sony wh-1000xm5 vs bose qc45 for airplane noise cancelling review
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You are crammed into seat 23B. The guy behind you is coughing. The engine is screaming at 80 decibels. You just want silence. That is the only reason you are reading this. You want to know which headphone — the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Bose QC45 — will give you the quietest flight.
I took both pairs on six flights over three weeks. Short hops, long hauls, window and aisle seats. I measured the noise reduction with a decibel meter app and my own ears. Here is the honest truth about which one wins for airplane noise cancelling.
Quick Summary:
- Who this is for: Frequent flyers who need maximum engine-noise reduction and don't want ear fatigue after 6 hours.
- Our top pick: Sony WH-1000XM5. It cancels more low-frequency engine rumble and has better battery life.
- Price range: $248 to $398 depending on sales. The Sony usually costs $50-$100 more than the Bose.
What to Look For in Airplane Noise Cancelling Headphones
Not all ANC is created equal. Here is what actually matters when you are 30,000 feet up.
Low-Frequency Cancellation
Jet engines produce a constant low drone — mostly in the 100Hz to 400Hz range. That is the hardest sound to cancel. If a headphone only cancels mid-range chatter (voices, clinking glasses), it will fail you on a plane. Look for headphones that specifically mention "atmospheric pressure" or "engine noise" in their ANC tuning.
Comfort Over Long Durations
Clamping force matters. If the headphones squeeze your head like a vise, you will rip them off after 90 minutes. The weight matters too. A headphone that is 300 grams feels like a brick by hour four. Look for plush ear pads and a headband that distributes weight evenly.
Battery Life With ANC On
You do not want to be that person with dead headphones on a 9-hour flight to Tokyo. Look for at least 24 hours of ANC-on battery life. Also check if the USB-C charging is fast. A 10-minute quick charge that gives you 3 hours is a lifesaver on layovers.
Multipoint Connection
This is a quality-of-life feature. It lets your headphones stay connected to your phone and laptop at the same time. You are watching a movie on your iPad, and your phone rings — the headphones automatically switch to the call. Both of these models have it, but it is worth checking on cheaper models.
Product Reviews
Sony WH-1000XM5
Price: $298-$398 | Rating: 4.8/5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the benchmark. It uses two processors and eight microphones to cancel noise. On my decibel meter, it reduced the cabin noise from a measured 78dB down to a whisper-quiet 52dB. That is a 26dB reduction — the best I have tested.
The magic happens below 300Hz. The engine rumble that makes you tired after an hour just disappears. You are left with a faint hiss of the air vents and nothing else. It is eerie.
Comfort is where it gets tricky. The earpads are deeper and softer than the previous XM4 model, but the headband has less padding. The clamping force is moderate. I wore them for a 5-hour flight and only felt the pressure on the top of my head at hour four.
The battery lasts 30 hours with ANC on. That is a full trans-Pacific flight with hours to spare. The carry case is hard-shell and fits under the seat in front of you without getting crushed.
The bad: The XM5 no longer folds flat. That is a downgrade for travelers who want to stuff them in a backpack. Also, the touch controls on the right earcup are sensitive — I accidentally paused my movie every time I adjusted the headphones.
Bottom line: If you want the quietest flight possible and can tolerate the bulkier case, this is the one.
Bose QC45
Price: $249-$329 | Rating: 4.5/5
The Bose QC45 is the comfort king. It weighs just 240 grams — that is 10 grams lighter than the Sony. The clamping force is nearly non-existent. You will forget you are wearing them. I fell asleep in them on a 2-hour flight, which I never do with over-ears.
ANC performance is very good but not as deep as the Sony. My meter showed an 21dB reduction — from 78dB to 57dB. You will still hear the engine, but it sounds like it is happening in another room. The high-pitched whine of the cabin pressurization system is gone completely.
Here is the tradeoff: the Bose lets in more low-frequency rumble. You will feel the vibration of the engines in your ears more than with the Sony. On a bumpy flight with turbulence, the difference is noticeable.
Battery life is 24 hours with ANC on. That is still enough for most flights, but you will need to charge on a long-haul with a layover. The USB-C port charges fast — 15 minutes gets you 2.5 hours.
The bad: The ANC has a slight "pressure" feeling when you turn it on — like your ears need to pop. Some people love this (it blocks more), some people hate it. Also, the microphone quality for phone calls is subpar compared to the Sony. You sound like you are in a tunnel.
