Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000XM3: Which Is The Better Set Of Headphones?

Throughout time, life has been improving and made easy for the common everyday citizen. People saw technology also as a way to better enjoy life. What people did with technology was such a huge step in modernization, successfully making communication a much easier medium to utilize. The changes that were made greatly affected how we experience our favorite recreational activities.

This is where music came to be. With technology at its prime, making music has never been easier, the only issue before that was the method—how are people supposed to send such impactful messages. Through the use of headphones, we could listen to any form of music we want, at our leisure.

Sony and Bose have been one of the top companies that lead the latest line of best quality headphones, having released many various kinds of headphones.

There have been headphones designed for comfort, for maximum sound quality, and even headphones manufactured specifically for sportswear—each one designed with the intent to suit the user’s needs all the while giving them the best music experience.

Founded in the year 1946 in Tokyo, Japan, Sony easily became one of the most successful brands in the audio machine business. Many of their avid users are found all around the world, enjoying their well-constructed Sony products.

Also founded in the year 1964 in Massachusetts, USA, Bose came into existence as an American company that originally manufactured and sold a variety of audio equipment. And just like Sony, started to become a world-renowned company, gaining many avid audiophile fans across the globe.

The two companies’ most successful products are what we know now as modern headphones. With the latest audio technology, they engineered this already well-known audio equipment into better products with a completely new feature—it is what we know now as Smart Noise-cancelling headphones.

Released in 2018, see what Sony offers with their latest noise-canceling tech headphones: the Sony WH-1000XM3—” Lose yourself in silence” is what Sony teases, with their claims of escaping any noise pollution with their leading noise cancellation that is installed within the product.

On Bose’s side, however, they offer the Bose 700—a new design that is completely a new and refreshing experience with having been released so recently in 2019.

When taking a glance, the Bose 700 should be a way more updated version of what we come to know as headphones, simply by the fact that the Bose 700 is coming out almost 2 whole years after the Sony WH-1000XM3 was released. However, many people still find themselves struggling with deciding which of these two products are the better option even though both of them are on almost equal footing.

So which of the two best-known headphones should you go for? And what are the real differences that we need to find out between the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM3? This comprehensive guide will answer those questions, making sure that the key features of both devices are covered. This is done by covering all aspects of both devices and highlighting the pros and cons.

How We Started

To give a definitive and simple to follow guide to both the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000MX3 noise-canceling headphones, we’ll put each one to the test and find out a range of factors affecting the vast differences in features among the two headphones.

When purchasing a pair of headphones and various audio equipment, people often have different goals in mind, making it a matter of which factors are to be considered and prioritized. Some people might look for a larger battery capacity for longer intervals of usage and avoid having to charge the headphones all the time—while some individuals prioritize sound quality to enjoy a more superior music experience.

In any case, regardless of whatever feature you prioritize for your next device, you should be able to learn about all the information and tidbits you need at the course of this guide, covering the most common factors such as comfort for long spans of use, audio quality for the avid audiophile, noise-cancellation for removing any disruptive noise pollution, to the overall quality of each headphone model and their average prices, and both common and unique features among many others.

Both the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM3 certainly have their advantages and disadvantages, with some major differences to note that definitively sets one from the other. This guide is for whoever is hesitating between the two headphone models—with the intent to find out which is the better option.

Similarities and Differences 

To begin with, aside from the glaring appearances, any average person shouldn’t be able to tell the major difference between the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM3, making it a hindrance when deciding for one over the other.

They both have some negligible difference to their designs, but aside from that, they’re just headphones and may seem almost identical to each other. Both of them also advertise the same features—they both offer reasonably good noise-canceling technology, along with the most comfortable headphone experience in the market.

They also boast of their fairly long battery life allowing for more quality leisure time, among many others.

Considering the numerous shown similarities, are there in actuality any real differences that completely set the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM3 apart from each other? For certain there surely are, also, if we take a closer look into more than just the appearance of these headphone models, we should be able to find out some of the major differences that put one over the other.

The Bose 700 is supposedly a technological upgrade over the WH-1000XM3 having been released at a later date. The Bose 700 has a sleeker design that may contribute as a factor to whether you choose it over the Sony WH-1000XM3.

When comparing the two headphones, there is in actuality a large difference between them, but that doesn’t mean that the Bose 700 has something that the Sony WH-1000XM3 doesn’t have to offer. 

However, it’s also good to mention that the Bose 700 comes out as newer and more advanced, making it a device with a higher overall price. This could heavily affect the people’s decision making since the Bose 700 certainly offers a more luxurious feel to it, but the Sony WH-1000XM3 still provides for a great audio experience regardless of its cheaper price. 

Continue reading to find out more about the major differences and unique features of each of these modern noise-canceling headphones. 

