Anyone shopping for premium noise-cancelling over-ears in late 2026 ends up at the same fork: Sony's WH-1000XM6 (May 2025) or Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which arrived in September 2025. Both are ANC flagships with roughly 30 hours of battery, multipoint Bluetooth and foldable bodies, and both launched at about $449. In the reviews we read, the gap is not about whether either is good. It is about what you value: Sony gets the nod for sound and overall polish, Bose for the strongest noise blocking, a lighter feel and wired USB-C listening. We did not run our own side-by-side test; this page summarizes what professional reviewers and owners reported. If you want the full Sony write-up first, see our Sony WH-1000XM6 roundup.
At a glance
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (US) | $449 (May 2025) | $449 (September 2025) |
| Amazon listing price we saw | Check current price on Amazon | Check current price on Amazon |
| Amazon owner rating | 4.2 / 5 (about 3,790 ratings) | 4.3 / 5 (about 2,938 ratings) |
| Weight | 254 g | 250 g |
| Battery (ANC on) | About 30 hours | About 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio; up to 45 with ANC off, per TechRadar) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, multipoint | 5.4, multipoint |
| Wired USB-C audio | No (3.5 mm cable only) | Yes, up to 24-bit/48 kHz per TechRadar |
| Spatial audio | 360 Reality Audio, plus an upmix for cinema | Immersive Audio (Still / Motion) plus a new Cinema mode |
| Key strength per reviewers | Sound quality, natural-feeling ANC, call quality | Class-leading noise blocking, comfort, portability |
| Aggregate score (our synthesis) | 8.9 / 10 | 8.7 / 10 |
Prices move constantly and our figures come from different dates, so treat the table as a snapshot and check the live listings. One data point on codecs: What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar both list aptX Adaptive for the Bose, while Sony supports LDAC; at least one aggregator we came across states the Bose has only SBC and AAC, so confirm on the official spec page if codec support decides your purchase.
Sony WH-1000XM6: what reviewers say
What Hi-Fi? gave the Sony its overall win in the head-to-head, and its sound verdict is the headline: reviewers called the XM6 "the most detailed, dynamic, precise and open sound we've heard from a wireless Sony flagship," and in direct comparison described more natural tonality plus greater clarity, texture and dynamic subtlety than the Bose. On noise cancelling, the Sony's QN3 processor and microphone array are praised for an effect that is effective but natural and subtle, and What Hi-Fi? says Sony has now caught up with Bose in how much noise it damps. Call quality is another area where the Sony reviews on our existing page stand out, and TechRadar calls it a fantastic all-rounder.
What reviewers liked
- Detailed, spacious, dynamic sound; What Hi-Fi? picked it over the Bose on sound (What Hi-Fi?)
- Effective ANC with a subtle, natural effect rather than a heavy pressure feeling (What Hi-Fi?)
- Secure, comfortable fit and a more premium-feeling build (What Hi-Fi?)
- Fast charging: a three-minute USB-PD charge gives about three hours of playback (What Hi-Fi?)
What reviewers flagged
- No wired listening over USB-C, only the analogue cable (What Hi-Fi?)
- Does not fold as neatly into the case as the Bose; must be stored flat (What Hi-Fi?)
- ANC strength cannot be manually tuned the way Bose's can (What Hi-Fi?)
- Owners rate it 4.2/5 on Amazon, lower than the pro consensus, with price a recurring theme (Amazon)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): what reviewers say
TechRadar gave the Bose an Editor's Choice, with its reviewer arguing that Bose still delivers the best ANC "at anything like this kind of money" and that the headphones are as comfortable as these things get. The second generation adds a Cinema mode, a wired USB-C connection, and the ability to switch ANC off entirely, which the first generation could not do. What Hi-Fi? agrees the noise blocking is superior in raw intensity (only a baby's high-pitched cry got through on a flight), but also notes that the strong effect comes with a heavier "vacuum" sensation that not everyone likes. Both sites say the sound improved over generation one, with a punchy, bass-rich, energetic character, but neither puts it ahead of Sony: TechRadar says it is not the most detailed headphone around, and What Hi-Fi? says it feels a little left behind in a more competitive market.
What reviewers liked
- Best-in-class noise cancelling with adjustable intensity and ActiveSense (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?)
- Light at 250 g, low clamping force, very comfortable for hours (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?)
- Compact fold into a smaller case than most rivals (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?)
- Wired USB-C listening up to hi-res plus a 3.5 mm cable in the box (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?)
What reviewers flagged
- Sound is enjoyable but less natural and less detailed than the Sony (What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar)
- Perceived value lower than some rivals; plastics feel thin to TechRadar's reviewer (TechRadar)
- Control app is competent but basic next to some rivals (TechRadar)
- Strong ANC can feel more obvious or pressurized (What Hi-Fi?)
Head to head: noise cancelling, sound, comfort and features
On noise cancelling, What Hi-Fi? called it a draw: Bose blocks more, Sony sounds more natural doing it. On sound, it was a clean Sony win, with the Sony ahead in dynamics, subtlety, precision and clarity. On comfort and build, What Hi-Fi? preferred Sony for security on the head and a more premium feel, while TechRadar's Bose review praises the Bose as lighter than almost every price-comparable rival, so this one comes down to head shape and taste. On features, What Hi-Fi? gave Bose the win for wired USB-C audio, while the two matched on battery life and multipoint. On price, Sony took the point simply because it has been discounted more often, though the Bose list price we saw on Amazon was lower on the day we checked.
Which should you buy?
Pick the Sony if music quality is the priority, you want ANC that feels natural, you take a lot of calls, or you want fast charging and the stronger overall reviewer verdict. Pick the Bose if you fly or commute through loud environments, you care most about the quietest possible result and weight, you want to plug in over USB-C, or you simply find the Bose the better-fitting shape. If you mainly want a cheaper way into ANC, neither is the value play: see our Soundcore Space One roundup.
Our take, based on the roundup
The sources point the same way. Sony's WH-1000XM6 is the better all-rounder and the clear winner on sound; Bose's QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is the better pick for noise-blocking purists and frequent flyers. Because the Amazon prices change often and the Bose was listed noticeably cheaper when we checked, a big price gap on the day you buy can reasonably tip the decision toward Bose. At similar prices, most of the reviewers we read would lean Sony. Our aggregate scores (Sony 8.9, Bose 8.7) are our own synthesis of the sources below, not lab measurements.
Sources
- What Hi-Fi? — Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), James Cook, December 10, 2025
- TechRadar — Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review, Simon Lucas, October 22, 2025
- TechRadar — Sony WH-1000XM6 review
- What Hi-Fi? — Sony WH-1000XM6 review
- Tom's Guide — Sony WH-1000XM6 review
- Amazon customer reviews — Sony WH-1000XM6, about 3,790 ratings, 4.2/5 (checked October 1, 2026)
- Amazon customer reviews — Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), about 2,938 ratings, 4.3/5 (checked October 7, 2026)
Keeping this comparison current
Both headphones get firmware updates and frequent price changes, and Sony and Bose refresh flagships on roughly a two-year rhythm. We will revisit this page if either product changes materially, and treat the scores above as a snapshot rather than a permanent verdict.