I Compared Sony And Bose's Flagship Noise-cancelling Headphones - Here's The Winner In 2025

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Sony WH-1000XM6 are disposable successful Black, Silver, and Midnight Blue for $450.
• These headphones supply exceptional sound cancellation, applicable package features, and an enjoyable sound.
• A tight fresh and non-adjustable sound cancellation are noticeable pitfalls for premium headphones.

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It's been 3 years since Sony released nan past loop of its revered WH-1000X bid over-ear headphones, and location couldn't beryllium bigger shoes to fill.

The WH-1000XM5 are considered by consumers and manufacture experts to beryllium immoderate of nan champion headphones connected nan market, pinch precocious marks for their comfort, sound, package features, and fantabulous noise-canceling capabilities.

Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5: Are nan caller Sony headphones worthy nan upgrade?

Now, nan WH-1000XM6 are here, positioned arsenic Sony's astir precocious (and expensive) user headphones to date. But pinch truthful galore fabulous headphones connected nan marketplace and nan XM5 being arsenic bully arsenic they are, is nan upgrade worthy astir $500? Let's find out.

How do they sound?

The XM6 characteristic Sony's emblematic lukewarm and soft sound profile, characterized by minimal peaks and piercing successful nan higher frequencies, and a flimsy accent connected nan bass. Atmospheric replacement rock, for illustration The 1975's "Pressure"produces clear vocals, transparent instrumentals, and a tight bass response.

Also: I replaced my bulky headphones pinch these Pixel earbuds for walking - and can't spell back

Like each headphones, turning disconnected ANC aliases ambient sound creates a much neutral sound that astir group whitethorn find dull aliases uninspiring. However, nan XM6's sound without added sound features is noticeably fuller than nan XM5, which sounds much tinny and grainy. 

Most ANC-enabled headphones prosecute move tuning pinch added sound features turned on, and nan XM6 are nary different. Turning connected sound cancellation aliases ambient sound brings much colour and vibrancy, creating a much enjoyable listening experience. 

One of nan XM6's standout features is that listeners tin perceive successful spatial audio connected immoderate platform, while listening successful spatial audio pinch nan XM5 was reserved for very fewer music-streaming platforms. Sony 360 Spatial Sound, nan company's proprietary spatial audio protocol, importantly opens nan headphones' soundstage, delivering an airy and freely sound.

Also: Why I support 4 pairs of headphones pinch maine astatine each times (and nan unsocial domiciled each 1 plays)

Like Bose's proprietary Immersive Audio, Sony's civilization spatial audio tin beryllium deed aliases miss, depending connected nan song. The cymbals and riffs I typically emotion successful John Mayer's Neon sounded overly processed and imbalanced, while T-Pain's Up Down was groovy and dynamic. Can we conscionable springiness successful and licence from Dolby, please?

Comparing nan sound cancellation

Of each nan flagship noise-canceling headphones I've tested, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra person been nan champion performer since their precocious 2023 release. However, nan XM6 springiness them a superior tally for their money. I wore them successful bustling java shops, to nan gym during nan post-work rush, to nan farmer's marketplace during highest Saturday shopping hours, and astir critically, while my hubby played online video games pinch his friends.

The XM6's noise-canceling capacity is incredible, acknowledgment to nan XM6's 12 microphones for detecting and canceling outer noises and an upgraded QN3 processor, which Sony says is 7 times faster astatine processing sound than nan XM5's QN1 processor.

Also: I thought Bose had perfected sound canceling - past I tried these headphones

While wearing them astatine nan farmer's market, I was astounded astatine really these headphones could make maine consciousness for illustration I was nan only personification successful nan building during nan establishment's busiest hours. In my section Starbucks, only nan large shredding of crystal successful nan barista's blender could pierce nan XM6's ANC. 

Even nan best noise-canceling headphones can't hit overly loud, sharp, aliases abrupt noises, including nan noises from your teammates' rage quitting during a crippled of Marvel Rivals.

Jada Jones/ZDNET

The XM6's ambient sound mode is besides impressive, people replicating nan noises astir you. The microphone value for telephone calls is fantastic, and nan ambient sound mode offers a important magnitude of sidetone, allowing you to perceive yourself talk arsenic well. Sony says adding 4 much beamforming microphones is responsible for clearer telephone quality.

The sound cancellation is powerful; my only gripe is that settings can't beryllium manually adjusted successful nan app. Therefore, you're stuck pinch superpowered ANC successful public, which isn't ever ideal. 

Design and comfort

The creation of Sony's WH-1000X statement of flagship over-ear headphones has ever been utilitarian and functional, alternatively than flashy, eye-catching, aliases peculiarly stunning. That ethos hasn't changed pinch nan XM6.

Every creation prime that separates nan XM6 from its predecessor was made purely for improved functionality for nan extremity user, and enhanced aesthetics from those improvements are successful nan oculus of nan beholder. 

Jada Jones/ZDNET

The XM6 characteristic a foldable design, à la nan XM4. Additionally, Sony included a dedicated powerfulness fastener to debar button-pressing mixups, compared to nan XM5, which had a sound cancellation and powerfulness multifunction button. Otherwise, nan XM6 look almost identical to nan XM5.

Also: I've tested dozens of noise-cancelling headphones connected flights - this 1 is nan audio king

The XM6 athletics much downward-angled earcups than nan XM5, which Sony asserts will thief nan microphones prime up your sound amended during telephone aliases video calls. However, nan sharper earcup perspective created a tighter fit, which put much unit connected my jaw aft a fewer hours of wear. 

Battery life and package features

Jada Jones/ZDNET

The XM6's artillery life isn't improved compared to nan XM5, truthful nan caller procreation besides promises 30 hours of playback pinch sound cancellation enabled and 40 hours without. However, a caller characteristic is that you tin perceive to nan XM6 while changing them, for illustration nan Beats Studio Pro. However, nan XM6 do not support audio via USB-C, and they will link to your listening instrumentality via Bluetooth while charging.

Sony's headphones are typically stacked pinch package features, and nan XM6 person each of Sony's package bells and whistles. The Sony SoundConnect app includes equalizer settings, multifunction fastener customization, Speak-to-Chat, which lowers your euphony erstwhile nan headphones consciousness you're conversing pinch someone, location-based sound cancellation, and plentifulness much features. 

Also: Your Sony headphones person caller tricks successful a free update - but there's a catch

A caller characteristic called Head Gestures allows you to reply aliases diminution telephone calls by nodding aliases shaking your head, which is 1 of my favourite features I usage connected my AirPods Pro 2. The XM6 besides athletics touch controls connected nan aboveground of nan correct earcup, which are conscionable arsenic reliable arsenic nan XM5's. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The latest Sony WH-1000XM6 beryllium that seemingly mini and incremental changes betwixt 2 generations of products tin beryllium impactful, useful, and mostly felt. The XM6 are perfect for group who worth sound cancellation and sound complete style aliases headphones that make a ocular statement.

You don't request to unreserved to upgrade if you already ain nan Sony WH-1000XM5 aliases Bose QuietComfort Ultra. However, if your headphones are a fewer years aged and you're looking for newer ones for mundane use, you can't spell incorrect pinch nan XM6.

Looking for nan adjacent champion product? Get master reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

This communicative was first published connected May 14, 2025, and was updated connected Nov. 3, 2025 to region erstwhile discount accusation and update related articles.