Bose QuietComfort Extremely vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: I attempted the 2 finest ANC headphones, and this pair wins

A pair of headphones with sturdy noise-canceling capabilities is important for anybody who wants to often tune out the world round them. If noise cancellation is on the prime of your “must-haves” when shopping for a pair of over-ear headphones, two choices provide the very best of the very best.

Additionally: I assumed Bose had perfected noise canceling – then I listened to those headphones

The newest Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra provide the business’s finest noise cancellation. Nonetheless, there are many variations in model, battery life, and software program options between the 2 that it’s best to take into account earlier than paying $400+ for both pair. Though Bose has since launched the second-gen QuietComfort Extremely Headphones, you should not completely write off the first-generation headphones. Here is how they examine 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
Worth	$449	$449

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You can purchase the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…

1. You desire 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’ll be able to prolong the XM6’s battery life to 40 hours by turning off noise cancellation, whereas Bose does not provide an possibility to show off the function, capping the QC Extremely’s battery at 24 hours.

Assessment: Sony WH-1000XM6

Nonetheless, each headphones provide proprietary spatial audio Technology that depletes battery life faster when turned on. Noise cancellation, quantity ranges, and cellphone name frequency have an effect on battery efficiency, so energy customers might drain their batteries quicker than the offered numbers. Finally, your mileage might range 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 shopper headphones, Sony’s XM6 pay extra consideration to sound high quality. The XM6 are outfitted with Sony’s DSEE Excessive upscaling Technology that guarantees to reinforce 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 through Bluetooth. The XM6 additionally debuted with the LC3 Bluetooth codec, which prioritizes environment friendly energy consumption. Choose Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy customers can reap the benefits of 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. 

Additionally: Your Sony headphones simply bought a helpful Bluetooth improve with the newest software program patch

Moreover, Sony’s XM6 debuted with a brand new Head Gestures function that enables customers to just accept or deny incoming cellphone calls by nodding or shaking their head. 

You can 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 desire a extra adjustable ANC

Bose and Sony present customers with sturdy and efficient noise cancellation, however generally you’re feeling like Goldilocks: You do not wish to hear the whole lot, however you additionally do not wish to not hear something. IT must be excellent. 

Assessment: Why these Bose headphones are nonetheless the very best I’ve listened to – regardless that they seem to be a yr outdated

Sony solely permits customers to regulate the Ambient Noise setting, which dictates how a lot exterior noise you’ll be able to hear. Nonetheless, there isn’t any 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 strategies in case your surroundings will get too loud.

3. You are procuring on a funds

At full worth, 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 worth for a great-sounding pair of headphones.

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