Four premium options, and a clear winner for most people. Best overall, Sony WH-1000XM6 Best-in-class ANC, folds for travel, the deepest app, great calls. The pick for most people, most of the time. Most comfortable, Bose QuietComfort Ultra The nicest to wear for hours, with a more natural cancellation feel and the best spatial audio. For iPhone owners, AirPods Max (USB-C) Heavy and expensive, but the build is unmatched and the integration with Apple devices is seamless. For Sonos households, Sonos Ace Great sound and the TV Audio Swap trick, if you already own a Sonos soundbar. The verdict: Buy the Sony XM6 unless comfort (Bose), ecosystem (AirPods Max) or a Sonos soundbar (Ace) tips you elsewhere.
The best all-round noise-cancelling headphones again, now with the practicality the XM5 threw away. Our score: 9 / 10 At a glance Spec Detail ANC 12-microphone array, new processor Folding Folds flat and into the cups again Battery Around 30 hours with ANC Codecs LDAC, AAC, SBC; multipoint Price Around $449 Sony listened The XM6 brings back the folding hinge the XM5 inexplicably dropped, so it packs down small for travel again. It adds a 12-microphone ANC array and a dedicated processor, and keeps the class-leading companion app, multipoint pairing and battery life. The sound and the competition Noise cancellation is now clearly ahead of the AirPods Max and a nose in front of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The default tuning is warm and a little bass-forward; the app’s EQ fixes that in a minute. Call quality is excellent. The good and the bad What works Best-in-class ANC Folds flat for travel again Superb app, EQ and multipoint Great call quality What doesn’t $449 Warm default tuning needs EQ No lossless over USB-C Who it’s for Buy it if you want one pair of headphones for flights, commutes and calls and you want the best at each. Skip it if you prioritise wired lossless audio or the most neutral out-of-the-box sound. Alternatives worth a look Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, more comfortable, more natural ANC feel. AirPods Max (USB-C), for iPhone owners who want the build and integration. The verdict: The obvious default in the category once again. Sony fixed the one thing that was wrong. Sources Sony GSMArena specifications
Bose for comfort and a more natural cancellation feel; Sony for the app, the features and slightly stronger ANC. The case for Bose The QuietComfort Ultra is the more comfortable headphone for long wear (lighter clamp, plusher pads), and its noise cancellation has a less "pressurised" feel that some people strongly prefer. Its Immersive Audio spatialisation is the best in the category. The case for Sony The XM6 cancels marginally more noise overall, has the deeper feature set and the better app, folds smaller for travel, and takes better calls. The verdict: You will not be unhappy with either. Try both on your head, because comfort and ANC feel are personal and that is where they differ. Sources GSMArena specifications
