Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: 2025 Comparison

In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST experience with the Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 and tell you which is better, after personally owning both products. I have thoroughly tested each of these headphones for hundreds of hours, and aim to offer a critical opinion from the perspective of an audiophile and professional music producer.

I’ll be comparing these two head to head on categories like price, comfort, features, battery life, noise cancelling performance, and sound quality.

Then at the end, I’ll share which is the best overall value for the money, and my overall recommendation on which you should buy.

I’ve also conducted a separate in-depth Bose QuietComfort 45 Review and Sony WH-1000XM4 Review, for those who are interested in reading more detailed thoughts about each headphone after. (Links open in a new tab.)

Key Takeaways

Holding Bose QC45 vs Sony XM4 headphones side by side in hand

Bose QuietComfort 45 has slightly better sound quality (after EQ) and noise cancelling performance.

The Sony XM4 is tied for comfort and build quality with the QC45.

The QC45 is typically around the same price as the Sony XM4, depending on condition and sales.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Price Compared

Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is about the same price as the XM4 at current market prices, but that can depend on current sales, and whether you’re buying new, renewed, or used.

Want to save up to an additional $150?

Bose QuietComfort 45 – Renewed (Amazon)

Sony WH-1000XM4 (Amazon)

Want to save up to an additional $100?

Sony WH-1000XM4 RENEWED (Amazon)

Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂

Comfort

On my scale, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is 16.2 grams lighter than the Sony XM4:

Bose QC45 weight: 235.4 grams
Sony WH-1000XM4 weight: 251.6 grams

Whew, this is a tough one!

Honestly, I find both headphones to be very comfy, and just ever so slightly less comfy than the truly elite QC Ultra and Sonos Ace.

Both headphones are on the lighter side, with the QC45 being the lightest in its class, and ever tested on this site period.

Neither headphone has too much top-of-head pressure, but could use more plush padding like the QC Ultra.

Clamping force feels about equal for me, and is just right.

One advantage of the QC45 over the Sony XM4 is more interior space inside of the earcups.

But other than that, both headphones are nearly perfect.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Comfort: 4.5 out of 5

Sony WH-1000XM4 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5

Winner: Tie

Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony XM4 hardshell cases compared side by side

Features

These are both modern headphones with roughly the same features such as built-in microphones for calls, Active Noise Cancelling, and Transparency Mode.

Both the QC45 and Sony XM4 include nice compact hardshell cases, as both headphones do fold and collapse neatly, especially great for frequent fliers and travel.

Build Quality

The QC45 has the classic QuietComfort design which has stood the test of time thus far, and has no real weaknesses with its metal headband and solid hinges.

Interestingly, the Sony XM4 seems to have taken quite a bit of inspiration from the QuietComfort series, and is practically identical in its headband and hinge design.

Either way, I don’t see any long-term issues with either headphone.

Looks

I prefer the looks of the less bulky Bose QC45 over the Sony XM4.

The XM4’s earcups are just a bit too bulky and stick out a bit more than the sleeker QC45.

The QuietComfort series is just timeless and classic in general, with some attractive colorways.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Battery Life Compared

The Sony XM4 has 6 more hours of battery life on a single charge.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
Sony WH-1000XM4 Battery Life: Up to 30 hours

In my testing, I found both of these manufacturer’s battery ratings to be accurate.

The QC45 is average here, with the XM4 being above average, but both being overshadowed by the Sennheiser Momentum 4 at 60 hours.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling: Which is better?

I have regularly touted the QC Ultra and Sony XM5 as the best ANC performance to date, but to my surprise, the older XM4 and QC45 actually hold up quite well today.

If I had to choose a winner for noise cancelling, I think the QC45 has the slight edge.

The QC45 uses the same Bose companion app as the newer Ultra, with a customizable 11 levels between full ANC and Transparency mode.

This is partly why the older QC45 seems to be nearly the same ANC experience, despite being older.

The XM4 also uses the same Sony app as the XM5, and has the ability to choose between 20 levels of noise cancelling and transparency mode, with the ability to turn all of it OFF as well.

I don’t like the Transparency mode on the Sony XM4, as it’s quite muffled.

