A pair of headphones with strong noise-canceling capabilities is essential for those who sometimes need to be cognizant of the world around them. If noise cancellation is at the top of your “must haves” when buying a pair of over-ear headphones, two options offer the best options.
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latest Sony WH-1000XM6 And Bose QuietComfort Ultra Provide the industry’s best noise cancellation. However, there are plenty of differences in style, battery life, and software features between the two that you should consider before paying $400+ for either pair. Although Bose has released the second generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones, you shouldn’t completely write off the first generation headphones. Here’s how they compare to Sony’s latest releases.
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | |
| audio features | Noise Cancellation, Ambient Mode, Cinema (Sony 360 Spatial Sound) | Noise Cancellation, Aware Mode, Immersive Audio |
| battery life | 30 hours (ANC on); 40 hours (ANC off) | 24 hour |
| wired option | Stereo Mini Jack (3.5mm) | Stereo Mini Jack (3.5mm) |
| bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| microphone | 12 for noise cancellation; 8 for calling | 10 for noise cancellation; to call 4 |
| price | $449 | $449 |
You should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
1. You want long battery life
The Sony XM6 promises 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled, while the Bose QC Ultra promises 24 hours. You can extend the XM6’s battery life up to 40 hours by turning off noise cancellation, while Bose doesn’t offer the option to turn off the feature, limiting the QC Ultra’s battery to 24 hours.
Review: Sony WH-1000XM6
However, both headphones offer proprietary spatial audio technology that drains battery life quickly when turned on. Noise cancellation, volume level and phone call frequency affect battery performance, so power users may drain their battery faster than the given numbers. Ultimately, your mileage may vary on both pairs, but the specifications lean in favor of the Sony.
2. Sound quality is a high priority
Although Bose’s QC Ultra is the company’s best-sounding consumer headphones, Sony’s XM6 focuses more on sound quality. The XM6 is equipped with Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscaling technology that promises to enhance compressed digital audio quality, similar to what you hear on Spotify.
Additionally, the XM6 features Sony’s high quality Bluetooth codec, LDAC, which allows high quality audio transmission via Bluetooth. The XM6 also debuts with the LC3 Bluetooth codec, which prioritizes efficient power consumption. Select Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy users can take advantage of the XM6’s LC3 compatibility.
3. You want new audio technology
Sony’s XM6 debuts in 2025, while Bose’s flagship headphones are released in late 2023. Sony promises more advanced technologies for its noise-canceling processing algorithms, spatial audio protocols, and sound engineering.
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Additionally, Sony’s XM6 debuted with a new head gesture feature that allows users to accept or reject incoming phone calls by shaking or moving the head.
You should buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…
1. You value style and color
Sony’s flagship WH-1000X series headphones have a famously nondescript design, save for flashy accents or brightly colored, accented finishes. Bose’s QC Ultra headphones are frequently re-released in new colors and feature aluminum accents on the headband hinge, giving an elevated yet casual and sporty look.
2. You want more adjustable ANC
Bose and Sony provide users with strong and effective noise cancellation, but sometimes you feel like Goldilocks: You don’t want to hear everything, but you also don’t want to hear either. No hear anything. This should be absolutely correct.
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Sony only allows users to adjust the ambient noise setting, which determines how much outside noise you can hear. However, there’s no option to adjust noise cancellation, and being in public with this strong ANC isn’t always ideal.
Bose’s companion app allows you to create listening modes and customize noise cancellation levels based on your location, tasks, or mood. Additionally, Bose’s ActiveSense feature acts as adaptive noise cancellation, using noise-canceling technology to adjust if there is too much noise in your environment.
3. You’re shopping on a budget
At full price, Bose’s flagship headphones are just a few dollars off Sony’s XM6, but the QC Ultras are often discounted to $279 when marked on clearance. This is a great price for a pair of great sounding headphones.
