When it comes to wireless noise-canceling headphones, Sony has long been the name to beat. In this Sony WH-1000XM6 Review, we explore how the brand continues its legacy with smarter features, refined sound, and a foldable design that users have missed. But is it truly worth the upgrade, especially if you already own the WH-1000XM5? And how does it fare against its strongest rivals, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Apple AirPods Max?
Let’s dive into a complete, in-depth review to find out if the WH-1000XM6 deserves the top spot in your gear lineup.
Design & Build Quality: Refinement Meets Practicality
The Sony WH-1000XM6 makes a quiet but meaningful design evolution. Sony brings back foldable earcups and enhances the design with soft-touch premium materials, striking a perfect balance between comfort and portability. The ear cups feel more padded, and the overall clamping pressure has been slightly reduced for long-term use.
While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra leans toward a more traditional and bulkier form, the XM6 offers a slimmer, more modern design that still feels sturdy and well-built. Apple’s AirPods Max, though premium in materials, still suffer from a heavier frame that may fatigue users over time.
Verdict: If portability and comfort are your priorities, the WH-1000XM6 stands out in 2025.
Sound Quality: Signature Sony, Now Smarter
Sony has refined its already impressive audio profile with improved driver tuning and a better spatial sound experience. The WH-1000XM6 delivers deep bass, crystal-clear mids, and expanded treble clarity. With Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and DSEE Extreme, you’ll notice richer details across genres.
Whether you’re listening to acoustic ballads or bass-heavy electronic tracks, the XM6 offers remarkable balance.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra leans toward a more neutral tone, ideal for podcasts and vocals. The AirPods Max deliver impressive spatial audio for Apple users but fall short on EQ customization, especially when used with Android devices.
Verdict: If you want powerful, customizable sound with broad device support, the WH-1000XM6 delivers.
Noise Cancellation & Ambient Sound: Leading the Pack
Sony has further enhanced its renowned Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology for an even more immersive listening experience. Powered by AI and the QN2 chip, the XM6 intelligently adjusts noise-canceling levels based on your environment, whether you’re on a plane, subway, or at a café.
The Ambient Sound Mode and Speak-to-Chat have also been optimized to respond faster and more accurately.
While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra still leads in passive noise isolation, Sony’s adaptive ANC feels more intelligent and real-time responsive. Apple’s AirPods Max do well in consistent environments but aren’t as flexible on the go.
Verdict: For frequent travelers or office workers, the XM6 provides an unrivaled noise-free experience.
Battery Life: Consistently Impressive
You get up to 30 hours of playback with ANC on, and up to 40 hours without. A quick 3-minute charge gives around 3 hours of playback, making it ideal for daily commuters and travelers alike.
Bose offers up to 30 hours as well, while the AirPods Max fall short at just around 20 hours, with no fast charging support.
Verdict: Sony maintains its battery leadership, especially with fast top-ups.
Smart Features & Connectivity
The XM6 shines when it comes to smart integration. The Quick Access feature lets you instantly pick up where you left off on Spotify with a single tap. Multipoint connectivity now works more seamlessly across devices, and the touch controls remain intuitive.
Voice assistant support (Google, Alexa, Siri) is available across platforms, and the Sony Headphones Connect App gives deep control over your listening preferences.
Compared to Bose’s simpler interface and Apple’s iOS-exclusive features, Sony’s ecosystem works more universally and offers more control to the user.
Verdict: If versatility and personalization matter, Sony takes the crown.
App Experience: Unlocking Full Potential with Sony’s Headphones App
Sony’s companion app continues to improve, offering customizable EQ, ambient controls, adaptive sound based on location, and firmware updates. You can even set unique profiles for home, work, or commute.
Unlike Bose’s relatively basic app and Apple’s fixed settings, Sony empowers you to shape your listening experience.
Verdict: Best-in-class app experience for power users and audiophiles.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
| Feature | WH-1000XM6 | WH-1000XM5 |
| Design | Foldable, better padding | Slimmer, non-foldable |
| ANC | Adaptive with AI Learning | Great, but less dynamic |
| Sound | More detail & depth | Still excellent |
| Comfort | Softer cushions, less pressure | Comfortable, but firmer |
| Battery Life | 30 hrs ANC / 40 hrs normal | Same |
| Smart Features | Quick Access, upgraded multipoint | Limited multipoint |
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own the WH-1000XM5 and are happy with it, the XM6 is not a must-have, but for travelers or those who missed foldability, it’s a game-changer. First-time buyers should absolutely go with the WH-1000XM6 for its future-proof design and features.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class noise cancellation
- Foldable and portable design
- Balanced, customizable sound
- Powerful app and smart features
- Long battery life with fast charging
Cons
- Premium price point
- Small upgrade for WH-1000XM5 owners
Price & Availability
The Sony WH‑1000XM6 enters the premium headphones market at a $449.99 (U.S.) launch price—about $50 higher than the WH‑1000XM5, reflecting its enhanced features and foldable design. In Europe, the MSRP sits around €449.99 and £399.98.
For readers in India, the WH‑1000XM6 has been listed at approximately ₹37,999–₹38,550, though availability may vary by retailer.
Best value tip: If you’re after the most reliable deal, consider purchasing from Amazon (U.S.), where the headphones are currently $448, occasionally dipping as low as $439 with discounts.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 represents the best of what wireless headphones can offer in 2025. With intelligent ANC, adaptive sound, a foldable design, and rich audio performance, it’s built for professionals, audiophiles, and anyone who values audio freedom.
If you’re in the market for premium noise-canceling headphones — whether for travel, work, or music — the WH-1000XM6 should be at the top of your list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
A: Yes, especially in smart features, adaptive ANC, and sound customization.
Q2: Is the WH-1000XM6 compatible with both Android and iOS devices?
A: Yes, it works seamlessly with both Android and iOS, offering broader compatibility than the Apple-exclusive AirPods Max.
Q3: Does the WH-1000XM6 support Spatial Audio?
A: Not natively like Apple’s Spatial Audio, but Sony offers its own immersive 360 Reality Audio format.
Q4: Are they good for Zoom calls or online meetings?
A: Yes, with multi-mic support and upgraded noise-reduction algorithms, voice clarity is excellent.
