Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort: Which Is Better Refurbished in 2026?

Sony and Bose are two of the biggest names in premium noise-cancelling headphones.

For refurbished buyers, two especially interesting choices are the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.

Both provide active noise cancellation, wireless Bluetooth, multipoint connectivity, ambient-listening modes, wired listening and long rechargeable battery life.

But they take noticeably different approaches.

Sony gives you longer rated ANC battery life, LDAC support, touch controls and an extensive set of smart listening features.

Bose focuses strongly on comfort, physical controls, a folding design and straightforward Quiet and Aware listening modes.

This Tech Market UK guide compares the models from a refurbished buyer's perspective.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort: Quick Comparison

Manufacturer battery figures are maximum rated figures under specified test conditions. Actual refurbished battery life varies with age, volume, noise cancellation, Bluetooth use, temperature and battery condition.

1. Which Has Better Noise Cancellation?

Both are premium ANC headphones and both are designed to reduce continuous background noise such as aircraft cabins, trains, office ventilation and traffic hum.

Sony uses eight microphones combined with its Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1.

Its Auto NC Optimizer adapts noise-cancelling behaviour according to factors such as wearing conditions and environment.

Bose uses its established Quiet Mode for maximum noise reduction, with Custom Modes allowing buyers to adjust the listening experience.

Rather than declaring an absolute winner for every listener and environment, we would treat both as strong ANC options.

2. Sony Wins on Rated Battery Life

Battery life is one of Sony's clearest advantages.

Sony rates WH-1000XM5 for up to 30 hours of continuous music playback with noise cancelling enabled.

With noise cancelling disabled, Sony quotes up to approximately 40 hours.

Bose rates the 2023 QuietComfort Headphones for up to approximately 24 hours from a full charge.

3. Sony Also Has Excellent Fast Charging

Sony says a short charge can provide several hours of additional playback when used with suitable charging hardware.

Bose also supports quick charging, with approximately 2.5 hours of playback quoted from a 15-minute charge.

Both are therefore practical for travellers who realise shortly before leaving home that their headphones are almost empty.

4. Bose Wins for Low Weight

Bose QuietComfort weighs around 0.52lb, or approximately 236g.

Sony WH-1000XM5 weighs approximately 250g.

That difference is relatively small on paper, but comfort is about more than weight alone.

Ear-cushion softness, headband pressure, head shape, glasses and listening duration all affect how comfortable headphones feel.

5. Bose Is Easier to Pack

This matters more than many specification tables suggest.

Bose QuietComfort can fold inward, allowing it to fit into a relatively compact carrying case.

Sony WH-1000XM5 uses a redesigned headband that does not fold inward in the same way.

Sony's earcups rotate flat and the supplied case is designed to compress somewhat when empty, but Bose remains the easier design to pack into luggage.

For frequent flights, trains and commuting, that can be a genuine advantage.

6. Sony Wins for High-Resolution Wireless Options

Sony WH-1000XM5 supports Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec on compatible devices.

Sony also supports High-Resolution Audio over a compatible wired connection.

This makes XM5 particularly attractive to Android users with devices and music services capable of taking advantage of LDAC.

Whether you can hear a meaningful difference depends on source quality, settings, hearing and listening environment, so codec support should not be the only reason you choose a headphone.

7. Both Support Multipoint Bluetooth

Multipoint is extremely useful for work.

It allows the headphones to maintain connections with two compatible Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

Sony WH-1000XM5 supports two-device multipoint.

Bose QuietComfort also supports connection to two devices.

For home-office use, call this one a draw.

8. Touch Controls vs Physical Buttons

This comes down largely to preference.

Sony uses a touch-sensitive panel on the right earcup for functions such as volume, playback and track control.

Bose QuietComfort relies more heavily on physical controls.

9. Sony Has More Smart Listening Features

Sony packs the XM5 with additional convenience features.

Bose takes a somewhat simpler approach with Quiet, Aware and custom modes through the Bose app.

If you enjoy automation and tweaking settings, Sony has the stronger feature set.

10. Which Is Better for Calls?

Both include integrated microphones for phone and video calls.

Sony places particular emphasis on its multi-microphone processing and voice pickup.

Bose also supports calls and common VoIP applications through its built-in microphone system.

Real-world call performance varies according to wind, traffic, Bluetooth device and environment, so neither should be purchased solely from a marketing claim about microphone quality.

11. Which Is Better for Flying?

Both are excellent flight headphones.

Sony has the advantage in rated ANC battery life.

Bose has the advantage in folding portability and slightly lower weight.

