Sony vs Bose Headphones: Which Brand Is Better in NZ?

Sony and Bose make the two most popular premium noise-cancelling headphone ranges in New Zealand, and on paper their flagships look almost identical. Both are rated for up to 30 hours with noise cancelling switched on, both fold into a carry case and both sit in a similar price bracket. The real differences are in the details: Bluetooth codec support, comfort, controls, charging and how each brand tunes its sound. This guide compares the six Sony and Bose models we currently stock, using manufacturer specifications and independent testing, so you can choose the right pair for the way you actually listen.

Sony vs Bose Headphones: At a Glance

Prices are Tech Supply Shed NZ prices at the time of writing (September 2026) and may change.

Key Specifications Compared

Over-Ear Headphones

Earbuds

Sources: Sony NZ WH-1000XM6 specifications, Sony NZ WH-1000XM5 specifications and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which also lists the QuietComfort Headphones comparison figures. Earbud battery figures are from SoundGuys' independent comparison. Real-world battery life varies with volume and settings.

Noise Cancelling: Sony vs Bose

Noise cancelling is where most people start, and at the flagship level it is genuinely close. The Sony WH-1000XM6 uses Sony's QN3 processor with 12 microphones to adjust cancellation to your fit and surroundings in real time. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) use Bose's CustomTune technology to calibrate noise cancelling to the shape of your ears, and their thick ear cushions add strong passive isolation. Bose's ActiveSense feature, which softens sudden loud sounds while letting you hear your surroundings, is part of Aware Mode rather than full noise cancelling. Independent reviewers rate the two very closely: Trusted Reviews found the XM6 on an even footing with the Bose, while RTINGS highlights the Bose's adaptive ANC and passive isolation for bus rumble and cabin noise.

In practice, either flagship will comfortably quieten a long-haul flight, a bus commute or an open-plan office. If you are choosing on noise cancelling alone, fit matters more than brand, so try both on if you can. The step-down models, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Headphones, still offer strong ANC with fewer adaptive features.

Sound Quality and Codecs

Sound signature is a matter of taste, and both brands let you reshape it with an adjustable EQ in their apps. Where they differ more clearly is codec support. Sony supports LDAC, which allows higher-bitrate Bluetooth audio from compatible Android phones, and the WH-1000XM6 adds LC3 for LE Audio. Bose supports aptX Adaptive for compatible Snapdragon Sound phones, and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) can also play lossless audio over a wired USB-C connection. If you use an iPhone, both connect over AAC, so codec support is less of a deciding factor.

Bose also offers Immersive Audio and a Cinema Mode on its Ultra headphones, which spatialise music and video. Sony supports 360 Reality Audio with head tracking on the XM6. Both are worth trying, but most people will spend the majority of their listening time in standard stereo.

Comfort, Weight and Build

On weight, the two flagships are closer than many comparisons suggest. Sony lists the WH-1000XM6 at approximately 254 g, while Bose lists the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) at 0.583 lb, which is about 264 g. That 10 g difference is unlikely to be noticeable on your head. Both now fold for travel: Sony returned to a folding design with the XM6, and the Bose uses a folding frame with a padded case. The older WH-1000XM5 is the exception, with earcups that swivel flat rather than a headband that folds.

Comfort is where Bose has built its reputation. Its plush protein leather cushions and pressure-spreading headband are the main reason reviewers such as RTINGS rate it highly for long flights. Sony answered with a wider headband and synthetic leather on the XM6, so the gap is smaller than it used to be. Bose uses aluminium yokes on the Ultra model, while Sony's design is lighter on metal but still feels solid.

Battery Life and Charging

Both flagship over-ear models are rated for up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on. The Bose drops to 23 hours if you use Immersive Audio, and the XM6 extends to 40 hours with noise cancelling off. Quick charging is where Sony pulls ahead: 3 minutes of charging gives around 3 hours of playback on the XM6, compared with 15 minutes for up to 2.5 hours on the Bose (or 2 hours with Immersive Audio on). A full charge takes approximately 3.5 hours on the XM6 and 3 hours on the Bose.

Bose adds a couple of useful everyday touches. You can listen while charging over USB-C, and laying the headphones flat quickly disconnects them and puts them into low-power sleep, so they do not drain in your bag. The budget Bose QuietComfort Headphones are rated for up to 24 hours, which is shorter than the Sony WH-1000XM5 at a similar price.