Either way, I find both of these to be excellent and either can be effective for flights and travel without issue.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 5 out of 5

Sony WH-1000XM4 Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 4.5 out of 5

Winner: QC45

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Sound Quality Comparison

Bose QuietComfort 45 vs Sony WH1000XM4 headphones side by side on desk

On the Stock Sound…

Comparing the sound quality of these two headphones completely stock, I prefer the warmer and less-offensive Sony WH-1000XM4.

The XM4 is simply more balanced out of the box.

The QC45 has a more impressive bass slam, but has a sharp treble with sibilance.

Fortunately for both of these, custom EQ makes a massive difference in unleashing their full sound quality potential.

So I’ll share the custom EQ settings that I’ve created and will be using for this sound quality comparison below…

Best Equalizer Settings for Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45)

Bass: -1
Mid: +2
Treble: -6

Result: As you can see from the extreme Treble rolloff, my main focus was reducing the sibilance. It’s not entirely gone, but it’s much improved versus stock. Unfortunately this comes at the expense of less detail and airiness, but the overall sound is now much more balanced and way smoother.

Best Equalizer Settings for Sony WH-1000XM4

400: -3
1k: +2
2.5k: +3
6.3k: -5
16k: +1
Clear Bass: 0

Result: Much less muddiness, more clarity and detail in the mids, less sibilance. Overall more balanced, with the mids much more present.tail.

Comparing Sound Quality AFTER Custom EQ Applied…

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Sound Quality: 8.0 out of 10 (after EQ)

Sony WH-1000XM4 Sound Quality: 7.9 out of 10 (after EQ)

Winner: QC45

Value

The QC45 is now discontinued and in a strange place price-wise, due to new pairs being harder and harder to find.

So on Amazon, you may see brand new pairs of QC45 sell for $300+, while many available Renewed pairs are a much better value at around $163 USD.

I’d say if you’re specifically looking for Renewed pairs of the QC45, it is a pretty tasty value. But no way would I spend over $200+ when the newer (and better) QuietComfort 2023 can be found for $249.

On the other hand, the Sony XM4 is still somewhat expensive at around $248 to $298 brand new at the time of this writing.

The $298 pricetag doesn’t make sense to me at all, as the newer XM5 can be found for $328 new, or the Bose QuietComfort (2023) for $249 regularly.

I’d say the XM4 is more of a fair value at $248 and not a dollar higher. It’s simply too dated to command that price, with improved models available for the same price.

Like the QC45, it’s probably best to find a Renewed or Used pair for around $170 to $180.

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Value: 4.0 out of 5

Sony WH-1000XM4 Value: 3.5 out of 5

Winner: QC45

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Overall Rating

8.6

Editor’s Choice

Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Headphones

Check lowest prices

PROS

Fun sound quality (after EQ)
Great noise cancelling performance
Very comfortable and lightweight
Decent value due to being older

CONS

Harsh treble without EQ
QuietComfort 2023 is simply better overall

Sony WH-1000XM4 Overall Rating

8.4

Editor’s Choice

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones

Check lowest prices

POSITIVES

Great noise cancelling performance
Very comfortable
Good sound quality
30 hours battery life

NEGATIVES

Slightly muddy upper bass & lower mids
Needs more sub-bass extension
Intimate soundstage lacks width and depth
Still somewhat expensive

Overall Winner: Bose QuietComfort 45

Holding Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) headphones earcup in hand

The Bose QuietComfort 45 narrowly beats out the Sony XM4, due to having very slightly better sound quality, slightly better noise cancelling performance, and being a slightly better value with today’s prices.

The XM4 is still a strong all-arounder on paper, but is showing its age in its sound quality compared to the latest generation including the XM5 that has long replaced it.

Personally, I would choose the QC45 because it has much better bass that is more fun to listen to for modern music.

Since both models are older, I’d take a look at Renewed prices to get the best value for these.

Or, I’d pony up to the newer Bose QuietComfort 2023, which is basically a better version of the QC45 in every way. Another fantastic option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 for a little bit more money.

Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:

Some Relevant Comparisons in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:

I highly recommend you check those out next!

Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.

Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):

Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones (Amazon)

Want to save up to an additional $150?

Bose QuietComfort 45 – Renewed (Amazon)

Sony WH-1000XM4 (Amazon)

Want to save up to an additional $100?

Sony WH-1000XM4 RENEWED (Amazon)

Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂

How We Tested and Our Methodology

RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.

We currently purchase all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.

After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.

ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, musician, tech journalist, and audiophile.