Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC, AAC)
Wireless charging: Yes
Battery life: 8.5hrs (+21hrs from charging case)
Weight: 8.5g (per earbud)
At full price these are five-star stunners, so now that they've been reduced they are even better value. Great sound, great design, great features – the Boses are great all-rounders. Their sound is a little more energetic than the XM5 and their battery life is longer.
For
- Comfortable fit
- Good battery life
- Solid, musical sound
- Great noise cancelling...
Against
- ... but not as great as Bose's flagship QC Ultra
- Chunky shape might not suit everyone
- No aptX support
- Call quality is only okay
Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)
Wireless charging: Yes
Battery life: 8hrs (+16hrs from charging case)
Weight: 5.9g (per earbud)
Award winners once more, the XM5 are the better 'buds of the two – but only just. We prefer their slightly more refined sound and full-to-bursting feature set, though they could feel more secure in the ear, their battery life is a little lacking, and they are also slightly pricier.
For
- Class-leading levels of detail, clarity and musicality
- Brimming with useful features
- Comfortable, discreet design
Against
- Could have more bass
- Could feel more secure in the ear
- Beaten for battery life
