Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Headphones Claimed to Have Best Noise Cancellation Yet, Here’s Why

Sony heard the gripes about the WH-1000XM5’s non-folding design and responded with a vengeance. The XM6 brings back the foldable hinge, making these cans a breeze to toss into a backpack. At 254 grams, they’re featherlight (well, compared to the chunky 385-gram Apple AirPods Max), and the wider, asymmetrical headband feels like a hug for your noggin, perfect for marathon listening sessions.

The earcups sport a sleek circular design, and the magnetically clasped case is slimmer than ever—no more wrestling with zippers. Available in Black, Silver, and Midnight Blue, the XM6 looks sophisticated without screaming for attention. One bummer? No IP rating, so keep them away from rain or gym sweat.

Sony claims the XM6 offers “the best noise-canceling headphones on Earth,” and they’re not exaggerating. Powered by the new QN3 processor—seven times faster than its predecessor—and a 12-mic array (up from eight), these headphones are like a sonic force field. Low hums from airplane engines or robovacs? Gone. The Adaptive NC Optimiser tweaks cancellation in real-time based on your environment, and while you can’t manually adjust ANC strength (a slight miss compared to Bose), the Auto Ambient Sound mode smartly lets in announcements or chatter when needed.


The XM6’s new 30mm drivers, tuned with input from mastering engineers at top studios, deliver a soundstage that’s rich, balanced, and downright joyous. From the gravelly vocals of The Marshall Tucker Band to the thumping bass of Daft Punk, every note pops with clarity. The midrange is lush, highs are crisp without being piercing, and the bass has just the right kick—never overpowering. A 10-band EQ in the Sony Sound Connect app lets you tinker to your heart’s content, and features like DSEE Extreme upscaling and 360 Reality Audio upmixing make even your crusty MP3s sound fresh. LDAC codec support ensures hi-res audio over Bluetooth (sorry, iOS users, it’s Android-only for now), though the lack of aptX is a minor letdown.


Sony’s stuffed the XM6 with tech that feels like it’s from 2026. Six beamforming mics and AI-trained noise reduction make calls crystal-clear, even in noisy cafes. Head Gestures let you nod to answer calls or shake to decline—gimmicky but fun, like you’re a Jedi managing your inbox. Touch controls on the right earcup are buttery smooth, handling playback and volume with swipes and taps. The app is a power user’s dream, offering everything from location-based sound profiles to Auracast support for future-proofed audio sharing. Battery life holds steady at 30 hours with ANC on (40 hours off), and a three-minute charge gives you three hours of juice. Oh, and you can now charge while listening—a neat upgrade over the XM5.


At $449.99, the XM6 isn’t cheap—a $50 hike over the XM5. In a world where Bose QuietComfort Ultras cost $429 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 hit at $399, Sony’s betting big on its upgrades. The lack of USB-C audio and aptX might irk audiophiles, and the tight fit could bug glasses-wearers (it affects low-end ANC slightly). Still, these are nitpicks in an otherwise stellar package. If you’ve got XM5s or Bose Ultras in good shape, you might not need to upgrade. But if your cans are aging or you crave the best, the XM6 delivers.

Sony has always been a benchmark for premium quality, and the WH-1000XM6 headphones take it to a new level. They transport me to a different world with their excellent bass, frequency response, soundstage and detail and truthfully represent the sounds of the recordings that we work so hard to make,” said Randy Merrill, Mastering Engineer from Sterling Studio who took part in the co-creation of the WH-1000XM6 headphones.