This 48%-off Bose headphones Prime Day deal is excellent... but I've found better
Bose headphones sit on many heads around the world, and I can see why. They look good, offer arguably the most effective active noise cancellation technology on the market, and have a brand reputation in tech that’s as strong as Rolex in watches.
Its deserved popularity is probably why its headphones, wireless speakers and soundbars appear frequently whenever a sales event rolls around. Case in point: the Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones are currently just £178.95 for Prime Day.
That’s a 48 per cent discount on Bose’s latest over-ears. A saving of £141 and the lowest ever price we've seen them go for. The price we've only previously seen on a refurbished pair. Look at the maths any which way and, no question about it, it’s an enticing deal on a pair of good wireless headphones. It deserves to be popular, and I bet it will be – and yet it can be bettered!
The superior-sounding and in my mind, more visually appealing Sony WH-1000XM4 are also on the end of an extremely tempting Prime Day headphones deal, down to only £208 on Amazon thanks to an unprecedented discount. And if you ask me – someone who has lived with both pairs – the Sonys are certainly worth £29 more if you can spend the extra.
Bose QuietComfort 45 £320 £178.95 at Amazon (save £141)
These excellent ANC headphones from Bose offer up strong noise-cancellation alongside impressive battery life and a comfortable build. At a whopping £141 off, the QC45 are certainly attractive; they just aren't the best-sounding headphones around the £200 mark.View Deal
Sony WH-1000XM4 £350 £208 at Amazon (save £142)
Sony’s premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones deliver on all fronts. They're detailed, dynamic and have a natural knack for timing. Nothing really lets them down – battery life, build, comfort and usability are all great at this level, not least at this knockdown price.View Deal
You can read our full Bose QC45 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 comparison for a comprehensive breakdown of the two models, but essentially both pairs look good, block out noise well, and allow two devices to be connected simultaneously.
However, in terms of sound quality, the Sonys pull away pretty significantly, with greater detail and a more musically cohesive and poised presentation. Despite Bose's admirable sonic neutrality across the frequencies, in direct comparison, they're unable to match the XM4 in terms of timing, dynamics and outright musicality. And that's predominantly why I'd recommend the Sony XM4 at £208 over the Boses, no matter how close to 'half price' the Bose deal gets.
There are other reasons. Yes, the Boses edge it with their unrivalled ANC, but the Sonys aren't far behind at all. And, after a painful start to the relationship, I've gotten used to touch controls on over-ear headphones now – something the Sonys have but Boses overlook in favour of physical buttons. The fact that the Sonys have a 30-hour battery life compared to the Bose's 24 seals the deal, though that may not be a deal-breaker for many.
Is the Sony XM4 discount the best Prime Day headphones deal out there? In terms of premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones around the £200 mark, without question. Their newer, more advanced successors, the WH-1000XM5, have been treated to an 18 per cent discount, but they are still significantly pricier at £316. And lower down the price spectrum, nothing has quite caught our eye like the Sonys and Boses. If you have £200 to spend on new wireless ANC headphones, you now know where to put it.
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