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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
Gear Receipts Desk· 11 sources· Updated Oct 13, 2026
Sony WH-1000XM6
4.7/5 · Best BuyList $449
VS
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
4.6/5 · PcComponentes (France)List $429
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Short answer
The Sony WH-1000XM6 win overall: What Hi-Fi and Tom's Guide both pick them for their sound, and they get a 10-band EQ to the Bose's 3 bands. Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if you want the strongest pure noise blocking or wired listening over USB-C.
Get the Sony if…
You put sound quality first.
You want a 10-band EQ to tune the sound.
Your phone supports LDAC.
You want the longest measured battery life.
Get the Bose if…
You fly a lot and want maximum silence.
You want wired listening over USB-C.
You want to dial noise canceling down by hand.
You wear glasses.
Watch the matchup
DON'T BUYWRONG
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Chapters6:19
The video version lands on YouTube soon. Everything it says is written below.
5 rounds
Sony3 – 1Bose
Round 1Noise canceling
Receipt · What Hi-FiRound winners, specs, launch prices, overall verdictRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Sony WH-1000XM6
Natural, subtle
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
Strongest blocking
Tie. What Hi-Fi rates the Bose Quiet mode stronger but notes a heavy 'vacuum' effect not everyone finds comfortable. It says Sony has caught up and is just as effective at damping noise.
Round 2Sound
Receipt · What Hi-FiRound winners, specs, launch prices, overall verdictRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Sony WH-1000XM6
Next level
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
Punchy, enjoyable
Sony takes it. What Hi-Fi says the Bose improved on the first generation, but the Sony pull ahead in every sonic area.
Round 3Comfort and design
Receipt · What Hi-FiRound winners, specs, launch prices, overall verdictRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Sony WH-1000XM6
Secure, premium
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
Soft, compact
Sony takes it. What Hi-Fi finds both very comfortable and the Bose fold more compactly, but prefers the Sony's more secure fit and more premium build.
Round 4Battery and features
Receipt · What Hi-FiRound winners, specs, launch prices, overall verdictRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Sony WH-1000XM6
30 h, no USB audio
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
30 h + USB-C audio
Bose takes it. What Hi-Fi rates both at about 30 h with ANC on and gives the round to Bose for wired listening over USB-C.
Round 5App and price
Receipt · Tom's GuideEQ bands, Bose ANC, Sony headband comfortRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Sony WH-1000XM6
10-band EQ
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
3-band EQ
Sony takes it. Tom's Guide points out the Sony's 10-band EQ against the Bose's 3 bands. What Hi-Fi also gives Sony the price round.
Full specs
Spec
Sony WH-1000XM6
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
Battery, ANC on (rated)
30 h
30 h
Battery, ANC on (measured)
37 h 14 min
27 h 12 min
Weight
254 g
250 g
Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
Hi-res codec
LDAC
aptX Adaptive
EQ
10-band
3-band
Audio over USB-C
No
Yes, CD-quality lossless
3.5 mm cable in box
Included
Included
Manual ANC level
No
Yes (Immersion mode)
Auracast
Yes
No
Finishes
3
5
Mic preference (reader poll)
26% of votes
51% of votes
Highlighted: the better value. Sources: Receipt · What Hi-FiRound winners, specs, launch prices, overall verdictRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗Receipt · SoundGuysMeasured battery, Auracast, mic pollRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗Receipt · Tom's GuideEQ bands, Bose ANC, Sony headband comfortRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
What buyers say
Sony WH-1000XM6
4.7/5 · 1,051 · Best Buy Receipt · Best BuySony buyer rating and review countRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Sound is the most-praised traitANC that makes you forget where you areSeveral days between chargesEar pads get hot on long sessionsSome report a cracked headband ring
“It cuts out low rumbles and background chatter so effectively that I often forget where I am”
Verified buyer Receipt · ProductReview.com.auSony owner quote on noise cancelingRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
4.6/5 · 1,896 · PcComponentes (France) Receipt · PcComponentesBose buyer rating and review countRead Oct 13, 2026Open source ↗
So comfortable you forget you wear themStrong ANC without ear pressureBattery lasts a full dayBass lacks punch, 3-band EQ can't fix itMarch 2026 update removed features
The verdict
Sony wins on sound, Bose on silence
WinnerSony WH-1000XM6
RoundsSony 3 – 1 Bose
Sources11 read
What Hi-Fi and Tom's Guide both pick the Sony WH-1000XM6, mainly for their sound and their 10-band EQ. What Hi-Fi says you can't go wrong with either pair, but head to head the Sony are the preferred option. Pick the Bose if you fly often and want the strongest pure noise blocking, or if you want wired listening over USB-C.
Which has better noise canceling, Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen?
On pure blocking power, What Hi-Fi rates the Bose Quiet mode stronger, and Tom's Guide says nothing comes close. What Hi-Fi also notes a heavy 'vacuum' effect on the Bose and says Sony has caught up, so it calls the round a draw.
Which sounds better?
The Sony. What Hi-Fi says the XM6 pull ahead in every sonic area and calls them 'next level' in a direct comparison. Tom's Guide found the Bose fine for background listening but not as good when you sit down with your music.
Which has longer battery life?
What Hi-Fi rates both at about 30 h with ANC on, while Tom's Guide lists the Bose at 24 h. In SoundGuys' rundown test with ANC on, the Sony lasted 37 h 14 min and the Bose 27 h 12 min. What Hi-Fi adds that a 3-minute charge on a USB-PD charger gives the Sony 3 hours of playback.
Can you listen through a cable?
Both include a 3.5 mm audio cable in the box, according to What Hi-Fi. Only the Bose also play audio over USB-C, up to lossless CD quality; the Sony's USB-C port only charges.
Which works best with my phone for hi-res audio?
What Hi-Fi notes Sony uses its own LDAC codec and Bose uses aptX Adaptive, so check which one your phone supports before you pick. SoundGuys says LDAC works on most Android phones, while the Bose's top-tier mode needs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or newer and manufacturer support.
Did you test these yourselves?
No. Gear Receipts never tests products itself. This page weighs the published tests from What Hi-Fi, Tom's Guide and SoundGuys plus buyer reviews, and every claim links to its source.