Design and Build Quality

When looking at their designs, one of the first things to look for in any kind of headphones is its general design and build quality. Which after all, makes up for the device’s overall longevity with it being likely to be used daily throughout its lifespan, and getting exposed to the mercy of external factors such as the weather conditions.

Aside from durability, you must also consider the headphone’s audio quality and overall performance. So how should we compare the two headphone models here?

Originally, the Sony WH-1000XM3 came with a size of 10.4×2.9×7.3”, weighing in at 9 oz. (Approx. 255g). Designed with the intent of achieving both aesthetics and durability, it’s protected by a durable plastic outer shell that has the appearance of stainless steel.

They also come with unique copper accents on each ear cup, showcasing a beautiful shine when exposed to sunlight. The headband and ear cups are made with leather, making for a comfortable listening experience that sounds as luxurious as it looks.

The Bose 700 on the other hand, measures up at a petite size of 8×6.5×2” and also weighs in at the same weight of 9 oz. (Approx. 255g). If you’re into customization, then the Bose 700’s color options may completely affect your decision. Bose has more luxurious color options, coming in with a beautiful matte Black, shining Luxe Silver, and an elegant Soapstone, with each color option being available at most major retail stores.

However, there is also a colorway that is exclusive only to Apple, the Black/Copper color design is sold for an extra whopping 100 US dollars. The reason as to why this version of the Bose 700 is a hundred dollars more expensive is that it comes as a bundle with its exclusive Apple charging case that supposedly offers a whopping 40 extra hours of battery life.

By most accounts, looks can be subjective, but with Sony only offering two variants of the colorway (Black and Silver). Without any custom or exclusive limited-edition colors throughout the time of its release, the Sony WH-1000XM3 lacks the customization and variety that the Bose 700 gracefully offers in the market. The obvious winner of both variety and build design is going to be the Bose 700.

Battery Life

Another major factor that you need to take into account when purchasing any type of wearable technology or portable device such as smartphones, Bluetooth speakers, and especially headphones, is their battery life. All these devices require batteries so they could be operated, but as soon as the battery’s life runs out, the entire device shuts down and needs to be charged back up again to resume activities.  

The span of the battery’s life is surely an important factor to think about when considering any wearable tech like the wireless headphones we’ve mentioned. The most ideal solution to this is finding a model of wireless headphones that run for as long as possible per charge. So how does the Bose 700 compare with the Sony WH-1000XM3 when measuring up in this category?

Both the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM3 were tested by leaving them playing music at a constant output of 75dB with their active noise canceling technology turned on. Each headphone was left turned on until they completely run out of battery and then compared to see which one lasted longer.

In the tests, they found out that the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 lasted for 21 hours and 25 minutes. However, the Sony WH-1000XM3 lasts for a whopping extra time of exactly two hours and 45 minutes. As another comparison, both headphones are found with similar USB-C charging ports, making it a question of efficiency.

So overall, Sony is the clear winner here seeing that their WH-1000XM3 could last for exactly 24 hours straight, unlike the Bose 700 who was lacking by a couple of hours. However, the noise-canceling feature heavily influences the Sony WH-1000XM3’s battery life—if you were to use it without the noise-canceling feature, it can be used at an unreal running time of 38–40 hours.

Audio Quality

There is a lot of thought that goes into sound quality, many people believe that sound is subjective—that isn’t the case because sound itself can be measured, meaning the sound quality of headphones can be thoroughly measured to ensure that the outcome is unbiased.

With Sony’s WH-1000XM3, the sound quality is yet to beat. Sony has a bass-forward sound profile that gives it its signature sound quality. With its mids and highs also being given the same attention as the lows, the Sony WH-1000XM3 results with a newly experienced full-bodied and spacious kind of sound.

The audio on the Bose 700 may not be the loudest among wireless headphones, but it is for certain that it is one of the best sounding pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones. It makes a fine sound, producing a crisp and precise sound that makes vocals thrive even on instrumental-heavy music samples.

This was tested by playing jazz-based music samples on the Bose 700, finding out that it fills your ears with very detailed rhythmic highs that were consistent throughout the songs played.

You also have the option of using an aux cable that came bundled with both models. The Sony WH-1000XM3 receives a large boost in its bass and clarity factors. On the Bose 700 however, the low sounds aren’t on the same level as Sony’s headphones, but it’s not something that you could entirely notice when using and setting up the proper noise-canceling options.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM3 has a more flexible sound quality with being able to properly sound out the lows, mids, and highs of any song—unlike the Bose 700 that had some lackluster effect with the ever so important lows. This makes Sony’s WH-1000XM3 the better option when it comes to audio quality.

