Sony and Bose make the two most popular premium noise-cancelling earbuds. Their prices are close, so the differences come down to ratings, price and how recent the model is.
We compared them on Amazon UK. We haven't tested them ourselves. This comparison is based on the Amazon listings and customer ratings, so check the latest price and details before you buy.
| Model | Approx. price | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | £179 | 3.9 | 5,100+ |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | £249 | 3.7 | 700+ |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | £161 | 3.9 | 9,500+ |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | £289 | 3.8 | 9,500+ |
Our take: earbuds are harder to get right than headphones because fit varies from person to person, and Amazon ratings reflect that. If a good fit matters more to you than the brand, check the returns policy before you commit.
1. Best value flagship: Sony WF-1000XM5
A 3.9 rating from more than 5,100 buyers at around £179, noticeably cheaper than the newer XM6.
Check Price on AmazonCompare more in our AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5 UK 2026 guide →
2. Cheaper Bose: QuietComfort Earbuds
A 3.9 rating from more than 9,500 buyers at around £161. The most reviewed pair here and the lowest price.
Check Price on AmazonCompare more in our AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5 UK 2026 guide →
3. Top Bose: QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
A 3.8 rating from nearly 9,600 buyers at around £289. The 2nd Gen version is cheaper at the time of writing, with 3,500+ reviews.
Check Price on AmazonAlso consider: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Earbuds — £231 (3.8★, 3,501 reviews)
Compare more in our AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5 UK 2026 guide →
4. Newest Sony: WF-1000XM6
A 3.7 rating from 700+ buyers at around £249. The newest model, so it has the fewest reviews and the lowest rating so far.
Check Price on AmazonCompare more in our AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5 UK 2026 guide →