shouldibuythat
← All Audio verdicts
Audio · head to head

QuietComfort Ultra vs WH-1000XM4

Reddit's answer is the Sony WH-1000XM4. Buy only if you prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation above long-term reliability. The QuietComfort Ultra is a Stay Away — don’t buy it — get the Sony instead.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Bose · Audio

QuietComfort Ultra

Stay Away$359.99
45% of 1,211 owners recommend
~1 in 3 failure rate — ~1 in 3 long-term owner reports mention a failure, with ear cushions and bluetooth connectivity the most cited components, typically appearing within the first 14 months. Of tracked warranty outcomes, 30 were resolved and 23 were unresolved — outcomes lean slightly toward resolution but a meaningful share lands outside coverage. That puts this headphone third-lowest in failure rate among the 10 wireless headphones we track, near the category baseline of 27% serious failures.

Don’t buy it — get the Sony instead

+ Repeatedly mentioned as best-in-class for all-day wearability across hundreds of owner reports.

− A vocal minority finds the tuning too soft or colored, especially versus Sony's profile.

Full verdict →
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony · Audio

WH-1000XM4

Risky Buy$233.5
46% of 820 owners recommend
~1 in 3 failure rate — ~1 in 3 long-term owner reports describe a failure, with charging system issues the most cited component (18 reports), followed by battery problems and hinge failures. Onset typically falls within the first 25 months. Warranty resolution skews unresolved — 34 cases versus 9 resolved — so most failures appear to land outside or beyond warranty coverage. At 29% serious failure, this is roughly in line with the category baseline of 27% for wireless headphones.

Buy only if you prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation above long-term reliability.

+ Sound quality is repeatedly mentioned as the benchmark other headphones get measured against.

− Sound quality complaints are recurring — some owners find the tuning overly processed or fatiguing.

Full verdict →

Questions people keep asking

Which is better, the QuietComfort Ultra or the WH-1000XM4?

Reddit's answer is the Sony WH-1000XM4. Buy only if you prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation above long-term reliability. The QuietComfort Ultra is a Stay Away — don’t buy it — get the Sony instead.

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth it?

Reddit's verdict is Stay Away. Don’t buy it — get the Sony instead. Sound and comfort hold up long-term, but ~1 in 3 long-term reports describe a failure — buy with eyes open.

Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 worth it?

Reddit's verdict is Risky Buy. Buy only if you prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation above long-term reliability. Strong sound and ANC, but ~1 in 3 long-term reports describe a failure — mostly charging and hinges within the first two years.