Comfort

Having the added factor of comfort is also another piece that makes up for a good pair of headphones. When taking a close look at each model, there aren’t many major differences. Both of them weigh 9 ounces, making them equally good in terms of being lightweight and portability. You also have the option to swivel either model’s ear cups to fix any discomfort along the neck area.

The WH-1000MX3’s long extenders were designed for people with large heads, however, those with smaller heads can just as easily adjust them to secure a better relaxing fit. With the Bose 700, you also achieve a good amount of comfort with its soft plush padding with soft memory foam in each ear cup. They both feel gentle and comfortable, and they don’t press down too hard on your ears.

Overall, both were good, and not many major differences were found, making it a draw for this category.

Noise Cancelling

The noise-canceling technology for both Bose and Sony is surprisingly quite similar, but Bose might just be a couple of steps ahead of Sony with this one. Eight individual microphones are integrated into the Bose 700’s design, with six of them being utilized to filter out ambient sounds.

This results in an experience that is free of any distractive noises while giving you a sense of peace and satisfaction. Besides the godly noise-cancellation of even the sounds of a construction site, the Bose 700 can also silence any common noises you hear in your everyday life.

The WH-1000XM3 is Sony’s most successful attempt at its noise-cancellation technology. This pair of headphones are powered by their very flexible QN1 chip—utilized to effectively block out any nearby chattering, high-volume televisions, and even the blaring sound of airplanes.

Both noise-canceling features are great, but Sony’s WH-1000XM3 is at a loss when it comes to wind resistance. Bose carries the feature of active wind resistance that truly makes for a quiet and undisturbed experience. This makes the Bose 700 the overall better choice when considering which has a better noise-canceling experience.

Price

These elegant noise-canceling headphones are always a luxury, that’s what makes them a lot more expensive than most common headphones in the market. The Sony WH-1000XM3 is considered to be on the cheaper side of the spectrum when choosing high-end noise-canceling headphones.

Throughout its span existing in the market, the WH-1000XM3’s price has been going even lower with recent markdowns during the holiday seasons, making them a pair of amazingly cheap and surprisingly high-quality headphones

On the higher end of the spectrum, the Bose 700 (With a regular selling price of a whopping $400), is definitely worth the splurge if money isn’t an issue to you. Bose decided to make significant changes to the specs of the 700 that makes it truly deserving of your $400. While this is enticing for any audiophile with an infinite cash deposit, $400 is still asking maybe too much for any audio device.

Overall, even without the markdowns, the WH-1000XM3’s regular price of $280, for its great functionality and sound, is something that makes it truly worth the consideration for purchasing. The affordability for its function and quality is unrivaled, making it the winner when it comes to raw price advantage.

Who Should Get This?

Sony WH-1000XM3

The Sony WH-1000XM3 might be lacking in some features when being compared to the latest headphones like the Bose 700, but it is still a very good option that is well-made, reliable, and a steal for its fairly cheap price.

When the Sony WH-1000XM3 was released in the earlier times of 2018, it was very much known for being the best quality headphones with the most affordability. It is also quite simple to navigate and easy to use. People who were looking for a cheap and reliable pair of headphones easily found their go-to pick.

It may not have the latest noise-canceling technology of other newer models, but it still shines as a dependable device. The Sony WH-1000XM3 is certainly the best recommendation for people who don’t want to spend too much or don’t need the extra features.

Bose 700

The Bose 700 takes modernity to a next level with its 8 individual integrated microphones. The design was improved and offers a sleeker aesthetic while also improving greatly on functionality. The variety of colorway options have also taken a huge part in this device’s identity, being named as one of the most luxurious noise-canceling headphones out there.

Although having the extra colorways is a great way to sell variety, they aren’t necessarily the most important feature to any headphone—especially the Apple-exclusive colorway that costs an extra $100. The colorways surely didn’t help with the fact that the Bose 700 is very so slightly lacking in its battery life capacity.

Overall, the Bose 700 is a great recommendation to individuals who are more flexible with their spending budgets (Having to pay extra for the privilege of a definitive upgrade)—of which are also avid audiophiles who seek the greatest audio experience that a pair of noise-canceling headphones that are readily available in the headphone market.

Our Pick

All in all, it’s apparent to see that both the Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Bose 700 have tons of features and luxuries to offer. The WH-1000XM3 serves as a great way to introduce people to the world of high-end noise-canceling headphones, as they are readily available at a great price.

On the other hand, the Bose 700 also serves the same features but with a more luxurious flare, and also a much better noise-canceling experience. So, which of the two options is the definitive top?

Our Pick: The Sony WH-1000XM3

Despite being a year or so older, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the clear winner in this side by side comparison. Even with the Bose 700’s clear advantage for both variety and function, we just can’t let go of the WH-1000XM3’s function for its affordability. A cheaper yet competitive option that completely takes the lead for which headphone is worth it for the price.