A pair of headphones with sturdy noise-canceling capabilities is crucial for anybody who wants to sometimes tune out the world round them. If noise cancellation is on the high of your “must-haves” when shopping for a pair of over-ear headphones, two choices supply the very best of the very best.
Additionally: I thought Bose had perfected noise canceling – then I listened to these headphones
The most recent Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra supply the business’s finest noise cancellation. Nevertheless, there are many variations in fashion, battery life, and software program options between the 2 that you must think about earlier than paying $400+ for both pair. Though Bose has since launched the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, you should not completely write off the first-generation headphones. This is how they evaluate to Sony’s newest launch.
Specs
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Extremely | |
| Audio options | Noise cancellation, Ambient Mode, Cinema (Sony 360 Spatial Sound) | Noise cancellation, Conscious Mode, Immersive Audio |
| Battery life | 30 hours (ANC on); 40 hours (ANC off) | 24 hours |
| Wired possibility(s) | Stereo mini jack (3.5mm) | Stereo mini jack (3.5mm) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Microphones | 12 for noise cancellation; 8 for calling | 10 for noise cancellation; 4 for calling |
| Value | $449 | $449 |
You should purchase the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
1. You need a longer battery life
The Sony XM6 promise 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled, whereas the Bose QC Extremely promise 24. You may prolong the XM6’s battery life to 40 hours by turning off noise cancellation, whereas Bose does not supply an possibility to show off the function, capping the QC Extremely’s battery at 24 hours.
Evaluate: Sony WH-1000XM6
Nevertheless, each headphones supply proprietary spatial audio expertise that depletes battery life faster when turned on. Noise cancellation, quantity ranges, and telephone name frequency have an effect on battery efficiency, so energy customers might drain their batteries sooner than the offered numbers. Finally, your mileage might differ throughout each pairs, however the specs lean in favor of Sony.
2. Sound high quality is a excessive precedence
Though Bose’s QC Extremely are the corporate’s best-sounding client headphones, Sony’s XM6 pay extra consideration to sound high quality. The XM6 are geared up with Sony’s DSEE Excessive upscaling expertise that guarantees to boost compressed digital audio high quality, like those you take heed to on Spotify.
Moreover, the XM6 have Sony’s higher-quality Bluetooth codec, LDAC, which permits for higher-quality audio transmission by way of Bluetooth. The XM6 additionally debuted with the LC3 Bluetooth codec, which prioritizes environment friendly energy consumption. Choose Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy customers can benefit from the XM6’s LC3 compatibility.
3. You need newer audio tech
Sony’s XM6 debuted in 2025, whereas Bose’s flagship headphones launched in late 2023. Sony guarantees extra superior applied sciences for its noise-canceling processing algorithm, spatial audio protocol, and sound engineering.
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Moreover, Sony’s XM6 debuted with a brand new Head Gestures function that enables customers to just accept or deny incoming telephone calls by nodding or shaking their head.
You should purchase the Bose QuietComfort Extremely if…
1. You worth color and style
Sony’s flagship WH-1000X collection headphones have a famously nondescript design, omitting flashy accents or brightly coloured, accented finishes. Bose’s QC Extremely headphones are sometimes rereleased in new colours and have aluminum accents on the scarf hinges, creating an elevated but informal and sporty look.
2. You need a extra adjustable ANC
Bose and Sony present customers with sturdy and efficient noise cancellation, however typically you are feeling like Goldilocks: You do not need to hear every part, however you additionally do not need to not hear something. It must be excellent.
Evaluate: Why these Bose headphones are still the best I’ve listened to – even though they’re a year old
Sony solely permits customers to regulate the Ambient Noise setting, which dictates how a lot exterior noise you may hear. Nevertheless, there is no possibility to regulate noise cancellation, and being in public with this sturdy of ANC is not at all times excellent.
Bose’s companion app lets you create listening modes and customise noise cancellation ranges relying in your location, duties, or temper. Moreover, Bose’s ActiveSense function acts as adaptive noise cancellation, using noise-canceling methods in case your atmosphere will get too loud.
3. You are buying on a finances
At full value, Bose’s flagship headphones are only a few {dollars} off from Sony’s XM6, however the QC Extremely are sometimes discounted to as little as $279 whereas they’re marked for clearance. That is a unbelievable value for a great-sounding pair of headphones.
