Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains the headphone to beat in 2025. After spending 30 days commuting, travelling, and working from coffee shops with these on our ears, we came away convinced that Sony's noise cancellation technology is simply in a class of its own.
With eight microphones and two processors dedicated to noise cancellation alone, the XM5 achieves something remarkable: genuine, almost eerie silence in busy environments. Tube stations, open-plan offices, and aeroplane cabins all but disappear.
Sound Quality
The sound signature is warm and full — bass-forward without being muddy, mids that are clear and present, and highs that sparkle without sibilance. Sony's Headphones Connect app lets you tweak the EQ to your taste, and DSEE Extreme upscales compressed audio in real time.
For streaming, commuting, and casual listening, the XM5 sounds exceptional. Audiophiles who want a completely flat reference sound may prefer something else — but for 95% of people, these will sound outstanding from day one.
Comfort & Build
Sony has made the XM5 noticeably lighter than its predecessor — down to 250g — and it shows. Extended listening sessions of 4–5 hours were comfortable with no hot spots or pressure pain. The earcups are soft and generous, and the headband distributes weight evenly.
The one trade-off versus the XM4 is that the XM5 no longer folds flat. It collapses inward, but the case is therefore larger and less pocketable. For most users this won't matter, but frequent travellers packing light should note it.
Battery Life
Sony claims 30 hours with ANC on — and in our testing, we got 28–31 hours consistently. A 3-minute quick charge gives you 3 hours of playback, which is a genuine lifesaver when you're rushing out the door.
Should You Buy It?
If you spend time in noisy environments — commuting, travelling, working in open offices — the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the best investment you can make. The noise cancellation is worth the price of admission alone.
At full price ($349), they're expensive. But they frequently drop to $279–$299 on Amazon, at which point they become an absolute no-brainer. Check the deal button below for the current price.
Sony WH-1000XM5
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