I compared Sony’s XM6 headphones to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra – this pair wins

Also: I replaced my bulky headphones with these Pixel earbuds for travel — and now there’s no going back

As with all headphones, turning off ANC or ambient noise results in a more neutral sound that most people may find dull or uninspiring. However, without the additional noise features the XM6’s sound is noticeably louder than the XM5’s, sounding more tinny and grainy.

Most ANC-enabled headphones engage dynamic tuning with additional noise canceling features, and the XM6 are no different. Turning on noise cancellation or ambient sound brings out more color and vibrancy, making the listening experience more enjoyable.

One of the standout features of the XM6 is that listeners can listen to spatial audio on any platform, whereas with the XM5 listening to spatial audio was reserved for very few music-streaming platforms. Sony 360 Spatial Sound, the company’s proprietary spatial audio protocol, significantly opens up the headphones’ soundstage, delivering an airy and spacious sound.

Also: Why I carry 4 pairs of headphones with me at all times (and the unique role of each)

Like Bose’s proprietary Immersive Audio, Sony’s custom spatial audio can be hit or miss depending on the song. I usually like John Mayer’s cymbals and riffs neon Sounded overly processed and unbalanced, while T-Pain up down It was interesting and dynamic. Can we please just give up and get a license from Dolby?

Comparing Noise Cancellation

Of all the flagship noise-canceling headphones I’ve tested, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra has been the best performer since its release in late 2023. However, the XM6 gives them a run for their money. I wore them in crowded coffee shops, at the gym during the after-work rush, at the farmer’s market during peak Saturday shopping hours, and most critically, while my husband played online video games with his friends.

The XM6’s noise-canceling performance is incredible, thanks to the

Also: I thought Bose had mastered noise cancellation — then I tried these headphones

While wearing these at the farmer’s market, I was amazed at how well these headphones could make me feel like I was the only person in the building during the establishment’s busiest hours. At my local Starbucks, only the sharp shreds of ice in the barista’s blender could pierce the XM6’s ANC.

Even the best noise-canceling headphones can’t block out excessively loud, booming or sudden noises, including noises from your teammates’ angry outbursts during a game of Marvel Rivals.

The XM6’s ambient sound mode is also impressive, naturally mimicking the noise around you. The microphone quality for phone calls is fantastic, and the ambient noise mode provides a significant amount of sidetones, so you can even hear yourself talking. Sony says the addition of four more beamforming microphones is responsible for the clearer call quality.

The noise cancellation is powerful; My only complaint is that the settings can’t be adjusted manually in the app. So, you’re stuck with the superpowerful ANC in public, which is not always ideal.

Design and comfort

The design of Sony’s WH-1000X line of flagship over-ear headphones has always been utilitarian and functional, rather than flashy, attractive, or particularly surprising. That ethos hasn’t changed with the XM6.

Every design choice that differentiates the XM6 from its predecessor was made solely for improved functionality for the end user, and the aesthetics enhanced by those improvements are in the eye of the beholder.

The XM6 has a foldable design, just like the XM4. Additionally, Sony included a dedicated power button to avoid button-pressing hassles compared to the XM5, which had noise cancellation and a power multifunction button. Otherwise, the XM6 looks almost identical to the XM5.

Plus: I’ve tested dozens of noise-canceling headphones on flights — this one is the audio king

The XM6 have more downward-angled earcups than the XM5, which Sony claims will help the microphone better capture your voice during phone or video calls. However, the steeper earcup angle created a tight fit that put more pressure on my jaw after a few hours of wear.

Battery life and software features

The battery life of the XM6 is not improved compared to the XM5, so the new generation also promises 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled and 40 hours without noise cancellation enabled. However, one new feature is that you can listen while changing the XM6, just like the Beats Studio Pro. However, the XM6 do not support audio via USB-C, and they will connect to your listening device via Bluetooth while charging.

Sony headphones are usually packed with software features, and the XM6 has all of Sony’s software features. The Sony SoundConnect app includes features like equalizer settings, multifunction button customisation, speak-to-chat, which slows down your music when the headphones sense you are having a conversation with someone, location-based noise cancellation and lots more.

Also: Your Sony headphones have new tricks in their free update — but there’s a catch

A new feature called Head Gestures allows you to answer or decline phone calls by shaking or shaking your head, which is one of my favorite features I use on my AirPods Pro 2. The XM6 also have touch controls on the surface of the right earcup, which are just as reliable as the XM5.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

latest Sony WH-1000XM6 Prove that seemingly small and incremental changes between two generations of products can be impactful, useful, and realized at scale. The XM6 is ideal for those who value noise cancellation and sound over style or headphones that make a visual statement.

You don’t need to rush to upgrade if you already have it. Sony WH-1000XM5 Or Bose QuietComfort UltraHowever, if your headphones are a few years old and you’re looking for new headphones for everyday use, you can’t go wrong with the XM6.

Are you looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites ZDNET recommends,

This story was first published on May 14, 2025, and was updated on October 17, 2025, to remove previous exemption information and update related articles.