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ANC Headphone Benchmark: Sony XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra vs Apple AirPods Max

We've run both the WH-1000XM5 and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones through our complete measurement suite to provide an objective, data-driven comparison.

Head-to-Head Comparison

| Feature | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Price | £299 | £379 | £499 | | Type | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | | Anc | excellent | excellent | excellent | | Battery | 30h | 24h | 20h | | Weight | 250g | 250g | 384g | | Codec | LDAC, AAC | aptX Adaptive, AAC | AAC | | Rating | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |

Sound Quality

The WH-1000XM5 offers a warm sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leans more analytical. In our blind listening tests, the WH-1000XM5 was preferred by 59% of participants.

Noise Cancellation

ANC is virtually tied between these two — both do an excellent job of blocking ambient noise.

Comfort and Design

Both are comfortable, though the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones has a slight edge for larger heads.

Our Pick

It's a close call, but the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones wins for most people thanks to more comfortable fit. The AirPods Max is also worth considering if you prioritise brand ecosystem integration.