Controls and App Features

Sony uses a touch panel on the right earcup: swipe to change volume and tap to play, pause or skip. Bose uses a mix of physical and touch controls, with a power button, a multi-function button and a capacitive volume strip that you swipe along, plus on-head detection for auto pause and sleep. Which feels better is personal preference, as physical buttons are easier to use with gloves, while touch panels keep the earcup clean.

Both brands offer companion apps (Sony Sound Connect and the Bose app) with adjustable EQ, noise cancelling modes and firmware updates. For wired listening, the XM6 includes a 3.5 mm cable, while the Bose includes a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable and supports USB-C audio. Note that the Bose needs battery power for both wired options.

Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

If you would rather go in-ear, the same brand strengths carry over. The Sony WF-1000XM5 are smaller and have the longer battery life, with up to 8 hours per charge with ANC on. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are slightly larger but use stability bands for a secure fit, and are widely rated for their noise cancelling. Both support multipoint, so you can stay connected to a phone and laptop at the same time. For a wider look at in-ear options, see our wireless earbuds buying guide, or browse our in-ear headphones and earbuds.

Price and Value in NZ

At the flagship level, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is currently $69.96 less than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) at Tech Supply Shed, and it offers faster quick charging and LDAC support. The Bose justifies its premium with comfort, Immersive Audio and USB-C lossless listening. One tier down, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Headphones are $36.98 apart, and the Sony offers longer battery life and LDAC for that difference. For earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are $80.96 less than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

If budget is the deciding factor, the previous-generation over-ear models from either brand deliver most of the flagship experience for considerably less, especially if you mainly listen on an iPhone and will not use advanced codecs.

Which Should You Buy?

There is no single right answer. It comes down to how and where you will use them.

• Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want the fastest quick charging, LDAC or LE Audio support on Android, and a slightly lighter headphone at a lower price than the Bose flagship.
• Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if all-day comfort is your top priority, you like physical buttons, or you want Immersive Audio and USB-C lossless listening.
• On a tighter budget, the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers longer battery life and more codec options, while the Bose QuietComfort Headphones prioritise comfort and simplicity.
• Prefer earbuds? Pick the Sony WF-1000XM5 for battery life and size, or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) for a secure, comfort-first fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sony or Bose better for noise cancelling?

At the flagship level they are very close. Independent reviewers rate the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) similarly, so fit and comfort will usually matter more than brand for how quiet they sound to you.

Which is more comfortable, Sony or Bose headphones?

Bose is widely rated as the more comfortable option for long wear thanks to its plush cushions and pressure-spreading headband. The two flagships weigh almost the same, at approximately 254 g for the Sony WH-1000XM6 and about 264 g for the Bose, and both fold for travel.

Are Bose headphones more expensive than Sony in NZ?

At Tech Supply Shed, yes. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are $697.65 compared with $627.69 for the Sony WH-1000XM6. At the next tier down, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Headphones are closely priced.

Which has better battery life, Sony or Bose?

The flagships are both rated for up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on, but Sony charges faster, with 3 minutes giving around 3 hours of playback compared with 15 minutes for up to 2.5 hours on the Bose (or 2 hours with Immersive Audio on). In the step-down models and earbuds, Sony lasts longer.

Do Sony and Bose headphones work with Android and iPhone?

Yes. Both brands pair over standard Bluetooth and have companion apps for Android and iOS. Sony's LDAC and Bose's aptX Adaptive codecs only work with compatible Android phones, while iPhones use AAC with both brands.

Find Your Next Pair of Headphones

Whichever way you lean, the choice comes down to comfort versus features: Bose for all-day comfort and immersive listening, Sony for faster charging, wider codec support and a lower flagship price. Shop the models compared in this guide:

• Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Cancelling Headphones Gen 2 (Black)
• Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
• Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black)
• Sony WF-1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds (Black)
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen (Black)

Or browse the full range in our over-ear headphones and headphones collection.

Related Guides

• Noise-Cancelling vs Open-Ear vs Earbuds: Which Headphones Fit You?
• Wireless Earbuds Buying Guide NZ: How to Choose the Right Pair