We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes our picks. How we pick →
Sony WH-1000XM6 Review: Still the King of Noise Canceling?
Gear Receipts Desk· 8 sources checked· Updated Oct 13, 2026
Jump to a section
For most people, yes: What Hi-Fi gave the Sony WH-1000XM6 5/5 for sound, features and comfort, and says their noise canceling sounds more natural than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, even if the Bose might feel marginally stronger. If you want to save, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are the cheaper pick, and iPhone owners should know they won't get hi-res audio on the XM6.
Watch the review
Why it wins
microphones, up from 8 on the XM5
Receipt · What Hi-Fi12 microphones, up from 8 on the XM5Read Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗faster QN3 chip vs the XM5's QN1 (Sony's claim)
Receipt · What Hi-Fi7× faster QN3 chip vs the XM5's QN1 (Sony's claim)Read Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗of USB-PD charging gives 3 h of playback
Receipt · What Hi-Fi3 min of USB-PD charging gives 3 h of playbackRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗of battery with ANC on, same as the XM5
Receipt · What Hi-Fi30 h of battery with ANC on, same as the XM5Read Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗Scores published by the testers we read. We never score from our own listening.
How we scoreWhat buyers say
“It cuts out low rumbles and background chatter so effectively that I often forget where I am”
Owner · ProductReview.com.auReceipt · ProductReview.com.auOwner sound score and owner quoteRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗“Had older version - these have better noise cancelling!”
Buyer · The Good GuysReceipt · The Good GuysBuyer rating and buyer quoteRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗What could be better
Ear cushions run warm
Buyers often say the faux-leather ear cushions make their ears warm, needing a break after about 2 h. A Fossbytes reviewer said the same after 2 months of use. Receipt · FossbytesWarm ear cushions after about 2 hRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Who won't mindPeople who listen in sessions shorter than about 2 h, outside summer heat, are the least likely to notice.
Who should buy
- Train and subway commuters who want the rumble gone
- People who take lots of calls on the go
- Laptop-and-phone users who need two-device multipoint
Who should skip
- iPhone owners who want hi-res audio
- Anyone who needs wired listening over USB-C
- Bose fans who want manual noise canceling levels
Is it worth the price?
The XM6 list at $449, $50 more than the XM5's $399 when What Hi-Fi tested them, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones list at $429. The AirPods Max cost $549 when What Hi-Fi first reviewed them, and What Hi-Fi says they can't compete with the Sony on calls. If you don't need the best calls and sound, Expert Reviews calls the discounted XM5 a steal.
List prices as quoted by the testers. Today's price is on the store: we never show a price without its date.
Full specs Show all 13
Sources: Receipt · What Hi-FiScores, ANC, calls, sound, specs, list pricesRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗ Receipt · Expert ReviewsHinges, iPhone hi-res, loud-call limits, XM5 valueRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Alternatives
Sony vs Bose, round by roundExpert Reviews calls the discounted XM5 a steal
Stronger pure noise blocking, per What Hi-Fi
Better defined sound, hi-res over USB-C for iPhone
Get the XM6 if you want the best Sony has made: What Hi-Fi calls them simply sensational and Expert Reviews calls them Sony's finest headphones yet. Want to save? Look at the XM5.
Ready to buy?
Questions buyers ask
Did you test these yourselves?
Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for noise canceling?
Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 support hi-res audio on iPhone?
Should I upgrade from the Sony WH-1000XM5?
How good is the call quality on the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 durable?
Featured in
Every number on this page links to one of these. How we pick