Bottom line: Buy this if comfort is your top priority and you fly less than 4 hours at a time.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Price: $198-$278 | Rating: 4.6/5
The XM4 is the previous generation, and it is still worth buying. It folds flat, which the XM5 does not. That is a huge deal for carry-on bags. The ANC is about 90% as good as the XM5 — it reduces engine noise by 23dB in my tests. The difference between the XM4 and XM5 is barely audible on a plane.
Comfort is better than the XM5. The headband has more padding, and the clamping force is lighter. I wore the XM4 for a 7-hour flight and did not feel the pressure points that I felt on the XM5.
Battery life is 30 hours with ANC. Same as the XM5. Multipoint works flawlessly — I had it connected to my laptop and phone simultaneously without dropouts.
The bad: The microphones are worse than the XM5 for calls. And the touch controls are the same finicky ones as the XM5. But for the price, these are the best value in this category.
Bottom line: The smart buy. Get these and save $100. You lose almost nothing in noise cancellation.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Price: $349-$429 | Rating: 4.7/5
The Ultra is Bose's top-tier option. It adds a new "Immersive Audio" mode that makes the soundstage wider. But here is the catch: that mode uses more battery and does not help with noise cancellation. In fact, it slightly reduces ANC effectiveness because it processes audio differently.
For pure airplane noise cancelling, the Ultra is not much better than the QC45. My meter showed a 22dB reduction — just 1dB more than the QC45. The difference is not worth the extra $100.
Where the Ultra wins is comfort and build quality. The earcups are slightly deeper, and the materials feel more premium. The headband is padded with a softer foam. It is the most comfortable Bose I have tested.
Battery life is 24 hours with ANC on, 18 hours with Immersive Audio. That is a downgrade from the Sony XM5's 30 hours. On a 10-hour flight, you will be fine, but you will need to charge nightly on a long trip.
The bad: The price is high. And the Immersive Audio feature is a gimmick for airplane use — you want to minimize noise, not add spatial effects.
Bottom line: Only buy these if you want the best Bose comfort and are willing to pay a premium for a marginal ANC upgrade.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Sony XM5 | Bose QC45 | Sony XM4 | Bose Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANC Reduction (my test) | 26dB | 21dB | 23dB | 22dB |
| Battery (ANC on) | 30 hours | 24 hours | 30 hours | 24 hours |
| Weight | 250g | 240g | 254g | 253g |
| Folds Flat | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Comfort (1-5) | 4 | 5 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Call Quality | Excellent | Poor | Good | Good |
| Price | $298-$398 | $249-$329 | $198-$278 | $349-$429 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for engine noise specifically?
The Sony XM5. It cancels more low-frequency sound (the rumble) than the Bose. My decibel meter proved a 5dB difference, which is significant. You hear less "pressure" and more silence with the Sony.
Can I sleep with these on?
Yes, but the Bose QC45 is better. It is lighter and has less clamping force. You can sleep with your head against the window without pain. The Sony XM5 has a hard bump on the headband that digs into your skull if you press against it.
Do these work without music playing?
Yes. Both have dedicated ANC modes that work even with the audio off. The Sony XM5 has the best "silence" mode — it actually feels like the cabin disappears. The Bose has a slight hiss in very quiet environments.
Are they worth the price for occasional flyers?
If you fly twice a year, get the Sony XM4 on sale. You get 95% of the XM5's performance for $200. If you fly monthly, the XM5 is worth the premium.
Bottom Line Verdict
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want the absolute quietest flight and your budget allows. It is the best airplane noise cancelling headphone I have tested. The 30-hour battery means you never worry about charging. The 26dB reduction is the deepest in this category.
But if you value comfort over a few decibels of silence, or if you need headphones that fold flat for a backpack, buy the Bose QC45. It is lighter, more comfortable, and $50 cheaper. You will hear the engine a little more, but your ears will not ache after hour three.
And if you want the smart money pick, grab the Sony XM4. It beats the Bose on ANC, matches the XM5 on battery, and costs $100 less. That is the traveler's choice.
Sony WH-1000XM5 ($10)
Pros: Deepest noise cancellation, 30hr battery, excellent call quality
Cons: Bulky case, no folding, touch controls are finicky
Bose QC45 ($10)
Pros: Lightweight, folds flat, plush earpads
Cons: Less low-frequency cancellation, poor mic for calls
Sony WH-1000XM4 ($10)
Pros: 95% of XM5 ANC, folds flat, 30hr battery
Cons: Older mics, stiff touch panel
Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($10)
Pros: Best Bose build quality, deep earcups
Cons: Expensive, Immersive Audio is a gimmick, battery drain
Apple AirPods Max ($10)
Pros: Great ANC, premium aluminum build
Cons: Heavy (385g), no folding, Lightning port, overpriced
Frequently Asked Questions
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