Both can also use an audio cable, which is useful when connecting to compatible in-flight entertainment systems.

12. Which Is Better for Commuting?

Sony gets our slight preference.

The combination of strong ANC, 30-hour rated battery, Ambient Sound, Quick Attention and adaptive listening features works particularly well for daily train and bus journeys.

Bose remains an excellent alternative for anyone who prioritises comfort and a more compact case.

13. Which Is Better for Working From Home?

This is extremely close.

Both support multipoint, allowing a laptop and phone to remain connected.

Bose may be preferable if you wear headphones for almost the entire working day and particularly value comfort.

Sony may be preferable if you want more smart features and stronger rated battery endurance between charges.

14. Which Is Better for Android?

Sony gets our recommendation for Android buyers who value advanced wireless-audio support.

LDAC support on compatible Android hardware is a genuine Sony advantage.

Google Fast Pair support is another convenience for compatible devices.

Bose remains fully usable with Android, so this is an advantage rather than a reason Android users should avoid Bose.

15. Which Is Better for iPhone?

The comparison becomes closer on iPhone because Apple's Bluetooth implementation does not use Sony LDAC.

Both Sony and Bose work well as conventional Bluetooth headphones with iPhone.

Choose according to comfort, ANC preferences, battery life and refurbished price rather than assuming one is specifically an “iPhone headphone”.

16. Wired Listening

Both can be used with an analogue audio connection.

Sony includes a conventional stereo connection cable and can operate passively through its wired connection when powered off.

Bose QuietComfort uses a 2.5mm connection at the headphone side with a 3.5mm connection for the source device.

The 2023 Bose QuietComfort model in this comparison charges through USB-C but should not be confused with the new 2026 QuietComfort 2nd Gen, which adds USB-C audio.

17. Battery Age Matters When Buying Refurbished

Both headphones contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Those batteries naturally lose some capacity through age and charging cycles.

That means a refurbished XM5 should not automatically be expected to achieve exactly 30 hours simply because Sony quoted that figure when the product was new.

The same applies to Bose's 24-hour rating.

Someone using the headphones for a daily one-hour commute may care far less about battery degradation than someone regularly taking long-haul flights.

18. Check the Ear Cushions and Headband

Physical wear matters more on headphones than on many other refurbished products.

Bose sells replacement QuietComfort ear cushions separately, which can make long-term ownership easier if cushions eventually wear out.

19. What Should Be in the Box?

Never assume refurbished headphones contain every accessory originally supplied when new.

For a refurbished purchase, rely only on the individual Tech Market product listing's “What's in the Box” information.

20. Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort: Final Verdict

Why Buy Refurbished Headphones from Tech Market?

Tech Market offers professionally checked premium headphones from brands including Sony and Bose, with models and condition grades changing according to current stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort?

Sony WH-1000XM5 is our stronger all-round recommendation because of its 30-hour ANC battery rating, LDAC and wider selection of smart features. Bose QuietComfort is particularly attractive for comfort and portability.

Which has better battery life?

Sony rates WH-1000XM5 for up to 30 hours with noise cancelling enabled. Bose rates the 2023 QuietComfort Headphones for up to 24 hours.

Which is lighter?

Bose QuietComfort is slightly lighter at approximately 236g compared with around 250g for Sony WH-1000XM5.

Which is better for flights?

Both are excellent. Sony offers longer rated ANC battery life, while Bose is slightly lighter and folds into a more compact form for travel.

Does Sony WH-1000XM5 support LDAC?

Yes. Sony officially lists SBC, AAC and LDAC among the supported Bluetooth audio formats.

Can both connect to two devices?

Yes. Both support Bluetooth multipoint, allowing two compatible devices to remain connected simultaneously.

Can Sony WH-1000XM5 be used wired?

Yes. Sony provides a stereo mini-jack connection and supports passive wired operation when powered off.

Can Bose QuietComfort be used wired?

Yes. The 2023 model uses a 2.5mm connection at the headphone side and can connect to a 3.5mm audio source using the appropriate cable.

Is Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen the same headphone?

No. Bose introduced QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen in August 2026. It adds features including USB-C audio and Immersive Audio. Check the generation carefully when comparing refurbished products.

Are refurbished Sony and Bose headphones worth buying?

They can offer excellent value. Check battery condition, ear cushions, headband, controls, Bluetooth, ANC, charging and included accessories before purchasing.

Do Tech Market refurbished headphones include a warranty?

Tech Market refurbished products include a 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated for a specific product.