Bose and Sony's flagship wireless headphones are both in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, but which should you buy?

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones next to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones both in their cases

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

The Amazon Big Spring Sale is in full swing, and there are savings to be made across all categories of tech, including wireless headphones.

From what I’ve seen so far, there aren't a huge number of deals eclipsing those we tend to see around Black Friday, but that’s not to say they should be ignored.

I have been keeping a keen eye on two models in particular – the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the Sony WH-1000XM5. Both are flagship pairs of wireless, noise-cancelling headphones, and our review team rates both at five-stars at their respective price points.

Now the Bose launched at £450, so the £330 price on Amazon right now is a big saving. However, for full context, the lowest price we’ve seen the Bose at is £299, which was back in December last year.

The Sonys, on the other hand, are a slightly older model which originally cost £379 and are now down to £249. I’ve seen them as low as £208 for a very brief time, which also happened to be in December last year.

I’m certainly not expecting either of these pairs to drop back to these prices any time soon, so if you are in the market for both and want to take the plunge now, while Amazon’s sale is on, which should you go for?

Sonys have superior battery life
The Bose have a more robust design

The fact that both pairs are five-star means the answer isn’t a simple one.

When it comes to build quality and portability, I would say the Bose just have the edge. I think they feel a bit more robust, and they fold up completely. This means I don’t have to think too hard about just putting them in my bag unprotected.

By contrast, I find I need to have the Sony case with me more often than not, for fear of damaging them. I find both pairs comfortable to wear for long periods, with the Sonys feeling a little lighter on the head.

I think the Bose touch controls work a little better than the Sonys, too. The volume slider on the Bose is very intuitive and responds smoothly to your finger sliding, whereas the touch surface on the Sonys I find a little harder to be precise with. I am talking small margins, though.

On the features front, it’s once again a very close call. Out of the two, only the Bose support aptX Adaptive Bluetooth for improved low-latency performance and support for higher-quality wireless codecs.

Of course, you need a source device that also has aptX built-in to make use of this, but I don’t see this as a major deal-breaker.

The Sonys counter this with support for their own higher quality LDAC codec, although, once again, you need a compatible source to experience it.

Both pairs support Bluetooth Multipoint, so you can have two devices connected simultaneously, which can come in handy if you want them connected to a laptop and smartphone and switch audio between the two.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones on a wooden table — (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Bose have the edge with ANC but the Sonys are still excellent
Sony offers better bang for your buck

Battery life is one area where the XM5s go bigger and for longer, with 30 hours in the tank, compared to the Bose’s 24 hours from a single charge.

And, for call quality, the Sonys also get my vote. I’ve found them better at cutting out external noise, especially wind, which makes my voice (and the background) clearer and easier to hear. The Bose can't match the detail in my voice or keep as much external noise out for the person at the other end of the call.

Of course, noise cancelling is a big deal for both pairs, and I think the Bose do have the edge here. It’s a very close run thing, though.

The Bose seem to suck out the vast majority of background noise which makes them great for public transport, and especially airplanes. But I also realise that some people don’t like the strength of the Bose ANC effect.

The Sonys are a bit more subtle in this regard, but they still do a fantastic job of isolating you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, including conversations you’d rather not be privy to.

In terms of sound quality, each pair offers something different. The WH-1000XM5 major in clarity and detail, while the Bose opt for a richer, more full-bodied balance. I think Sony’s extra musicality and precision just elevate them above the Bose, but which flavour you prefer will come down to personal preference.

So, which pair would I go for in the Amazon Big Spring Sale? My money would go on the Sonys, mainly because I think the saving delivers more bang for your buck and their all-round abilities make them a fantastic pair for most people.

If you really want the Bose, I would recommend holding off until later in the year when I think the price will come back down closer to its lowest-ever level.

MORE:

Amazon Big Spring Sale live: our TV and headphone experts’ real-time buying advice

Lossless audio and wired listening finally comes to AirPods Max

Our pick of the best wireless headphones for every budget

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Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.