The Sony WH-1000XM6 is Sony's 2025 flagship noise-cancelling headphone and the direct successor to the WH-1000XM5. Across the reviews we read, the story is consistent: class-leading noise cancelling, much better call quality, and a comfortable, foldable design, offset by a higher price than the model it replaces and a sound that trades soundstage width for vocal clarity.
Why reviewers keep recommending it
TechRadar's verdict calls the XM6 "a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones" that combine the best design elements of the XM4 and XM5 while levelling up sound and noise cancelling. Its reviewer singles out the ANC as the standout feature: a new QN3 processor working with twelve microphones (four more than before), which in his comparison held up against, and slightly edged, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra in vacuuming and busy-street tests. What Hi-Fi? reaches a similar conclusion, describing ANC as excellent, call quality as class-leading and sound quality as able to match anything at this level, and closes with "Simply sensational."
Tom's Guide is more measured. Its reviewer, who has covered every Sony WH-1000X flagship since 2016, says the changes are refinements rather than a radical upgrade, but the call-quality gain is real: with 12 beamforming microphones, he found voicemails recorded on the XM6 beat both the XM5 and AirPods Max. He also found them more comfortable for long sessions thanks to a wider headband, and praised the wide codec support (LDAC, SBC, AAC and LC3).
What reviewers, and owners, say beyond the headline
On Amazon, the black XM6 listing showed a 4.2 out of 5 star average across roughly 3,790 ratings when we checked on October 1, 2026. That is a good score, but lower than the pro-review consensus, which is common with expensive flagship products where buyers hold the price to a higher standard. Treat the Amazon number as a reminder that even highly rated flagships don't please everyone, not as a verdict on its own.
What reviewers liked
- Class-leading noise cancelling from the QN3 processor and 12 microphones (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?)
- Much-improved call quality with beamforming microphones (Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi?)
- Lightweight (254g), comfortable wider headband; folding hinges are back (TechRadar, Tom's Guide)
- Consistent touch controls, plus cupping the right earcup for quick ambient passthrough (TechRadar, Tom's Guide)
- LDAC and LC3 support, extensive EQ options and Auracast (TechRadar, Tom's Guide)
What reviewers flagged
- Price: $449-$450 at launch, about $50 more than the XM5 did, while the XM5 sold for around $300 (TechRadar, Tom's Guide)
- Battery life of about 30 hours with ANC is good but not class-leading; Sennheiser's Momentum 4 is rated at 60 (TechRadar)
- Soundstage is narrower than some rivals; clarity is prioritized over width (Tom's Guide)
- Hinges feel plastic and potentially fragile to Tom's Guide; case is on the large side (What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar)
- No aptX HD support and no audio over USB-C (What Hi-Fi?)
Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere
If your priority is silence on a commute, flight or open-plan office, the sources agree this is among the strongest choices you can buy. It also suits anyone who takes a lot of calls, since two of the three reviews call out the microphone upgrade. Where reviewers push back is value and sound character. TechRadar says the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 sounds better for the money, and Tom's Guide points to the Px7 S3 for a more spacious sound. Both note that the cheaper Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the XM5 deliver much of the same experience for less. If you are on a tighter budget, our Soundcore Space One roundup covers a far cheaper ANC option.
Buying considerations
Price is the main variable. The launch price of $449-$450 has been discounted at several retailers according to the price widgets on the reviews we read, but those figures change daily, so check the live listing before buying. Colors at launch were black, silver and midnight blue. Remember that the XM6 are not waterproof, so they are not gym headphones, and that the wired 3.5mm cable is included for flights.
Frequently asked
Is the XM6 worth upgrading from the XM5? Tom's Guide says the upgrade is incremental, with call quality the one big reason to switch; it could not give a perfect score because the XM5 offered so much of the same performance for far less. How long does the battery last? Reviewers cite about 30 hours with ANC on and about 40 with it off, with roughly three hours of playback from a three-minute fast charge (Tom's Guide, TechRadar). Does it work with iPhone and Android? Yes; Tom's Guide lists both, though head-tracked spatial audio only works on supported Android devices according to TechRadar.
Our take
Based on the reviews we read, the XM6 is the headphone to buy if best-in-class noise cancelling and calls matter more than the last bit of soundstage or battery life, and you're comfortable paying a premium. If you mostly want good sound and decent ANC, a discounted XM5 or a Bose QuietComfort Ultra looks like better value to these reviewers. Aggregate score: 8.9 / 10 is our own synthesis of the sources below, not a lab measurement.
We also compared this to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
See how the Sony stacks up against Bose's flagship in our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) comparison.
Related reviews
- Soundcore Space One Headphones: a budget ANC over-ear for readers who find the XM6 price too steep.
- Anker Soundcore Q45: another affordable noise-cancelling pair for commuters.
- Beats Solo 4 vs Soundcore Space One: a head-to-head of two lower-priced wireless headphones.
Sources
- TechRadar — Sony WH-1000XM6 review (published May 15, 2025)
- Tom's Guide — three-week review and verdict (published May 15, 2025)
- What Hi-Fi? — review, verdict, pros and cons
- Amazon listing — rating and count checked October 1, 2026