Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Adaptive NC Optimizer, Mastered by Engineers, Studio-Quality, 30-Hour Battery, Platinum Silver

I have a headphone problem, or so my wife says. I’ve owned the Apple AirPods Max, the Sony XM5’s, the Bose QC and QC Ultra the QC 45’s and 35’s both I and II, the Sonos Ace, and the Beats Studio Pro. Going into my XM6 purchase, my favorite are/were the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. I bought the QuietComfort Ultra during Prime Day for an unbelievable $329! I have found that they offer the best combination of comfort, sound and ANC for the price. So, how does the XM6 compare? The ANC is second to none. I augment our central air with a window unit, which sits right behind my head, and I can completely eliminate its sound. But static sounds are pretty easily muffled by most of newer ANC headphones, so how about dynamic sounds like a tv or normal conversation? The XM6 excel there, too. Put simply, they offer the best ANC of any of the aforementioned headphones. They are also pretty comfortable and clamp down relatively tight, though I haven’t found anything to be as comfortable as either the QC or QC Ultra. The XM6 are designed to be over ear headphones, yet my ear doesn’t seem to fit inside the cup like other over ear headphones. This, in my opinion, makes them less-comfortable then they could/should be. However, the memory foam is a nice touch and does help.The sound is well-balanced and pretty good right out of the box, though I had to make use of the ten-band EQ to get them to sound just a tad better than my QC. With my current EQ settings, I would say they offer the clarity of the Apple AirPods Max, but with the bottom end of my Bose QuietComfort. The bass isn’t overpowering, it’s actually pretty accurate (after EQ tinkering).In the final analysis, the XM6 offer the best sound of any of the headphones I mentioned, but not by much. Furthermore, the ANC is superior to everything else I’ve owned, but not by a staggering amount.So, which should you buy? If you’re like me and in search of the best possible sound, and won’t settle for anything less than the best ANC, then get the XM6. If, however, you prioritize comfort and value, and don’t mind making some very minor concessions regarding sound and ANC, then get the Bose QuietComfort or the QC Ultra (wait until you catch them on sale, which is pretty often). I hope that helps. Happy listening!Update: “6/02/2025: Intermittent crackling in left speaker. Had to return them. I have replaced them, though.Update 06/07/25: I received the replacement pair and everything seems great.I neglected to mention in my previous review how great the Sony app is and how customizable the XM6 are. First, you get a ten band EQ, instead of the Bose three bands. Additionally, there are some awesome (optional) features that are missing from Bose. Sony has speak to chat, which mutes your music and puts your headphones in aware mode when you speak. Also, there is an option to accept or reject calls by simply nodding or shaking your head, which is very cool. If you’re into features like that and general customization, then the Sony XM6 are for you.UPDATE 06/17/2025. Started hearing crackling again in the right speaker this time. This time I did a Google search to see if others were having the same problem, and it seems like turning on DSEE Extreme could be the culprit at high volumes. The DSEE Extreme setting is supposed to upscale compressed files. I turned off the setting and no more crackling. I replayed the same part of the same song with and without it engaged, it it’s definitely the DSEE Extreme. Consequently, I’ve turned off that setting and now everything seems fine.

They're just good at everything and actually sound pretty good now too.Noise cancelling works very well. Sony has always been good at reducing common noises without the feeling of being in an airplane cabin. While Apple is fine too, Bose sometimes gave me that cabin pressure feeling.The transparency mode is much better now and on par with Apple.Microphone is very good for meetings. It really removes all the fan noise, office environment, and lawn worker noises.Fit and comfort works for me. I don't have giant ears, but I've always preferred headphones that don't touch my ears. These are just barely big enough for that. My head is on the smaller side, but the clamp holds the headphone up well and doesn't need a lot of pressure on the top head band to stay in place. Maybe a little more head padding or wider head band would be better but not really an issue for me. Being pretty light helps a lot here.XM4 style folding is back. It's seriously better than the XM5s. Travels so much easier. BUT they will pinch you when unfolding if you're not paying attention.The Sony doesn't pull out hair like some other headphones do.Two device bluetooth that just works. Laptop, phone, apple tv, whatever.Charges really fast.Zipperless case is amazing! It's just so simple and easy. Also, the pouch that holds accessories, like the cable and plugs actually hold! The cables and adapters from the XM4 case were always falling out. Don't even get me started on the Apple "case".They sound good! The XM3 and XM4 both sounded... fine. I swapped to more comfortable pads on both of those when I had them and it also helped improve the sound (less bass bloat). The Apple and Bose both sound good also, but the Sony app has a 10-band equalizer now which makes it so much easier to make it sound how you actually like it. While it's still not a fully adjustable EQ, it's good enough and makes a huge difference. I don't understand why this isn't standard for every powered headphone.The appearance and feel is exactly what I want. These are travel and work headphones. I don't want ridiculous bling or branding. I'm not trying to make a fashion statement. I don't want a huge "steal me" sign on my head. These blend in and I'm totally happy about that. They also feel "fine" which again is perfect for when I don't really want to think about how I'm treating my daily drive headphones. I have some very nice headphones which stay home, and I treat like art. That's not what the Sony's are for. I'm not worried when I bump then into things or just set them down on a desk or toss onto a piece of furniture. I don't need a more premium look for feel.These are great headphones and easily the best Sony XMs yet.

I've owned the XM3, XM4, Bose QC35 II, and AirPods Max—and the WH-1000XM6 are the best of the bunch. These headphones seriously deliver, especially if you're using them for work, focus, or just zoning out in a noisy environment. Half-cube office warriors, you know what I mean.Noise Canceling: 11/10This is where they absolutely shine. I work from home most of the time, and these block out everything. Washing machine noise? Gone. Agitator clicks? Gone. With eyes closed, it’s honestly just silence. It’s not subtle—it’s eerily effective. The best ANC I’ve experienced, full stop.Sound Quality: 10/10Not an audiophile, but I appreciate great sound—and this is it. Out of the box they sound fantastic, but tweak the EQ in the app and you’ll get them dialed to exactly your taste. Bass, mids, clarity—everything’s tight, rich, and full. These are easily my favorite-sounding headphones so far.Comfort & Fit: 10/10Super lightweight and incredibly comfortable. No clamping pressure, no ear fatigue, no overheating. I’ve worn them for hours at a time with zero discomfort—Sony nailed the ergonomics this time around.Battery & Connectivity: 10/10Battery life is as advertised, maybe better. I’ve only charged them twice since I got them, and I’ve used them heavily. Plus, the connection range is noticeably better—I can move around the house without dropouts, which wasn’t always the case with older models.Overall: 10/10Sony crushed it with the XM6s. If you want world-class noise canceling, high-end sound, and all-day comfort, these are the headphones to get. Easily the best over-ear wireless headphones I’ve used.