Sony WH-1000XM6
Exact average 86.5 · 5 printed, 9 estimated · printed scores only: 89
Image: SonyThe XM6 brings back a folding design and improves noise cancelling and call quality. 13 of 14 reviewers who tested it recommend it. Tom's Guide was the exception, calling it a disappointing upgrade at a higher price.
Reviewed by Expert Reviews, CNET, WIRED and 11 more
The catch: Costs more than the XM5 for modest gains.
9 of these 14 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What 14 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 95Expert Reviews
A best-buy flagship with sweeping gains in noise cancelling, comfort, build and sound.
Read Expert Reviews review - 93CNET
Calls it the noise-cancelling king, with improved design, ANC, sound and calls.
Read CNET review - 90WIRED
Called possibly the best noise-canceling headphones available, with outstanding ANC, better sound and strong usability.
Read WIRED review - 83soundguys.com
A worthy successor with very good sound, excellent ANC and strong battery life, and the best choice for many buyers.
Read soundguys.com review - 83TechGearLab
Best-in-class noise cancelling, strong customizable sound and top call quality, held back by a fit that is not especially comfortable and the high price.
Read TechGearLab review - 89est.TechRadar
A year of daily use left the reviewer still preferring the XM6 over Bose, AirPods Max 2 and Sony's pricier Collexion.
Read TechRadar review - 89est.eCoustics
Sony's best ANC and sound yet, with a foldable design and better case, though the price rose and glasses wearers may find it fatiguing.
Read eCoustics review - 89est.Good Housekeeping UK
After weeks of use the reviewer names the XM6 his new top noise-cancelling pick, narrowly ahead of Bose.
Read Good Housekeeping UK review - 89est.CNN Underscored
Excellent sound, noise cancelling, case and comfort led the reviewer to favor them over AirPods Max.
Read CNN Underscored review - 89est.The Guardian
Judged the best noise cancelling available, especially against chatter and higher-pitched sounds, with good sound, battery and a folding design.
Read The Guardian review - 83est.Trusted Reviews
A comfortable, feature-packed upgrade with better noise cancelling and clearer sound, but no longer the clear class leader, with B&W's Px7 S3 sounding better.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 83est.Popular Science
Picked as the top travel pick for noise cancellation, with a more balanced and detailed sound than before and a comfortable, foldable design.
Read Popular Science review - 83est.Business Insider
The reviewer calls the XM6 a clear step up from the XM5, with standout noise cancelling and a sturdier design.
Read Business Insider review - 73est.Tom's Guide
A long-term follow-up finding the XM6 very good but only a minor update over the XM5.
Read Tom's Guide review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Apple AirPods Max 283
- SoundGuys (2026) picks the Sony WH-1000XM6.
- Tom's Guide (2026) picks the Apple AirPods Max 2. Still choose this one if: you are on a budget or want longer battery, lighter weight and stronger ANC.
- BGR (2026) picks the Sony WH-1000XM6.
- TechRadar (2026) picks the Sony WH-1000XM6.
vs Sony WH-1000XM589
- What Hi-Fi? picks the Sony WH-1000XM6.
- Tom's Guide (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you want the latest model with the best ANC and call quality, or are upgrading.
- SoundGuys (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you are buying fresh and want Sony's best sound, ANC and newer connectivity.
vs Sennheiser Momentum 484
- SoundGuys (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you want the strongest ANC, clearer calls and newest features and will pay more.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other noise-cancelling headphones critics rate highly
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- Focal Bathys MG · 3 reviews so far
- JBL Live 780NC · 3 reviews so far
- Sennheiser HDB 630 · 3 reviews so far
- Soundcore Space One · 3 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth it?
Most critics think so: 13 of 14 recommend it. Costs more than the XM5 for modest gains.
Do critics agree about the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Broad agreement: scores range from 73 (Tom's Guide) to 95 (Expert Reviews), a spread of 22 points across 14 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Price (9 of 14 reviews), Controls and app (3 of 14 reviews), No water resistance (2 of 14 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM6?
The Dali IO-8 (critic score 93), top pick, narrowly.